Arkansas River Fishing Report - mid June, 2026

Arkansas River Flows (6.14.2026) 

Always check flows before heading out to get the most up to date info! These flows could quickly be outdated. Visit dwr.state.co.us for current data.

Empire Gulch near Malta: ~85 cfs

Below Granite: ~363 cfs

Nathrop: ~440 cfs

Wellsville: ~445 cfs

Shop Manager Michael displays a mega-clean high country cutthroat trout from a recent outing. He ate a sz. 16 black and red bodied snowcone chironomid... to no surprise.

Arkansas River Fishing Report:

The Latest: 

Conditions on the upper Ark remain fantastic. Like, really good. Flows have changed very little over the past 2 weeks. They are holding steady at a super-wadeable level. We are getting a little extra water released from Clear Creek reservoir as they continue to draw down the reservoir water level to do work on the dam. That extra 40-60cfs is really nice!

Its bug city out there on the river. Caddis are prevalent just about anywhere you go, and yellow sallies, golden stones, PMDs and even some drakes are popping up. Every day is different, and every hour of the day presents different situations to take advantage of. You gotta be out there, its a simple as that. Take what the day and the conditions give you, stay observant and willing to change it up.

Water temps on the upper Ark are still hanging in a great range. Up at Granite, the temps are swinging from 52 to 64 degrees, low to high. Down at Wellsville and further downstream, the temps are 4 or 5 degrees warmer at the high. We will be monitoring the water temps throughout the summer, but for now, things are great.

General Arkansas River Fishing Report and Tactics:

The Ark is fishing very well right now, from Bighorn Canyon, up into Hayden Meadows. Water clarity remains quite clear, and flows have been steady as of late. There is a little stain to the water in the Salida and Bighorn Canyon area, but not enough to be a deterrent. Our guided trips are being tremendously successful running hopper/dropper rigs throughout much of the day. A sz. 12-16 chubby with a sz. 16/18 perdigon or CDC collared nymph is usually the ticket to keep you busy all day. There are opportunities to fish dry flies, when the hatches are cranking.

Depending on where you are fishing in the valley, there is a wide variety of active insects. Look for terrestrials, red quills, PMDs and caddis in the lower part of the basin. If you are upstream of BV, the caddis activity is still strong. PMDs and the green drakes should be popping up in Granite to Hayden Meadows. When the caddis are taking flight, consider switching over to a single, or a tandem dry fly setup. When fishing caddis dries, don't worry about getting a dead drift. Instead, you can drag, swing and skitter your dry imitation on the surface of the water. This is a more realistic imitation of the natural caddis adults, as their flight is quite fluttery and random. Trout often explode towards the surface, sometimes launching their entire bodies out of the water, to chase the adult caddis flies.

Alpine Lakes and Streams:

Many of our alpine lakes that typically thaw in late June, are already thawed and accessible this year. This is the earliest I have ever accessed some of these alpine lakes. This is an extremely early alpine season, and some cutties are already beginning their spawning behaviors. You might find that water levels are low in our alpine lakes this year.

The tributary streams are flowing much lower and more clear than normal for this time of year. Tie on your favorite dry fly, and don't spook these fish, they will rise with reckless abandon.

Spinney Mtn and Antero Reservoir Fishing Report:

Antero is closed for the year due to drought conditions.

Spinney Mountain is still closed to motorized/trailered boats, although you can hand-launch. Reports of callibaetis at Spinney, and some tough fishing. Stillwater is all about location and depth, so if you can get dialed in, there is still good fishing to be had. But it can be really tough from shore.

Contact Us:

Phone: 719-395-9227

Email: michael@upriverflyfishing.com

Website: www.Upriverflyfishing.com

Socials: @UpriverFlyFishing