Arkansas River Tailwater, Pueblo
Pueblo Tailwater Fishing Report: Pueblo Dam down to I-25
Date: May 12th, 2025
Flow below dam: 405 cfs
Temperature: 49F From the Dam, 48-56F downstream
Clarity: Excellent
May 12th Update:
Flows are back down in the ideal range for spring time and the fishing has been fantastic. The sight fishing is exceptional whether nymphing or fishing dry flies and we are see consistent hatches of midge and BWO’s. We are seeing some mid elevation snow melt in the upper basin which might result in slightly higher flows but we should have another 10 – 14 days of optimal conditions before runoff really gets going. Overall snowpack is well below normal so we aren’t expecting a very high or prolonged runoff this year and summer fishing conditions should be very good by late June.
May 7th:
The massive storm system that stalled over the area brough steady rain for the past 24 hours, dropping over 2″ of rain in some areas. As a result, flows below the dam have been raised to pass the rainwater through. Water clarity is still good below the dam and should improve through town by the afternoon. Expect flows to drop over each the coming days with flows likely back below 500 cfs by the weekend.
Looking ahead, we should have another two weeks or more of good fishing conditions after the rainwater subsides and before runoff begins. This storm system brought some much needed snow to the Sangre de Cristo mountains but overall basin snowpack is well below average and the forecast is for a short runoff.
May 1st:
Flows dropped significantly this morning which will make for easier wading on the tailwater and better opportunities for dry fly action, particularly during the peak hatch window of 11am to 3pm. Midge and BWO’s are hatching consistently during this time slot and the fish are keyed in and looking to feed on good imitations and precise drifts. Water clarity is excellent and the sight fishing has been very exciting. If you aren’t having much success right now you owe it to yourself to book a trip before runoff begins and get in on the action. We should have about three weeks left of stellar fishing on the tailwater before flows get cranking. This is some of the absolute best fishing of the year and a great time to learn what you are doing right and what can be improved to consistently catch fish on the tailwater. Learn to sight fish, plan your approach and make that first drift count!
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!
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
Tungsten Caddis Larva #16-18
Squirrel Leech #10-14
UPPER ARKANSAS RIVER: Canon City to Salida
Date: May 13th, 2025
Flow @ Wellsville: 775 cfs
Temperature: 48- 62F depending on daily weather and time of day
Clarity: Heavily stained below Buena Vista
May 13th:
The river below Buena Vista is running dirty as mid-level snow from the storm that passed through last week continues to melt with the recent warm weather. More than likely, this is NOT the start of true runoff, but merely a small blimp due to the recent storm. We expect to see flows level off today or tomorrow and start clearing again by the end of the week, at which point, we should have a 7 – 10 day window of good fishing conditions down through Big Horn Sheep Canyon before runoff begins in earnest around Memorial Day weekend.
The caddis hatch has progress above Salida now so plan accordingly if you are hoping to be in the thick of it. However, BWO’s, midge and crane fly are still hatching through the canyon and remanent adult caddis are still out laying eggs. Plan to fish a mix of nymphs and dry flies depending on time of day and weather conditions. Streamers are also very productive if you are so inclined, as we often are.
May 8th:
The canyon stretch is clearing nicely and has pretty good visibility throughout at this point. Scattered rain is a possibility but if you come across a slug a dirty water it shouldn’t be hard to move upstream and find good water. Be prepared for a mix of nymphing and dry fly action depending on time of day and good streamer action is always a possibility.
May 7th:
The best fishing is above Salida at the moment as recent rainfall has significantly reduce water clarity below Salida. Things should improve quickly down through Big Horn Sheep Canyon barring additional rainfall over the coming days. Adult caddis are still laying eggs in the Canyon but the “Mother’s Day” caddis hatch is now in the vicinity of Salida and progressing upstream as weather/water temps allow. BWO’s, midge and spring crane fly are still hatching in the canyon stretch. The cooler weather with interspersed cloud cover should make for good insect activity and can also prompt aggressive feeding on streamers through the weekend.
May 1st:
Fishing has fluctuated between exceptional and slow depending on wind, time of day and hatch activity, but overall remains very good. There is more food items now and the fish are alternating between gorging and resting. Steamers in the morning hours have been most consistent from a raft while nymphing on foot is the ticket. When the wind isn’t howling, the afternoon dry fly action has been very good, starting around 2pm most days. Next weeks forecast is calling for consistently overcast weather with moderate rain which should produce excellent BWO hatches that could start by noon and last for an extended period. Expect to see moderate caddis activity but there should be enough adults out and about to offer up some good egg laying surface activity in the late afternoon.
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