Fishing Report for the Arkansas River

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September 9th, 2024

Arkansas River (Lower Freestone Basin)

Things look great again in the vast majority of Bighorn Canyon, 465 cfs this morning at the Wellsville Gauge. The river is clear from Pinnacle Rock upstream this morning, and we've got edge clarity below that. We should see that gin clear clarity return river-wide for the remainder of the week. Welcome to September...a transitional window between late Summer and Fall on the mighty Arkansas River! Flows have now fallen under 500cfs at Wellsville with gin clear clarity and conditions really couldn't be better. One of the major changes that has ramped up productivity is cooler overnight lows and water temps now in the high 50's and low 60's. This water temp has now triggered our Brown Trout population to start "thinking pre-spawn" and thus are very opportunistically feeding and are already in heavy chase mode on streamers. The next several months are some of our favorite of the year...its going to be alot of fun on the freestone...plan some days!

Not much has changed in the last several weeks...consistent late Summer fishing in Bighorn Sheep Canyon and Canon City. We've got some awesome weather on tap for the next 10 days with highs in the 70's and 80's. This is some welcome relief after a long spell of very warm weather...and the fishing will only get more consistent throughout the day. Flows are now steady in that 500cfs range at Wellsville. Our guides continue to find fish very opportunistic on double dry (attractor/ hatch-matcher), big dry/ dropper rigs, nymphing is solid...and streamer fishing can be fantastic at times. If you love to throw dries, fish early or late when the light is low...and you can nymph or streamer fish about anytime. The time is NOW for fantastic double dry, dry/ dropper & streamer fishing...fish are hungry and willing! Swing by the flyshop for a handful of the latest hot patterns and go have some fun!

Availability is getting tight for guide trips during the Fall Season! Call us today to get a trip on the books if that is something you're considering! 719-371-4530 or CLICK HERE for more information.

Stream Conditions

Wellsville Flowrate: 465 cfs

Cañon City Flowrate: 405 cfs

Clarity- Clear from Pinnacle Rock Up, 1-2' and improving below that

Suggested Methods

Its still a Dry/ Dropper game in the morning and evening, and a nymphing focus during the middle of the day...Streamers anytime! Think big, bushy attractor dries with heavier attractor nymph droppers! Adjust dropper depth based on the water depth, but we like 24-30" drops typically in this window. Dropper nymphs should be in the Yellow Sally, PMD, Red Quill and Caddis categories...and dries should be in the Stonefly, Hopper, Yellow Sally, PMD and Caddis categories. Plenty of fish up on hatches of PMDs, Yellow Sallys and Caddis as well, so be prepared with your smaller hatch matching dries as well. For you streamer junkies, go big or go home. Fish are very opportunistic on streamers. Big Natural, Black or Olive streamer up front with a trailer 6-8" below to seal the deal. If you're nymphing during the heat of the day, focus on the heavier oxygenated water with cranefly larva or stonefly nymphs, dropping any of the previously mentioned droppers. Swing by the flyshop for our go-to patterns...and all of our favorites are available online or via phone order 888-994-6743.

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 (719) 371-4530 to talk to us directly...

Arkansas River (Upper Freestone Basin)

General Overview

Great clarity from stem to stern, and fishing has been very solid with cooler conditions...get on the water!

Its been a very fun first several weeks of August on the Upper Basin. We do recommend fishing early and late...those will certainly be your most productive windows. The time is NOW for fantastic dry/ dropper & streamer fishing...fish are hungry and willing! Swing by the flyshop for a handful of the latest hot patterns and go have some fun!

*Remember that we have a bunch of awesome options in our neck of the woods in addition to the Arkansas River Freestone section...particularly phenomenal small water options, along with stillwater, and tailwater venues. Check out our latest report above to explore learn more about the myriad of other options in our area. We're guiding every day...give us a shout for the best options (888) 994-6743

Stream Conditions

Leadville Flowrate: 35 CFS

Granite Flowrate: 210 CFS

Salida Flowrate: 415 CFS

Clarity- Clear

Suggested Methods

Its a Dry/ Dropper game in the morning and evening, and a nymphing focus during the middle of the day...Streamers anytime! Think big, bushy attractor dries with heavier attractor nymph droppers! Adjust dropper depth based on the water depth, but we like 24-30" drops typically in this window. Dropper nymphs should be in the Yellow Sally, PMD, Red Quill and Caddis categories...and dries should be in the Stonefly, Hopper, Yellow Sally, PMD and Caddis categories. Plenty of fish up on hatches of PMDs, Yellow Sallys and Caddis as well, so be prepared with your smaller hatch matching dries as well. For you streamer junkies, go big or go home. Fish are very opportunistic on streamers. Big Natural, Black or Olive streamer up front with a trailer 6-8" below to seal the deal. If you're nymphing during the heat of the day, focus on the heavier oxygenated water with cranefly larva or stonefly nymphs, dropping any of the previously mentioned droppers. Swing by the flyshop for our go-to patterns...and all of our favorites are available online or via phone order 888-994-6743.