Arkansas River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

ArkAnglers's Tip of the Week

The upper basin is clear and beautiful this week, however the remodel is underway on the Pocket Wave feature in the Buena Vista Whitewater Park and the effects of the construction will be seen intermittently for several miles below BV during different phases of the project. This work is projected to end in October of 2025 so anglers should expect to work through or around the disturbances for the forseeable future. Easy solutions are to get upstream of the project or work way downstream near or even below Salida. Anglers set on fishing just below BV should still be able to fish through the turbidity but should prepare for the impacts on water clarity. The lower river (below Salida) is still experiencing the impacts of precipitation early in the week and offers poor visibility below the confluence of the South Arkansas. There's little chance of significant precipitation beyond Friday so expect the conditions to improve as the river settles. Cooler weather has returned to the valley and the conditions are great for late August fishing. The flow here is in the ideal range for the health of the fishery itself, allowing trout to fully disperse and occupy nearly all available structure in the river, efficiently and effectively feeding at their leisure in the reduced velocities. At lower flows, fish will now also hold along midstream structure and in deeper troughs where a nymph rig can be highly effective. Wade anglers will celebrate the lower August flows as access on foot is now optimal in all basins, with as good of wadeability as you could ask for during the year. Float fishing will be a technical experience, favoring veteran boaters who can navigate the low water. The best float fishing will be further downstream near and below Salida as we head towards the fall. Expect to see golden stoneflies (10-12), red quills (#14-16), yellow sallies (14-16), caddis (14-18), midges (18-20), tricos (22-24) and lots of terrestrials as we move through August. Take care to thoroughly revive fish before release. We've enjoyed comfortable weather this week and see a cool, mild forecast for the foreseeable future, which is having a positive cooling effect on the river and will keep our trout population happy. 3x-5x tippet is appropriate.

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Water Flow Data

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