Estes Angler’s FISHING REPORT

Fly fishing reports are updated weekly

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For additional streamflows across Colorado, visit www.dwr.state.co.us/SurfaceWater/

Updated

Updated 10/16/23.This latest update will be the last for this year as the Estes Angler is now closed for the 2023 fishing season. The flows into Lake Estes are currently 30 cfs. As of this post current flows out of Lake Estes are now running at 59 cfs. Current temp below Olympus Dam was 54 degrees. Fishing continues to be very good from the spillway on down the canyon to Loveland. Soft Hackle Sow Bugs, Foam head RS2, CDC Pheasant tails, Hares Ear, Bird Nest, Olive Ticket,Poison Tung and Zebra midges are working well. Think Small! Dry flies include Parachute Adams, Elk/Deer hair caddis, Deer Hair Ants, Mole Flies, BWO’s and Ext BWO’s. Wooly Buggers try Black, Olive, Thin Mints, leech patterns.

Updated

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10/16/23. The flows of the Big Thompson Currently running through Moraine Park are at 13cfs. Flows of The Big Thompson and Fall river into lake Estes are currently running at 30 cfs with a current temp of 54 degrees taken behind the shop. With cooler temps starting up in the park it does take the rivers a bit to warm up so the fishing gets better as the water warms up. Chenille San Juan worms, Egg patterns Jigged pmd mercers, Blow Torch Copper Johns, juju midge and Brassie will be productive. Dries try Parachute Adams, CDC Beatis, Parachute Hoppers, ext. body BWO’s, Hippie Stompers, Green Drakes, Ant and Beetle patterns are also working.

Wooly Buggers try Black, Olive and Thin Mints in deeper runs and pools.

Special Note: Beginning September 1st, Annual Meadow closing goes into affect. Meadow Closures times are 5:00pm to 10:00am For foot traffic. Area Meadows that are closed for these times are: Horseshoe Park Meadows, Upper Beaver Meadows, Moraine Park, West Side of the park include Harbison Meadow and Holzworth Meadow. Fishing locations along the Fall River, The Big Thompson and the Colorado River that are accessed by walking through the closed areas are closed to fishing between the hours of 5:00pm and 7:00 am. These closures remain in place until October 31st. For more information please visit the RMNP web site.

10/16/23. Try Copper John, Copper ribbed Rs2, Zebra midge and poison tung, Foam and sparkle wing RS2, Chenille San Juan worms, radiation baetis, juju midge, pheasant tails, Hare’s Ear, Bird Nest, Dry flies include Chubby Chernobyl’s Hippie Stompers, Parachute Adams, Yellow Sallies, Griffiths Gnat, Purple Haze, BWO and Ext. body BWO’s, Renegade, Elk and Deer Hair Caddis, Stuck in the Shuck Midge patterns. Streamers try Black, Olive and Thin Mint.

10/16/23. Blow torch, Jigged pmd mercers, Hares ear, Copper John, Copper ribbed RS2 Foam Head RS2, Zebra midge and poison tung patterns, radiation baetis, pheasant tails and Perdigon patterns, CDC Dun patterns, CDC BWO’s, Dry patterns, Parachute Adams, Deer and Elk Hair Caddis Griffiths Gnat, Purple Haze, BWO and Ext. body BWO’s, Blk Ant and Beatle patterns.

Special Notice: Please see special closures of the meadow areas for Rocky Mountain National Park under The Big Thompson RMNP fishing report.

Updated 10/16/23. Flows are starting to really slow down in the park try, Small chenille type worms. Small midge patterns, Zebra, Blow Torch, juju and Radiation baetis, Brassie patterns will work. Dry flies try Stubby Chubby, Hippie Stompers, Parachute Adams, Red Quills, Yellow Sallie’s, Ext. body Bwo’s, Cinnamon Parachutes, Griffiths Gnat, Renegades, Ant and Beatle patterns are working as well. Streamers try thin mints, olive and black.

Roaring River

Updated 10/16/23. San Juan and small chenille worm patterns. Egg patterns, Jigged pmd’s Small midge patterns, juju baetis, Radiation baetis, Poison Tungs, Zebra midge, small Pheasant tails, Copper Ribbed and Foam Head RS2, Perdigons, Blow Torch, Brassie’s will work. Dries Try Parachute Adams, Elk hair caddis, small ext. body BWO’s, small Griffith’s gnat, and Renegades. Ant and Beatle Patterns continue working extremely well.

Streamers use Blk, Olive, thin mints.

Updated 10/16/23. The high Alpine lakes have been fishing very well, but with the snows already falling in the higher elevations of the park time is quickly winding down. Try the inlets to the lake using Squirmy worms in pink and purple, Egg patterns, Dries try BWO’s Griffith’s Gnat’s, Parachute Adams, Royal Wolf, Renegade, Orange Ashers, Deer and Elk Hair Caddis, Black winged Ant and Beatle patterns, Sally’s and Hopper patterns. Streamers try Thin mints, Olive and black wooly Buggers and leech patterns in Black or olive.