“There is no gold in the Big Thompson” said Koleber. “That’s the only river in Larimer County that doesn’t have gold.”
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Can you fish the Big Thompson River in Colorado?
As the river exits the park, it runs through various sections of public and private property as it flows to the town of Estes and into Lake Estes. This section can be fished but is generally best to past over for better water.
What fish are in the Big Thompson River?
Check out the Big Thompson River Fish Survey and management data here. The Big T houses brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout.
Where can I fish Big Thompson?
Best Places to Fish the Big Thompson River The safest access point to the Upper Big T is definitely Moraine Park, and fishing is best upstream along the trails and streams that feed into the Big Thompson River throughout the park.
What flies to use on Big Thompson?
- Blood Midge (#18-22)
- Bling Midge (#18-22)
- Blue Poison Tung (#18-22)
- Disco Midge (#18-22)
- Chocolate Foam Back Emerger (#18-22)
- JuJu Baetis (#18-20)
- Jig Peeking Caddis (#12-14)
- Sparkle Pupa (#16-18)
Where is the best walleye fishing in Colorado?
- Pueblo Reservoir (Lake Pueblo) Lake Pueblo has a long history of being at the center of Colorado’s walleye fishing.
- Cherry Creek Reservoir.
- Chatfield Reservoir.
- Horsetooth Reservoir.
- McIntosh Reservoir.
- Carter Lake.
- Lonetree Reservoir.
How many people died in the Big Thompson River flood?
On July 31, 1976, during the celebration of Colorado’s centennial, the Big Thompson Canyon was the site of a devastating flash flood that swept down the steep and narrow canyon, claiming the lives of 143 people, 5 of whom were never found.
What is the best bait for big trout?
1. Worms. Night crawlers, red wigglers, garden hackleโa worm by any name is always an odds-on favorite for charming trout. Probably the most widely used bait of all, worms are as attractive to fishermen as they are to fish, because they’re easy to obtain, keep and rig.
Are there sturgeon in the Thompson River?
One of the Fraser River’s major tributaries, the Thompson provides the highway for millions of spawning Sockeye, Chinook, Coho and Pink salmon. Year-round residents include sturgeon, Rainbow trout, Dolly Varden and Mountain Whitefish.
How do you catch trout in big rivers?

What’s the best bait for fly fishing?
Wet Flies. Nymphs and streamers are designed to float below the surface and mimic drowned insects or bait fish. Wet flies are more often used in freshwater and are an ideal type of bait to attract trout.
How do you land a big fish on a fly rod?

Can you float the Big Thompson River?
It’s a great river for floating when the water is at a decent level, and perfect for whitewater rafting when the levels are high.
What is the best month to catch walleye?
Considering walleye like prolonged low light conditions, the best time of year to fish for walleye is in the spring and the fall. The months of March through May and August through October tend to be the most productive for walleye fishing.
What color walleye sees best?
Walleyes do have color vision that peaks in the orange-red-green portions of the spectrum. They see colors on both sides of each peak, but sensitivity declines. So they see wavelengths shorter than green and longer than orange-red, but not well. Overall, they see orange and red well, followed green and yellow.
What time of year are walleye most active?
For most of the year, the low-light window 30 minutes before and after sunrise and before and after sunset are peak times to catch walleye. During the summer especially, the bite will continue through the night but really reach their peak around sunset and sunrise.
How do you tell if you found gold in a river?

Where are most gold nuggets found in Colorado?
Located west of Colorado Springs, the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mine (previously referred to as the Cresson Mine) is the all-time highest producing and only remaining active large-scale gold mining operation in the state.
What does gold look like found in a river?
The gold usually have round edges and are small nuggets. The finer gold are usually found in the lower parts of the stream bed and the larger nuggets are usually deposited in coarse sediments closer to the lode source. The gold can often also occur with heavy elements like magnetite and hematite.
What year was the Big Thompson flood in Colorado?
On July 31, 1976, 144 people lost their lives when torrential downpours caused the Big Thompson River to flood.
What year did the Big Thompson River flood?
DENVER โ Sunday marks the 46th anniversary of the Big Thompson Canyon flood, which claimed the lives of 144 people and earned the unfortunate title of the one of the deadliest flash floods in Colorado history.
What year was the flood in Big Thompson canyon Colorado?
The Big Thompson flash flood which struck on the evening of July 31, 1976, was no exception.
What is the best month to catch whiting?
Whiting congregate in the summer for spawning, hence the term ‘Summer Whiting’. The summer is probably the best time to target Whiting but they are available all year round.
Can you swim in the Thompson River?
The Thompson Rivers While likely the busiest spot on the list, the rivers provide an ample amount of good swimming spots. While Riverside and Pioneer Park are always popular, there are dozens of locations between Mission Flats and Chase where you can jump in.
Can you kayak the Big Thompson River?
There are no fees to paddle the Big Thompson. Along Hwy 34 go 2.5 miles west of Drake or 8 miles East of Estes Park. You put in a couple of hundred yards down from the handicapped accessible fishermen’s pier.