Antero Reservoir Fishing Report and Arkansas River Update
- Michael Atwood
- Jun 4
- 3 min read

June 4, 2025
Arkansas River Flows
Leadville (Empire Gulch): ~550 cfs
Granite (below): ~1,520 cfs
Browns Canyon/Nathrop: ~2,000 cfs
Wellsville: ~2,180 cfs
Twin Lakes Release: ~525 cfs
Turquoise Res. Release: ~16 cfs
Clear Creek Res. Release: ~235 cfs
Antero Reservoir Fishing Report:
Check out this week's fishing report for Antero Reservoir, where we focus on current stillwater conditions and tactics!
Antero continues to fish really well. Midges are hatching and fish are really fired up and fighting hard. Callibaetis are really popping off in the late mornings too, and it won't be long before fish are looking for that food item. Dry flies will be an option very soon... if you're into that.
Try suspending chironomids, callibaetis nymphs, or olive leeches below an indicator, around any drop offs and depth changes. Having a fly within a foot or two of the lake bottom seems to be a big difference maker. Make sure you are using fluorocarbon tippet/leader for any subsurface flies that you are fishing. Fluorocarbon is a true difference maker in a lake such as Antero.
Spinney Mountain Reservoir just announced they will open the North boat ramp on June 6th, a half hour before sunrise!
Arkansas River Fishing Report:
The Latest: We are in full spring runoff conditions on the upper Arkansas River, but that doesn't mean that we aren't fishing! Arkansas River conditions are high flows and dirty water right now, and in order to catch fish, you just need to adjust your tactics and expectations accordingly. This is the time to use larger and flashier flies on the river. Now, more than most other times of the year, you need to get the trout's attention in order to get an eat. Larger, darker of flashier profile bugs will do the trick. Try an indicator setup, or go hopper-dropper. The subsurface fly will likely be taking most of the fish right now. A pats rubber leg, or a large flashy pearl perdigon are great nymph options to try right now. Streamers excel in these conditions; a black wooly bugger or black rusty trombone are both taking a lot of fish on our guided trips currently. Fish in areas of velocity relief, usually quite close to the shoreline.
You can always keep an eye on these flows by visiting dwr.state.co/tools/stations and looking at the hydrographs.
General Arkansas River Fishing Report and Tactics: Rising and off-color water give anglers the opportunity to fish larger and flashier flies. This is also a great time to try your "trash flies" like a worm, egg or mop fly. Sometimes it is just a matter of grabbing the trout's attention, while there is a lot of sediment/debris also tumbling through the water column. Nymphing, hopper-dropper rigs, and streamers are still all good methods to try right now, take your pick.
I would fish your favorite attractor nymph (Duracell, CDC Pheasant Tail, French Jig, Rozas Jig) or a stonefly imitation, and pair that with a smaller offering such as flashy nymph/perdigon, etc. If you see caddis fluttering in the afternoon, try a classic such as an X-Caddis or an Elk-hair caddis. Sometimes skating/popping a caddis dry on the surface will result in more takes than a classic dead drift. Caddis flies are naturally fluttery and random with their flight, so it never hurts to try and imitate that.
Hopper/dropper fishing is also a good option right now. It is definitely early for hoppers, but it makes for a great way to present a nymph down below, and is more of a pleasure to cast in my opinion.
If the water does come up, and the clarity declines, throwing streamers will be a good option. Its hard to beat a classic like a black wooly bugger, which gives a nice and noticeable profile in the dirty water column. Try stripping, swinging, and even bringing it back upstream to yourself.
High Alpine Lakes and Streams:
Some of our favorite lakes are now fishable! Some others... not so much. This time of year, there is a slight risk of hiking into the high country, and finding your target lake still covered in ice. If you happen to catch the alpine lakes within a week or two of ice-off, the fishing can be really splendid! Try a leech or a chironomid (or an egg) under a dry fly or small indicator.
Contact Us:
Phone: 719-395-9227
Website: www.Upriverflyfishing.com
Socials: @UpriverFlyFishing
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