Upper Basin: Leadville to Buena Vista
August 23, 2025
Flow in Hayden Meadows | 86 CFS |
|---|---|
Flow at Granite: | 173 CFS |
Water Temp: | 50s-60s |
Water Clarity: | Clear |
Clarity and wadeability in the upper Arkansas is excellent and the dry and dry-dropper fishing has been very productive. Late season flows allow fish to spread out and disperse into all available habitat. Twin Lakes began releasing a little more water on Friday afternoon so anglers will see a slight surge in water move through the system over the weekend. It's not a lot of volume but it'll have a noticeable impact particularly for float fishermen downstream. Cooler temperatures have also returned to the valley for the foreseeable future, with highsin the 60s and 70s and cloud cover and precipitation being expected most afternoons, a welcome forecast With lower, clear flows you can expect fish to me more discerning so pay attention to available forage so you can closely match the natural insects with your imitations. At lower flows, fish will now also hold along midstream structure and in deeper troughs where a nymph rig can be highly effective. Attractor patterns can still produce but you may find that realistic patterns are more productive as fish key in on specific food. Try to take extra time to read the nuances of the structure in the river, rather than just the obvious holding water. Expect to also see golden stoneflies (10-12), caddis (14-20) midges (18-20), and lots of terrestrials as we move through August.
Middle Basin: Buena Vista to Salida
August 23, 2025
Flow at Hecla Junction: | 301 CFS |
|---|---|
Water Temp | 60s |
Water Clarity: | Small slug of dirty water moving through Nathrop around noon, clear down below in Salida. |
Twin Lakes began releasing a little more water on Friday afternoon so anglers will see a slight surge in water move through the system over the weekend. It's not a lot of volume but it'll have a noticeable impact particularly for float fishermen. The flow is still in the ideal range for the health of the fishery itself, allowing trout to fully disperse and occupy nearly all available structure in the river, efficiently and effectively feeding at their leisure in the reduced velocities. At lower flows, fish will now also hold along midstream structure and in deeper troughs where a nymph rig can be highly effective. Wade anglers will celebrate the lower August flows as access on foot is now optimal in all basins, with as good of wadeability as you could ask for during the year. Float fishing will be a technical experience, favoring veteran boaters who can navigate the low water. The best float fishing will be near and below Salida from here on out. We've got a warm forecast through Friday but the weekend and extended forecast show a return of much cooler weather with likely precipitation in the near future. Expect to see golden stoneflies (10-12), red quills (#14-16), yellow sallies (14-16), caddis (14-18), midges (18-20), tricos (22-24) and lots of terrestrials as we move through August. On warmer afternoons, fish will migrate to the most oxygenated areas of the river. Take care to thoroughly revive fish before release. We anticipate significantly cooler weather beginning Saturday and for the whole of next week, which will have a positive colling effect on the river, a great way to end the month of August and keep our trout population happy. 3x-5x tippet is appropriate.
Lower Basin: Salida to Canon City
August 23, 2025
Flow at Wellsville: | 298 CFS |
|---|---|
Water Temp | 60s |
Water Clarity: | Clear down to Howard, significant turbidity downstream from there following overnight rain. Lots of new debris and sediment deposits below Pleasant Valley RV Park. |
Twin Lakes began releasing a little more water on Friday afternoon so anglers will see a slight surge in water move through the system over the weekend. It's not a lot of volume but it'll have a noticeable impact particularly for float fishermen. The flow is still in the ideal range for the health of the fishery itself, allowing trout to fully disperse and occupy nearly all available structure in the river, efficiently and effectively feeding at their leisure in the reduced velocities. Wade anglers will celebrate the lower August flows as access on foot is now optimal in all basins, with as good of wadeability as you could ask for during the year. Float fishing will be a technical experience, favoring veteran boaters who can navigate the low water. We anticipate significantly cooler weather beginning Saturday and for the whole of next week, which will have a positive colling effect on the river, a great way to end the month of August and keep our trout population happy. The hopper-dropper fishing has been excellent as of late, but we still see many successful anglers leaning on dry and double-dry rigs and picking apart prime lies with accurate, controlled casts. At lower flows, fish will now also hold along midstream structure and in deeper troughs where a nymph rig can be highly effective. Expect to see golden stoneflies (10-12), red quills (14-16), caddis (14-18), midges (18-20), and various terrestrials through August. Take care to thoroughly revive fish before release. We anticipate significantly cooler weather beginning Saturday and for the whole of next week. 3x-5x tippet is appropriate.