Arkansas River Tailwater, Pueblo
Pueblo Tailwater Fishing Report: Pueblo Dam down to I-25
Date: Aug 3rd, 2026
Flow below dam: 51 cfs combined flow (28 cfs from the dam and 23 from the hatchery outflow)
Temperature: 55F From the Dam, 55 – 78F Downstream
Clarity: Good
Aug 10th:
The tailwater continues to fish well in the morning hours with a good mix of nymph and dry fly opportunities. The best water temperatures will be found from the Nature Center up to the dam and you can expect to find water temps in the 55 – 65F range into early afternoon on this stretch. The complete lifecycle of the Trico mayfly is dominating fish feeding behavior in the morning with the general sequence starting with emerging nymphs, followed by hatching adults and finally dead spinners falling to the water after the mating flights are completed. Caddis, midge and terrestrials are also available, as are juvenile crayfish and sucker fry. Although water temps are staying fairly cool on the upper stretch of the tailwater, anglers are encouraged to play fish quickly and keep fish in areas of moving water when unhooking them prior to release.
Please note that CPW has enacted a voluntary fishing closure from noon to midnight on the Arkansas River EAST of Pueblo Blvd. Due to very low flows, this stretch of the river is seeing water temperatures climb into the high 70’s on a daily basis. We recommend that you avoid this section altogether so give the trout on this reach the best chance at surviving through the next 6 – 8 weeks of summer heat. The future of this fishery is in your hands!
Aug 3rd:
The rainwater has been passed through the reservoir and we are back down in the minimum flow range. This means water temps will rise significantly faster and fishing after 11am on most of the tailwater is not advised. The first couple miles below the dam is the exception as water temperatures are not climbing past the upper 60’s on this stretch. With that said, mid day fishing has been very slow even on this stretch of water. Tricos and caddis are the primary bugs of concern, however, midge, terrestrials, and other food items such as sucker fry, baby crayfish and leeches are also readily available.
July 30th:
Recent Monsoon rains have led to a temporary increase in outflows from the dam. While still on the low side, the additional water will help to moderate water temperatures. Water clarity is slightly stained but still about offering about 2 feet of visibility.
July 28th:
We are back down to minimum flows on the tailwater and will likely stay at this low flow barring epic upper basin rains. For now, water temperatures are still in the mid-50’s to mid-60’s on the first few miles below the dam and fish are in good condition. At this point, we are asking anglers not to fish at all in town as water temperatures along the levy section are cycling daily between 68 and 78F. In addition, please limit fishing below the Nature Center to the Water Treatment Plant to the early morning hours.
Again, from the Nature Center up to the dam, water temperatures are staying fairly cool and fish are very active early and late in the day. Tricos are the main hatch to match in the morning, followed by caddis and midge tied for a distant second.
Be sure to play fish aggressively and keep them in the net AND in moving water prior to release. This is an amazing fishery and it’s continued health will depend largely on the actions of the anglers recreating on it. Thank you and tightlines!
July 21st:
Fishing has been technical in the low flows but also very good when you are dialed in with the right flies and presentation. The full Trico lifecycle has been dominant in the morning with an emergence starting between 6:30 and 8am depending on how far down you are from the dam. Mating flights are building soon after with spinners falling to the water about an hour after the emergence ends. Tricos are also hatching at dusk and fish are feeding heavily on them into dark. Caddis have been the other primary hatch with peak activity often focused on egg laying in the evening hours. Terrestrials can be a factor through the day and can be fun to use in a dry dropper rig once peak surface feeding has subsided. Keep in mind that water temperatures are rising quickly now that flows are down so avoid fishing in town after 10am and stay west of Pueblo Blvd after noon.
July 18th:
Flows are back down below 100cfs under the dam so expect great dry fly action early and late in the day when bugs are hatching and laying eggs. Tricos and caddis are the prime hatches, with pmds, midge, damsel flies and terrestrials also present. Water temps are staying pretty cool on the first few miles of the tailwater throughout the day. However, we don’t recommend fishing east of Pueblo Blvd after 1pm as water temps are climbing into the 70’s in the early afternoon on this stretch. The stretch along the levy through town is getting the warmest and we recommend avoiding this section all together.
July 14th:
The tailwater continues to fish very good as water temperatures from the dam are remaining low. A water call started yesterday which brought flows up to a more typical level for mid-July. The additional water is helping maintain good water temperatures throughout the day, but is also delaying morning hatches times a bit. Nymphing will be more important with the additional water but there can still be excellent dry fly opportunities at this flow.
July 10th:
If you like targeting quality rainbow and brown trout with small dry flies then you need to get down to the tailwater and see what all the excitement is about! Big fish are feeding on small caddis and tricos in shallow water and we are having some of the most exciting trout fishing you will ever experience. I said exciting, not easy! The feeding behavior is in direct response to strong hatches and fish can key on one specific life stage at any given time. Great opportunities to learn and improve your skills. Even better when you are out with one of our local guides who love to share their knowledge with clients. Give a call if you’d like to book a trip. Tight lines!
July 6th:
Despite very low flows, water temperatures remain good throughout the day on the upper three to four miles of the tailwater, with notably increasing water temperatures east of Pueblo Blvd. We are asking folks to avoid fishing the levy section through town after 10am and avoid the City Park stretch in the late afternoon and evening hours due to water temps exceeding 68F. The good news is that water temps from the dam have been holding steady @ 52F for the past few weeks. Morning fishing has been excellent with good hatches of tricos, midge and caddis. Nymphing is generally required in the first few hours of daylight. By 8am, fish are really focusing on emerging bugs and heavily feeding on or just below the surface. Fishing a caddis dry fly with a second, smaller dry or emerger/spinner pattern off the back has been very effective up until 10 or 11am. Once the sun is higher in the sky and air temps heat up, nymphing will once again be the primary method of choice. Fishing really slows down midday unless there is good cloud cover. The evening bite picks up after 6pm and the upper tailwater from Nature Center to the dam has been fishing excellent into dark.
Recommended Patterns:
UV Midge, Ninja, Bling Midge #20 – 22
Barrs Emerger & Foam Back Emergers #20 – 22
RS2 & Sparkle Wing Rs2 #20 – 22
AK’s Trico Dun #22
Trico Spinner #22
Griffiths Gnat #18 – 22
Parachute Caddis & Missing Link #14 – 16
True Blood Midge #14 – 22
Streamers: Wounded Sculpin, Jiggy Mini Buggers & Jigged Poacher
UPPER ARKANSAS RIVER: Canon City to Salida
Date: August 10th, 2026
Flow @ Wellsville: 250 cfs
Temperature: 60 – 72F, depending on time and location. Stop fishing in the afternoon before water temps hit 70F
Clarity: River has cleared up again from top to bottom.
Aug 10th:
The upper Ark has cleared and slightly cooled over the past week with a current flow of 250 cfs at Wellsville. You can expect good dry/dropper action and ideal wading conditions from around Texas Creek on up to the headwaters. Be mindful of afternoon water temperatures, particularly if you are fishing below Salida as water temps are still climbing into the low 70’s through Bighorn Sheep Canyon. Terrestrials are the plentiful and there are sparse hatches of caddis, mayflies and stoneflies. Fish are mostly feeding opportunistically so play around with fly size and color until you find a winning combo. Afternoon showers are likely late in the week and may have an impact on water clarity.
July 28th:
Monsoon thunderstorms have sent slugs of muddy water in the the upper Arkansas river sporadically over the past week and that trend may continue this week. It’s best to call up to RGA in Canon City or Ark Anglers in Salida and request an update on water conditions. Watching the gauges will be helpful if it’s a widespread storm but there can be isolated downpours that may impact a long stretch of the river will little change in overall flow. It’s always a good idea to have a back up plan on where you want to go if the river gets roiled.
July 24th:
Water temps are becoming a real concern on the upper Arkansas River from Salida down through Canon City and fishing should be limited to the morning hours until cooler or rainy weather arrives. Have a thermometer on you and call it quits before water temps hit 70F. PMDs are hatching and Red Quill spinners are laying eggs in the early morning hours up until around 8am. Fish can be found feeding selectively in areas of moderate current to flat water if you are up for the challenge. Otherwise, stick to fishing the faster riffles, runs and pocket water with nymph or dry/dropper rigs. Brown or red Napoleon jigs have been effective, as have red two-bit hookers in sz 14 – 18. Stick with chubbies or hopper patterns for the dry in your dry/dropper rig.
This is a great time of year to focus on the numerous high country lakes that are found in abundance throughout the state. Many requite a decent high or 4wd ride but the scenery and fishing are outstanding. You typically only need a handful of dry fly patterns and a few nymphs to ensure you have the bases covered. If you need some suggestions on where to go or what to fish, just swing by the shop and we are happy to help. Tight lines!
July 6th:
The Upper Ark is running at historic low flows this summer and that has created some new opportunities along with responsibilities for anglers. The river has never been this accessible for wading and you can literally fish anywhere you want (assuming it’s public land). There are still lots of deep pools along with extended pocket water and riffle sections that can be crossed with relative ease. However, afternoon water temperatures are climbing over 70F by early afternoon below Coaldale and anglers should quit fishing for the day by 2pm most days or move well upstream if you want fish in the afternoon and evening. We are starting to see some afternoon monsoon activities that can help to moderate temperatures but have a thermometer on you so you know for sure when it’s time to call it.
Unlike on the tailwater section, the low flows have generally hindered good dry fly fishing on the upper river aside from very early in the morning and when cloud cover is present. Focus on nymphing with medium to small patterns imitating stoneflies, mayflies and caddis. Small to mid-sized streamers have also been productive in the late morning hours as water temps begin to rise.
June 29th:
Flows on the Upper Ark are trending down again with a warm weather forecast ahead. We recommend hitting the river early and finishing by noon or 1pm before water temps rise above 68F. Smaller caddis imitations and PMD’s have been good dry flies. Subsurface, we recommend golden stone patterns with pheasant tails and soft hackles. Smaller streamers have been very productive late morning into early afternoon.
Recommended Patterns:
Pheasant Tail nymphs #16 – 20
Sparkle Dun PMD #20
Tung. Trapper and Graphic caddis (caddis pupa) #14 – 16
Foam Caddis and Peacock Caddis (dry/adult) #14 – 16
Two-Bit Golden Stone, Pat’s Rubber legs #10 – 14
Napoleon Jigs #16 – 18
Jigged CDC Carrot, Schuck-It Jig #14 – 16
Chubby Chernobyls #12-16
Hoppers #10 – 14
Streamers: Wounded Sculpin, Thinmint, Peanut Envy