Upper Basin: Leadville to Buena Vista
August 5, 2025
Flow in Hayden Meadows | 77 CFS |
|---|---|
Flow at Granite: | 400 CFS |
Water Temp: | 50s-60s |
Water Clarity: | Clear |
Clarity and wadeability in the upper basin is excellent this week. Fishing has ramped up each day with the gradually receding flows of summer and the dry and dry-dropper fishing has been very effective on the upper Arkansas. Expect trout to vacate faster areas of current and move to velocity shelters along the banks and amid submerged midstream structure. The river north of Buena Vista offers the lowest flows and some of the easier wading, particularly near Leadville. Hayden Meadows is currently seeing strong green drake hatches with nymphs and adults in the 10-12 range on average. Brachycentrus caddis in 14-18 are also plentiful up here. Expect to also see golden stoneflies (10-12), yellow sallies (14-16), midges (18-20), and various terrestrials as we move through August. Streamers can also be good medicine after runoff, taking advantage of the predation methods of more mature trout. This is especially true during low light hours of the day or on overcast days. Juvenile trout are vulnerable and the older fish take notice. Generally, 4x-5x tippet is appropriate unless you're throwing larger streamers. Then beef up your materials to match.
Middle Basin: Buena Vista to Salida
August 5, 2025
Flow at Hecla Junction: | 598 CFS |
|---|---|
Water Temp | 60s |
Water Clarity: | Clear |
Clarity has returned to the middle basin this morning and it's fishing well between Buena Vista and Salida. Expect VFMP augmentation to maintain flows at Wellsville around 600 CFS through Sunday, August 17 before the river returns to native flows. Dry and dry-dropper fishing is very productive right now, the result of the current flows and prime summer hatches. Great edge habitat is open to the fish so expect trout to vacate faster areas of current and move to velocity shelters along the banks and amid submerged midstream structure. Once flows drop after August 17, expect trout to disperse and occupy any structure from bank to bank as they enjoy the lower water velocity. 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 various terrestrials as we move through August. Streamer fishing is also very productive now, particularly from a boat. 3x-5x tippet is appropriate.
Lower Basin: Salida to Canon City
August 5, 2025
Flow at Wellsville: | 588 CFS |
|---|---|
Water Temp | 60s |
Water Clarity: | Clear |
The upper reaches of Bighorn Sheep Canyon have recovered much clarity but the river below Coaldale is still seeing the impacts of new sediment deposited after serious precipitation last week. Water clarity is good but the topography is a little different, with sandbars at the mouth of many of the tributary streams and washes. The river is fishing well despite this. Expect VFMP augmentation to maintain flows at Wellsville around 600 CFS through Sunday, August 17 before the river returns to native flows. At these levels, both wade and float fishing can be very enjoyable, though we still recommend a very conservative approach while wading. This flow creates 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. These fish 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), red quills (#14-16), yellow sallies (14-16), caddis (14-18), midges (18-20), and various terrestrials through August. 3x-5x tippet is appropriate.