The Arkansas River is an incredible fishery with excellent fishing along most of her drainage from Pueblo to Leadville. Though the Arkansas does have high fish counts don't expect to catch the fish of a lifetime here. Some of the best fishing can be found along the Arkansas' upper stretches between the towns of Salida and the headwater sections that can be fished. This river is extremely dangerous to wade at peak flows, so please be cautious when fishing in these conditions. With a mother of all 'Mother's Day' hatches this river certainly gets to see some anglers over the course of a year, and although this hatch can be incredible, it is very difficult to predict and even more difficult to try and plan your trip around.
We have been getting reports of good fishing on the Arkansas from Salida to the tailwater below Pueblo Dam. Get out when the sun is on the water for your best shot at success. Want some more info? Our friends at ArkAnglers can help in your quest for the wild browns on this wonderful river.
Current recommended flies: #14-#16 tungstone, #16-#18 prince nymph, #16-#20 red copper john, #18-#22 jujubee midge black or red, #20-#24 flashback mercury black beauty, #20-#24 rojo midge, #18-#22 BH pheasant tail, #20-#24 RSII, #20-#24 mike's midge red, black or blue, #20-#24 Barr's Emerger, #20-#26 BWO, #24-#26 adams.
Sometimes the best knowledge you can gain about a river is from the local fly shop and the staff who work there. So check out these shops when you are in the area to get the best knowledge on local bugs and see what is happening out on the river.
Buena Vista area shops ArkAnglers 517 U.S. Hwy 24 South Buena Vista, CO 81211 719.395.1796
Caņon City area shops Royal Gorge Anglers 1210 Royal Gorge Blvd. Caņon City, CO 81212 888.994.6743
Pueblo area shops ArkAnglers 943 W. Hwy 50 Pueblo, CO 81008 719.543.3900
Salida area shops Anglers Junction 845 Oak Street Salida, CO 81201 719.530.2100
Ark Anglers 7500 West Hwy 50 Salida, CO 81201 CO 719.539.4223
colorado guides that service the arkansas
Sometimes, if you aren't familiar with a river, the best thing to do is hire a knowledgable guide. A guide that can hopefullly both get you into fish and provide you with a decent base of knowledge for fishing a river later on your own. wild trout on the fly.com provides links to most of the outfitters and guides that service the Arkansas River.
ArkAnglers locations in Salida 7500 W. Hwy 50 719.539.4223, Buena Vista 517 US Hwy. 24 S. 719.395.1796, Pueblo 943 W. Hwy 50 719.543.3900.
The Arkansas River is one of the best brown trout fisheries that the state of Colorado has to offer. From her headwaters to the beauty of Browns Canyon to the incredible tailwater below Pueblo Dam there are angling opportunities aplenty for the fly-fisherman. For those of us who don't live in the immediate area a place to lay one's head at the end of the night is a plus, here is a list of lodging options available along the Arkansas River.
