Arkansas Lower Basin
UPDATED: 10/21/2026
Flow: 187 CFS at Salida River Graph
Guide Tip of the Week:
Dry dropper set ups featuring smaller terrestrial patterns, or Rusty Spinner type mayfly’s can be effective this type of year fished through riffles and drop offs. We are using imitations of caddis larva, Baetis, and midges as the nymph offerings in these set ups. If this tactic is not working consider a deep nymph rig with a larger stonefly pattern or caddis larva as the weight, trailing a tiny midge or Baetis emerger.
Always keep an eye out for spawning brown trout in the fall, and avoid wading on, or fishing near their redds!
Current Conditions:
RIVER FLOW:
Flows near Salida - 187
WATER TEMPERATURE (DEGREES F):
50’s - 60s
WATER CLARITY:
3 feet or more unless heavy precipitation has come through
CURRENT FOOD SOURCES:
Caddis larva | Stonefly Nymphs| Baetis | midges | left over Hoppers and terrestrials | small fish, leeches, etc. |
Flies to Try
NYMPHS:
| Tungsten Flashback PT Size 14-16 | Lawson Electric Caddis Larva olive 14 | Craven’s Little Bit light olive or black 18-22 | Shot Glass Baetis olive size 20-22 | Tungsten Sparkle Wing RS2 grey or black size 18-20 | Red Neck Midge 18-24 | Jig Crack Back Bullet black or olive 18-20
DRIES:
Actual Ant Black/Red 14 | Stubby Chubby Lt Tan 12-16| Copper Haze size 12-16 | Parachute Extended Body BWO size 18-22 | Matthew's Sparkle Dun BWO 22 | Adult midget dark 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 
