Upper Basin: Leadville to Buena Vista
July 20, 2026
Flow in Hayden Meadows | 42 CFS |
|---|---|
Flow at Granite: | 62 CFS |
Water Temp: | 55-67 degrees |
Water Clarity: | Clear |
We continue to see strong hatches of caddis and various stoneflies above Buena Vista this week. Hayden Meadows hosts a dense population of caddis so expect the strongest hatches here over the next several weeks. Along with caddis, this region is experiencing yellow sally (14-16), golden stonefly (8-12), and green drake hatches (10-12). Drakes are primarily found from Granite up into Hayden Meadows, where the focus is more on golden stoneflies down towards Buena Vista. This smorgasbord will produce some outstanding dry fly fishing and the lack of heavy runoff this year means that these opportunities have arrived much earlier than normal. 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. A careful approach and good first cast can make all the difference between a mediocre and outstanding day of fishing.
Smoke from forest fires around the west is varying factor in the valley and changes day by day. The proximity to the Willow Fire near Leadville does mean the upper basin is more vulnerable to poor air quality at the moment.
Middle Basin: Buena Vista to Salida
July 20, 2026
Flow at Hecla Junction: | 163 CFS |
|---|---|
Water Temp | 60-72 degrees in the shallows. Milder in deeper areas of the river. |
Water Clarity: | Clear |
Temperatures are warmer this week with lows in the 50s and highs in the 80s in Buena Vista. We do see a good chance of rain most days in the 10-day forecast which could help moderate water temperatures and offer some relief from the heat. Smoke from forest fires around the west is varying factor in the valley and changes day by day, though we've enjoyed better air quality over the last week. We advise anglers on the river to try for an EARLY start to take advantage of the coolest hours of the day, and to consider an afternoon siesta during the peak heat of the day. River fish will naturally move off the feed during the heat of the day, migrating to more oxygenated zones of the river where they can rest until temperatures cool again. The last hour or so of daylight can see the action kick into gear again as temperatures drop and trout key on egg-laying caddis and mayfly spinners. The Arkansas River is unique due to the higher than average dissolved oxygen content throughout the system, and as such offers respite to trout even when water temperatures warm where other rivers can struggle. Shifting sights to high elevation creeks and lakes can be the perfect alternative to the river, offering more solitude and cooler temperatures. We are seeing fish consistently hold in shallower and faster zones to feed, matching their activity to the water temperature and insect behavior. Golden stonefly (10-12), yellow sally (16-18), pale morning dun (16-18), and red quill (12-14) hatches are ongoing in this region, and the combined food base is creating some excellent dry and dry dropper fishing. Midges (18-22) are still important forage with hatches are occurring daily, producing some great, technical dry fly fishing opportunities. 4x-5x tippet is appropriate.
Lower Basin: Salida to Canon City
July 20, 2026
Flow at Wellsville: | 200 CFS |
|---|---|
Water Temp | 62-73 degrees in the shallows in upper Bighorn Sheep Canyon. Milder in deeper areas of the river. Expect warmer temperatures closer to Canon City. Fish early and |
Water Clarity: | Clearing, fishable in the upper reaches of Bighorn Sheep Canyon with several feet of clarity |
Summer has arrived early and great fishing can be had NOW, especially in the early hours of the day. There's a good chance of precipitation most afternoons this week which could help moderate temperatures a bit, as well as knock down some of the smoke from various western forest fires. We've enjoyed better air quality over the last week or so. We encourage river anglers to consider an EARLY start to the day and take a break during the heat of the day, from roughly 2 to 5PM on the warmer afternoons. It's also a good strategy to seek opportunities at higher elevations where temperatures are less of a concern. Resident river fish will naturally shift out of forage mode in early to mid afternoon and fishing can be challenging at best while the fish rest. The last hour or so of daylight can see the action kick into gear again as temperatures drop and trout key on egg-laying caddis and mayfly spinners. The Arkansas River is unique due to the higher than average dissolved oxygen content throughout the system, and as such offers respite to trout even when water temperatures warm where other rivers can struggle.
Wade fishing is exceptional throughout all river basins and floating is incredibly technical/limited in the lower basin. Boaters should be experienced and intimately familiar with public and private land boundaries before putting on. We are now seeing yellow sally stoneflies, golden stoneflies, red quills, pale morning duns, and various summer caddis hatches below town. The lower reaches of Bighorn Sheep Canyon have also seen sporadic trico hatches. Combined with an early emergence of seasonal grasshoppers, these are all producing outstanding dry dropper fishing and are creating great dry and double dry opportunities at times. Sallies average a 14-16, golden stones a 10-12, red quills a 12-14, pale morning duns a 16-18, and tricos a 22-24. Wet and dry imitations alike need to be in the arsenal to take advantage of the growing mass of food below Salida.