Fishing Season: Year Round (Prime March 1 - October 31)

Arkansas River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

64

ArkAnglers's Tip of the Week

Significant precipitation in and around Salida yesterday has muddied the river below town through much of Bighorn Sheep Canyon. This should clear the system quickly but today anglers should move above Salida to find fishable water. Expect VFMP augmentation to maintain flows at Wellsville around 600 CFS for the foreseeable future. At these levels, both wade and float fishing can be very enjoyable, though we still recommend a very conservative approach while wading. This flow creates lots of usable habitat along the edges for fish to reside in. Expect trout to vacate faster areas of current and move to velocity shelters along the banks and amid submerged midstream structure. These fish are prime targets for a shallow nymph or dry dropper rig. In some areas a single large dry fly is your best option as it is far easier to accurately cast than a multi-fly rig. Expect to see golden stoneflies (10-12), yellow sallies (14-16), caddis (14-18), pale morning duns (16-18), midges (18-20), and various terrestrials in the next two weeks. We’ve even seen some red quill mayflies (~14), which is much earlier than usual. Anglers should also consider beefing up on leader material, as the fish aren’t particularly leader shy and it comes in handing when playing fish in summertime flows.

Directions open in app

Map of Arkansas River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Royal Gorge Anglers
Breckenridge outfitters

5-Day Outlook as of 7/31/25

Cool mornings and good cloud cover most afternoons have prolonged good fishing throughou the day. Be prepared for impacts to river clarity following any precipitation and adjust accordingly to find success.

Techniques & Tips as of 7/31/25

Dry-dropper or streamer fishing in the velocity shelters of the river.

Local Species Available Year Round (Prime March 1 - October 31)

  • Fish Icon

    Brown and Rainbow Trout

ArkAnglers's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Thrasher Brown, Yellow 14-18
Blowtorch Peacock 14-16
Chubby Chernobyl Any 8-14
Perdigon/Bullet Brown, Yellow 14-18

Thrasher

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ArkAnglers's Recommended Gear

Description: About Arkansas River

The Arkansas River traverses about ninety miles between its headwaters above Leadville to the point where it rolls onto the prairie near Canon City. Over that distance, it flows through a high alpine meadow, drops through steep canyons of granite boulders and Ponderosa Pine, and courses through a high desert canyon. In each environment, populations of wild brown trout inhabit a river environment that teems with mayflies, stoneflies, caddis…small wonder that the Arkansas River was named Colorado’s most popular fishery in a recent Division of Wildlife survey. Along the banks of this river sit two remarkable mountain communities – Salida and Buena Vista. ArkAnglers has fly shops in both towns and our guide service spans the entire ninety miles of river, as well high mountain lakes on the Continental Divide, tributary streams, segments of the upper South Platte River, and some mid-elevation lakes known for their burgeoning trout populations. The range of altitude and climate in the upper Arkansas River valley allows us to guide year-round, the river providing a continuous supply of aquatic foodstuffs that keep fish active even in the winter. Contact us for a complete menu of trip options or for help in planning your visit!

Nearest Airport:

Colorado Springs Airport

Hatches:

Golden Stoneflies, yellow sallies, caddis, green drakes (Hayden Meadows), pale morning duns, grasshoppers

Best Time to Fish:

All Day

Best Stretch:

Upper and Middle basins until the lower basin clears

Best Access:

Hayden Meadows, Kobe, Granite, Railroad Bridge, BV River Park, Stone Bridge, Big Bend, Rincon, Cotopaxi