Tailwater · Mixed · Colorado

Big Thompson River (canyon, below Lake Estes)

The Big Thompson is the Front Range canyon fix below Estes Park — a tailwater-fed stream running down Highway 34 toward Loveland, holding wild and stocked browns and rainbows in tight, technical pocket water.

Species

A proper day on the water

Low and clear — careful approach country. Stay small, stay accurate.

75% confidence in this read
Water temperature for brown trout
Cool — slow
9°C est.ideal 10–16°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for brown trout
  • Temperature8228% weight
  • Flow8022% weight
  • Clarity9518% weight
  • Feeding Time5013% weight
  • Pressure807% weight
  • Insect activity6212% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
9.0°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
21°C
Wind
E 18 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1014 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
0.7 mm
No meaningful rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for brown trout
When
Nymphing can work through most of the day.
Where
Cover mixed depths.
Method
Start with tight-line nymphs and adjust if fish rise or drift higher.
Kit
9 ft #4 rod, floating line, 12 ft tapered leader to 4–5 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Good — water clarity is right today, though time of day could be better.
Through the year
0–3 scale · June highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
Black MidgeHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Freshwater ShrimpHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Western Blue-Winged OliveHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Pale Morning DunHatch
2
3
3
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Colorado licence
  • Wild Trout catch-and-release flies/lures section in the canyon — verify CPW rules
  • Roadside access throughout the canyon.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
About this water

The Big Thompson is the Front Range canyon fix below Estes Park — a tailwater-fed stream running down Highway 34 toward Loveland, holding wild and stocked browns and rainbows in tight, technical pocket water. The catch-and-release Wild Trout section in the canyon is the real prize: small flies, careful wading, and fish that have been educated by every Denver and Loveland angler who ever pulled over. Flow comes off Lake Estes and the Colorado-Big Thompson plumbing, so it's release-driven, fishes through the winter, and makes a reliable quick-hit when the high country's shut.

  • Mixed
Seasons & zones
  • Trout1 January → 31 December
Other water nearby · 3