Fishing Report for the Arkansas River

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March 20th, 2023

Arkansas River (Lower Freestone Basin)

General Overview

Welcome to March Folks...the Flyshop is now OPEN 8AM-5PM, 7 Days a Week!Game ON Folks...fishing is really beginning to turn on now! We had some phenomenal fishing days early last week, and then a little cool down on Thursday and Friday that took things down a notch. However, productivity came roaring back on Sunday with the warmer weather and our forecast for the next 10 days looks exceptional. We've seen fish really key to the Stonefly Molt activity and other active crawlers like Cranefly Larva and free swimming Caddis Larva...however, the BWO activity is ramping up quickly. This past week we saw some strong localized BWO hatches in Canon City and parts of Bighorn Canyon. We expect for this week to be an absolute explosion in the BWO lifecycle...be sure to plan some days to get on North America's Longest Gold Medal River!
With rapidly increasing Blue Winged Olive lifecycle activity its key to be prepared with all 3 lifecycle stages (Nymph, Emerger, Adult). We'll continue to focus our efforts on nymphing until we see bugs on the water and fish keyed to them, so be prepared with both light and dark Stonefly nymphs, Cranefly Larva, Free Swimming Caddis Larva and Midge Larva/ Pupa. Most of the fish will be concentrated below heavier water in walking speed current...think deep tailouts, pockets and slower edge seams. That being said, fish are certainly starting to spread out, so covering water is never a bad thing in the Spring. As water temperatures creep into the mid-40's the streamer activity will also really ramp up. Don't be afraid to throw big streamers at these fish in the Spring, they will be very opportunistic!

Questions? Call us (888) 994-6743 or CLICK HERE for more information.

Stream Conditions

Wellsville Flowrate: 328 CFS

Cañon City Flowrate: 404 CFS

Clarity- Clear

There is a modest release (77cfs) out of Twin Lakes coinciding with VFMP guidelines, the remainder is native. Clarity has been exceptional, and that will continue. There is zero shelf ice in Bighorn Canyon or Canon City...conditions are ideal in that section. Currently we're looking at around 80% of average snowpack for the Arkansas Basin, so we may see releases minimized over the course of the next month or so if snowpack doesn't increase.

Suggested Methods

Nymphing should be your focal point if you want to maximize productivity (especially in the middle of the day as the sun gets high), so be sure you're prepared with a strong selection of Stonefly nymphs, leeches, Annelids (worms), and Cranefly Larva for lead flies on a double nymph rig. Your tag or trailer flies will want to be in the Midge and BWO categories. As the Stonefly Molt activity builds, that will certainly need to be your focal point. Keep a streamer rod handy...you will certainly find a few fish willing to play on that front. Slower, dead swing will be most effective on your streamers at this point.

Royal Gorge Anglers operates the oldest fly fishing guide service and full service flyshop on the Arkansas River Freestone and Arkansas River Tailwater. Our guide service also offers various guided fly fishing experiences on the South Platte River, Gunnison River, Stillwater, Private Ranches, Backcountry and more. CLICK HERE to Learn more about our Guided Trip Options or Call us (888) 994-6743 ext 2 to talk to us directly...

Arkansas River (Upper Freestone Basin)

General Overview

Though things are much more productive in Canon City and Bighorn Canyon, things are beginning to heat up in the Stone Bridge through Salida section, and we aren't far from solid fishing upstream of that. March is typically a month that you truly want to concentrate your efforts on the warmest sections of the river where the trout population is less lethargic and bugs are more active. Look for the sections that get the most radiant heat, and while the majority of your fishing will be nymphing on this section...you can have some really nice days on the water!

Stream Conditions

Leadville Flowrate: ICE

Granite Flowrate: 119 CFS

Salida Flowrate: 297 CFS

Clarity: Clear

Suggested Methods

Nymphing should be your focal point if you want to maximize productivity (especially in the middle of the day as the sun gets high), so be sure you're prepared with a strong selection of Stonefly nymphs, leeches, Annelids (worms), and Cranefly Larva for lead flies on a double nymph rig. Your tag or trailer flies will want to be in the Midge and BWO categories. Keep a streamer rod handy...you will certainly find a few fish willing to play on that front. Slower, dead swing will be most effective on your streamers at this point.