August 1st, 2026

Arkansas River (Lower Freestone Basin)

Continuing to see some great evening rain showers which is adding some great water to the river and cooling things down in general. Clarity is much improved in Bighorn Canyon, very fishable from Cotopaxi upstream as of the first day of August and improving quickly below that. We hope this weather trend continues because the fish are very happy in the mornings and evenings. Simply check the clarity report below, know where to head…and go have a blast!!

Mornings and evenings have featured some strong dry fly and dry dropper opportunities, and for those that like to throw streamers...evenings have been excellent. While flows are much lower than average, water temperatures are maintaining in a safe fishing range in the morning and evening and more importantly, dissolved oxygen content is still in a great zone. Remember that the trout populations in the Arkansas Freestone have historically thrived on drought years due to lower fitness demands (less heavy current) and strong hatches due to consistent conditions...this year is no different....but give the fish a break in the afternoon. Get out to enjoy the prime Summer weeks...they won't last for long!  

In the lower basin we're seeing strong fishing from daybreak to around 1pm and then a big uptick in activity from 6pm to dark. As is typical during this window of time, we're beginning to see water temps creep up in the middle of the afternoon...so we ask you watch water temps and act accordingly. In general, please avoid fishing from 1PM to 5PM...Protect the resource! 

This year is presenting some of the best wade fishing opportunities at this stage of the season that we've seen since 2012, and with current flows floating is also a good option. There really isn't public water that is unreachable on foot at these flows, which is incredible. Wade anglers are doing quite well with a variety of techniques. We always lean hard on Dry/ Dropper or Dry/ Double Dropper during this window whether you're on foot or floating, but the streamer bite has been exceptional especially at lower light...and for those who like to nymph fish, you'll do very well!

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Stream Conditions

Wellsville Flowrate: 261 cfs 

Cañon City Flowrate: 254 cfs

Clarity- Still getting some nice rains every evening which has been great for the river! As of this morning we've got great clarity from the middle of Bighorn Canyon upstream (2-3ft of viz)...and improving below. If we can steer clear of any major spot showers on problem drainages, we should have strong clarity on the entire river in the next few days. 

Suggested Methods

Our guides are beginning to see alot of different bugs out there now, so your rigging needs to change accordingly. Fish are eating larger dry flies already due to the introduction of a few more Hoppers, flying Ants, Yellow Sallies and Golden Stoneflies. Dry/ Dropper or Dry/ Double Dropper will be our focal method moving forward along with nymphing as needed and of course plenty of streamer fishing. Typically we like to run a bushy foam dry up top dropping a heavier attractor nymph in the middle position (Yellow Sally, Caddis, Red Quill Nymph) and then trail a 2nd dropper off that middle dropper as needed (Trico or BWO Nymph). You can easily run the same flies in a nymph rig as needed. 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

With the weather change, the Upper Basin has been fishing fantastic! In general the conditions are excellent in this section and the fish have really responded to cooler conditions driven by the monsoon setting in. Hatches are now very similar to the activity on the Lower Basin, and you can expect to see a multitude of different bugs out there. 

Mornings and evenings have featured some strong dry fly and dry dropper opportunities, and for those that like to throw streamers...evenings have been excellent. While flows are much lower than average, water temperatures are maintaining in a safe fishing range in the morning and evening and more importantly, dissolved oxygen content is still in a great zone. Remember that the trout populations in the Arkansas Freestone have historically thrived on drought years due to lower fitness demands (less heavy current) and strong hatches due to consistent conditions...this year is no different. Get out to enjoy the prime Summer weeks...they won't last for long!