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

BOOK A TRIP

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 Early April

Caddisflies
Insects: American Grannom
Color: Bright Green to Greenish Brown
Dates: Mar 1 – May 15
Emergence: Early Morning & Afternoon
Size: 10-14
Spinner Fall: NA
American Grannom Larva illustration
American Grannom Emerger illustration
American Grannom 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 

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: 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 
Insects: Skwala Stone
Color: Dark Brown to Yellow Olive
Dates: Mar 1 – May 15
Emergence: 38-47° Water Temps, Late afternoon and evening. Riffles and bankwater near foliage.
Size: 6-12
Spinner Fall:
Skwala Stone Nymph illustration
Skwala Stone 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 


Current Conditions

Clouds
Currently: Overcast Clouds
Temperature:  34 F
Temp Max:  42 F
Temp Min:  16 F
Humidity: 27%
Wind: 39 W mph
Pressure: 1015
Snow Monday 5:00PM — 25 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 12 and 25 ℉.
Wind: 35 WNW mph; Humidity: 69%;  Snow: 0.19 for next 3 hours.
Clouds Monday 8:00PM — 16 ℉
Expect scattered clouds with temperatures ranging between 6 and 16 ℉.
Wind: 24 W mph; Humidity: 80%; 
Clouds Monday 11:00PM — 11 ℉
Expect broken clouds with temperatures ranging between 4 and 11 ℉.
Wind: 25 W mph; Humidity: 78%; 
Clouds Tuesday 2:00AM — 7 ℉
Expect broken clouds with temperatures ranging between 4 and 7 ℉.
Wind: 26 W mph; Humidity: 79%; 
Clouds Tuesday 5:00AM — 1 ℉
Expect scattered clouds with temperatures ranging between 1 and 1 ℉.
Wind: 25 WNW mph; Humidity: 80%; 
Clouds Tuesday 8:00AM — 3 ℉
Expect broken clouds with temperatures ranging between 3 and 3 ℉.
Wind: 34 WNW mph; Humidity: 77%; 
Clouds Tuesday 11:00AM — 8 ℉
Expect overcast clouds with temperatures ranging between 8 and 8 ℉.
Wind: 34 NNW mph; Humidity: 73%; 
Snow Tuesday 2:00PM — 11 ℉
Expect light snow with temperatures ranging between 11 and 11 ℉.
Wind: 23 NNW mph; Humidity: 71%;  Snow: 0.19 for next 3 hours.
Clouds Tuesday 5:00PM — 9 ℉
Expect overcast clouds with temperatures ranging between 9 and 9 ℉.
Wind: 17 NW mph; Humidity: 72%; 
Clear Tuesday 8:00PM — -1 ℉
Expect clear sky with temperatures ranging between -1 and -1 ℉.
Wind: 20 W mph; Humidity: 81%; 
Clear Tuesday 11:00PM — -1 ℉
Expect clear sky with temperatures ranging between -1 and -1 ℉.
Wind: 23 W mph; Humidity: 78%; 
Clear Wednesday 2:00AM — 0 ℉
Expect clear sky with temperatures ranging between 0 and 0 ℉.
Wind: 26 W mph; Humidity: 72%; 
Clear Wednesday 5:00AM — 2 ℉
Expect clear sky with temperatures ranging between 2 and 2 ℉.
Wind: 29 W mph; Humidity: 68%; 
Clouds Wednesday 8:00AM — 10 ℉
Expect scattered clouds with temperatures ranging between 10 and 10 ℉.
Wind: 30 W mph; Humidity: 63%; 
Clouds Wednesday 11:00AM — 24 ℉
Expect broken clouds with temperatures ranging between 24 and 24 ℉.
Wind: 22 WSW mph; Humidity: 56%; 
Clouds Wednesday 2:00PM — 28 ℉
Expect overcast clouds with temperatures ranging between 28 and 28 ℉.
Wind: 17 W mph; Humidity: 57%; 
Clouds Wednesday 5:00PM — 21 ℉
Expect overcast clouds with temperatures ranging between 21 and 21 ℉.
Wind: 20 W mph; Humidity: 70%; 
Clouds Wednesday 8:00PM — 15 ℉
Expect broken clouds with temperatures ranging between 15 and 15 ℉.
Wind: 26 W mph; Humidity: 74%; 
Clouds Wednesday 11:00PM — 15 ℉
Expect scattered clouds with temperatures ranging between 15 and 15 ℉.
Wind: 29 W mph; Humidity: 75%; 
Clear Thursday 2:00AM — 16 ℉
Expect clear sky with temperatures ranging between 16 and 16 ℉.
Wind: 34 W mph; Humidity: 74%;