FISHABLE
Winter flows stable, excellent clarityArkansas River
Current Hatch Activity
Winter midge activity best mid-morning through early afternoon. BWOs sporadically on warmer days. Focus on slower water.
FISHABLE
Euro nymph rig (Perdigon + Red Midge) or streamer through deeper runs
Quick Reference
200-800 CFS ideal for wade fishing. 800-1,500 CFS good for float fishing. Above 2,000 CFS during runoff, most sections become unfishable.
45-60°F optimal. Upper sections stay cooler. Watch for warm water stress in lower canyon during August heat.
Colorado's most popular fishery. Winter flows run 200-300 CFS. Spring runoff peaks late May to early July. Augmented rafting flows (600-900 CFS) run until mid-August.
Freestone character means clarity varies with weather. Generally excellent outside of runoff. Afternoon thunderstorms June-August can muddy things temporarily.
What "Fishable" Means Here
Fishable means you can effectively present flies with 18+ inches of visibility. On the Arkansas, prime fishing is before May 10th (Mother's Day hatch) or after runoff ends in early July. The August 15th date marks when rafting augmentation ends and flows stabilize.
Seasonal Patterns
spring
March through early May is excellent. Mother's Day caddis hatch (late April-early May) can be legendary. Fish the tailwaters when main stem is high. Runoff typically starts mid-May.
summer
Post-runoff (early July) brings good dry fly fishing. PMDs, Yellow Sallies, and caddis dominate. Hopper-dropper becomes deadly by late July. Fish early—afternoons can see pushy rafting flows and heat.
fall
September through November is prime time. Flows drop, rafting pressure disappears, and fish feed aggressively. BWOs and caddis provide consistent hatches. Brown trout spawning activity in October.
winter
Excellent winter fishery. Low, stable flows (200-300 CFS) and willing fish. Midges and small BWOs on sunny afternoons. Fish deeper runs and tailouts. Fewer anglers, quality fishing.
Alerts
Alternative Waters
South Platte River
Tailwater option with stable flows when Arkansas is blown outGunnison River
Tailwater alternative with consistent year-round fishingResources
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