Fishing Season: Year Around

Arkansas River Tailwater - CO

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

58

Royal Gorge Anglers's Tip of the Week

Our guides have now switched their focus to the Arkansas Tailwater with winter conditions setting in on the freestone section (Canon City upstream). We've seen some very consistent fishing on the tailwater here thus far in December with strong hatch activity in the Midge and Pseudo Baetis (Micro BWO) categories. Our guides are also finding some fish with smaller streamers. In general, as long as flows stay consistent...the Tailwater will be one of the very best winter fly fishing options in the state.

Directions open in app

Map of Arkansas River Tailwater

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Royal Gorge Anglers
Angler's Covey

5-Day Outlook as of 1/15/25

Flows have now stabilized in the winter window...fishing should really be consistent on the Tailwater for the next several months.

Techniques & Tips as of 1/15/25

Technical nymphing is certainly your best method to get into numbers of fish. Midges, Tricos and Fall Baetis (BWOs) will be your focal point until next Spring. Keep some small dry flies on hand in the same bug categories as you will certainly see some sporadic hatch activity. We'll mix in some small leeches to our nymph rigs at times and keep a streamer rod handy for the low light time periods. Pretty basic rigging in the winter, but the fishing is quite technical.

Local Species Available Year Around

  • Fish Icon

    Rainbow Trout; Brown Trout

Royal Gorge Anglers's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
RS2 black 20,22
Sparkle Dun black 22
Bead Head Brassie™ natural 20
Griffith's Gnat Peacock 22
Bead Head Emerging Sparkle Caddis Pupa olive 16
Slim Shady PMD PMD 18
Rojo Midge Red 22
Sparkle Dun Grey 24
Micro Leech Black 16
Trico Spinner Black 22

RS2

A must have emerger fly pattern for any trout fisherman.

2.49

Item #067T

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Royal Gorge Anglers's Recommended Gear

Description: About Arkansas River Tailwater

The Pueblo Tailwater has grown to be one of the more productive fisheries on the Front Range of Colorado. One of the major attributes that attracts anglers to this section of water is the winter fishery. Anglers can expect more temperate weather and more productive flows in the winter than most tail waters in the state. This fishery produces some excellent size ranges of both Rainbow and Brown Trout, with solid hatches year around. A new Catch and Release section has been placed from Valco Ponds to the Nature Center.

Nearest Airport:

Pueblo

Hatches:

BWOs, Tricos, Midges

Best Time to Fish:

8AM-1PM

Best Stretch:

Quality water from Dam to Nature Center

Best Access:

CO Rd 96