Directions: To reach the Big Thompson river from Boulder head north on 28th street out of town towards Lyons. Once you reach Lyons there is a split in the road and you will want to stay right on HWY 36 towards Estes Park. The road gets steep and winding outside Lyons and then we pass a small mountain community called Pinewood Springs. Through Pinewood Springs the road will get steep again before we crest the hill and start to drop into Estes Park. At the bottom of the hill driving into Estes we will make a right on mall road before the highway passes Lake Estes. 1/4 mile after the turn you will see a small meadow and dam on the left. This is the start of the Big Thompson tail water. Mall road passes over the river then hits highway 34. Make a right to head down the canyon. There are over 15 miles of fishable waters from Estes Park to the opening of the canyon close to Loveland. Private property is posted so please obey land owners signage. Most of the canyon is accessible from various gravel pulloffs and parking lots throughout the canyon. Please note that this section is catch and release and obey posted signage. In the Winter all but the upper mile or so is iced over and un fishable. About 35 miles to the top of the canyon, @ 45 minutes.