May 16, 2025

 

 

Arkansas River (Lower Freestone Basin)

Conditions update (Friday AM): Conditions are improving quickly now with receding flows and cooler weather. All of the tributaries are leveling/ dropping and clearing now that much (if not all) of that mid level snowpack has melted. We’ve got 18” to 2ft and fish ability from the middle of Bighorn Canyon (Cotopaxi) upstream today and should have really solid options through the weekend. Flows are right around historical average now and likely will hang above 600cfs until real runoff kicks in later in the month. Until then, we’ve got some good days of fishing in the short term! 888-994-6743

 

We've got a solid mix of BWO and Caddis full lifecycle activity from Canon City through Buena Vista. The largest blanket Caddis hatches seemed to have occured around the 3rd week of April, and we've now moved into that more sporadic localized hatch activity which can honestly be more productive due to less naturals on the water...less competition. Caddis Egglayers are present throughout Bighorn and will be seen returning to the river sporadically especially at low light. This weeks weather looks beautiful...get some days in before runoff hits!

As of this past week, the leading edge of the "Brachi" Caddis hatch seems to be in Upper Bighorn (Swissvale upstream) with some sporadic more localized hatches up to Stone Bridge. We continue to see very consistent fishing on the the full lifecycle of the Caddis in the entirety of Bighorn Canyon and Canon City as fish are very conditioned to Caddis and there are still plenty of bugs in the air with very solid Egglayer returns in the morning and evening especially on the bright, warm days. Blue Winged Olive lifecycle activity continues to be a key to success as well, so be prepared on that front. Our guides continue to clean up on Stonefly nymphs and Cranefly larva in areas, and there has even been a fair amount of adult Craneflys flying around as well. We're now in the prime streamer fishing water temp window for the Spring, so for those that like to toss meat...its time! The last several weeks of April and first few weeks of May can be some of the very best and consistent fishing of the entire Spring season...so plan some days!

Arguably the best fishing weeks of the Spring season are upon us...April and Early May are truly hard to beat! Get some days on the calendar and call us if you're ready to book a guide trip! (888) 994-6743

 

 

 

 

We're pre-booking prime dates for the Spring and Summer season in 2025! 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: 805 cfs

Cañon City Flowrate: 892 cfs 

Clarity-  Solid fishability from Coaldale upstream (2ft plus), improving below

 

Suggested Methods

We're taking fish with a variety of methods out there! While nymphing will be your staple for much of the day, we're now seeing full scale lifecycle activity of the Caddis and a continuation of heavy Blue Winged Olive activity, so fish are spreading out a bit more and looking up at times. We're certainly beginning to see fish move into riffles on those warmer afternoons signaling active Caddis and Stonefly nymphs. When nymphing, focus on your efforts on Stoneflies and Craneflies in combination with Caddis Larva/ Pupa and or BWO nymphs/ emergers. Always be prepared with the full lifecycle of the Caddis and Blue Winged Olive as there will be some really great hatch activity ahead. Our guides are starting to see some strong moments with smaller streamers out there also, so swing by the flyshop and we can get you the juice if you're a streamer junkie!

 

Swing by the flyshop for our go-to patterns...and all of our favorites are available online or via phone order 888-994-6743.

 

 

 

Arkansas River (Upper Freestone Basin)

 

General Overview

The river is in strong fishing condition from Salida through the headwater with at least 2 ft of viz...and looking clear near the headwater. Flows will likely continue to drop slightly over the next few days with cooler weather and we should have some strong options for the next week to 10 days.

 

Stream Conditions

Leadville Flowrate: 125 CFS

Granite Flowrate: 515 CFS

Salida Flowrate: 709 CFS

Clarity- Solid fishability on the upper basin, 2ft pluz visibility from Salida up through Browns Canyon and looking clear towards the headwater!

 

 

 

 

Suggested Methods

We're beginning to see a wide variety of methods take fish out there! While nymphing will be your staple for much of the day, we're beginning to see full lifecycle activity within the Blue Winged Olive category, so fish are spreading out a bit more and looking up at times. We're certainly beginning to see fish move into riffles on those warmer afternoons signaling a big ramp up of Stonefly and BWO activity. When nymphing, focus on your efforts on Stoneflies and Craneflies in combination with Caddis Larva and or BWO nymphs/ emergers. Always be prepared with the full lifecycle of the Blue Winged Olive as there will be some really great hatch activity ahead. Our guides are starting to see some strong moments with smaller streamers out there also, so swing by the flyshop and we can get you the juice if you're a streamer junkie!