Arkansas River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

ArkAnglers's Tip of the Week

Earlier than normal but par for the course this spring, cased caddis are hatching on the Arkansas. These brachycentrus typically kick off in Canon City around April 15 and are well ahead of schedule this season. Anglers should be on the lookout for pockets of hatches throughout Bighorn Sheep Canyon this week. We've even had some hatches IN Salida, believe it or not. Average size on the naturals is 16 but imitations could range from 14-18 depending on the pattern. An active presentation can be advantageous compared to a dead drift when fishing a dry fly, as caddis adults are known to be animated on the water before taking flight. Soft hackle caddis pupae fished as a dropper or on the swing should also be considered to imitate the emergent phase of the insect. Don't be surprised to see small pockets of caddis hatches upstream of the bulk of the insect activity as the river warms. Generally 54 degrees in water temperature is the target for finding the leading edge of the hatch, but this season we are seeing some variance due to the early warming of the lower basin's temperatures. Warm weather through Wednesday should incite more active caddis hatches, but cooler weather later may favor baetis and midges. To make matters more intriguing are the craneflies that have also entered the arena. Averaging a #14, these large dipterans often hover right above the water's surface and can incite splashy, slashing rises from feeding trout, much like you see on hatching caddis. More widespread and more consistent than the caddis are the ongoing hatches of blue wing olive mayflies. Though the strongest hatches usually occur on cloudy afternoons, even bluebird days produce some strong, localized mayfly hatches and trout are definitely taking advantage. Regardless of weather, expect baetis nymphs to engage in behavioral drift each afternoon as they distribute through the river. These insects are best imitated by offerings in #18-20, depending on the pattern. 5x tippet is appropriate, and fluorocarbon is recommended to all subsurface offerings due to the low, clear water.

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