The last week has really seen a transition into Fall weather and fishing! Conditions are again in excellent shape (although flows are slightly lower than average). With the startup of relatively heavy Pseudo Baetis and Cranefly lifecycle activity in the last week in addition to the already sustained Red Quill, Midge and Trico lifecycle activity...we should see some very fun fishing for the remainder of September!
Things have been transitioning with dramatic drop in flows over the course of the last month. What has been a big attractor nymph and dry fishery is now turning into a bit more hatch driven river. Fish have definitely spread out into more typical Fall feeding lies. Look for fish in hydraulic/ oxygenated water, especially on bright blue bird days. Flows are very wadeable now, and floating continues to be a great option.
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: 356 CFS
Canon City Flowrate: 322 CFS
Clarity: Clear
Though we're taking fish on big attractor dries and streamers during the low light time periods, its now best to focus your efforts more on lifecycle stages of our current hatches. We're taking most of our fish on the typical Fall fare...Red Quills, 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 more oxygenated (heavier broken) 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...
The Upper Basin above Salida is in beautiful shape, however we've now hit that sub-300cfs window on most of the Upper Basin...so its most definitely turned into a wade only fishery and is more technical.
This past month has been very productive on the Upper Basin as well as the lower! Theres been a good amount of pressure in the Granite and Hayden Meadows sections, so we've been focusing our efforts downstream of Buena Vista for the most part. We've seen the river come into a manageable level, and fish are on the feed...get here to experience Summer Primetime!
Things have been transitioning with dramatic drop in flows over the course of the last several weeks. What has been a big attractor nymph and dry fishery is now turning into a bit more hatch driven river. We're still in the famed "fishing in a barrel" time period, but fish are beginning to find other more typical feeding lies as well. Look for fish in hydraulic/ oxygenated water, especially on bright blue bird days. Flows are very wadeable now, and floating continues to be a great option.
Leadville Flowrate: 39.1 CFS
Granite Flowrate: 188 CFS
Salida Flowrate: 359 CFS
Clarity: Clear
We've been post-runoff for around 7 weeks now, and the river is coming closer to historical average flow rate. Though we're taking fish on big attractor dries and streamers during the low light time periods, its now best to focus your efforts more on lifecycle stages of our current hatches. Red Quills, PMDs, Tricos, and Yellow Sallies are all on the menu...and the largest key to your success is understanding how light affects where fish feed throughout the day. When the sun is high, be sure to migrate to heavier nymph rigs with the a-for mentioned bugs...and look for fish in more oxygenated (heavier broken) 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...