Welcome to 2020! Ice flow is very typical from the Headwater down through Bighorn Canyon in the mornings now, but on warmer days there can be a really productive window of time from 11AM-3PM. Just pick your days right, but don't be afraid to get on the Freestone in December.
We're now within the Winter Flow Management timeframe...releases have been bumped out of Twin Lakes and our overall flowrate in Bighorn Canyon is around 450-500cfs. This release water will help make room for incoming snow melt next Spring in our upstream reservoirs as well as relieve the need to release heavily in the Spring during the heavy hatch season and Rainbow Trout spawning. Over the past month our guides have witnessed a more post-spawn setting in Bighorn Canyon, with more fish found feeding in deep tail-outs and less fish on redds. The variably changing weather has had some affect on fishing however, so be sure to pay keen attention to your high and low pressure systems. Warmer days will be very productive days in Bighorn Canyon, so plan some time to get on the water in the Early Winter season!
For guided trip pre-bookings on the Arkansas, other drainages and our private ranches..... Call Us Toll Free (888) 994-6743 or CLICK HERE for more information.
Wellsville Flowrate: 487 CFS
Canon City Flowrate: 553 CFS
Clarity: Clear
Its Winter on the Upper Arkansas, which means heavy nymphing rigs and midge dries. We're taking most of our fish on the typical Winter fare...Pseudo Baetis, Craneflies, Midges, Tricos and Stoneflies. When the sun is high, be sure to migrate to heavier nymph rigs with the a-for mentioned bugs...and look for fish in deeper tailouts below oxygenated water.
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...
Its a tale of two rivers on the Upper Basin right now. Its Winter on the entire watershed, but as expected, its been very cold from Buena Vista upstream. The a-for mentioned stretch is going to most likely be a tough nut to crack from now until Spring with exception of a few warm days here and there. From Heckla Junction downstream things are still producing well on the really nice days with heavy Midge activity. Fish are most certainly in a post-spawn mindset in this section and can be found in deeper tailouts for the most part.
Do note that we're now in the Winter Flow Program window, so releases have increased substantially out of Twin Lakes. This release water will help make room for incoming snow melt next Spring in our upstream reservoirs as well as relieve the need to release heavily in the Spring during the heavy hatch season and Rainbow Trout spawning.
Leadville Flowrate: Offline
Granite Flowrate: 260 CFS
Salida Flowrate: 481 CFS
Clarity: Clear
Its Winter on the Upper Arkansas, which means heavy nymphing rigs and midge dries. We're taking most of our fish on the typical Winter fare...Pseudo Baetis, Craneflies, Midges, Tricos and Stoneflies. When the sun is high, be sure to migrate to heavier nymph rigs with the a-for mentioned bugs...and look for fish in deeper tailouts below oxygenated water.
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...