Arkansas River Fishing Report - May 23, 2025
- Michael Atwood
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Arkansas River Flows
Date: 05/23/2025 @ 10:00am
Leadville (Empire Gulch): ~230 cfs
Granite (below): ~330 cfs
Browns Canyon/Nathrop: ~500 cfs
Wellsville: ~540 cfs
Twin Lakes Release: 42 cfs
Turquoise Res. Release: 15 cfs
Clear Creek Res. Release: ~75 cfs
Arkansas River Fishing Report:
The Latest:Â Â Â This past week in the Ark valley, we experienced some much cooler weather which led to a drastic reduction in river flows. Releases out of Twin and Clear Creek Reservoirs upstream were also reduced significantly. The result was amazing clarity of the river up here in BV, and low flows which had us feeling like we were back in mid-April. High country snowmelt and runoff can't be put off forever, however, and the warmer weather right now and in the forecast is sure to bring the river flows back up. While we don't anticipate the upstream reservoirs to change their releases this weekend, we have to anticipate that by early/mid next week, they will be increasing their discharges. You can always keep an eye on these flows by visiting dwr.state.co/tools/stations and looking at the hydrographs.
It looks like some of our high country lakes and 4x4 roads are going to be accessible early this year. Watch our latest YouTube video for a full breakdown of that information.
General Arkansas River Fishing Report and Tactics: Midges, Blue wings and caddis are all on the menu right now. Having any of these imitations in your box is a really good idea right. I would approach the river, prepared to nymph, and switch over to dry flies if the bugs and the rising fish tell you to.
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 a zebra midge, caddis larva, spanish bullet, flashy perdigon, etc. When fish are rising and you want to switch over to dry flies, try a sz 18 or 20 comparadun or a parachute adams. 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.
I say this a lot, but I truly believe that your presentation/depth/drift add up to be more important than the specific pattern that you are fishing with. Master your presentation on the turbulent currents of the Arkansas, and you will catch more fish. Another tip is to REALLY pay attention to your indicator during the drift! The more you stay ready and prepared for a take, the more successful hooksets you will have. If your indicator does anything unnatural, you ought to be setting the hook. Don't miss those opportunities.
Stillwaters:
Spinney Mountain Resesrvoir is still too low for the boat ramps to be open, and it appears as though they might remain closed for the forseeable future.
Antero is really picking up the slack, and continues to fish really well. Midges are hatching and fish are really fired up and fighting hard. Some callibaetis were observed earlier this week, so don't go fishing Antero without midges and callibaetis imitations in your fly box!
Try suspending chironomids 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.
Try a snowcone style chironomid with a dark body.
High Alpine Lakes and Streams:
Any trails and lakes at or below treeline have a good chance of being open for hiking and fishing currently. There simply isn't much lingering snow below treeline this year. Our favorite lakes will probably be a couple of weeks early in opening this year. Early to mid-June we should start to have some good opportunities for high country fly fishing!
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