Upper Basin: Leadville to Buena Vista
May 26, 2026
Flow in Hayden Meadows | 94 CFS |
|---|---|
Flow at Granite: | 150 CFS |
Water Temp: | 40-50 degrees |
Water Clarity: | Clear |
The upper basin is fishing well with a wide window of opportunity and both midge and blue wing olive hatches underway prompting aggressive feeding from resident trout. Inclement weather earlier in the week produced strong afternoon blue wing olive hatches, 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 important forage but immature golden stonefly nymph (8-14) offer opportunities to fish much larger flies to match the naturals.
Middle Basin: Buena Vista to Salida
May 26, 2026
Flow at Hecla Junction: | 308 CFS |
|---|---|
Water Temp | 46-55 degrees |
Water Clarity: | Clear |
We've got another mild week in the forecast for the valley, with a chance of precipitation in the afternoons through Wednesday. We are seeing fish consistently hold in shallower and faster zones to feed, matching their activity to the water temperature and insect behavior. Baetis nymphs are on the move in the afternoons and cloudy weather continues to prompt very strong hatches of these mayflies after lunchtime. Our spring brachycentrus hatch is up as far as Ruby Mountain and typically backfills down into Browns Canyon as it progresses to the north. Often, runoff interrupts this hatch as it moves upstream but this year's low snowpack may allow a much longer and widespread caddis event than we typically experience. Average size on the naturals is 16 but imitations will 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. Midges (18-22) are still important forage and 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. 5x tippet is appropriate.
Lower Basin: Salida to Canon City
May 26, 2026
Flow at Wellsville: | 289 CFS |
|---|---|
Water Temp | 50-63 degrees |
Water Clarity: | Clear |
Mild temperatures are holding in the valley and the river is offering excellent clarity through all basins. We do see the chance of some precipitation in the afternoons early this week which is a welcome forecast for our dry valley. With our dwindling snowpack, we do not anticipate any more significant snowmelt impacting the quality of the river. In other words, summer will arrive early and great fishing can be had NOW. Wading is exceptional throughout all river basins and floating is technical but possible in Bighorn Sheep Canyon. The leading edge of the brachycentrus caddis hatch is between Salida and BV, but other trailing varieties of caddis are still hatching in pockets below Salida. We are now seeing yellow sally stoneflies, red quills, and pale morning duns beginning to hatch below town. Cloudy afternoons are also prompting hatches of late spring baetis. 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, Red Quills a 12-14, and Pale Morning Duns a 16-18. Wet and dry imitations alike need to be in the arsenal to take advantage of the growing mass of food below Salida.