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Big Thompson River

Latest Guide Report

05-26-2023

Report by: FRAadam

The Big T is still slowly ticking up flow wise, but the meadow section has still been producing. Just make sure to take care while wading.

For dries, use a Chubby, Hippies Stomper, smaller Stimulator, or AR’s BWO.

For nymphs, use a RS-2, Tail Water Tiny, Zebra Midge, San Juan, or Egg Pattern.

Guide Rating
4/5
Weather Experienced

Partly-Cloudy
Temperature: Lower 60s
Wind Conditions: Light-Breeze
Precipitation: Rain
Water Observations

Light-Stain
Water Temperature:
Flow Level: 635 CFS
Runoff? on

Big Thompson River Water Flow Graphs

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.