Current Discharge: 26 ft3/sec*
Current Gage Height: 4 ft*
Filed Under: Fishing
* This USGS water data was last recorded at Oct 06, 2008 10:45:00 AM from Big Thompson Bl Moraine Park Nr Estes Park, Co.
This is another favorite of residents and non-residents alike. Stocked rainbow trout and a natural brown trout population provide good fishing from May through September. Salmon eggs, various lures and worms work best during the spring runoff; flies are best during late July, August and September.
Except during runoff preiods, this is considered a small river. Small flies, 6x leaders and a 3-weight rod make a good fishing combination all along the Big Thompson.
There is plenty of roadside access as the river follows Highway 34 east of Estes Park all the way to Loveland. Pulloffs and public access can be found along the entire route. Actually most of the entire strectch of river is public with the exception of Sylvan Dale Ranch - which has private fishing access.
The section around Drake is particularly popular and has some good late season action. parts of this section have a large gradient and the water is a bit rough, However, the pools behind the boulders below the dropoffs usually hold good sized rainbow trout.
Hatches/Flies
- Baetis - April thru May, September thru October
- Green Drake - July and August
- Caddis - June thru mid-September
- Terrestrials - August and September
- Stoneflies - July and August
Fishing Reports
- Wild Basin Outfitters Fishing Report
- St. Vrain Angler Fishing Report
- Rocky Mountain Anglers Fishing Report
- Front Range Anglers Fishing Report
Directions
You can reach the Big Thompson two different ways. Depending if you are in the Estes Park area or the Front Range, you have two choices, but both of the use Highway 34. If you plan on fishing the upper section of the river, go to Estes Park and take Highway 34 (east) down the canyon. If you plan to fish the lower section up to the Drake area, it is probably best to drive to Loveland and take Highway 34 (west). Either way the road parallels the river almost the entire way, and there are many pulloffs for public access.
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