Big Thompson River

~125 cfs out of Lake Estes (cold, controlled; Kirk's July) · ~143 cfs Moraine Park inside RMNP · ~286 cfs above Lake Estes — flows on the rise on the Thompson · fishing very good from the tailwater down through the canyon

Today (Sun Jul 5) ~78°F Estes, mostly sunny with only an isolated PM storm — good all-day window; scattered storms return Tue–Wed. Tailwater fishing well — Kirk's (July): out of Lake Estes ~125 cfs (cold, controlled), Moraine Park ~143 cfs, above the lake ~286 cfs — flows on the rise on the Thompson. Freestone sections: large stoneflies, caddis, mayflies and attractor patterns all working well. Tailwater: size DOWN baetis and stonefly patterns, and mix in scud, worm and caddis patterns. Also producing: Rainbow Warrior, CDC Pheasant Tails, Sow Bugs, Copper Ribbed RS2, Pat's Rubber Legs, Radiation Baetis, Sparklewing RS2, Blue Poison Tung. Hopper/dropper below Drake. RMNP timed-entry active — reservation required 9am-2pm daily.

Kirk's July: tailwater ~125 cfs out of Lake Estes (cold, controlled), Moraine Park ~143 cfs, above Lake Estes ~286 cfs — flows on the rise on the Thompson. Freestone sections: large stoneflies, caddis, mayflies and attractors all working well; tailwater: size down baetis/stonefly and mix in scud, worm and caddis patterns. Fishing very good from the tailwater down through the canyon. C&R artificial only below Lake Estes for ~9 mi — the cold tailwater is the heat-proof play. Mountain pattern: today (Sun Jul 5) ~78°F Estes, mostly sunny — good all-day window; scattered storms return Tue–Wed. Trail Ridge Road open. RMNP timed-entry in effect 9am-2pm daily May 22 thru Oct 12.