Upper Basin: Leadville to Buena Vista
June 21, 2025
Flow in Hayden Meadows | 425 CFS |
|---|---|
Flow at Granite: | 762 CFS |
Water Temp: | 50s |
Water Clarity: | Clear |
Flows have make a significant drop this week and river clarity is good. Fishing has ramped up each day with the dropping flows and the dry and dry-dropper fishing has been very productive. Expect trout to vacate faster areas of current and move to velocity shelters along the banks and amid submerged midstream structure. Fishing can be a fun challenge due to the higher flows but generally fish are very happy when flows begin to recede. Fish that drop into the depths are hard to reach but the fish along the banks are prime targets for a shallow nymph or dry dropper rig. Expect to see golden stoneflies (10-12), yellow sallies (14-16), caddis (14-18), pale morning duns (16-18), midges (18-20), and various terrestrials in the next two weeks. Hayden Meadows also experiences a great green drake hatch right after runoff with nymphs and adult in the 10-12 range on average. Streamers can also be good medicine in the with higher flows being advantageous to the predation methods of more mature trout. Juvenile trout are vulnerable and the older fish take notice. Anglers should also consider beefing up on leader material, as the need for stealth is long past and heavier material will come in handy working fish out of higher flows. We advise wade anglers to fish from shore whenever possible and to avoid wading in water where you can't see the river bottom.
Middle Basin: Buena Vista to Salida
June 21, 2025
Flow at Hecla Junction: | 1,280 CFS |
|---|---|
Water Temp | 50s |
Water Clarity: | Clear |
Flows have make a significant drop this week and river clarity is good. Fishing has ramped up each day with the dropping flows and the dry and dry-dropper fishing has been very productive. Expect trout to vacate faster areas of current and move to velocity shelters along the banks and amid submerged midstream structure. Fishing can be a fun challenge due to the higher flows but generally trout are very happy when flows begin to recede. Fish that drop into the depths are hard to reach but the fish along the banks are prime targets for a shallow nymph or dry dropper rig. Expect to see golden stoneflies (10-12), yellow sallies (14-16), caddis (14-18), pale morning duns (16-18), midges (18-20), and various terrestrials in the next two weeks. Streamers can also be good medicine in the off-colored water with higher flows being advantageous to the predation methods of more mature trout. Juvenile trout are vulnerable and the older fish take notice. Anglers should also consider beefing up on leader material, as the need for stealth is long past and heavier material will come in handy working fish out of higher flows. We advise wade anglers to fish from shore whenever possible and to avoid wading in water where you can't see the river bottom.
Lower Basin: Salida to Canon City
June 21, 2025
Flow at Wellsville: | 1,310 CFS |
|---|---|
Water Temp | 50s-60s |
Water Clarity: | Slightly stained but good visibility, over 3' of clarity |
Flows have make a significant drop this week and river clarity is good. Fishing has ramped up each day with the dropping flows and the dry and dry-dropper fishing has been very productive. We're now looking at very productive float fishing levels with lots of usable habitat along the edges for fish to reside in. Expect trout to vacate faster areas of current and move to velocity shelters along the banks and amid submerged midstream structure. Fishing can be a fun challenge due to the higher flows but generally trout are very happy when flows begin to recede. Fish that drop into the depths are hard to reach but the fish along the banks are prime targets for a shallow nymph or dry dropper rig. In some areas a single large dry fly is your best option as it is far easier to accurately cast than a multi-fly rig. Expect to see golden stoneflies (10-12), yellow sallies (14-16), caddis (14-18), pale morning duns (16-18), midges (18-20), and various terrestrials in the next two weeks. Streamers can also be good medicine in the off-colored water with higher flows being advantageous to the predation methods of more mature trout. Juvenile trout are vulnerable and the older fish take notice. Anglers should also consider beefing up on leader material, as the need for stealth is long past and heavier material will come in handy working fish out of higher flows. We advise wade anglers to fish from shore whenever possible and to avoid wading in water where you can't see the river bottom.