Arkansas River Fishing Report

Michael Atwood
Jun 11
3 min read

Upriver guides get a large group of teenagers ready to fly fish for the first time — Upriver guides, Eric and Tanner, get a large group of teenagers ready to fly fish for their first time at Wright's Lake.

June 11, 2025

Arkansas River Flows

Leadville (Empire Gulch): ~575 cfs

Granite (below): ~1,300 cfs

Browns Canyon/Nathrop: ~1,600 cfs

Wellsville: ~1,750 cfs

Twin Lakes Release: ~300 cfs

Turquoise Res. Release: ~16 cfs

Clear Creek Res. Release: ~235 cfs

Arkansas River Fishing Report:

The Latest: We have now made it past peak flows here on the upper Arkansas River. It looks like 2,080cfs at the Nathrop gauge will be our peak flow this year. The river came close once again on June 10th to reaching that level, but we were then hit with significant reductions in discharges from Twin Lakes Reservoir upstream. Between yesterday and today, releases from Twin have been reduced by 400cfs. That's a decrease of 20% in river flows through BV, a significant drop!

The general trend now will be a slow and steady decline in river flows, which lead to better water clarity, and easier fishing. Check out this week's fishing report for a look at how well the river can fish at these higher flows.

You can always keep an eye on flows by visiting dwr.state.co.us/tools/stations and looking at the hydrographs.

Arkansas River Fishing Report for mid June.

General Arkansas River Fishing Report and Tactics: As our river flows decrease, we will see the water clarity improve greatly. As long as the flows stay high, we will still see fish holding closer to the bank, or anywhere they can find refuge from the ripping velocity in the main current. Nymphing, hopper-dropper rigs, and streamers are still all good methods to try right now, take your pick.

Many caddis flies are fluttering around along the banks of the Ark through BV. Any time now, we will start to see yellow sallie and golden stoneflies join the mix of adult insects flying around the river corridor. Try skating or skittering an elk haired caddis or stimulator pattern close to the river bank for some good dry fly action.

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.

Antero Reservoir and Spinney Fishing Report:

Antero continues to fish 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 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 boat ramp is now open for the season.

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.

Check back next week for a much more detailed report on our alpine fishing conditions!