April 9th, 2026

Arkansas River (Lower Freestone Basin)

"Brachi" Caddis are popping in Canon City and parts of Bighorn Canyon!!

Blue Winged Olive lifecycle activity continues to be center stage…but now we’ve got a new player on scene…Caddis! Typically we see heavy Brachycentrus Caddis lifecyle activity begin around Tax Day in Canon City. Everything is early this year, with warmer than average temps and low flows. Well, that heavy Caddis activity has begun in Canon City and we’ve had reports of localized strong hatches in Bighorn Canyon! It’s GO TIME! 

Really strong reports from our guides and independent anglers over the last month using a variety of methods. We’ve seen some very strong activity on the surface already in the BWO, Midge and Caddis categories, so it’s already time to have that dry fly rod prepped and ready to roll! Nymphing continues to be a staple and fish have been opportunistic on big bugs (stoneflies/ craneflies) with a keen focus on your micro BWOs and Midges. Here recently fish have really began to respond to streamers...so be sure to be prepped with your streamer rod!

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Stream Conditions

Wellsville Flowrate: 255 cfs 

Cañon City Flowrate: 254 cfs

Clarity- Clear 

*Snowpack is at a record low this year (12% of average). Essentially there is little to no snow left to melt, even at elevation. We will likely see very little release this Spring as water managers make an effort to hold water for release this Summer.

Suggested Methods

Its Spring-time on the Ark...act accordingly with your rigging! The entire river has a very active BWO population and Caddis are beginning to move...along with continuing Stonefly molt activity. With your nymphing rigs focus on a combination of Stonefly/ Cranefly, Caddis Larva/ Pupa and BWO Nymph/ Emerger. Your fly selection and rigging will all depend on the water you're fishing and where you're seeing fish in the water column. Fish are in alot of different water types right now...so changing weight/ adjusting your indicator, tight line nymphing and or dry/ dropper fishing will be crucial to get to fish effectively. We have seen very good activity on top...so be sure that you're prepared with Blue Winged Olive dries and Midge dries...and heavy Caddis hatch activity isn't far away. Fish your dries on a long leader with these low gin clear flows. For those streamer junkies out there...it's time! With more consistent water temps and alot of Brown Trout fry emerging at the moment...streamers have been very effective!

Arkansas River (Upper Freestone Basin)

General Overview

We've had very strong fishing even up into the Hayden Meadows stretch with this very warm weather. Still you'll find the heaviest BWO lifecycle activity below Browns Canyon and through Bighorn...but it won't be long until we see more consistent BWO hatches up high. The weather is forecasted to be a bit cooler at higher elevation this week with chances of precip...so plan accordingly. 

Stream Conditions

Leadville Flowrate: 34 CFS

Granite Flowrate: 187 CFS

Salida Flowrate: 249 CFS

Clarity- Clear

 

*Snowpack is at a record low this year (12% of average). Essentially there is little to no snow left to melt, even at elevation. We will likely see very little release this Spring as water managers make an effort to hold water for release this Summer.

 

 

Suggested Methods

Its Spring-time on the Ark...act accordingly with your rigging! The entire river has a very active BWO population and Caddis are beginning to move...along with continuing Stonefly molt activity. With your nymphing rigs focus on a combination of Stonefly/ Cranefly, Caddis Larva/ Pupa and BWO Nymph/ Emerger. Your fly selection and rigging will all depend on the water you're fishing and where you're seeing fish in the water column. Fish are in alot of different water types right now...so changing weight/ adjusting your indicator, tight line nymphing and or dry/ dropper fishing will be crucial to get to fish effectively. We have seen very good activity on top...so be sure that you're prepared with Blue Winged Olive dries and Midge dries...and heavy Caddis hatch activity isn't far away. Fish your dries on a long leader with these low gin clear flows. For those streamer junkies out there...it's time! With more consistent water temps and alot of Brown Trout fry emerging at the moment...streamers have been very effective!