Upper Basin: Leadville to Buena Vista
July 4, 2026
Flow in Hayden Meadows | 52 CFS |
|---|---|
Flow at Granite: | 64 CFS |
Water Temp: | 52-67 degrees |
Water Clarity: | Clear |
Caddis are hatching above Buena Vista! Now that water temperatures are above the 54 degree mark, equip yourself for brachycentrus (and other) caddis hatches above BV, particularly in Hayden Meadows, on sunny, warm days. 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. 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 4, 2026
Flow at Hecla Junction: | 188 CFS |
|---|---|
Water Temp | 53-68 degrees in the shallows. Milder in deeper areas of the river. |
Water Clarity: | Clear |
Temperatures are a little milder this week, with lows in the 40s and highs in the 70s in Buena Vista. This has had a positive impact on river temperatures, dropping nighttime water temps down back into the mid 50s and daytime highs in the mid 60s in the shallows. Smoke from forest fires around the west is varying factor in the valley and changes day by day. We have seen very productive fishing through this cooler trend. We do anticipate temperatures warming again so plan for earlier starts to take advantage of the cooler, more productive hours of the day. That said, 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. On the warmest days, fish will shift out of forage mode in early to mid afternoon and fishing can be challenging at best while the fish rest. We encourage anglers to consider taking a break for the heat of the day or seek opportunities at higher elevations where temperatures are less of a concern. 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. 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 4, 2026
Flow at Wellsville: | 229 CFS |
|---|---|
Water Temp | 54-70 degrees in the shallows in upper Bighorn Sheep Canyon. Milder in deeper areas of the river. Expect warmer temperatures closer to Canon City. |
Water Clarity: | Clear |
Summer has arrived early and great fishing can be had NOW. Cooler temperatures have settled in the valley (for now), cooling the river and making much more comfortable fishing conditions early in the week. Smoke from forest fires around the west is varying factor in the valley and changes day by day. We do anticipate temperatures warming again so plan for earlier starts to take advantage of the cooler, more productive hours of the day. That said, 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. On the warmest days, fish will shift out of forage mode in early to mid afternoon and fishing can be challenging at best while the fish rest. We encourage anglers to consider taking a break for the heat of the day or seek opportunities at higher elevations where temperatures are less of a concern. 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.
Flows have dropped this week following some changes to the outflows of both Twin Lakes and Clear Creek Reservoirs so wading is exceptional throughout all river basins and floating is incredibly technical 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.