Arkansas Lower Basin
UPDATED: 5/08/26
Flow: 245 CFS at Salida River Graph
Guide Tip of the Week:
The Ark near Salida has some amazing fly fishing right now. The caddis hatch is happening down low and fish are rising. Caddis or BWO dries will be your best option. Nymph rigs will be the most productive with small caddis larva, baetis, stoneflies, eggs and leeches.
Current Conditions:
RIVER FLOW:
Flows near Salida - 240 CFS
WATER TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F):
40's
WATER CLARITY:
3 feet +
CURRENT FOOD SOURCES:
Caddis | Baetis | Hoppers | small fish, leeches, etc.
Flies to Try
NYMPHS:
Jigged Biot Epoxy Stonefly size 12 dark | Flashback PT Size 18-20 | TDJ Golden Stone size 14 -16 | Shot Glass Baetis olive size 20 | Tungsten Hare's Ear size 12 -18 | Nitro Caddis tan or chartreuse size 14-16 | Tungsten Sparkle Wing RS2 grey or black size 18-20 | UV Midge black or brown size 18-22 | Zebra Midges assorted colors size 18-22 |
DRIES:
Elk Hair Caddis size 12-18, olive, brown, or black | Parachute Adams size 12-22 | Parachute Extended Body BWO or PMD size 16-22 | Matthew's Sparkel Dun BWO or PMD size 18-22 | purple Parachute Adams size 16-24 | CDC Morgans Midge size 18 - 22 |
STREAMERS:
Double or Baby Gongas | Craven's Dirty Hippie | Wooly Buggers black and olive size 04-08 | Near Nuff Sculpin tan or olive size 04 - 06 | Crystal Buggers white size 08-10 | Pine Squirrel Leech black size 12
The Arkansas River between Buena Vista and Peublo offers at least 10 boat ramps for float fishing, and numerous wade fishing access areas. There are some serious class III-IV rapids throughout this zone, so educate yourself before you go. Being a freestone river, the Ark supports diverse bug life, including tons of Caddis, Baetis, PMD's, Drakes, Golden Stones, and more.
RIVER ACCESS
Also check out the Town of Silverthorne's Blue River Fishing Access Map
OTHER LOCATIONS
Weather data provided by 
