Date: 03/27/2025 @ 10:00am
Arkansas River Flows
Leadville (Empire Gulch): Not Reporting
Granite: ~250 cfs
Browns Canyon/Nathrop: Not Reporting
Wellsville: ~370 cfs
Twin Lakes Release: 135 cfs
Turquoise Res. Release: 3.5 cfs
Clear Creek Res. Release: 1 cfs
Arkansas River Fishing Report:
The Latest:Â Â Â BWOs are active and hatching in the Salida area and downstream into the Bighorn Canyon! Try a parachute bwo, parachute Adams, or a comparadun in sz. 18-20 to pick off these risers. We are not seeing them hatching quite yet in the BV area and upstream, but they will begin doing so as we get into April. Nymphing is still the way to go in BV and upstream, and the fishing has been very good! You will see midges hatching, and there are some opportunities to fish dries, but you have to be pretty patient and selective to make that tactic work for you right now.
Fish have begun to move out of the winter water in the middle of the day, and they have started to occupy faster currents and riffle water. Now is the time to be more methodical with how you fish the river, and maybe don't pass up the same water that you wouldn't have fished a month ago. You will still find lots of fish in the "winter water".
Releases from Twin Lakes have been on the increase now for several days, and we expect those releases to continue through the spring, although we don't know the exact target CFS that they will settle on releasing. This increase in flow only increases the available habitat that fish can occupy, and that anglers can fish. It also adds the slightest tinge of color to the water, which can help anglers stay a bit more stealthy.
General Fishing Report/Tactics: You will still find fish in the slowest, deepest parts of the river, but you will also find fish elsewhere during the day. If you aren't seeing any major hatches, try nymphing with a variety of patterns. I have been doing the best with anything olive/green in color, paired with a heavier attractor pattern like a stonefly or a duracell.
I would recommend fishing a tandem nymph setup under a small indicator for best results right now. Unless you are seeing rising fish, and you want to target them specifically. I like to use two tungsten beaded flies, and leave the split shot out of the equation. Although using split shot with non-weighted or lightly-weighted flies works for many folks. Long and slender leader/tippets down for 5X or smaller will get the job done. I prefer using fluorocarbon to my nymphs, just for that added stealth. Although it may not be completely necessary, I like to use anything that gives me the advantage in the low flows and clear water.
I would fish your favorite attractor nymph (Duracell, CDC Pheasant Tail, French Jig, Rozas Jig) or a stonefly imitation, and pairing that with a smaller offering such as a zebra midge, caddis larva, spanish bullet, flashy perdigon, etc.
I say this a lot, but I truly believe that your presentation/depth/drift add up to be more important than the specific pattern that you are fishing with. Master your presentation on the turbulent currents of the Arkansas, and you will catch more fish. Another tip is to REALLY pay attention to your indicator during the drift! The more you stay ready and prepared for a take, the more successful hooksets you will have. If your indicator does anything unnatural, you ought to be setting the hook. Don't miss those opportunities.
Lake County: Fishable! Cold temps mean its still mostly nymphing up here.
Buena Vista/Browns Canyon: Browns Canyon and the BV town stretch are fishing great.
Salida and Downstream: Fishing very well!
Stillwaters:
Antero, Spinney Mountain and Elevenmile Reservoirs are all iced-off. We await to hear the official opening date for Spinney Mountain, which should be announced any time now.
Try stripping wooly buggers, or fish balanced leeches, scuds and chironomids under an indicator to fool some early season stillwater trout.
High Alpine Lakes and Streams:
Frozen until June-ish!