Beautiful weather and ideal flows continue this week on the Upper Arkansas River!
Current river conditions:
Flows have dropped since last week, but are holding right around 400 cfs. That's making for clear water and eager fish. Water clarity is good down as far as Coaldale and like last week it doesn't get much better then this!
Where to fish:
Fishing is going to be great in any of your favorite fishing spots this week, the Salida area has been fishing great for weeks now, but don't rule out the Buena Vista area, the water is warming up and we are seeing great Blue Wing Olive activity even above Browns Canyon.
Below Coaldale is still not fishing well due to added sediment in the water from a burn scar. Fish numbers are down and the bug life is limited.
The hatch:
Check out this 10 Day Forecast I don't think as a fisherman you could ask for much better conditions. Mild over night lows and warm cloudy days! You better come take advantage of it! With this weather the BWO hatch should be good in the late morning into the the early afternoon. Caddis are still bouncing around now and then, but we are not seeing any wide spread hatches yet, but we will. Stay tuned.
What to fish:
Tactics have not changed much from last week to this week. The main thing is that these bugs are working further up the river, opening up more incredible fishing locations. Start your day off fishing a nymph rig and key in on the deeper runs. Run a size 12-14 tungsten Prince Nymph or other attractor nymph as your lead fly then tie on an Element Quill Body Jig TB or a Frenchi Jig Hook TB, those flies have been doing well this week both in size 14-16. Running that heavy jig on the bottom will help reduce snags.
When you find some fish actively rising during the day, they are likely feeding on BWO's; switch up fast and take advantage of the opportunity. A size 18-20 Parachute Adams should do the trick. Start mixing in a Hi Vis Foam Caddis size 14 as your lead dry fly then trail that smaller BWO dry size 16-18.
Fish have been holding in ideal feeding lanes this week: look for fishy water that provides the fish the ability to conserve energy in a slow moving pockets of water adjacent to some swift current and you will catch fish.
The Take-Out:
Don't put off a fishing trip to the Arkansas River any longer, the conditions could not be better, so come on up! If you are looking to book a guided trip give us a call (719) 221-4571 and stop by to check out the best fly shop in Salida, located downtown, The Next Eddy. If you are in the Buena Vista area check out BV Fly this new fly shop will be located inside the CKS Main Street location, bringing you all that you will need to get out and catch a few fish on the Upper Arkansas River.