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

Arkansas River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

54

ArkAnglers's Tip of the Week

The Arkansas is fishing well this week with a beautiful, mild, sunny forecast. The river is generally clear from Leadville to Salida and the lower basin is offering ~30" visibility, which is still fishable and productive. Midge hatches (20-22) offer prime food in the mornings and can produce some technical dry fly fishing before noon. Fall baetis hatches are also underway and these mayflies present in 20-22 in the afternoons, typically from 1-3PM. Nymphs and emergers are productive late morning prior to a hatch. Terrestrial food like grasshoppers and beetles are still available and most active in the afternoons. We continue to see sporadic golden stonefly activity throughout the system and the nymphs can be very effective attractors. Streamers are increasingly productive as we move through the fall towards the brown trout spawn.

Directions open in app

Map of Arkansas River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Royal Gorge Anglers
Breckenridge outfitters

5-Day Outlook as of 10/8/26

40s at night to ~70 degrees in the afternoon.

Techniques & Tips as of 10/8/26

Nymphing in the morning. Dry-dropper as fish move into prime foraging areas mid-day. Dry flies to match active hatches. Streamers on cloudy days.

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):
Beadhead Pheasant Tail Natural 18-20
Chubby Chernobyl Gold, Royal, Tan 12-16
Extended Body Blue Wing Olive Olive 18-20
Sculpzilla Black, Olive, Natural 8

Beadhead Pheasant Tail

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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:

Baetis, midges, golden stone nymphs, caddis larvae, grasshoppers.

Best Time to Fish:

All Day

Best Stretch:

All Basins

Best Access:

Granite, Numbers, Railroad Bridge, BV River Park, Ruby Mountain, Big Bend, Salida East, Rincon, Vallie Bridge.