Big Thompson River Report

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Big Thompson River Report

12-1-2024

Flows are dropping again, and you will encounter ice in a lot of the canyon. The meadows are a good choice for ice free fishing, but if the canyon is your go too, startblater, and look for the stretches that get the most sunlight. Fish can be very picky as of recent, so use the smallest flies and tippet you have, and ensure you're getting a good drift, especially in the Meadows, and upper canyon. Observed hatches are Midges, and sparse BWO's. 
Please note that we will now be updating the River Reports once a week, typically on Wednesday until warmer weather returns.

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For dries, use a Chubby Chernobyl, AR's BWO Adult, Hi Viz Quill Midge, Hanging Midge, AR's BWO Emerger, Griffith's Gnat, Micro Chubby, Mole Fly, 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, Lil Bit, Tung Stud, Tail Water Tiny, Aero Baetis, and a Bling Midge.

Guide Rating

4/5

Weather Experienced

- Temperature: Lower 30's

- Wind Conditions: Breezy, becoming windy

- Precipitation: None

Water Observations

- Water Temperature: Low 40's

- Flow Level: 19.20 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.