Arkansas River Tailwater, Pueblo
Pueblo Tailwater Fishing Report: Pueblo Dam down to I-25
Date: July 18th, 2026
****** The Aspen Acres fire has diminished substantially and there is little to no smoke in the area the past few days. Thank you to all the firefighters risking their lives to protect our communities! *******
Flow below dam: 100 cfs combined flow (72 cfs from the dam and 28 from the hatchery outflow)
Temperature: 54F From the Dam, 54 – 74F Downstream
Clarity: Good
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.
June 29th:
We are seeing a little more water being released from the dam today which will help to moderate water temperatures. The morning hours have been particularly productive with consistent hatches of Tricos and caddis. Dry flies on top and emerger patterns below are of greatest importance. If you plan to fish in the afternoon or evening, we recommend staying between the dam and Nature Center and have a thermometer on you to check that water temps do not exceed 68F.
June 24th:
The good news: water temps from the dam are still in the mid 50’s and the trout are happy and actively feeding much of the day. Mornings are seeing incredible but activity comprised of tricos, caddis and midge, with tricos often stealing the show… but not always. BWO’s and PMDs are active in the afternoon while caddis and tricos appear again in the evening. Fishing has been excellent thus far!!!
The bad news: barring significant rain in the upper basin, the current low flow of 55 cfs may well be the norm for the next few weeks and could drop even lower within weeks. Water temperatures are already rising into the upper 60’s and low 70’s through downtown Pueblo. If you want to fish in the afternoon and evening, please head closer to the dam and fish somewhere from the nature center up to the dam as this where the coolest water will be found.
June 20th:
Fishing on the tailwater is at is best right now due to a combination of steady hatches, good water temperatures and easy to wade flows. Get out and enjoy the great conditions now! Due to the utter lack of snowpack, we expect water high temperatures to start limiting fishing to early morning hours by mid-July, if not sooner. For now, water temps are still in the ideal range but please be mindful of playing fish as quickly as possible and make every effort to keep fish in the water while unhooking.
Tricos, midge and caddis are active in the morning hours, with BWO’s still coming off most afternoons. Caddis and trico activity picks up again around sunset and extends well into dark.
June 12th:
Fishing on the tailwater has been excellent and the fish are fat, sassy and strong! We are currently see ideal conditions with water temps in the 50’s, good water clarity and ideal wading flows. Hatches are still dominated by midge, bwo’s and tricos, however, caddis are increasingly active now that water temperatures are reaching the upper 50’s.
We have openings in our guide schedule so give us a call if you would like to experience the tailwater with one of our local, knowledgeable guide staff. Tight lines!
June 3rd:
Conditions are ideal for wade fishing on the tailwater at this time. There has been three days of cuts to flows since the spring peak flow of 550 cfs on Sunday, and flows are now at 120 cfs from the dam. While much lower than normal for this time of year, the current flow is ideal for easy wading on the tailwater with excellent sight fishing opportunities and increased surface feeding. We continue to see strong midge and BWO hatches, as well as increasing trico and caddis activity.
With water temperatures remaining in the 50’s, the streamer action is definitely picking up and can be particularly good when there are afternoon storms developing.
We have openings in our guide schedule so give us a call if you’d like to experience the tailwater with the most qualified, local guides available. Tight lines!
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: July 20th, 2026
Flow @ Wellsville: 205 cfs
Temperature: 63 – 76F, depending on time and location. Stop fishing by noon or before temps hit 70F
Clarity: Variable due to afternoon thunderstorms.
July 18th:
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.
June 20th:
Flows are low and water temperatures are rising into the uncomfortable range in the late afternoon and early evening from around Wellsville on down to Canon City. Fishing remains good in the morning and early afternoon when bugs are most active and water temps are in the low to mid 60’s. Cooler weather is forecast for this coming week and evening fishing might be back on the table for several days. Keep a thermometer on you so you can keep tabs on water temps and know when to call it.
June 12th:
Flows on the upper Ark are low but stable and offering excellent wade fishing opportunities. The hot sunny days of late have kept bug activity limited to morning and evening time, with nymphing and droppers taking most fish during the heat of the day. Water temperatures are already reaching the high 60’s in the afternoon hours so be mindful of keeping fishing in the net and quickly releasing them.
Recommended Patterns:
Pheasant Tail nymphs #16 – 20
Parachute PMD #16 – 18
Tung. Trapper and Graphic caddis (caddis pupa) #14 – 16
Parachute 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
Streamers: Wounded Sculpin, Thinmint, Peanut Envy