Fishing Conditions: GOOD

Report Rating: GOOD
Crowd Rating: Somewhat Crowded
Somewhat Crowded

Fly Fishing Report Date:

Sunday, Dec 15, 2019

Weather & Water Conditions

Weather Water
Temp: 32-35 Temp: 32-35
Sky: Clear Flow: 100
Wind: None Clarity: Crystal Clear
Precip: None Runoff: No 

Colorado Stream Update: The tailwater of the Big T is fishing well

Current Conditions at Big Thompson:

The Big Thompson below Lake Estes has been giving up some fish to the willing. There has been minimal ice build up and most runs are fishing well. Two-bits, PTs, and RS2's are a good place to start. Midges are becoming more and more important. The streamer action has been hit and miss, with most success on olive and natural colors. Focus efforts on the warmest part of the day, and major current breaks. Fish have started to seek winter lies, with good holding areas.

The fishing is good.  Clear skies and 32-35 degree weather. The water temperature was between 32-35 degrees and Crystal Clear.

Angling University: Up your game.
The Flyfisher Guide Service
The Colorado Trout Fisher Guide Service
Colorado Fly Fishing Trips with
Colorado Trout Fisher
Denver and Boulder Fly Fishing Guides
Colorado Trout Fisher logo

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Trip Includes:
  • Flies and fishing tackle
  • Rods/reels
  • Waders
  • Lunch
  • Transportation
$225 for 1 or 2 people
$295 for 3 people
Angling University: Anyone can learn to fish.
The Flyfisher Guide Service: Get out and fish.

Likely Catch

Species: Brown
Weight: 1 lbs 4 oz
Length: 15 inches
Girth: 7 inches
Brown Trout Female Brown Trout Female
Brown Trout Male Brown Trout Male

Current Insect Hatches at Big Thompson

Insect Type: Midge

Insect: Black Midge

Color: Black

Size: 24

Time:

Black Midge Larva Illustration
Black Midge Emerger Illustration
Black Midge Adult Illustration

Recommended Flies for Big Thompson

Fly: Rs2 Emerger
Color: Black
Size: 22
Time: 
Rs2 Emerger Rs2 Emerger
Fly: Dorsey's Top Secret Midge
Color: Brown
Size: 22
Time: 
Dorsey's Top Secret Midge Dorsey's Top Secret Midge
Fly: Two Bit Hooker
Color: Olive
Size: 18
Time: 
Two Bit Hooker Two Bit Hooker

Colorado Hatch Conditions for Late January

Midges
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: Micro Black
Color: Dark Brown to Black
Dates: Jan 1 – May 15
Emergence: 38-44° Water Temps Heat of Day
Size: 18-22
Spinner Fall: NA
Micro Black Nymph illustration
Micro Black Adult illustration
Illustrations © The Flyfisher Group 


Current Conditions

Clear
Currently: Clear Sky
Temperature:  36 F
Temp Max:  43 F
Temp Min:  28 F
Humidity: 27%
Wind: 10 WSW mph
Pressure: 1025
Clouds Monday 8:00PM — 34 ℉
Expect overcast clouds with temperatures ranging between 27 and 34 ℉.
Wind: 14 WSW mph; Humidity: 37%; 
Clouds Monday 11:00PM — 33 ℉
Expect overcast clouds with temperatures ranging between 28 and 33 ℉.
Wind: 15 W mph; Humidity: 38%; 
Clouds Tuesday 2:00AM — 32 ℉
Expect overcast clouds with temperatures ranging between 28 and 32 ℉.
Wind: 18 W mph; Humidity: 47%; 
Clouds Tuesday 5:00AM — 28 ℉
Expect overcast clouds with temperatures ranging between 27 and 28 ℉.
Wind: 18 WSW mph; Humidity: 77%; 
Clouds Tuesday 8:00AM — 29 ℉
Expect overcast clouds with temperatures ranging between 29 and 29 ℉.
Wind: 12 WSW mph; Humidity: 76%; 
Clouds Tuesday 11:00AM — 37 ℉
Expect overcast clouds with temperatures ranging between 37 and 37 ℉.
Wind: 7 SW mph; Humidity: 60%; 
Snow Tuesday 2:00PM — 36 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 36 and 36 ℉.
Wind: 10 WNW mph; Humidity: 64%;  Snow: 0.38 for next 3 hours.
Snow Tuesday 5:00PM — 28 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 28 and 28 ℉.
Wind: 7 W mph; Humidity: 84%;  Snow: 0.38 for next 3 hours.
Snow Tuesday 8:00PM — 25 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 25 and 25 ℉.
Wind: 13 WSW mph; Humidity: 84%;  Snow: 0.25 for next 3 hours.
Clouds Tuesday 11:00PM — 24 ℉
Expect broken clouds with temperatures ranging between 24 and 24 ℉.
Wind: 19 W mph; Humidity: 77%; 
Clouds Wednesday 2:00AM — 22 ℉
Expect few clouds with temperatures ranging between 22 and 22 ℉.
Wind: 24 W mph; Humidity: 74%; 
Clouds Wednesday 5:00AM — 22 ℉
Expect broken clouds with temperatures ranging between 22 and 22 ℉.
Wind: 21 W mph; Humidity: 73%; 
Clouds Wednesday 8:00AM — 22 ℉
Expect overcast clouds with temperatures ranging between 22 and 22 ℉.
Wind: 18 W mph; Humidity: 75%; 
Clouds Wednesday 11:00AM — 29 ℉
Expect overcast clouds with temperatures ranging between 29 and 29 ℉.
Wind: 18 WNW mph; Humidity: 57%; 
Snow Wednesday 2:00PM — 29 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 29 and 29 ℉.
Wind: 26 W mph; Humidity: 56%;  Snow: 0.19 for next 3 hours.
Clouds Wednesday 5:00PM — 20 ℉
Expect broken clouds with temperatures ranging between 20 and 20 ℉.
Wind: 16 WSW mph; Humidity: 71%; 
Clear Wednesday 8:00PM — 15 ℉
Expect clear sky with temperatures ranging between 15 and 15 ℉.
Wind: 23 W mph; Humidity: 65%; 
Clear Wednesday 11:00PM — 12 ℉
Expect clear sky with temperatures ranging between 12 and 12 ℉.
Wind: 24 W mph; Humidity: 65%; 
Clouds Thursday 2:00AM — 12 ℉
Expect few clouds with temperatures ranging between 12 and 12 ℉.
Wind: 23 W mph; Humidity: 67%; 
Clouds Thursday 5:00AM — 12 ℉
Expect few clouds with temperatures ranging between 12 and 12 ℉.
Wind: 22 W mph; Humidity: 68%;