Arkansas River
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Recent Guide Reports
Aug 07
ArkAnglers
Friday 8/7, 2020
Flow at Wellsville: 648 cfs
Water Temp.: High 50s - Mid 60s
Clarity: Generally clear, 3-4' visibility or better at County Line..
Friday Report - Braden Baker
*Our retail stores and guide service are open for business! We are currently conducting river, lake and reservoir trips for both local residents and travelers from outside the county, as well as booking for the summer season. Call (719) 539-4223 for information on current offerings and parameters.
COVID-19 Chaffee County is the best resource for up to date information on the county.
Conditions are good on the Arkansas below Salida, with well over 3' of visibility in upper Bighorn Sheep Canyon. It's fished well for us the past several days as clarity has improved following serious rains the weekend of 7/25. The river upstream of Vallie Bridge generally offers the best opportunities, and flows are good for both float and wade fishermen. We anticipate flows remaining around this level until August 15 when flow augmentation from Twin Lakes will end.
The fish below town seem to have weathered last week's runoff from the Decker Fire burn scar just fine, as we've had many successful trips venture down into the canyon to explore the aftermath. While we are still seeing some success on large attractor dry flies like stoneflies and grasshoppers (chernobyl ants, stimulators, pmx's, etc.) we are definitely seeing an increase in interest in smaller droppers. While many fish will still eat small stonefly nymphs and medium sized mayfly nymphs in #14-16, smaller patterns in #18-20 are also becoming more effective. Considering the waning pale morning dun activity and pending red quill hatches, small mayfly nymphs are extremely effective right now. Fish are able to spread out a little more throughout the river at current flows, but are still concentrated on the outer thirds of the river outside of the fast main current. Look for them in velocity shelters where they can escape the swift current or in food rich areas like riffles. On warm, sunny afternoons expect the trout to move to places that are rich with oxygen, like pocket water or near sections of whitewater where more oxygen is being mixed back in with the river.
Follow us on instagram at @ArkAnglers!
Salida Location - 7500 W. Highway 50, Salida, CO 81201. (719) 539-3474.
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Buena Vista Location - 517 S. Highway 24, Buena Vista, CO 81211. (719) 395-1796
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Email [email protected] with questions or to make your reservation.
Flow at Wellsville: 648 cfs
Water Temp.: High 50s - Mid 60s
Clarity: Generally clear, 3-4' visibility or better at County Line..
Friday Report - Braden Baker
*Our retail stores and guide service are open for business! We are currently conducting river, lake and reservoir trips for both local residents and travelers from outside the county, as well as booking for the summer season. Call (719) 539-4223 for information on current offerings and parameters.
COVID-19 Chaffee County is the best resource for up to date information on the county.
Conditions are good on the Arkansas below Salida, with well over 3' of visibility in upper Bighorn Sheep Canyon. It's fished well for us the past several days as clarity has improved following serious rains the weekend of 7/25. The river upstream of Vallie Bridge generally offers the best opportunities, and flows are good for both float and wade fishermen. We anticipate flows remaining around this level until August 15 when flow augmentation from Twin Lakes will end.
The fish below town seem to have weathered last week's runoff from the Decker Fire burn scar just fine, as we've had many successful trips venture down into the canyon to explore the aftermath. While we are still seeing some success on large attractor dry flies like stoneflies and grasshoppers (chernobyl ants, stimulators, pmx's, etc.) we are definitely seeing an increase in interest in smaller droppers. While many fish will still eat small stonefly nymphs and medium sized mayfly nymphs in #14-16, smaller patterns in #18-20 are also becoming more effective. Considering the waning pale morning dun activity and pending red quill hatches, small mayfly nymphs are extremely effective right now. Fish are able to spread out a little more throughout the river at current flows, but are still concentrated on the outer thirds of the river outside of the fast main current. Look for them in velocity shelters where they can escape the swift current or in food rich areas like riffles. On warm, sunny afternoons expect the trout to move to places that are rich with oxygen, like pocket water or near sections of whitewater where more oxygen is being mixed back in with the river.
Follow us on instagram at @ArkAnglers!
Salida Location - 7500 W. Highway 50, Salida, CO 81201. (719) 539-3474.
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Buena Vista Location - 517 S. Highway 24, Buena Vista, CO 81211. (719) 395-1796
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Email [email protected] with questions or to make your reservation.
Aug 03
ArkAnglers
Monday 8/3, 2020
Flow at Wellsville: 706 cfs
Water Temp.: High 50s - Mid 60s
Clarity: Stained below Salida but very fishable, ~3' visibility or better at County Line, less further downstream.
Saturday Report - Braden Baker
*Our retail stores and guide service are open for business! We are currently conducting river, lake and reservoir trips for both local residents and travelers from outside the county, as well as booking for the summer season. Call (719) 539-4223 for information on current offerings and parameters.
COVID-19 Chaffee County is the best resource for up to date information on the county.
Conditions are good on the Arkansas below Salida, with well over 3' of visibility in upper Bighorn Sheep Canyon. It's fished well for us the past several days as clarity has improved following serious rains the weekend of 7/25. The river upstream of Vallie Bridge generally offers the best opportunities, and flows are good for both float and wade fishermen. We anticipate flows remaining around this level until August 15 when flow augmentation from Twin Lakes will end.
The fish below town seem to have weathered last week's runoff from the Decker Fire burn scar just fine, as we've had many successful trips venture down into the canyon to explore the aftermath. While we are still seeing some success on large attractor dry flies like stoneflies and grasshoppers (chernobyl ants, stimulators, pmx's, etc.) we are definitely seeing an increase in interest in smaller droppers. While many fish will still eat small stonefly nymphs and medium sized mayfly nymphs in #14-16, smaller patterns in #18-20 are also becoming more effective. Considering the waning pale morning dun activity and pending red quill hatches, small mayfly nymphs are extremely effective right now. Fish are able to spread out a little more throughout the river at current flows, but are still concentrated on the outer thirds of the river outside of the fast main current. Look for them in velocity shelters where they can escape the swift current or in food rich areas like riffles. On warm, sunny afternoons expect the trout to move to places that are rich with oxygen, like pocket water or near sections of whitewater where more oxygen is being mixed back in with the river.
Follow us on instagram at @ArkAnglers!
Salida Location - 7500 W. Highway 50, Salida, CO 81201. (719) 539-3474.
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Buena Vista Location - 517 S. Highway 24, Buena Vista, CO 81211. (719) 395-1796
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Email [email protected] with questions or to make your reservation.
Flow at Wellsville: 706 cfs
Water Temp.: High 50s - Mid 60s
Clarity: Stained below Salida but very fishable, ~3' visibility or better at County Line, less further downstream.
Saturday Report - Braden Baker
*Our retail stores and guide service are open for business! We are currently conducting river, lake and reservoir trips for both local residents and travelers from outside the county, as well as booking for the summer season. Call (719) 539-4223 for information on current offerings and parameters.
COVID-19 Chaffee County is the best resource for up to date information on the county.
Conditions are good on the Arkansas below Salida, with well over 3' of visibility in upper Bighorn Sheep Canyon. It's fished well for us the past several days as clarity has improved following serious rains the weekend of 7/25. The river upstream of Vallie Bridge generally offers the best opportunities, and flows are good for both float and wade fishermen. We anticipate flows remaining around this level until August 15 when flow augmentation from Twin Lakes will end.
The fish below town seem to have weathered last week's runoff from the Decker Fire burn scar just fine, as we've had many successful trips venture down into the canyon to explore the aftermath. While we are still seeing some success on large attractor dry flies like stoneflies and grasshoppers (chernobyl ants, stimulators, pmx's, etc.) we are definitely seeing an increase in interest in smaller droppers. While many fish will still eat small stonefly nymphs and medium sized mayfly nymphs in #14-16, smaller patterns in #18-20 are also becoming more effective. Considering the waning pale morning dun activity and pending red quill hatches, small mayfly nymphs are extremely effective right now. Fish are able to spread out a little more throughout the river at current flows, but are still concentrated on the outer thirds of the river outside of the fast main current. Look for them in velocity shelters where they can escape the swift current or in food rich areas like riffles. On warm, sunny afternoons expect the trout to move to places that are rich with oxygen, like pocket water or near sections of whitewater where more oxygen is being mixed back in with the river.
Follow us on instagram at @ArkAnglers!
Salida Location - 7500 W. Highway 50, Salida, CO 81201. (719) 539-3474.
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Buena Vista Location - 517 S. Highway 24, Buena Vista, CO 81211. (719) 395-1796
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Email [email protected] with questions or to make your reservation.
Jul 31
ArkAnglers
Thursdat 7/30, 2020
Flow at Wellsville: 742 cfs
Water Temp.: High 50s - Mid 60s
Clarity: Stained below Salida, ~24' visbility at County Line, less downstream.
Thursday Report - Braden Baker
*Our retail stores and guide service are open for business! We are currently conducting river, lake and reservoir trips for both local residents and travelers from outside the county, as well as booking for the summer season. Call (719) 539-4223 for information on current offerings and parameters.
COVID-19 Chaffee County is the best resource for up to date information on the county.
Conditions are slowly recovering on the Arkansas below Salida, with between 2-3' visibility in the upper canyon. Over the weekend significant ash from the Decker Fire burn scar on Methodist Mountain washed into the river just below Salida East following significant rain. The past couple days have all seen further discoloration as Chalk Creek washed out to the north. We should see better weather through Friday which will continue to improve the conditions down below Salida. With the stained water, larger dry-dropper rigs with a hopper or stonefly dry up top followed by a #14-16 attractor nymph will probably be productive, and streamers are definitely worth a try.
Follow us on instagram at @ArkAnglers!
Salida Location - 7500 W. Highway 50, Salida, CO 81201. (719) 539-3474.
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Buena Vista Location - 517 S. Highway 24, Buena Vista, CO 81211. (719) 395-1796
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Email [email protected]ers.com with questions or to make your reservation.
Flow at Wellsville: 742 cfs
Water Temp.: High 50s - Mid 60s
Clarity: Stained below Salida, ~24' visbility at County Line, less downstream.
Thursday Report - Braden Baker
*Our retail stores and guide service are open for business! We are currently conducting river, lake and reservoir trips for both local residents and travelers from outside the county, as well as booking for the summer season. Call (719) 539-4223 for information on current offerings and parameters.
COVID-19 Chaffee County is the best resource for up to date information on the county.
Conditions are slowly recovering on the Arkansas below Salida, with between 2-3' visibility in the upper canyon. Over the weekend significant ash from the Decker Fire burn scar on Methodist Mountain washed into the river just below Salida East following significant rain. The past couple days have all seen further discoloration as Chalk Creek washed out to the north. We should see better weather through Friday which will continue to improve the conditions down below Salida. With the stained water, larger dry-dropper rigs with a hopper or stonefly dry up top followed by a #14-16 attractor nymph will probably be productive, and streamers are definitely worth a try.
Follow us on instagram at @ArkAnglers!
Salida Location - 7500 W. Highway 50, Salida, CO 81201. (719) 539-3474.
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Buena Vista Location - 517 S. Highway 24, Buena Vista, CO 81211. (719) 395-1796
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Email [email protected]ers.com with questions or to make your reservation.
Jul 30
The Blue Quill Angler
Coming Soon
Jul 29
ArkAnglers
Wednesday 7/29, 2020
Flow at Wellsville: 808 and rising cfs
Water Temp.: High 50s - Mid 60s
Clarity: Stained below Salida, ~15' visbility at County Line, worse downstream.
Wednesday Report - Braden Baker
*Our retail stores and guide service are open for business! We are currently conducting river, lake and reservoir trips for both local residents and travelers from outside the county, as well as booking for the summer season. Call (719) 539-4223 for information on current offerings and parameters.
COVID-19 Chaffee County is the best resource for up to date information on the county.
Over the weekend significant ash from the Decker Fire burn scar on Methodist Mountain washed into the river just below Salida East following significant rain. The past couple days have all seen further discoloration as Chalk Creek washed out to the north, mucking up the river downstream from its confluence. We should see better weather today through Friday which should much better conditions down hrough Salida. The morning conditions below Salida are better than the past few days, and should slowly improve as we head towards the weekend. Time will tell how the river below town looks following the runoff from the burn scar, and we'll update this page with our observations.
Follow us on instagram at @ArkAnglers!
Salida Location - 7500 W. Highway 50, Salida, CO 81201. (719) 539-3474.
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Buena Vista Location - 517 S. Highway 24, Buena Vista, CO 81211. (719) 395-1796
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Email [email protected] with questions or to make your reservation.
Flow at Wellsville: 808 and rising cfs
Water Temp.: High 50s - Mid 60s
Clarity: Stained below Salida, ~15' visbility at County Line, worse downstream.
Wednesday Report - Braden Baker
*Our retail stores and guide service are open for business! We are currently conducting river, lake and reservoir trips for both local residents and travelers from outside the county, as well as booking for the summer season. Call (719) 539-4223 for information on current offerings and parameters.
COVID-19 Chaffee County is the best resource for up to date information on the county.
Over the weekend significant ash from the Decker Fire burn scar on Methodist Mountain washed into the river just below Salida East following significant rain. The past couple days have all seen further discoloration as Chalk Creek washed out to the north, mucking up the river downstream from its confluence. We should see better weather today through Friday which should much better conditions down hrough Salida. The morning conditions below Salida are better than the past few days, and should slowly improve as we head towards the weekend. Time will tell how the river below town looks following the runoff from the burn scar, and we'll update this page with our observations.
Follow us on instagram at @ArkAnglers!
Salida Location - 7500 W. Highway 50, Salida, CO 81201. (719) 539-3474.
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Buena Vista Location - 517 S. Highway 24, Buena Vista, CO 81211. (719) 395-1796
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Email [email protected] with questions or to make your reservation.
Jul 26
ArkAnglers
Sunday 7/26, 2020
Flow at Wellsville: 826 and rising cfs
Water Temp.: High 50s - Mid 60s
Clarity: Blown out below Stockyard Bridge from rain and burn scar runoff.
Sunday Report - Braden Baker
*Our retail stores and guide service are open for business! We are currently conducting river, lake and reservoir trips for both local residents and travelers from outside the county, as well as booking for the summer season. Call (719) 539-4223 for information on current offerings and parameters.
COVID-19 Chaffee County is the best resource for up to date information on the county.
***The river has blown out just downstream of Salida East following rain and runoff from the burn scar of the Decker Fire on Methodist Mountain. Visibility is zero and the river looks black with ash. Stay tuned, we will update this report as we have more information. The river through town is stained this morning following yesterday's rain, but is clearing and looks much better as you head north.
Follow us on instagram at @ArkAnglers!
Salida Location - 7500 W. Highway 50, Salida, CO 81201. (719) 539-3474.
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Buena Vista Location - 517 S. Highway 24, Buena Vista, CO 81211. (719) 395-1796
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Email [email protected] with questions or to make your reservation.
Flow at Wellsville: 826 and rising cfs
Water Temp.: High 50s - Mid 60s
Clarity: Blown out below Stockyard Bridge from rain and burn scar runoff.
Sunday Report - Braden Baker
*Our retail stores and guide service are open for business! We are currently conducting river, lake and reservoir trips for both local residents and travelers from outside the county, as well as booking for the summer season. Call (719) 539-4223 for information on current offerings and parameters.
COVID-19 Chaffee County is the best resource for up to date information on the county.
***The river has blown out just downstream of Salida East following rain and runoff from the burn scar of the Decker Fire on Methodist Mountain. Visibility is zero and the river looks black with ash. Stay tuned, we will update this report as we have more information. The river through town is stained this morning following yesterday's rain, but is clearing and looks much better as you head north.
Follow us on instagram at @ArkAnglers!
Salida Location - 7500 W. Highway 50, Salida, CO 81201. (719) 539-3474.
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Buena Vista Location - 517 S. Highway 24, Buena Vista, CO 81211. (719) 395-1796
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Email [email protected] with questions or to make your reservation.
Jul 25
ArkAnglers
Saturday 7/25, 2020
Flow at Wellsville: 780 and rising cfs
Water Temp.: High 50s - Mid 60s
Clarity: Blown out below Stockyard Bridge from burn scar runoff.
Saturday Report - Braden Baker
*Our retail stores and guide service are open for business! We are currently conducting river, lake and reservoir trips for both local residents and travelers from outside the county, as well as booking for the summer season. Call (719) 539-4223 for information on current offerings and parameters.
COVID-19 Chaffee County is the best resource for up to date information on the county.
***Just below Salida East we had a blow out on the river from runoff on the burn scar on Methodist Mountain. Visibility is zero and the river looks black with ash. Stay tuned, we will update this report as we have more information. Fcous your fishing from Salida East to the north, where clarity remains excellent.
Follow us on instagram at @ArkAnglers!
Salida Location - 7500 W. Highway 50, Salida, CO 81201. (719) 539-3474.
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Buena Vista Location - 517 S. Highway 24, Buena Vista, CO 81211. (719) 395-1796
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Email [email protected] with questions or to make your reservation.
Flow at Wellsville: 780 and rising cfs
Water Temp.: High 50s - Mid 60s
Clarity: Blown out below Stockyard Bridge from burn scar runoff.
Saturday Report - Braden Baker
*Our retail stores and guide service are open for business! We are currently conducting river, lake and reservoir trips for both local residents and travelers from outside the county, as well as booking for the summer season. Call (719) 539-4223 for information on current offerings and parameters.
COVID-19 Chaffee County is the best resource for up to date information on the county.
***Just below Salida East we had a blow out on the river from runoff on the burn scar on Methodist Mountain. Visibility is zero and the river looks black with ash. Stay tuned, we will update this report as we have more information. Fcous your fishing from Salida East to the north, where clarity remains excellent.
Follow us on instagram at @ArkAnglers!
Salida Location - 7500 W. Highway 50, Salida, CO 81201. (719) 539-3474.
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Buena Vista Location - 517 S. Highway 24, Buena Vista, CO 81211. (719) 395-1796
Open Monday-Saturday, 8:00am-6:00pm. Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm.
Email [email protected] with questions or to make your reservation.