The Arkansas is now running at native flow with 226 CFS in Salida and 295 CFS on the Wellsville gauge.  The low water is ideal for wade fishing, but we need to mindful of water temps.  We have a lot of hot weather in the forecast and very little rain so a thermometer in your pack should be essential right now.  Water temps in the mornings have been in the mid 50s and afternoon temps have been getting up into the low to mid 60s.  Water temps in the mid 60s should your cut off, try to get on the water early and be done fishing by noon before things heat up.  Even when practicing catch and release in these warm temperatures there is a very high possibility that fish will die from too much stress.

   With low water, look for fish moving into faster riffles and pocket water, the more oxygenated the water the better.  There may be fish visible in other spots on the river, but the feeding fish will tend to be in the faster water.  Stoneflies, Red Quills, PMDs, Caddis and Grasshoppers have been on the menu as of late.  Shallow hopper dropper set ups have been the rig of choice with a lot of hopper eats in the mornings.     

Recommended flies for rivers:

 Hot Spot Pheasant Tails, Frenchies, Roza’s Violet Tailed Jig,  Red Quills, Prince Nymphs, Blow Torch, Duracell Jig, Copper Johns, Two Bit Hookers, Red Juju Baetis, Chubby Chernobyl, Para Foam Hooper, Army Ants, Hi Vis Elk Hair Caddis, Guide Savers, Rubber Leg Stimulators, Royal Wulff,  Sculpzillas, Thin Mints, Sculpin Mini, Sex Dungeons, Slump Busters.

Recommended flies for stillwater:

Scuds, Diawl Bachs, Balanced Leeches, Traffic Light Chironomids, Oil Slick Buzzer, Mad Bombers, Thin Mints, Ruby Eye Leech, Seal Buggers, Edward’s Freshwater Shrimp, Sailor Ant, Unsinkabeetl