Upper Basin: Leadville to Buena Vista
August 27, 2025
Flow in Hayden Meadows | 117 CFS |
|---|---|
Flow at Granite: | 164 CFS |
Water Temp: | 50s-60s |
Water Clarity: | Clear |
Clarity and wadeability in the upper Arkansas is excellent and the dry and dry-dropper fishing has been very productive. Late season flows allow fish to spread out and disperse into all available habitat. It's not a lot of volume but it'll have a noticeable impact particularly for float fishermen downstream. Cooler temperatures have also returned to the valley for the foreseeable future, with highs in the 60s and 70s and cloud cover and precipitation being expected most afternoons, a welcome forecast With lower, clear flows you can expect fish to me more discerning so pay attention to available forage so you can closely match the natural insects with your imitations. At lower flows, fish will now also hold along midstream structure and in deeper troughs where a nymph rig can be highly effective. Attractor patterns can still produce but you may find that realistic patterns are more productive as fish key in on specific food. Try to take extra time to read the nuances of the structure in the river, rather than just the obvious holding water. Expect to also see golden stoneflies (10-12), caddis (14-20) midges (18-20), and lots of terrestrials as we move through August.
Middle Basin: Buena Vista to Salida
August 27, 2025
Flow at Hecla Junction: | 376 CFS |
|---|---|
Water Temp | 60s |
Water Clarity: | Intermittent discoloration due to Pocket Wave remodel project in Buena Vista river park |
The remodel is underway on the Pocket Wave feature in the Buena Vista Whitewater Park, and the effects of the construction will be seen intermittently for several miles below BV during different phases of the project. This work is projected to end in October of 2025 so anglers should expect to work through or around the disturbances for the forseeable future. Easy solutions are to get upstream of the project or work way downstream near or even below Salida. Anglers set on fishing just below BV should still be able to fish through the turbidity but should prepare for the impacts on water clarity.
Cooler weather has returned to the valley and the conditions are great for late August fishing. The flow here is in the ideal range for the health of the fishery itself, allowing trout to fully disperse and occupy nearly all available structure in the river, efficiently and effectively feeding at their leisure in the reduced velocities. At lower flows, fish will now also hold along midstream structure and in deeper troughs where a nymph rig can be highly effective. Wade anglers will celebrate the lower August flows as access on foot is now optimal in all basins, with as good of wadeability as you could ask for during the year. Float fishing will be a technical experience, favoring veteran boaters who can navigate the low water. The best float fishing will be further downstream as we head towards the fall. 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 lots of terrestrials as we move through August. Take care to thoroughly revive fish before release. We've enjoyed comfortable weather this week and see a cool, mild forecast for the foreseeable future, which is having a positive cooling effect on the river and will keep our trout population happy. 3x-5x tippet is appropriate.
Lower Basin: Salida to Canon City
August 27, 2025
Flow at Wellsville: | 386 CFS |
|---|---|
Water Temp | 60s |
Water Clarity: | Dirty below the confluence South Arkansas. Better visibility above Salida. |
The lower river is still experiencing the impacts of precipitation early in the week and offers poor visibility below the confluence of the South Arkansas. There's little chance of significant precipitation beyond Friday so expect the conditions to improve as the river settles. The flow is now in the ideal range for the health of the fishery itself, allowing trout to fully disperse and occupy nearly all available structure in the river, efficiently and effectively feeding at their leisure in the reduced velocities. Wade anglers will celebrate the lower August flows as access on foot is now optimal in all basins, with as good of wadeability as you could ask for during the year. Float fishing will be a technical experience, favoring veteran boaters who can navigate the low water. The extended forecast is for cooler, mild weather which will have a positive cooling effect on the river, a great way to end the month of August and keep our trout population happy. The hopper-dropper fishing has been excellent as of late, but we still see many successful anglers leaning on dry and double-dry rigs and picking apart prime lies with accurate, controlled casts. At lower flows, fish will now also hold along midstream structure and in deeper troughs where a nymph rig can be highly effective. Expect to see golden stoneflies (10-12), red quills (14-16), caddis (14-18), midges (18-20), and various terrestrials through August. Take care to thoroughly revive fish before release. 3x-5x tippet is appropriate.