Fishing Season: All year

Big Thompson - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

45

Sunrise Anglers's Tip of the Week

Midge pupa, or a #18 Ptail for trailer Baetis hatching with or without cloud cover Caddis with afternoon warmup PMD’s Yellow stones,,, so much hatching at once You can set your watch to the hatch!

Directions open in app

Map of Big Thompson

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Sunrise Anglers

5-Day Outlook as of 6/15/26

Adams tunnel update :: 50 +- cfs Great flow for dry and nymph rigs

Techniques & Tips as of 6/15/26

Double dry,,, long leaders On larger slicks Nymphing with indicators

Local Species Available All year

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    Brown

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    Rainbow

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    Cutthroat Trout

Sunrise Anglers's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
RS2 Dark 18, 14
CDC Emerging Caddis Bl 18
Elk Wing Caddis Blonde 16
Indicator Parachute - Lt. Cahill Dark 18
Bighorn Midge Cream 18
Reverse pupa Black 18
Flashback Baetis Nymph Dark 18
Schroeder's Hi-Vis Hopper Y 10
Montana stone Brown 19
Streamer Black 6

RS2

A must have emerger fly pattern for any trout fisherman.

2.49

Item #067T

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Sunrise Anglers's Recommended Gear

Description: About Big Thompson

The Big Thompson River flows out of the Rocky Mountain National Park and empties into Lake Estes. This short impoundment gives the Thompson a hybrid freestone/tailwater feel. The half mile section below the dam is strickly tailwater with midges and beatis the predominant hatch. As you head down stream(east) towards Loveland, the insect populations diversify with great Caddis, Stonefly, and even Tricos in the slower sections flowing through Loveland. Other hatches include PMD's, Green Drake, and some of the largest Red Quills I have ever witnesed. Of course banging terrestrials starting in the high months of July/August can be very productive. The Big Thompson River has some reproduction for rainbows and certainly the browns have taken hold nicely. Some of the best fishing occurs in early Spring and late Fall, as the numbers of anglers deminish also. Please call Sunrise Anglers LLC if needing more information and tips.

Nearest Airport:

Denver International Airport (DIA)

Hatches:

Below Lake Estes: midges, Baetis, caddis

Best Time to Fish:

sunrise,,, 10-2

Best Stretch:

Tailrace below Estes Dam has the most fish,,,, CROWDED most of the time

Best Access:

Lake Estes down to Drake