October 4th, 2024

 

Arkansas River (Lower Freestone Basin)

 

We're truly in the heart of the phenomenal Fall season on the Arkansas River! Flows are in the optimal range for the time period and should stabilize at around 350cfs by this weekend...Gin Clear clarity from stem to stern right now.   Cooler 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 over the course of the last month or so...consistent early Fall fishing in Bighorn Sheep Canyon and Canon City. Our guides continue to find fish very opportunistic on dry/ dropper or dry-double dropper rigs, nymphing is solid...and streamer fishing can be fantastic at times. Still ALOT of Red Quills out and about (mostly spinnerfalls), as well as BWOs, Tricos and Midges. 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 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: 361 cfs

Cañon City Flowrate: 330 cfs 

Clarity-  Clear

 

Suggested Methods

Its still a Dry/ Dropper (or Dry/ Double 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 Red Quill and BWO categories...and smaller foam attractor dries with red, royal or dark bodies will fish best. Plenty of fish up on hatches of Red Quills (spinnerfalls especially), BWOs 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!

Welcome to September...a transitional window between late Summer and Fall on the mighty Arkansas River! Flows have now fallen to right around the 400cfs mark 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!

 

 

Stream Conditions

Leadville Flowrate: 28 CFS

Granite Flowrate: 164 CFS

Salida Flowrate: 336 CFS

Clarity-  Clear

 

 

 

Suggested Methods

Its still a Dry/ Dropper (or Dry/ Double 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 Red Quill and BWO categories...and smaller foam attractor dries with red, royal or dark bodies will fish best. Plenty of fish up on hatches of Red Quills (spinnerfalls especially), BWOs 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) 269-3474 to talk to us directly...