Arkansas Upper Basin
UPDATED: 10/19/26
Flows: 40ish CFS (gauge is off for the winter)
Guide Tip of the Week:
Current Conditions:
RIVER FLOW:
40ish (gauge off for the winter)
WATER TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F):
40’s - 50’s
WATER CLARITY:
Clear
CURRENT FOOD SOURCES:
Small Golden Stoneflies | Caddis larva | Midges | Baetis | small fish, leeches, eggs, etc. |
Flies to Try
NYMPHS:
| Pat's Rubber Leg's olive, or black size 10-14 | TDJ golden Stone size 14-16 | Frenchie size 16 -18 | RS2 olive or black size 18-24 | Perdigons 18-20 olive, or black | Poison Tung Blue size 20 - 22 | JuJu Bee Midge blue 22 | Black Pheasant Tail size 18 -22 | Zebra Midge Purple or Black size 18-22 |
DRIES:
Parachute Adams size 18-24 | extended Body BWO 18-22 | CDC Baetis Dun Size 18-22 | CDC Morgans Midge size 18 - 22 | Snowshoe midge size 18-24 |
STREAMERS:
Baby Gongas | Thin Mint size 04-08 | Kreelex | Bead Head Pine Squirrel Leech black, olive, or brown size 12|
The Headwaters of the Arkansas start near Climax Mine along Fremont Pass (Highway 91 South), and then flow along Highway south of Leadville, all the way to Buena Vista. The upper stretches near Leadville offer tighter fishing along cut banks with willowy vegetation. Good dry fly fishing can be found here as a large variety of aquatic insects dwell in the freestone river. The Caddis population is especially high, and is always a good insect to imitate in the Arkansas River. As the Arkansas flows downstream it becomes wider, with fast canyon areas containing large boulders. These lower stretches from Granite to BV are sometimes better fished with a heavy hopper dropper set up, or a nymph rig.
RIVER ACCESS
Also check out the Town of Silverthorne's Blue River Fishing Access Map
OTHER LOCATIONS
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