Big Thompson River Fishing, Colorado

Big Thompson River in Colorado has the best fly-fishing in the United States - probably even the world. The Big Thompson River is a traditional canyon trout river. Its headwaters start in Rocky Mountain National Park, just below the town of Estes Park.

This trout stream is 30 feet wide, and is known for its diverse water and large amount of trout. The Big Thompson River provides a walk-wading fly-fishing experience you just can't get anywhere else. The 10-12 inch rainbow or brown trout take dry flies or nymphs.

Often called the Big "T," this river is one of the biggest on the Front Range, mostly because of the large number of drainages that converge to form it. The Alva B is another reason the Big Thompson is so large. Also, Adams Tunnel brings water from Shadow Mountain Reservoir on the Western Slope through the Continental Divide right into the river.

Annual hatches are the following:

· Midges: All Year
· Baetis: April, May and September, October
· Green Drake: July, August
· Red Quill : July, August
· Caddis: June until September
· Terrestrials: July until September
· Stoneflies: June until August