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Big Thompson River

Latest Guide Report

08-15-2019

Report by: Randy Hanner

Flows averaging 120cfs for today. Fished from 9-12:30 on Big Thompson,1:30-4:30 on Cub Creek. Water clarity excellent, fish were spooky. The weather changed throughout the day from 70-85. Caught one fish on Big Thompson with 6 bites fishing a chubby Chernobyl (sz10) and copper john (sz14). Pocket water behind structures and small whirlpools produced fish. Cub creek caught 5 fish and 3 more bites. Caught fish on chubby Chernobyl (sz 10).  We only caught fish in the whirlpools, bites in the slow flat water but none to the net. Tried using stoneflies throughout the day with no luck (pats rubber legs and other adult stonefly patterns).

Guide Rating
/5
Weather Experienced

Clear
Temperature:
Wind Conditions: Calm
Precipitation: None
Water Observations

Clear
Water Temperature:
Flow Level: CFS
Runoff? Clear

Big Thompson River Water Flow Graphs

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About Big Thompson River Fly Fishing

Starting as a mere trickle on the east side of the Continental Divide, inside Rocky Mountain National Park, the Big Thompson flows from Forest Canyon Pass near the top of Trail Ridge Road through Forest Canyon. As small drainages offer additional snowmelt, the Big Thompson picks up volume, turning into one of Colorado’s finest streams.

The Big Thompson becomes fishable at Moraine Park in Rocky Mountain National Park, about six miles downstream of its headwaters. It’s there at Moraine Park, where the river splits into numerous braids and channels, that fisherman encounter the river’s first public access. Trails leading up and down the river from that point will lead you to great flyfishing experiences.

Moraine is a wide-open area, but the Big Thompson’s banks are lined with willows. It’s typical small stream conditions, and the river is filled with, you guessed it, brook, brown, and cutthroat trout in the 6- to 12-inch range. They’ll readily take a variety of general attractor flies.