The Arkansas River at the Buena Vista Riverpark and the Wrights Lake area on Jan. 7th. You can see ice chunks floating downstream, and plenty of fishable water.
Date: 1/8/2023 @ 1:30pm
Arkansas River Flows
Leadville (Empire Gulch): not available in winter
Browns Canyon/Nathrop: not available in winter
Wellsville: ~330 cfs (ice can impact readings)
Twin Lakes Release: 74 cfs
Fly Tying Social Nights: Every other Thursday evening 6-8pm, throughout the winter, we will be hosting fly tying nights. This inclusive gathering is free, and open to anyone, regardless of skill or experience level. Save these dates, and come tie some flies with us! We have free beer....
Dec. 22, Jan. 5, Jan. 19. Feb. 2, Feb. 16.
Arkansas River Fishing Report:
The Latest: The BOR has begun moving some water around, and there is now 74cfs being released from Twin Lakes, causing a slight bump in Ark River flows through BV and downstream. The river remains at a very wadable fishing level. Recent warmer days with plenty of sunlight have really opened up parts of the river that were dominated by ice a week or so ago. BV has fishable water, but ice shelves still exist, so use caution. The Salida area is fishing very well right now, and the river is very open. These consecutive days of warmth are a great time to get out!
General Winter Report: It is full on winter fly fishing for the next few months here in the Arkansas River valley. Overnight lows are now regularly well below freezing here in BV, so we have started to focus our fishing to the middle part of the day when temps have warmed a bit. From here on out, we won't expect much insect activity, apart from midges on the warmer days. Flows are quite low right now, which makes it pretty easy to identify where the fish will be holding. We recommend indicator or euro nymphing the deepest runs and pools to find the most fish. As usual, fishing with tungsten bead nymphs will help your flies get down and stay down, which is going to lead to more hookups. Zebra midges and perdigons with slim bodies will get the job done, but don't stray away from any of your confidence patterns. I like to fish 5x fluoro tippet with one heavier, larger nymph as my depth control, and then fish a smaller perdigon or zebra midge in tandem.
Leadville Area: The river up here is mostly covered in ice. You may be able to find a slot or two to get a good drift, but we wouldn't recommend it.
Buena Vista Area: Ice shelves come and go with the weather, but the fishing is decent to good when the weather allows. Currently fishable!
Salida and Downstream: Here is where you'll consistently find success during the winter. The fishing has been good lately.
South Platte and South Park:
Dream Stream: Fishing on the dream stream remains good and viable throughout the winter. Presentation is KEY (when is it not?). Upriver tends to find the most success using an egg pattern on a nymph rig. Focus on the deepest runs and slots, in between the vegetation. Keep those flies clean, and get after it, there are quality fish to be caught!
Stillwaters:
Ice fishing season!
We carry a wide selection of Cougarbait hair jigs that are sure to help you hook whatever species you are chasing in the S. Park reservoirs. We have hair jigs that will help you target Lake Trout in the Upper Ark reservoirs as well. Come check em out!
High Alpine Lakes and Streams:
We have officially called it a season for the high country lakes and streams. Late May and early June of 2023 will be the beginning of a new year for us fisherfolks who love the high country. I guess we will ski for now?
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