Fall fly fishing in and around Loveland offers exceptional opportunities for hooking various trout species. Northern Colorado’s storied Big Thompson River is a top destination for many anglers and Loveland is ideally situated to act as a basecamp for fall fishing adventures. We’ve included more about the Big Thompson, local outfitters and expert intel here.
The River
The Big Thompson River is a bucket list destination for anglers nationwide for its scenic beauty, exceptional water quality and abundant trout population. The river is forgiving for novices and challenging for seasoned anglers, making it accessible for all abilities.
Making its headwaters in Forest Canyon inside Rocky Mountain National Park, the Big Thompson tumbles east down Big Thompson Canyon (Hwy 34) before meandering through Loveland, eventually joining the South Platte River near Greeley. Anglers will find river access points along Hwy 34 but should avoid crossing any designated private property. Big Thompson trout are largely wild and average in size from 10-12 inches, and range in diversity from wild brown and brook to rainbow and cutthroat.
The Outfitters
Elkhorn Flyshop (3121 W. Eisenhower Blvd., Loveland) is a full-service outfitter that manufactures a line of quality fly rods and reels. Elkhorn’s shop features a large assortment of flies and flyfishing gear and offers guided flyfishing trips in the canyon, on the Cache la Poudre River, in Rocky Mountain National Park, and on private waters. Elkhorn is an expert outfitter that focuses on product affordability and offers an unmatched warranty service. Fly fishing outings can be booked at their website.
Buckhorn Ridge Outfitters (9634 Alfalfa Way, Loveland) is situated near the Big Thompson and Cache La Poudre Rivers, and their guided trips include exclusive private river access. Buckhorn Ridge Outfitters trips feature beautiful Northern Colorado scenery, expert instruction, river etiquette and safety. Walk/Wade Trips include lunch, a camera and all necessary fishing equipment. The company also rents a luxury 27-foot Godfrey Aqua Patio Pontoon boat.
Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch/Rocky Mountain Angling Club (2939 N. Co. Rd. 31D, Loveland) offers guided fly fishing for guests of the ranch and Rocky Mountain Angling Club (RMAC) members. Sylvan Dale guests can add a guided fly-fishing excursion to any Dude Ranch vacation at Sylvan Dale, and RMAC will provide the equipment and the know-how. RMAC offers two distinct fishing opportunities at the ranch: river angling on the Big Thompson, which runs through the ranch, and lake fishing.
The Intel
Anglers can fish the Big Thompson year-round, but the October caddis hatch is renowned. Another highlight is the aggressiveness of brown trout as they prepare for spawning.
Gear
Local outfitters recommend an 8-1/2-foot, 4 or 5-weight fast-action fly rod for the Big Thompson, plus chest-high waders and plenty of layers. The Big Thompson is snow-melt-fed, meaning the snow melts from the high peaks and flows into the Big Thompson. This ensures a cool dip no matter the calendar date.
Flies
Check with local outfitters for current hatch information, though major Big Thompson hatches include midges, BWOs, caddis, stoneflies and some tricos. Big Thompson regulars recommend a combination of dry flies, nymphs and streamers.
Regulations
Anglers must be 16 years or older and a Colorado fishing license is required. Be aware of site-specific regulations and bag and possession limits. Colorado Division of Wildlife rules and regulations apply to the majority of the Big Thompson River, however, there is a catch-and-release-only section spanning the nine miles between Lake Estes and the Waltonia Bridge. Only artificial flies and barbless lures are permitted on this section of the river.
Local outfitters recommend catch-and-release exclusively to maintain the fish population and the river’s ecosystem.
Access
Recommended fishing locations in and near Loveland (upstream to downstream):
- Highway 34 Pullouts – Look for many pullouts along Hwy 34, as the river parallels the road. There is significant public access, but anglers should respect private property boundaries, which are well-marked.
- Through the canyon, the river consists primarily of wild rainbows and brown trout averaging 10-14 inches. Expect healthy populations of stoneflies, mayflies and caddis in this section.
- Morey Wildlife Reserve (5439 Cedar Valley Dr.) – Access a small section of the Big Thompson River at the north end of the 33-acre natural area.
- Oxbow Natural Area (1135 Rossum Dr.) – Oxbow Natural Area consists of two sites along the west Big Thompson River, separated by Rossum Dr. Oxbow West (12 acres) includes the “oxbow,” a U-shaped bend in the river, with open meadows resulting from frequent flooding. Oxbow East (8 acres) features cottonwood trees and native vegetation along the river corridor. Access the river via the .5-mile soft-surface trail
- Namaqua Park/Natural Area (816 N. Namaqua Ave.) – The Big Thompson River divides the park and natural area providing easy accessibility for anglers.
- Big Thompson River in Loveland – From Wilson Ave. to US Hwy 287, access the river from Cottonwood Run Natural Area, Centennial Park, River’s Edge Natural Area,
- Fairgrounds and Barnes Parks, and King’s Crossing Natural Area. (See map for details.)
- Boise Bend (1225 S. Boise Ave.) – Access the river along a .25-mile soft-surface trail.
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- This stretch of the river has a healthy brown trout population, and native cottonwoods and willows provide shade along the riverbanks.
- This stretch of the river has a healthy brown trout population, and native cottonwoods and willows provide shade along the riverbanks.
River flows can be monitored on the USGS page for the Big Thompson River at Loveland, CO.
