Upper Basin: Leadville to Buena Vista
April 17, 2026
Flow in Hayden Meadows | 70 CFS |
|---|---|
Flow at Granite: | 92 CFS |
Water Temp: | 40s |
Water Clarity: | Clear |
The upper basin is fishing well with a widening window of opportunity for quality fishing and both midge and blue wing olive hatches underway prompting aggressive feeding from resident trout. Milder weather is predicted in the valley for the foreseeable future which should encourage good activity from resident fish in prime areas around and north of BV. Any cloudy day ahead should prompt consistent blue wing olive hatches in the afternoons, but even the bluebird days can host localized hatches. Baetis nymphs (#18-20) are drifting daily in the afternoon. Expect fish to be in slower, deeper water in the mornings where they can hold without expending much energy, moving into shallower and sometimes faster feeding zones during the warmest hours of the day. 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 molting golden stonefly nymph (8-14) offer opportunities to fish much larger flies to match the naturals.
Middle Basin: Buena Vista to Salida
April 17, 2026
Flow at Hecla Junction: | 252 CFS |
|---|---|
Water Temp | 40s - low 50s |
Water Clarity: | Clear |
Great fishing opportunities can be found in the middle basin as we move through April, with more mild weather in the foreseeable future. Fishing is at its best from 10AM to 5PM. We are seeing fish consistently venture out into shallower and faster zones to feed, matching their activity to the increase in water temperature. Baetis nymphs are on the move in the afternoons and cloudy weather has begun to prompt very strong hatches of these mayflies after lunchtime. From here on out, prepare for hatches most days with the most prolific hatches on cloudy, humid afternoons. These can be some of the greatest dry fly days of the year over the next 3-4 weeks, so plan accordingly! Stock up on nymph, emerger, and dun imitations in #18-20. Midges (#18-22) are still important forage but molting golden stonefly nymphs (8-14) offer a much larger meal opportunity and are a welcome sight for resident fish. Midge hatches are occurring daily and have also produced some great, technical dry fly fishing opportunities. We have not seen much caddis activity above Salida yet, but anticipate a much earlier start to the classic brachycentrus hatch in the middle basin than normal. 5x tippet is appropriate.
Lower Basin: Salida to Canon City
April 17, 2026
Flow at Wellsville: | 273 CFS |
|---|---|
Water Temp | 45-56 degrees |
Water Clarity: | Clear |
Earlier than normal but par for the course this spring, cased caddis are hatching on the Arkansas. These brachycentrus typically kick off in Canon City around April 15 and are well ahead of schedule this season. Anglers should be on the lookout for pockets of hatches throughout Bighorn Sheep Canyon this week. We've even had some hatches IN Salida, believe it or not. Average size on the naturals is 16 but imitations could range from 14-18 depending on the pattern. An active presentation can be advantageous compared to a dead drift when fishing a dry fly, as caddis adults are known to be animated on the water before taking flight. Soft hackle caddis pupae fished as a dropper or on the swing should also be considered to imitate the emergent phase of the insect. Don't be surprised to see small pockets of caddis hatches upstream of the bulk of the insect activity as the river warms. Generally 54 degrees in water temperature is the target for finding the leading edge of the hatch, but this season we are seeing some variance due to the early warming of the lower basin's temperatures. To make matters more intriguing are the craneflies that have also entered the arena this week. Averaging a #14, these large dipterans often hover right above the water's surface and can incite splashy, slashing rises from feeding trout, much like you see on hatching caddis.
More widespread and more consistent than the caddis are the ongoing hatches of blue wing olive mayflies. Though the strongest hatches usually occur on cloudy afternoons, even bluebird days produce some strong, localized mayfly hatches and trout are definitely taking advantage. Regardless of weather, expect baetis nymphs to engage in behavioral drift each afternoon as they distribute through the river. These insects are best imitated by offerings in #18-20, depending on the pattern. 5x tippet is appropriate, and fluorocarbon is recommended to all subsurface offerings due to the low, clear water.