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Hatch Chart Rocky Mountain National Park | ||||||||||||
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Food Type |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
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Mayflies |
– |
– |
○ |
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● |
● |
○ |
○ |
– |
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Midges |
– |
○ |
○ |
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● |
● |
● |
● |
○ |
– |
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Caddisflies |
– |
– |
– |
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● |
● |
● |
● |
● |
○ |
○ |
– |
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Stoneflies |
– |
○ |
○ |
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● |
● |
● |
○ |
○ |
○ |
– |
– |
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Damselflies |
– |
– |
– |
○ |
○ |
● |
● |
● |
● |
○ |
○ |
– |
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Grasshoppers |
– |
– |
– |
○ |
● |
● |
● |
● |
● |
● |
○ |
– |
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Crickets |
– |
– |
– |
○ |
● |
● |
● |
● |
● |
● |
○ |
– |
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Ants |
– |
– |
– |
○ |
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● |
● |
● |
● |
● |
○ |
– |
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Beetles |
– |
– |
– |
○ |
● |
● |
● |
● |
● |
● |
○ |
– |
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Key | |
|
– |
Hatch is non-existent or not significant. This is mostly due to the frozen conditions of the Park during these months.
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Hatch is noticeable. Early in the year, having a few basic flies in your box that immitate these insects is worth it. Late in the year, be sure to carry these flies as hatches can be unpredictably present and are significant to a fish's diet.
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Don't leave home without 'em! Prime time for these insects, particularly terrestrials. |
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Seasons of the Park |
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December, January & February |
March |
April & May |
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Essentially, every water that contains fish is frozen solid in January. Fishing outside of the Park below the town of Estes on the Big Thompson River is your best bet. |
If the weather patterns give unseasonably warm days, some of the water in the Moraines can be open and fishable. As the month progresses, there is open water at the lowest elevations, but trekking much above 9,000 feet may not be too productive. |
This is the time of the year where the locals get excited to fish the Park. Longer and warmer days open most streams up to 9,800 feet or so. At the end of May, searching for ice-out lakes is a possibility, however there will still be plenty of snowpack above 9,500 feet, warranting snowshoes. |
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June |
July, August & September |
October & November |
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Snow pack will still exist the first half of June above 9,800 feet, trails will be slushy and slick. Lakes will begin thawing rapidly during the longer days and plentiful sunshine. Ice-out fishing is prime. By the end of June, summer conditions are in full swing. |
This is the prime time in the Park, both for fishing and for tourists. Expect easily accessible water to be...well, easily accessed by the surge in visitor traffic. Planning a hike of an hour or two to reach higher elevation water will pay off. Fishing a terrestrial this time of year is essential. |
In early October, the crowds wain and the fishing remains spectacular. You might find thin sheets of ice along the edges of streams and certainly on lakes, but by mid-afternoon they have melted. Prime fishing time is from 11am to 4pm this time of year. In November, lakes will have started their deep freeze, but most creeks, streams and rivers are still fishable. |
