Upper Basin: Leadville to Buena Vista
October 9, 2025
Flow in Hayden Meadows | ~75 CFS |
|---|---|
Flow at Granite: | 92 CFS |
Water Temp: | 40s - 50s |
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. Cooler temperatures have also returned to the valley for the foreseeable future, moderating river temperatures and keeping the trout population happy. 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. Fish will now also hold along midstream structure and in deeper troughs where a nymph rig can be highly effective. Mornings are pretty chilly up here so fishing is best late morning through the afternoon. 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. Midges and baetis are your primary hatches, but fish will still feed on golden stonefly nymphs and caddis larvae opportunistically, too. The brown trout spawn is now underway so take time to avoid walking through spawning areas and try to avoid targeting actively spawning trout. Egg flies can be effective offerings for fish in the vicinity who are not fully engaged in spawning but are taking advantage of the extra protein in the system.
Middle Basin: Buena Vista to Salida
October 9, 2025
Flow at Hecla Junction: | 260 CFS |
|---|---|
Water Temp | 40s - 50s |
Water Clarity: | Clear |
The middle basin is fishing well this week and a cool, mild forecast for the foreseeable future is having a positive cooling effect on the river and will keep our trout population happy. 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 now also hold along midstream structure and in deeper troughs where a nymph rig can be highly effective. Wade anglers will celebrate the lower 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 beow Salida through the fall. We have had sporadic, temporary disturbances to water clarity as construction continues on the pocket wave feature in the river park in Buena Vista, but these have been few and far between without lasting impact. Midges and baetis are your primary hatches, but fish will still feed on golden stonefly nymphs and caddis larvae opportunistically, too. The brown trout spawn is now underway so take time to avoid walking through spawning areas and try to avoid targeting actively spawning trout. Egg flies can be effective offerings for fish in the vicinity who are not fully engaged in spawning but are taking advantage of the extra protein in the system. 4x-5x tippet is appropriate.
Lower Basin: Salida to Canon City
October 9, 2025
Flow at Wellsville: | 286 CFS |
|---|---|
Water Temp | 40s - 50s |
Water Clarity: | Clear |
The lower river is fishing well again this week, benefitting from cooler temperatures and mild weather conditions. 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 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. 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 baetis (18-22), midges (18-20), and the last of our red quills (14-16). We're also seeing fish feed opportunistically on golden stonefly nymphs and caddis larvae. The brown trout spawn is now underway so take time to avoid walking through spawning areas and try to avoid targeting actively spawning trout. Egg flies can be effective offerings for fish in the vicinity who are not fully engaged in spawning but are taking advantage of the extra protein in the system. 4x-5x tippet is appropriate.