Copyright 2009 James Marsh
Fly Fishing the Big Thompson River
Colorado
The Big Thompson River starts out as a very small
stream from many tiny tributaries near the Continental
Divide. The fishing starts near Moraine Park inside the
Rocky Mountain National Park where the stream splits
up into several channels. There is a public access there.
It is a willow lined small stream in an open meadow with
small brown, brook and cutthroat trout. The river flows
into Lake Estes where additional water is added to its
flow from the opposite side of the Continental Divide via
a large pipe. Fly fishing the Big Thompson is a neat
experience to say the least.
The section below the dam at lake Estes is probably the
most popular section. The stream flows through a
canyon. There is a lot of public access in this area
including over forty public parking areas. The fish
average a better size there than they do inside the park.
There is a ten mile long catch and release section in this
part of the Big Thompson which helps the fishery. The
lower section flows along highway 34 down to Loveland.
Most of the Big Thompson River consist of pocket water
and riffles. Sylvan Dale Ranch has over two miles of
private water on the river. You can fish it but you will
have to pay. There are also several public access areas
along the river.
You want hear much about fly fishing the Big Thompson
River until someone mention the great flash flood that
occurred there in 1976. Water came roaring down the
canyon and destroyed lot of property and took more
than one-hundred lives. That is something that I am sure
isn't easy to forget.
Seasons:
The uppermost part of the stream stays iced up for
about half the year. The lower tailwater section can be
fished throughout the year.
Spring:
Spring is mostly midge and Blue-winged Olive fishing but
less tourists.
Summer:
Summer is the best time to fish the river but it can be
crowded.
Fall:
Early fall is great fishing and less tourists.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Big Thompson River
The spring runoff is from the end of May through the
month of June. It is just about impossible to fish the river
during this time. (Click Here to Continue)
Colorado
The Big Thompson River starts out as a very small
stream from many tiny tributaries near the Continental
Divide. The fishing starts near Moraine Park inside the
Rocky Mountain National Park where the stream splits
up into several channels. There is a public access there.
It is a willow lined small stream in an open meadow with
small brown, brook and cutthroat trout. The river flows
into Lake Estes where additional water is added to its
flow from the opposite side of the Continental Divide via
a large pipe. Fly fishing the Big Thompson is a neat
experience to say the least.
The section below the dam at lake Estes is probably the
most popular section. The stream flows through a
canyon. There is a lot of public access in this area
including over forty public parking areas. The fish
average a better size there than they do inside the park.
There is a ten mile long catch and release section in this
part of the Big Thompson which helps the fishery. The
lower section flows along highway 34 down to Loveland.
Most of the Big Thompson River consist of pocket water
and riffles. Sylvan Dale Ranch has over two miles of
private water on the river. You can fish it but you will
have to pay. There are also several public access areas
along the river.
You want hear much about fly fishing the Big Thompson
River until someone mention the great flash flood that
occurred there in 1976. Water came roaring down the
canyon and destroyed lot of property and took more
than one-hundred lives. That is something that I am sure
isn't easy to forget.
Seasons:
The uppermost part of the stream stays iced up for
about half the year. The lower tailwater section can be
fished throughout the year.
Spring:
Spring is mostly midge and Blue-winged Olive fishing but
less tourists.
Summer:
Summer is the best time to fish the river but it can be
crowded.
Fall:
Early fall is great fishing and less tourists.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Big Thompson River
The spring runoff is from the end of May through the
month of June. It is just about impossible to fish the river
during this time. (Click Here to Continue)
| Type of Stream Freestone/Tailwater Species Brown Trout Brook Trout Rainbow Trout Cutthroat Trout Size Medium, length 27 miles Location North Central Colorado Nearest Towns Lake Estes Season Year-round Access: Fair to Good but tough in places Non-Resident License State of Colorado Weather National Weather Service Link Hatch Chart Perfect Fly Hatch Chart Fly Fishing Guide Hatches and Flies Fly Fishing Gear Stream Flow Data: Real Time USGS Data (Moraine Park) Real Time USGS Data (Andrews Creek) |
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Big Thompson
River Colorado
River Colorado
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| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |