Arkansas River Report

March 14, 2022

Spring is in the air on the Arkansas River which means unpredictable weather and quick changing fishing conditions.  We have a couple nice days of warm weather until the next round of snow comes to the valley and temps will stay colder through the weekend.  Fishing during the heat of the day has still been the most productive, look for fish to be the most active from 11am-4pm.

As the days begin to get longer, water temps will begin to rise and fish will move positions quite a bit throughout the day.  Most fish will still be holding in slower deeper pools but on warmer days look for fish to start moving into faster water at the head of runs.  Midges have been consistently hatching daily and fish have been keyed in a smaller midge patterns.  Nymphing has still been the most productive technique but fishing a double dry or dry dropper during a hatch will be the ticket as fish move higher in the water column to feed, streamers have also been putting a few fish in the net.

Give us a call or swing by the shop if you are planning on getting out and need bugs or just some friendly advice.  We are open and booking trips 7 days a week.

Suggested Flies:

Duracell’s #14-16, Roza’s Dark Neon Jig #16-18, Roza’s Violet Tailed Jig #14-18, Jakes Soft Hackle Perdigon #16-18,  Soft Hackle PT’s #14-18, Various Colors of Perdigons #14-18, Zebra Midge #18-20, Weiss’ BP Perdigon #20, Miller’s Plus One #16-18, Hi Vis Midge #18-20, Griffiths Knat #18-20, Bunny Midge #20-22, Olive Mini Dungeon #6, Olive Skulpzilla #8


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Granite

116

cubic ft/sec

Nathrop

N/A

cubic ft/sec

Wellsville

332

cubic ft/sec

Parkdale

N/A

cubic ft/sec

About the river


In 2014 the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission designated the upper Arkansas River as Gold Medal Water, doubling the amount of designated water in the state. In order to receive a Gold Medal listing, a body of water must consistently support a minimum trout standing stock of 60 pounds per acre, as well as consistently support a minimum average of 12 quality trout (trout larger than 14 inches) per acre. The designated Gold Medal waters of the Arkansas river span 102 miles from the confluence with the Lake Fork of the Arkansas River, near Leadville, to the Parkdale at the Highway 50 Bridge crossing above the Royal Gorge.

With mild winters, typically clear water flows, and an abundance of high alpine creeks and lakes, the Arkansas River Valley provides for an abundance of top notch, year round fishing opportunities.

Guide Service in
Salida, CO


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