Big Thompson River Report

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Big Thompson River Report

11-15-2024

Flows are stable, and the fishing has been consistent. However, with the clear water, downsize your tippet and flies with these flows. With the cooler temps, a early start will not be needed, and in the canyon, make sure to follow the sun, and start in areas with sun, which will have the most active fish. With the flows, sight fishing can be a good tactic, but keep a low profile and approach slowly and carefully. Dry droppers continue to remain the most succesful rig (and with the lower flows will spook less fish), but single dries (use these while you can, as they won't be as effective soon), nymphs in the smallest you have, and streamers on the smaller side have all been great as well. Observed hatches are Midges, and sparse BWO's. 

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For dries, use a Chubby Chernobyl, AR's BWO Adult, Hi Viz Quill Midge, Hanging Midge, AR's BWO Emerger, Hi Viz BWO, Micro Chubby, Film Critic, and a Dry Humper.

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For sub-surface, use a Juju Baetis, RS-2, Zebra Midge, Fire Bead Sow Bug, AR's Spanish Bullet, Thin Mint, Blue Poison Tung, Jigged Leech, Tung Stud, Tail Water Tiny, Zebra Midge, Aero Baetis, and a Bling Midge.

Guide Rating

4/5

Weather Experienced

- Temperature: Lower 60's

- Wind Conditions: Breezy

- Precipitation: None

Water Observations

- Water Temperature: Mid 40's

- Flow Level: 26.40 CFS

- Water Clarity: Near crystal clear

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.