Estes Park Fishing Report – July/August 2025
- Lost Outfitters
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
Estes Park Fishing Report – July/August 2025
Summer in Estes Park and the Rockies is in full swing. Water levels have stabilized, the bugs are out, and the trout are feeding aggressively from sunup to sundown. Whether you're exploring the tailwaters, hiking to high mountain lakes, or casting dries in the meadows of RMNP, conditions are prime. Here's the current Estes Park Fishing Report and a look ahead at what August might bring to each fishery:
Big Thompson River – Below Lake Estes
Current Conditions: Flows are steady around 55–65 cfs, and clarity is excellent. This stretch is very wadable right now, and sight fishing opportunities are abundant. Midday into the evening has been the sweet spot for consistent action.
What’s Working:
Dry Droppers: Chubby Chernobyls with Two-Bit Hookers, Rainbow Warriors, or small Frenchies
Nymphs: Soft Hackle PTs, Zebra Midges, red or pink Squirmy Worms
Dries: Elk Hair Caddis, PMDs, yellow Stimulators, small Ants
Tips: Fish are holding in riffles, tailouts, and the heads of deeper pools. The water is clear, so go light with your tippet (5x–6x), and keep your casts soft. Midday hatches have been productive, but evenings are starting to turn on with rising fish.
Looking Ahead – August: Expect increased terrestrial activity. Hoppers and beetles will become top producers by early August. Water levels should remain good, but as temperatures rise, focus on early morning sessions for the most active fish and healthiest catch-and-release practices.
Lake Estes
Current Conditions:Lake Estes is producing a solid mix of trout and smallmouth bass. Wind can make casting a challenge during the afternoon, but the mornings and evenings have been calm and consistent. Fish are active in 6–12 feet of water along the drop-offs.
What’s Working:
Fly Rod: Balanced Leeches, Chironomids under indicators, olive Woolly Buggers on an intermediate line
Conventional: Kastmasters, Mepps spinners, and bright PowerBait (garlic salmon peach or chartreuse)
Tips: Cover water until you locate cruising fish. Focus on the inlet and outlet areas in the early hours and switch to deeper presentations mid-morning. Bass are beginning to chase buggers and small streamers around structure.
Looking Ahead – August:Surface temps will warm, pushing trout deeper and making dawn and dusk windows more critical. Consider fishing early with leeches or streamers just off the bottom. Smallmouth bass fishing will continue to pick up, offering fun variety during warmer afternoons.
Rocky Mountain National Park Streams
Current Conditions:Stream levels in the park are low, clear, and perfect for dry fly fishing. Moraine Park, Glacier Creek, and the Fall River are fishing great right now. Wildflowers are out, elk are visible, and the bugs are hatching.
What’s Working:
Dries: Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, small Hoppers, Beetles, and Royal Wulffs
Nymphs: Hares Ears, Frenchies, small midges under dry flies or yarn indicators
Tips: Be stealthy and deliberate—these fish are wary but eager. Fish tight to banks, undercuts, and foam lines. A properly drifted dry fly will usually get crushed. Midday can be excellent, especially when terrestrial insects start moving.
Looking Ahead – August: August is prime time for hopper-dropper setups in the park. Grassy banks and meadows will be crawling with terrestrials. Fish will be aggressive on top, especially in the afternoons. Lower flows will make accuracy and soft landings even more important.
High Alpine Lakes
Current Conditions:Most hike-in lakes are now ice-free and accessible. Fishing has been excellent during the morning hours with aggressive strikes from hungry cutthroat and brook trout. Lakes with inlets or shallow shelves are fishing best.
What’s Working:
Stillwater Flies: Damsel Nymphs, Balanced Leeches, black Chironomids, and small black or olive Buggers
Gear Tip: Use a floating line with a long leader or a clear intermediate line to reach fish in deeper water
Tips: Get to the lake early and look for cruising fish along drop-offs and structure. Sight fishing can be outstanding in calm conditions. Vary your retrieve and change depths until you dial it in.
Looking Ahead – August: Expect continued good fishing through the first half of August, especially during calm mornings. As nights start to cool later in the month, fish may become more selective. The terrestrial bite—especially beetles and ants—can be surprisingly effective up high in late summer.
Final Thoughts
From tailwaters to tundra, July has brought some of the best fishing of the season—and August looks just as promising. Terrestrials will become the name of the game on moving water, and the alpine lakes will stay hot as long as the mornings stay calm. There's no better time to grab your rod and explore the incredible fisheries around Estes Park.
Need help finding the fish? Book a guided trip with Lost Outfitters and we’ll show you exactly where to go and what to use to make the most of your day on the water.
Let’s go fishing!!
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