Arkansas River Tailwater, Pueblo
.Pueblo Tailwater Fishing Report: Pueblo Dam down to I-25
Date: April 23rd, 2025
Flow below dam: 670 cfs
Temperature: 47F From the Dam, 46-52F downstream
Clarity: Excellent
April 23rd:
The river continues to fish excellent with good hatches of midge and BWO’s and lots of hungry fish. The overcast weather expected over the coming days should trigger some epic hatches so get out and make the most of it! While the rainbows are hungry after the spawn, we’ve also seen quite a few quality brown trout over 20″ landed this past week which has been an added bonus. Some folks think bigger patterns are warranted when the flows are elevated but that generally is not the case. When midge or BWO’s are hatching, stick with appropriately matched flies in the 20-22 range and you should have excellent results.
Our guide trips are producing lots of quality fish. Give us a call and get a trip set up for this spring before runoff hits in late May.
April 15th:
We had a short bump in flows over the weekend to 930 cfs. While flows above 1,000 cfs are still very much fishable, it certainly changes how you need to approach the water, and most people will agree that the preferred flow range on the tailwater is below about 800 cfs. This morning, flows are back down below 600 cfs which means lots for fishable water and you can still find areas to wade across the river if you choose. Water clarity is excellent, as are water temperatures, and we are seeing strong midge hatches and good BWO hatches. The rainbows are famished after the spawn and are looking to feed. Sometimes they will be willing to hit “attractor” flies, but with the improved hatches, they will generally still prefer small imitative patterns in the 20-24 size range when hatches are in progress.
If you aren’t having banner days right now, consider booking a trip with us to learn the little nuances that can make the difference between a good day and great day!
April 7th:
We saw a big drop in flows this morning and are smack dab in the middle of what many consider the ideal flow range for this time of year. Additionally, water temps have reach 45F from the dam and we are seeing some decent BWO hatches in the early afternoon, as well as improved midge hatches. Most importantly, the nearly all of the rainbow trout have completed spawning and are looking to put the feed bag on to build body mass before spring runoff hits in late May. The combination of warming water, improved hatches, and hungry, post-spawn fish means the next six or seven weeks leading up to runoff should offer some of the most consistent fishing of the year on the tailwater!
The Drift employees only local guides, including Head Guide Connell O’Grady, who has been fishing the tailwater for over 30 years and guiding exclusively on the tailwater for almost 20 years. If you are looking to hite a guide to fish the Pueblo Tailwater, give us a call and rest assured you will be fishing with a local expert who will cater the trip to meet you specific needs. Tight lines!
March 31st:
Flows are up a bit for this time of year but are still very fishable. The water levels on the reservoir need to be lowered several feet by April 15th per BOR requirements to make room for potential runoff so we expect to see elevated flows until then. The current level is typical of mid summer and we don’t bat an eye at it then.
Midge are still the bug of choice but the BWO’s should be showing up over the next week or two and baetis nymph imitations are starting to become increasingly effective.
Most fish have completed spawning at this point but there are still some stragglers out there. More importantly, the eggs will take another month or so before the fry hatch so look before you wade. You can do significant damage to the fishery if you wade through spawning beds. With the water up, take extra time to look for beds before wading in riffles and tailouts.
March17th:
Winter Water Storage has ended on Pueblo Reservoir so you can expect improved flows from here on out. Water temperatures are also starting to climb and this is also increasing fish activity and hatches. We expect to start seeing BWO’s hatch by the end of March with consistent hatches generally beginning in early April. Until then, midge are hatching daily and the BWO nymphs are drifting more frequently. Eggs are also plentiful as we are in the thick of the spawn and are particularly effective early and late in the day.
Watch where you wade to avoid crushing eggs and please don’t bother the trout when they are actively spawning on redds.
We still have a few openings in our guide schedule for March so give us a call if you’d like to book a trip on this amazing fishery! Several clients have earned 20″ Club hats on recent trips with one client netting two over 20 in the same outing.
Recommended Patterns:
Tube Wing Midge and WD40 #20-24
Foam Back Emerger #18-24
Top Secret, Ninja Midge, Rs2 #20 – 24
Juju Baetis, Top Secret Baetis and FOD #18-22
Mini Flashtail Egg #16
Sunny Side Up Egg #18
Tungsten Caddis Larva #16-18
Squirrel Leech #10-14
UPPER ARKANSAS RIVER: Canon City to Salida
Date: April 23rd, 2025
Flow @ Wellsville: 350 cfs
Temperature: 46- 56F depending on daily weather and time of day
Clarity: 3-4 feet with green tint
April 23rd:
The Upper Ark has been fishing great all spring and conditions continue to be excellent. Caddis are present throughout Big Horn Sheep Canyon and up to Salida and the BWO hatches are going strong as well. Nymphs and streamers are producing well in the mornings with good chances of dry fly action in the afternoon and evening.
April 15th:
The caddis hatch is progressing up into Bighorn Sheep Canyon with good numbers of caddis as far up as Texas Creek as of this report and BWOs are hatching most afternoons all the way up to Leadville. Fish have been feeding opportunistically in the morning hours on attractor nymphs and streamers. There has frequently been a lull in the action starting around noon and then fishing picks up again in the afternoon as caddis and/or BWOs start to emerge. Evening can offer up a flurry of dry fly action with egg laying caddis and sometimes even a late BWO emergence.
With cooler temps forcast for Friday and Saturday, expect to see the caddis hatch temporarily stall, but the BWO’s should be out in full force.
April 7th:
The upper Ark continues to fish well most days and is seeing very good BWO hatches in the afternoon. Flows are ideal for wade fishing, while high enough to float fish as well. Nymphing and streamers in the morning with dry fly and more streamer action in the afternoon.
March 31st:
The upper Ark is in great spring condition and the BWO hatches in the afternoon have been very reliable.
Fish are feeding opportunistically in the morning hours before shifting their attention to emerging BWO’s. Stonefly nymphs and attractor jig patterns in sz 12 – 16 have been producing well in the morning hours. Add a baetis nymph/emerger to your rig by noon and expect adults to show on the surface between 1 and 2pm. Dry fly fishing can be great in the afternoon but you need to find the right water. The long flats of moderate to shallow depth will generally be best but large back eddies can also concentrate adult bugs and therefore fish!
March 17th:
The Upper Ark has been fishing great all month and BWO hatches are now ramping up adding some great dry fly opportunities in the afternoon. Fish are responding well to increasing water temperatures and are actively feeding on larger nymph imitations as well as hatching midge and BWOs. Heads of runs and pools are prime spots to target but the riffles are increasingly productive during hatch periods. Streamer fishing is also picking up in the late afternoon as water temps hit the daily peak. If you’re interested in doing a float trip this spring on the upper Ark, give us a call and get on the schedule with Alex.
March 5th:
Fishing on the Upper Ark is turning on fast due to quickly rising water temperatures. The shift to warmer weather has brought water temp into the mid 40’s during the afternoon hours and the fish are responding by feeding opportunistically on well presented stonefly nymphs, caddis larva and attractor nymphs in the 12 – 16 size range. Midge are hatching heavily on many days and you will want to add a black midge pupa to the mix during these times. Blue-winged olive mayflies will begin hatching any day now and the nymphs are already exhibiting behavioral drift so have some imitations like the Barr’s Emerger, RS2 and slim pheasant tail on hand to trail behind a larger nymph. Focus your efforts on primary pools and runs for now as the fish are still concentrated in winter holding water. Fish will begin to spend more time in the riffles and pocket water as the hatches progress and water temperatures remain in the 40’s through the nighttime and early morning hours.
February 19th:
The Upper Arkansas is starting to thaw out and already has many areas of open water to fish, especially as you get above Coaldale and on up towards Salida. With significantly warmer weather forecast for late February, the edge ice in Bighorn Sheep Canyon should diminish rapidly opening up miles and miles of public water. The cold winter has made fishing difficult in the canyon for the past eight weeks so fish have seen very little pressure. As the weather warms and water temperature increase, you can expect to see the fishing turn on quick! Nymphing with golden stoneflies, caddis larva, baetis nymphs and midge pupa can be deadly. The streamer action in the afternoon, after the water has warmed four or five degrees, can also be red hot.
Recommended Patterns:
WD40, Top Secret Midge #20-22
Mercury Black Beauty, RS2 #18 – 22
Juju Baetis and FOD #18-22
Parachute Adams and BWO Vis-S-Dun #18-22
Tungsten Caddis Larva #16-18
Mercer’s Epoxy Golden Stone and Cravens Two-Bit Golden Stone #10-14