Our Estes Park fishing report gives you the most up-to-date fishing information on the local area and Big Thompson River. Check in here before going fly fishing in Estes Park so that you know where to go, what to use, and how to make the most of your time on the water.
Upper Big Thompson:
The flow is 41 cfs now below the dam. Cooler nights and overcast afternoons have our rivers in perfect condition. The water is skinny but fishing great. Emerger patterns are the most productive flies currently.
Hot Flies: For dry flies - PMD, Yellow sallies, Terrestrials and Caddis patterns. Nymph setups include Rainbow Warrior, CDC Pheasant Tails, Hot Head Sow Bugs, Copper Ribbed Rs2, Pats Rubber Legs, Hares Ears, Blue Poison Tung and Perdigons have all been good.
Private Water Waterdale Ranch:
The flows are back down. Fishing is the best it has been down on the property. Cooler weather this week should create great conditions. Chubby/emerger combos have been very good.
Hot Flies: Sow Bugs, Chubbys, Copper Ribbed Rs2, Pats Rubber Legs, Tickets, Radiation Baetis, Hot Head Mini Leech, Blue Poison Tung and Mayhem Midge
Waterdale Ranch Private Fishing Trip(opens in new tab)
Colorado River:
The Colorado River is fishing well. Early fall fishing on the Colorado has been great even with the lower flows. Cool nights are keeping the water in the Pumphouse to State Bridge area cool and fishing well. Get out and enjoy the early fall.
Hot Flies: PMD, Dungeons, Thin Mints, Wooly Buggers, Tickets, Hares Ears, Blue Poison Tungs, Sparklewing Rs2, Copper Ribbed Rs2, Pats Rubber legs and Juju Baetis are all good options.
Guided Colorado River Fly Fishing Trips(opens in new tab)
Big Thompson below Drake:
The current flow is around 62 cfs. The flows have been good this week with the cooler weather. Nymph rigs are going to be the most productive. Hopper/dropper rigs with emergers are good as well. Caddis and Stonefly nymphs are all over the place.
Hot Flies: BWO, Blue Poison Tung, Mole Flies, Pheasant Tail w/CDC, No Mercy Midge, Juju Bees, Grey Sparklewing Rs2, Copper Ribbed Rs2, Mayhem Midge and Hares Ears all being good choices.
Mary’s Lake and Lake Estes:
The flow into Lake Estes is 41 cfs and the river through the golf course is fishing well in the mornings. With fall just around the corner fish will start moving up the river out of the lake again. Egg patterns in the inlet with midges are a great combo. Mary's Lake and Lake Estes have been slower the last few days.
Guided Lake Estes Fishing Trips(opens in new tab)
Rocky Mountain National Park:
Fishing in the park is still good even with the cooler weather. The mornings are a little slower with fall coming on but after 11:00 the fishing really picks up. The flow in Moraine Park on the Big Thompson is 13 cfs. The alpine lakes are fishing great later in the morning. Enjoy the high country for these last several weeks of fall.
Hot Flies: Double downs, Red Quills, Purple Haze, Green Drakes, Pats Rubber legs, Hares Ears, Copper Ribbed Rs2, Mole Flies, Mighty Mites, Egg patterns, pheasant tails and worm patterns are working well.
Fly of the Week: #20 Rs2 Trico (Updated 9/24/26)
