Fishing Conditions: GOOD

Report Rating: GOOD
Crowd Rating: Somewhat Crowded
Somewhat Crowded

Fly Fishing Report Date:

Sunday, May 19, 2019

Weather & Water Conditions

Weather Water
Temp: 48-51 Temp: 36-39
Sky: Overcast Flow: 230
Wind: None Clarity: Slightly Off
Precip: None Runoff: Yes 
(All Day)

Colorado Stream Update: Water has started to rise as we head into summer

Current Conditions at Big Thompson:

Flows have been sitting around 230 on the Big T and fishing has been decent. Nymph rigs are the way to go. Patterns like Juju's, RS2's and barr's emergers are finding some nice fish. Tow these flies behind a slightly larger offering like small prince or pheasant tail. Remember that depth is crucial with higher water, one split-shot can make a huge difference. Some trout have been caught on the surface with small adams, and midge patterns. With higher water be sure to survey riffles and soft seems for feeding fish.

Spring is here and it’s time to grab the rod and head for the mountains and foothills! Many of the dam released stretches just outside of Denver and Boulder are fishing quite well with eggs, midges, and mayfly emergers. As the weather warms the water is rising as well. Runoff is around the corner so hit your local streams around Denver/Boulder while you can!  The fishing is good.  Overcast skies and 48-51 degree weather. The water temperature was between 36-39 degrees and Slightly Off.

Angling University: Up your game.
The Flyfisher Guide Service
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Trip Includes:
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  • Lunch
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$225 for 1 or 2 people
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Likely Catch

Species: Rainbow
Weight: 2 lbs 6 oz
Length: 17 inches
Girth: 8 inches
Rainbow Trout Female Rainbow Trout Female
Rainbow Trout Male Rainbow Trout Male

Current Insect Hatches at Big Thompson

Insect Type: Mayfly

Insect: Blue Winged Olive

Color: Olive

Size: 18

Time: PM

Blue Winged Olive Emerger Illustration
Blue Winged Olive Nymph Illustration
Blue Winged Olive Adult Illustration

Recommended Flies for Big Thompson

Fly: Jujubee Midge
Color: Red
Size: 20
Time: All Day
Jujubee Midge Jujubee Midge
Fly: Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail
Color: Brown
Size: 18
Time: All Day
Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail
Fly: Rs2 Emerger
Color: Gray
Size: 20
Time: All Day
Rs2 Emerger Rs2 Emerger

Colorado Hatch Conditions for Late May

Caddisflies
Insects: Little Sister Sedge
Color: Green to Greenish Brown
Dates: May 15 – Aug 30
Emergence: Afternoon & Evening
Size: 14-16
Spinner Fall: NA
Little Sister Sedge Larva illustration
Little Sister Sedge Emerger illustration
Little Sister Sedge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Little Tan Short Horn Sedge
Color: Dark Brown to Yellow
Dates: Mar 1 – Aug 30
Emergence: Sporadic
Size: 14-16
Spinner Fall: NA
Little Tan Short Horn Sedge Larva illustration
Little Tan Short Horn Sedge Emerger illustration
Little Tan Short Horn Sedge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Spotted Sedge
Color: Brownish Yellow
Dates: May 15 – Sep 30
Emergence: Sporadic
Size: 10-12
Spinner Fall: NA
Spotted Sedge Larva illustration
Spotted Sedge Emerger illustration
Spotted Sedge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 

Mayflies
Insects: Blue Winged Olive
Color: Light Olive Brown to Brown Olive
Dates: Mar 1 – Nov 15
Emergence: Clouds & warmest part of day
Size: 16-18
Spinner Fall: Evening
Blue Winged Olive Nymph illustration
Blue Winged Olive Emerger illustration
Blue Winged Olive Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Western Black Quill
Color: Purplish Black to Grayish Brown
Dates: Apr 1 – Jun 30
Emergence: Mid Morning
Size: 14-12
Spinner Fall: Evening
Western Black Quill Nymph illustration
Western Black Quill Emerger illustration
Western Black Quill Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 

Midges
Insects: Black Midge
Color: Blackish to Black
Dates: Apr 1 – Nov 15
Emergence: All Day
Size: 18-20
Spinner Fall: 2-3 Hours
Black Midge Larva illustration
Black Midge Emerger illustration
Black Midge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Chocolate Brown Midge
Color: Brown to Chocolate
Dates: Feb 15 – Dec 15
Emergence: All Day
Size: 20-22
Spinner Fall: 2-3 Hours
Chocolate Brown Midge Larva illustration
Chocolate Brown Midge Emerger illustration
Chocolate Brown Midge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Micro Black Midge
Color: Blackish to Black
Dates: Mar 1 – Nov 15
Emergence: Morning
Size: 22-26
Spinner Fall: 2-3 Hours
Micro Black Midge Larva illustration
Micro Black Midge Emerger illustration
Micro Black Midge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Snow Midge
Color: Gray to Charcoal
Dates: Jan 1 – Dec 31
Emergence: Warmest part of day
Size: 24-28
Spinner Fall: 2-3 Hours
Snow Midge Larva illustration
Snow Midge Emerger illustration
Snow Midge Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 

Stoneflies
Insects: Salmon Fly
Color: Black to Reddish Brown
Dates: May 15 – Jul 15
Emergence: 50-60° Water Late Morning on
Size: 4-8
Spinner Fall: NA
Salmon Fly Nymph illustration
Salmon Fly Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Small Western
Color: Brownish
Dates: May 15 – Jul 15
Emergence: 46-56° Water Temps
Size: 14-18
Spinner Fall: NA
Small Western Nymph illustration
Small Western Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Winter Black
Color: Black Brown to Reddish Olive, Mottled Brown
Dates: Apr 1 – Aug 15
Emergence: Cold Mountain Streams and Small Ponds
Size: 18-22
Spinner Fall: NA
Winter Black Nymph illustration
Winter Black Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 

Terrestrials
Insects: Beetle
Color: Brownish to Black
Dates: May 1 – Nov 30
Emergence: All Day
Size: 10-18
Spinner Fall: NA
Beetle illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Black Ant
Color: Black
Dates: May 1 – Nov 15
Emergence: All Day
Size: 20-24
Spinner Fall: NA
Black Ant illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Grasshopper
Color: Green to Brownish Tan
Dates: May 15 – Nov 15
Emergence: All Day
Size: 2-14
Spinner Fall: NA
Grasshopper illustration
Grasshopper illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 
Insects: Red Ant
Color: Red to Orangish
Dates: May 1 – Oct 15
Emergence: All Day
Size: 18-22
Spinner Fall: NA
Red Ant illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 


Current Conditions

Snow
Currently: Snow
Temperature:  40 F
Temp Max:  45 F
Temp Min:  30 F
Humidity: 56%
Wind: 29 W mph
Pressure: 1002
Snow Tuesday 9:00PM — 34 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 25 and 34 ℉.
Wind: 12 W mph; Humidity: 96%;  Snow: 0.438 for next 3 hours.
Snow Wednesday 6:00AM — 26 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 23 and 26 ℉.
Wind: 11 WSW mph; Humidity: 97%;  Snow: 0.5 for next 3 hours.
Snow Wednesday 9:00AM — 29 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 29 and 29 ℉.
Wind: 13 WSW mph; Humidity: 87%;  Snow: 0.438 for next 3 hours.
Snow Wednesday 12:00PM — 34 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 34 and 34 ℉.
Wind: 14 W mph; Humidity: 83%;  Snow: 0.937 for next 3 hours.
Snow Wednesday 3:00PM — 37 ℉
Expect snow with temperatures ranging between 37 and 37 ℉.
Wind: 8 WNW mph; Humidity: 78%;  Snow: 1.938 for next 3 hours.
Snow Wednesday 6:00PM — 36 ℉
Expect snow with temperatures ranging between 36 and 36 ℉.
Wind: 6 NE mph; Humidity: 82%;  Snow: 1.812 for next 3 hours.
Snow Wednesday 9:00PM — 25 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 25 and 25 ℉.
Wind: 11 ENE mph; Humidity: 96%;  Snow: 0.438 for next 3 hours.
Clouds Thursday 6:00AM — 27 ℉
Expect overcast clouds with temperatures ranging between 27 and 27 ℉.
Wind: 19 ESE mph; Humidity: 93%; 
Clouds Thursday 9:00AM — 36 ℉
Expect broken clouds with temperatures ranging between 36 and 36 ℉.
Wind: 27 SE mph; Humidity: 81%; 
Clouds Thursday 12:00PM — 40 ℉
Expect scattered clouds with temperatures ranging between 40 and 40 ℉.
Wind: 32 SE mph; Humidity: 72%; 
Snow Thursday 3:00PM — 39 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 39 and 39 ℉.
Wind: 30 SSE mph; Humidity: 73%;  Snow: 0.25 for next 3 hours.
Snow Thursday 6:00PM — 35 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 35 and 35 ℉.
Wind: 10 SW mph; Humidity: 86%;  Snow: 1.5 for next 3 hours.
Snow Thursday 9:00PM — 28 ℉
Expect snow with temperatures ranging between 28 and 28 ℉.
Wind: 13 SSW mph; Humidity: 94%;  Snow: 1.812 for next 3 hours.
Clear Friday 6:00AM — 22 ℉
Expect clear sky with temperatures ranging between 22 and 22 ℉.
Wind: 17 SSW mph; Humidity: 94%;