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

Arkansas River - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

36

ArkAnglers's Tip of the Week

The river near and below Salida is going to offer your best opportunities in the coming weeks. This week's forecast is colder so expect some slush in the river until around 11AM. After that, the river should offer enough clearing to find fishable water. 11AM to 3PM is your best window of opportunity for productive fishing, when air and water temperatures are warmest and the angle of the sun will positively impact fish behavior in the river. Nights are in the teens in Salida this week and highs are predicted in the high 30s and low 40s. Expect fish to be almost exclusively in deeper winter water for the next few months, seeking slow to walking speed current moving in a consistent direction. Colder temperatures will cause a drop in trout metabolism and fish will be a lot less likely to aggressively chase down food. Work deeper water slowly and methodically, relying on multi-nymph rigs with a fair amount of weight to ensure your flies achieve the appropriate depth for where fish are holding. Prepare for subtle takes. Midge and caddis larvae are key before lunchtime, with midge pupae the primary forage after lunchtime. Heavy anchor nymphs are a good way to minimize the need for split shot in sinking your rig, and golden stonefly nymphs are good choices all winter. 4x and 5x leader and tippet are appropriate choices. Find warm, sunny, well-lit areas to fish when possible, as the thermal energy can make a massive difference in fish and fish food activity.

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 12/11/24

Expect some slush flows in the river on the coldest mornings until 10 or 11AM. Best fishing opportunities will be 11AM to 3PM in sunny regions.

Techniques & Tips as of 12/11/24

Nymphing

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):
Perdigon/Spanish Bullet Brown, Olive, Black 16-18
Pheasant Tail Nymph Natural, Olive 12-18
Zebra Midge Black, Olive, Purple 16-20
Biot Epoxyback Stonefly Golden 10-14

Perdigon/Spanish Bullet

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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:

Midges, caddis larvae, golden stonefly nymphs

Best Time to Fish:

11:00am to 3:00pm

Best Stretch:

Middle and lower basins

Best Access:

Big Bend, Salida East, Rincon, Vallie Bridge.