This last week we had some strong fishing from Wednesday through the weekend due to a significant warm-up. It looks like we'll see highs in the 50's almost every day this week in Canon City, so there will be some strong opportunities to get out and enjoy some time on the Freestone this Thanksgiving week!
Water temps are stabile in the 40's, which has allowed for much more consistent fishing throughout the day. In addition, Pseudo Baetis activity has continued to be very heavy and hatches have been strong when its overcast. Flows are lower than average, but conditions are exceptional for wading. With more average temperatures returning for the next 10 days, we should see some great productivity on both the lower and upper river.
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Wellsville Flowrate: 273 CFS
Canon City Flowrate: 309 CFS
Clarity: Tinted to Clear (3ft Plus)
The VFMP (Voluntary Flow Management Program) is finished for the year and flows are now at close to native on the Arkansas Freestone. Clarity has been very good, while flows are lower than average and closer to our early Springtime levels.
Much of our Brown Trout population has finished spawning, which is evident in the strong productivity. Fish are feeding hard and opportunistic as we move into late Fall. Pseudo Baetis lifecycle activity is really driving the fishing, however there are quite a few Red Quills and immature Golden Stoneflies active in the substrate. We will continue to see productive dry/dropper fishing early and late, but it has definitely turned to nymphing during the hours of 10AM-4PM. Keep your hatch matchers ready, but focusing on the substrate activity will be your best bet while covering water. Streamer activity has continued to be very productive...and that should last until water temps drop into the low-40's.
Ready to learn how to approach early Fall fishing on the Arkansas? Call us (888) 994-6743 to book a guide...
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Things are becoming much tougher on the Upper River with much cooler overnight lows and significant ice flow for much of the day. On warmer days you will see some opportunities from 11AM-2PM...otherwise...focus your efforts in Bighorn Canyon or Canon City.
Covering water and using stealthy approaches will be your best technique in this stretch. This section is much more technical than Bighorn Canyon and Canon City, however we've had some strong guide days in the last week, especially in the Browns Canyon area. Fish are definitely post spawn in this section...congregated in deeper tail-outs.
Leadville Flowrate: ICE
Granite Flowrate: 82 CFS
Salida Flowrate: 239 CFS
Clarity: Tinted to Clear
The VFMP (Voluntary Flow Management Program) is finished for the year and flows are now at close to native on the Arkansas Freestone. Clarity is perfect, while flows are lower than average and closer to our early Springtime levels.
We're in Fall primetime on the Arkansas Freestone, with a bit more technical fishing out there. We're still seeing good numbers of Red Quills in areas along with some residual Terrestrials, Caddis and PMDs. In addition, we're beginning to see quit a few Pseudo Baetis (Fall BWO) active in the water column and some hatches on cloudy days. We will continue to see productive dry/dropper fishing early and late, but it has definitely turned to nymphing during the hours of 10AM-4PM. Keep your hatch matchers ready, but focusing on the substrate activity will be your best bet while covering water. As we move into a pre-spawn time period, always keep in mind that our Brown Trout population will be very territorial and on the streamer bite!
Ready to learn how to approach low-water Fall fishing on the Arkansas? Call us (888) 994-6743 to book a guide...
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