Estes Angler’s Local Area Fishing Report
Estes Park fishing reports are updated weekly
For additional streamflows across Colorado, visit www.dwr.state.co.us/SurfaceWater/
Big Thompson – Canyon
Updated 10/6/25 The flows into Lake Estes are currently 49 cfs. Flows out of Lake Estes are running at 44 cfs. Fishing continues to be very good from the tail water down through the Big Thompson canyon. Nymphing pattern try Patts rubberleg, pheasant tails, Sparkle wing and foam head RS2, Hares ears, Birds Nest midge patterns Rainbow warrior, Hot head sow bugs, CDC pheasant tails have all been very productive. Good drifts and presentations mean a lot. Dry dropper patterns, Chubby Chernobyls, Hippie Stompers, Stubby Chubby to midge, Mayfly and caddis nymphs will work well. Dry flies include Pmd, BWO’s, CDC Beatis Dun, Mole flies, Parachute Adams, Deep and slower moving waters down in the canyon try wooly bugger and streamer patterns in Blk, Olive and a Thin Mint can also produce nice trout.
St.Vrain
Updated 10/6/25 Middle St. Vrain flows at peaceful valley are at 12 cfs. Squirmy worm patterns, San Juan worms, Hares ear, cdc pheasant tails, Birds nest, Copper ribbed and Sparkle wing RS2, small pheasant tails, small Zebra Midge and Blue poison tung. Dry flies include Parachute Adams, small Elk/Deer hair caddis flies, Purple Haze, BWO and Ext body BWO’s Ants, PMD, X Caddis, Beetles and Hoppers will work well.
Updated 10/6/25 Flows in the Fall River are down to their summer flows and fishing has been good. Faster moving water, undercut banks and deeper pools are where you will find the trout. Squirmy Worms in pink and purple, pheasant tails, Caddis patterns such as the ticket and Electric caddis, Foam wing and Sparkle winged RS2. Dry dropper pattern Try stubby chubby, Hippie Stompers to Ant and Beetle patterns. Dry flies try Elk/Deer hair caddis, Hopper patterns, UV Cinnamon parachutes, Grey Drakes, PMD, Yellow Sallies, small Parachute Adams, bwo and Extended body bwo patterns as well.
Updated 10/6/25. Flows of Glacier Creek continue to decrease but with recent snow and rain in the upper elevations the fishing continues to be good all up through the park. San Juan, Squirmy worms and small chenille type worms in pink and Purple Small Caddis midge patterns RS2 pheasant tails, Blk Copper John will work well. Chubby Chernobyl and stubby Chubbies, Fat Angies, Parachute Hopper to a Blk Copper John works well in the mornings. Hippie stompers with Ant and Beetle patterns trailing behind. Dry flies parachute Adams, UV Cinnamon Parachutes, PMD, Ext. Bwo’s, mole flies, Hopper Patterns Deer/Elk Hair caddis have been doing very well. Slower moving deep pools try Thin Mints, Black and Olive wooly Buggers stripped or dead drift can produce trout.
Roaring River
Updated 10/6/25. Flows of the Roaring River are down to summer time flows and fishing has been very good throughout the park. Small chenille type worm patterns, small caddis, pheasant tails and small midge pattern continue to work well. Chubby Chernobyl, Hippie stompers, yeager 409, Fat Angies, stubby chubbies for dropper patterns and Ant and beetle will work well later in the day. Dry Flies include Parachute Adams, Caddis flies, BWO’s. Parachute Hoppers fished along banks and slower moving water works well.
Updated 10/6/25 The first snows up in the park tells us that our time on high mountain lakes and streams is quickly coming to an end. We still have a few weeks left to enjoy our time on the water. Fish inlet and outlets of the lakes. The cooler mornings can make for some slower takes, but the fishing does improve as the day gets warmer. Chubby Chernobyl to Small midges and pheasant tails and worm patterns, Dry Flies, Orange Ashers, Blue Ashers, Renegades, Crackle Backs, Stuck in the shuck, PMD, BWO’s, Hippy Stompers to a Black Ant, Beetle patterns, Elk/Deer hair caddis, Parachute Adams, Royal Wulff, Grey Drakes, Hot Mini Mayfly Garcia’s in Purple, UV Parachutes, Griffiths Gnats. Streamers/ Buggers/ leech patterns in Black, Olive, Thin Mints stripped along the edge of drop offs.