Monsoon Season is Coming to an End

The Upper Arkansas River near Rincon on Monday, September 9, 2024.

Italic and text = the most up to date fishing conditions. The rest of the text is general tips and info on the Arkansas River that is consistent between all my Fishing Reports. Feel free to quickly scan.

Overview:

Monsoon Season is likely coming to an end for the year and that will bring predominantly sunny skies and clear water. So, the fishing will get more technical, and the fish won’t tolerate poor presentation, but the Blue Wing Olives are back, and the fish are feeding on them midday.

In my opinion, you can’t do much better than the Arkansas River. Its first 102 miles is the longest stretch of Gold Medal fishing in Colorado. Which means it probably has more fish than any other river in the state. The Ark’s wild brown trout may outnumber rainbows 10 to 1, but the rainbows can often be of trophy size. With different types of water from meandering meadows to swift pocket water to deep pools, there is something for every angler on tons of public lands. It also offers some of the best whitewater in the world and you should expect fast and technical rafting and not a lazy drift.

Weather:

Our summertime cycle of sunny mornings and rainy/cloudy afternoons will most likely give way to dry sunny conditions most days through the fall. September is usually pretty dry around here and the majority of the little amount of precipitation we’ll get until the spring will be in the form of snow. However, we’ll be unlikely to see any snow until October in these parts. September weather is pretty prefect.

The weather in the Arkansas Valley is some of the best in the state. Known as Colorado’s “Banana Belt” it is characterized by sunny days and a rain shadow created by the numerous 14,000-foot peaks on the west side of the valley. So, the summers are cool, and the winters are much warmer and drier than the rest of the mountains. It is hands down the best winter fishing in the state. Most of our snow, less than what a city like Chicago or Boston would get, falls between March and May. Most of our rain falls as daily thunderstorms during what we call “monsoon season” in July and August.

Water Temperatures:

Our morning air temperatures are becoming cooler every day. As a result, the water temperatures have also cooled a bit from summertime highs. That means our water temperatures are pretty ideal in the mid 50s upriver to mid 60s downriver.

The relationship between trout and water temperatures is critical but it’s important to understand many nuances that affect that relationship. Generally speaking, trout need a specific amount of dissolved oxygen to maintain their metabolism. If the water is too cold or too hot then the oxygen levels will be affected, which will affect their metabolism, which will affect how readily they will feed. With that said, it’s important to understand that water temperature is not consistent throughout a river from upriver to downriver or from shallow to deep. The Arkansas cover thousands of feet in elevation change over the 152 miles of its trout water. So, the temperature will be drastically different at mile 1 than mile 152. Likewise, the Arkansas is known for its greatly contoured riverbed. Deep pools and pockets broken up by fast moving tumbling riffles and whitewater can provide plenty of cold well oxygenated refuge even on the hottest summer afternoon. Because of this, if the Arkansas ever sees temperature related fishing restrictions, then we have a very serious climate problem on our hands.

Flows:

It’s currently 432 cfs at the Wellsville gauge. The flows have slowly decreased since the end of the Voluntary Flow Management Program on August 15th, but we’re still slightly above what we often see for this time of year.

The Arkansas is a freestone river, and its headwaters are undammed. However, the flows are augmented at times, mainly from the Fry-Ark Project that moves west slope water via pipeline into Twin Lakes and then into the Arkansas through Lake Creek. As much as 20% of our water can come from the west slope. This spares the river of the high temperatures that can cause trout to struggle, and it doesn’t freeze throughout most of its length in the winter. Look to the Arkansas when other rivers are too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer.

Clarity:

The water is pretty darn clear throughout the entire river. We’re unlikely to get much more big rains that add color to the river. Experienced anglers know that the clearer the water the more precise your presentation needs to be.

Trout use their sense of sight heavily when feeding. It is much more important than their sense of smell. So, having the right water clarity is critical to fishing success. Like most high mountain rivers, the Arkansas is pretty clear. But the clarity is not consistent like it is on many tailwater rivers. Typically, the fall, winter, and spring, can be pretty low and clear, but any weather event that can raise the flows will affect the clarity. If the water is a little off-color then the fishing can be easier, but if it is reduced to under a foot of visibility you might as well stay home. Run-off in late May and early June will almost certainly destroy the clarity to unfishable levels throughout most of the river. But an afternoon thunderstorm in July or August may only effect specific sections below affected feeder drainages.

Habitat:

The trout have spread throughout the river and are not necessarily just along the edges. The flows are low enough that they are able to find pockets around exposed boulders. Also, look for riffles, foamy seams and eddies. Keep an eye out for shoals with water dumping over them into the main channel.

Trout habitat in the Arkansas is generally characterized by the cobble and boulder strewn riverbed. The only part of the river that doesn’t have a lot of boulders is Hayden Meadows. Hayden is known for its grassy cut banks. Downstream from there the river is fairly steep and rocky creating many whitewater rapids and tons of pocket water. The many canyons the river flows through are known for their larger pools that provide shelter for both Browns and Rainbows and rocky banks that the Browns love. Rocky velocity shelters are key for this Brown trout dominated fishery.

Food:

Most summertime hatches are over for the year. But there are plenty of terrestrials of all shapes and sizes. Blue Wing Olives are back, and their nymphs are an important food source. Midge larva can always be found on the menu. You will see a few caddis, but they’re never as important as the mayflies.

Generally speaking, the Arkansas has mostly small insects. In the summer, the trout will find some larger Golden Stoneflies and Grasshoppers, but they likely eat more small Mayflies and Midges than anything. Historically, the Arkansas has been known for its sky darkening clouds of Mother’s Day Caddis, but as the overall variety of insect life has increased the caddis hatch has become a bit smaller and more localized. Small mayflies like Pale Morning Duns in the summer and Blue Wing Olives in the Spring and Fall are just as important as the Mother’s Day Caddis at this point. Also, there really aren’t any vertebrates in the Arkansas other than the native White Sucker and non-native Rainbow and Brown Trout. The native Yellow Fin Cutthroat Trout is now extinct. So, while the trout will often eat other trout, insects are the main dish on the menu.

Suggested Flies:

Size 12-ish Chubby Chernobyls are always effective and pair well with Perdigon patterns like a size 18 Olive Spanish Bullet or size 18 Gasolina. I like a size 10 Dave’s Hopper, size 10 Sweetgrass Hopper, and a simple size 14 Sailor Ant for terrestrials. A size 18-20 Don’s BWO is a relatively easy to see option for the small mayflies. Lastly, weight can almost always be helpful on a river like the Arkansas. Tungsten beads are a must.

My philosophy on fly selection is based around the fact that I’m trying to catch trout instead of tricking them into thinking, “Oh look, there’s a Hesperoperla pacifica! I must eat it.” Trout don’t think like that, humans do. Trout recognize any number of characteristics of a fly and instinctually strike or simply strike because something hit them in the nose, and they are willing to take the chance that it might be an easy meal. So, I am more focused on figuring out what characteristics bring a strike and not what characteristics look more like a bug. With that said, understanding the natural food a trout is consuming is an important starting point.

Rigging:

Shorter heavier leaders can be helpful in our windy conditions with the large dry flies we often use here. If you prefer high-sticking or tight line/euro nymphing then you’ll obviously want something fairly long and thin. Either way I usually suggest starting with a tapered leader in the range of 7.5-foot 3x nylon and then adding tippet as needed. Streamers don’t need a tapered leader or have much length, so 5-6 feet of 0-1x level tippet is sufficient.

Tippet diameter should always be determined according to fly size and leader length by casting conditions. Trout aren’t really spooked by leader or tippet unless it splashes down on their heads. They ignore the hooks after all. What they care about is presentation. Inaccurate casts force the fish to move further to the fly. Dry flies that are dragging faster than the speed of the current or across currents take more energy to get to. As do nymphs that drag instead of sinking fast. Thicker tippet will drag more, but the thinner tippet and longer leaders lose more energy in the cast. So, large flies tied to small tippet will make for less accurate casts and small flies with large tippet will drag. Long leaders won’t cast as far or as accurately. Short leaders will sag more when high sticking or tight lining. Understanding how these variables affect your presentation is key. If you want to read more about rigging, click here.

Float Fishing:

Flows are high enough to keep the boating from being frustratingly technical, but it’s still technical. I suggest floating further from your target as the flows continue to decrease, the clarity gets even clearer, and monsoons get less frequent. The fish will get more spooky.

Boating on the Arkansas is whitewater rafting. Whitewater rafts outfitted with custom fishing frames are the norm and this river is way too rocky and technical for hard sided drift boats. No section of this river at any time of year is appropriate for a drift boat. With that said, not all of this river is hard-core whitewater. There are plenty of sections that offer mostly class II water for families or the novice boater. Like the Milk Run near Buena Vista and Big Bend to Salida East among others. Most float fishing occurs downriver of Buena Vista as the water upriver of there is either just too small or way too fast and technical for effective float fishing. Always do your research before setting out on the river for the first time. Also, check the flows for the section you plan to boat as flows can change overnight here making what was fun and splashy whitewater to something that may be way out of your league. Please always wear your PFD. Anglers can easily fall out of the boat in relatively calm water while they are more focused on fishing. Even the “calmest” water on this river can be life or death without a PFD. Also, please respect private property. In Colorado the landowner owns the riverbed, and it is trespassing to not only eddy out on private land but also to set anchor. Do you best to free your boat immediately if you inadvertently get stuck on a rock. Not all private land is obviously posted, but you must still respect it. You would probably want it that way if it was your land. Remember your actions reflect upon all boaters.

Wade Fishing:

Flows are definitely low enough to make for much easier wading than during the spring and early summer. Upriver of Buena Vista will have plenty of places that you can wade across the river. Less so below Salida, but those spots can probably still be found.

Wade fishing on the Arkansas can be a challenge due to its strong currents, steep rocky banks and cobble riverbed. Good sturdy boots are a must. Felt soles are legal here and highly recommended. As are wading staffs. Sandals are only good for broken toes and twisted ankles. Much of the year the fish are right up against the edge of the river so there is not always a need to wade far into the river, if at all. I often see wade anglers standing where the fish would be casting towards the middle where the fish wouldn’t be. Lastly, cover ground while wade fishing. Your success will be diminished if you are within a football field or two of another angler.

Sections:

Hayden Meadows is a place I usually avoid this time of year because the flows are very low, and clarity is very clear which typically makes the fishing most challenging. Currently, 94 cfs. Approximately 9,500 feet in elevation.

Granite doesn’t have much more water than Hayden right now and is just as crystal clear. So, your presentations will still need to be precise. The upper portions of the river are offering very technical and challenging fishing right now. Currently, 164 cfs. Approximately 9,000 feet in elevation.

Below Granite through Buena Vista is in great shape. Wading in this pocket-water laden section should provide some good days of wade fishing. Currently 261 cfs. Approximately 8,000 feet in elevation.

Brown’s Canyon has fairly limited access right now since the flows are still too high to safely wade across the river and too low for most fishing boats to effectively run. I am likely done float fishing in there for the year. Once flows get down in the 300-400 cfs range it becomes easier to wade across the river at Hecla Junction making the canyon much more available to wade fishing. Currently 422 cfs. Approximately 7,500 feet in elevation.

Big Bend and Salida is a decent place to float because it’s very novice and family friendly to float with almost no major rapids. If you float through downtown Salida, the new Scout wave can present big problems if you don’t t-off with plenty of momentum. With that said, it’s much less dangerous at current flows than what it’s like throughout much of the summer. The boat chute that they built is useless at most flows. Currently 401 cfs. Approximately 7,000 feet in elevation.

Upper and Lower Bighorn Sheep Canyons as well as Pleasant Valley are really fishing great right now. There are lots of big eddies under the many bluffs in this section that can not only hold lots of Blue Wing Olives in the afternoons but also larger Rainbows feeding on them. Currently 432 cfs. Approximately 7,000-6,000 feet in elevation.

The Royal Gorge is beyond the limits of the Gold Medal designation and is a little harder to access on foot since the road doesn’t follow the river here. It also has the biggest whitewater (class III-V) on the river and only experienced boaters should attempt it. Therefore, it doesn’t get as much fishing attention. That doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of fish here, but there will likely be less anglers. Currently 482 cfs. Approximately 5,500 feet in elevation.