Upper Basin: Leadville to Buena Vista
December 5, 2025
Flow in Hayden Meadows | ~50 CFS |
|---|---|
Flow at Granite: | ~85 CFS |
Water Temp: | 30s |
Water Clarity: | Very icy, especially after colder nights. |
The upper basin is the coldest and will offer the shortest productive window of fishing on the river, though warm afternoons can still be worthwhile in the right areas. Generally, better productivity will be found dowsntream through the winter months. Expect fish to be in slower, deeper water through much of the day where they can hold without expending much energy, likely podded up together in groups. With lower, clear flows you can expect fish to be more discerning so pay attention to available forage so you can closely match the natural insects with your imitations. Attractor patterns can still produce but you may find that realistic patterns are more productive as fish key in on specific food. Midges (#18-22) are your primary forage but fish will still feed on golden stonefly nymphs and caddis larvae opportunistically, too.
Middle Basin: Buena Vista to Salida
December 5, 2025
Flow at Hecla Junction: | ~290 CFS |
|---|---|
Water Temp | 30s |
Water Clarity: | Icy in the morning, clear after ~10AM |
The weather is cold this weekso expect your best hours in the middle basin to be around 11AM-2PM. Wade anglers will enjoy the lower flows as access on foot is now optimal in all basins, with as good of wadeability as you could ask for during the year. Expect fish to congregate in the deeper, slower water for the foreseeable future. Midges (#18-22) are your primary forage but fish will still feed on golden stonefly nymphs and caddis larvae opportunistically, too. With water temperatures dropping, expect strikes to be more subtle. 4x-5x tippet is appropriate. Streamer fishing has been productive but we expect this to taper off now that water temperatures are dropping into the 30s.
Lower Basin: Salida to Canon City
December 5, 2025
Flow at Wellsville: | 349 CFS |
|---|---|
Water Temp | 30s |
Water Clarity: | Clear |
Bighorn Sheep Canyon is in great shape and is fishing well for early December, offering a wider productive window on the water than the river further north. Nighttime temperatures are very cold this week so plan to start your day after 10 or 11AM after the slush flows clear. Slower, deeper runs and pools are the primary lies now for fish through the colder months. Midges (#18-22) are the primary forage with sporadic hatches prompting localized surface feeding from trout. We're also seeing fish feed opportunistically on golden stonefly nymphs and caddis larvae. Expect takes to be more subtle as water temperatures cool down, so pay attention to the minute movements of your indicator/sighter. Lots of water will be devoid of fish through the winter, so when you find a fish take note of the water type, depth, and speed to help locate other likely holding areas. Trout tend to congregate during the winter so where you find one you'll likely find several. Streamers have been effective in triggering aggressive, territorial reactions from resident browns but expect less and less aggression as temperatures drop and we move away from the spawn. 4x-5x tippet is appropriate for nymphing.