Arkansas River Tailwater, Pueblo
Pueblo Tailwater Fishing Report: Pueblo Dam down to I-25
Date: October 29th, 2026
Flow below dam: 360 cfs
Temperature: 58F From the Dam, 58 – 64F Downstream
Clarity: About 18″ visibility due to recent rains and lake turnover
October 29th:
After seeing flows raise to the highest level of the year, we have had back to back cuts that have brought flows down to 367 cfs this morning. Water clarity was already showing signs of improvement yesterday and we expect fishing will be much improved going forward. Tricos and caddis hatches are quickly fading as BWO’s and midge take there place in the fall line up.
October 27th:
The river came up another 200 cfs to a total flow of 665 cfs. Interestingly, this will be the peak flow to date for the year, including runoff! We expect flows to start tapering down tomorrow or Thursday, however lake turnover will likely mean water visibility will remained low for the next several weeks as is the norm for late October and early November. While clarity may be compromised, the fish are not much affected and will continue to feed on hatches as usual with the exception that surface feeding is typically limited. The use of leeches, worm & egg patterns can also be productive, especially outside of peak hatch periods.
October 20th:
The tailwater is in great shape for this time of year with improved flows due to recent rains and healthy water temperatures. Fishing has been good throughout the day due to a steady mix of hatches including tricos, caddis, midge and pseudocloeon mayflies (a.k.a. pseudo baetis). Nymphing is the go to method for success but there is still great dry fly opportunities throughout the day if you spend a little time looking for risers.
October 5th:
Flows have come back down after the big rains last week so we are sitting just over 100 cfs with the hatchery outflow at this time. Water temperatures have moderated finally and are remaining in a healthy range throughout the day from the dam all the way through town. October is generally a month of transition on the tailwater as the trico and caddis hatches gradually taper off and the midge and BWO hatches build. With warm, sunny weather forecast into next week, you can expect to see good late push of trico and caddis hatches with good dry fly activity during morning and evening hours. There are also plentiful juvenile crayfish, suckers and leeches this time of year so play around with some larger patterns when bug activity is not prolific. Egg patterns can be effective as well with the brown trout well into pre-spawn mode. The next bout of cool fall weather should jump start the BWO hatches so keep an eye out for them once the weather changes. In the meantime, the pseudocloeon mayflies will be hatching mid day and are nearly identical to BWO’s with the exception of being a size or two smaller.
October 1st:
Fishing has been very good on the tailwater and the recent rains are improving flows and water temperatures as we head into fall. Today’s increase of 150 cfs brought flows up to around 350 cfs, which will likely be as high as we get from this storm. The following week looks mostly dry so we expect flows to taper down in a manner that mimics inflows. Tricos and caddis remain the top hatches but midge and pseudocloeon mayflies are also hatching. The browns are in prespawn mode and looking to add some extra calories to their diet before the spawn begins in early November.
Now that water temperatures have moderated, the river is fishable throughout the day from the dam all the way through town. We have openings in our guide schedule so give us a call if you’d like to set up a trip.
Tightlines!
September 28th Update:
Flows have trended down a bit the past two days but we are expecting healthy rainfall the new three days and expect flows to be back up over 100 cfs very soon. Meanwhile, water temps are remaining in the ideal range and fish will be much more active throughout the day with the cloud cover. Expect good hatches combined with opportunistic feeding in between.
September 25th Update:
Upper basin rainfall has resulted in improved flows below the dam! Get out and enough these great early fall conditions. The browns are getting extra frisky before the spawn starts in November and fish will be prime condition and coloration over the next six to eight weeks. These prespawn fish often will be receptive to leeches, eggs and scuds, in addition to the smaller match the hatch mayfly and midge patterns.
September 21st:
The tailwater is turning the corner on summer and moving into fall conditions. The shorter days and cooler nights have moderated water temps on the tailwater to the point that fishing the downtown stretch is once again a viable option in the morning hours, while water temps on the upper half of the tailwater remain in the optimal range throughout the day. Fishing is also benefitting from slightly increased flows due to upper basin rainfall. Hatches are still comprised primarily of tricos, caddis and midge, along with terrestrials and the recent addition of pseudocloeon mayflies. (a.k.a. pseudo baetis)
September 8th:
Water temps are still holding at 57F from the dam which is great new as this is keeping water temperatures in the safe zone all the way down to the Nature Center. Expect technical fishing during the morning trico emergence and subsequent spinner fall with many fish feeding on the surface during the peak of the hatch and spinner fall. Late afternoon/evening fishing has been more varied and often depends largely on what the weather is doing. Clear evenings with little wind will generally produce more surface feeding while overcast/windy evening require nymphs and/or small streamers.
Recommended Patterns:
UV Midge, Mercury Black Beauty, Flash Midge #20 – 22
Barrs Emerger & Foam Back Emergers #20 – 22
RS2 & Sparkle Wing Rs2 #20 – 22
Adams/Parachute Adams #20-22
Craven’s Lil’ Bit # 18 – 20
Griffiths Gnat #18 – 22
Parachute Caddis & Missing Link #14 – 16
True Blood Midge #16 – 22
Streamers: Wounded Sculpin, Jiggy Mini Buggers & Jiggy Poacher
