What You Should Bring
Reusable water bottle
Sunscreen
Hat
Polarized sunglasses
Rain gear
Multiple layers of quick drying clothing
What You Should Expect
Patient instruction when needed
Variable high desert weather
Potential to get wet
Challenging whitewater
Casting to wary wild trout
6,000 t0 8,000 feet in elevation
What I Bring
Expert advice on fly selection
Simms waders and wading boots
9’ 5 weight Orvis rods and reels
Lunches and drinks on full-day trips
Safety gear and 1st aid
20+ years of experience on the Arkansas River
What I Row
Spacious 14 ft. NRS whitewater raft
Custom Down River fishing frame
Comfortable front and rear seats
Front and rear diamond plate casting decks
Front and rear thigh braces
Front stripping basket
When Should I Fish?
The most common question I am asked is when the best time is to fish the Arkansas River. The answer is subjective based on what type of conditions you prefer, how you prefer to catch the fish and your preferred weather. The fishing is excellent most of the year with the exception of during run-off. So, here is a month-to-month breakdown of what is often happening on the Arkansas River. It doesn’t always work out exactly like this, but I hope this will help you plan your trip.
April
This is the beginning of my guiding season. The water is typically low and clear on the Ark which will require precise presentation. We can see consistent Blue Wing Olive hatches in the afternoons and the sometimes cloudy/wet/snowy days might spur the trout to focus on eating the adults on the surface making for great dry fly fishing. Spring Blue Wing Olives is by far the best hatch we have on the Arkansas. The weather can be highly variable with 70’s one day and a foot of snow the next with wind most days. Dry-droppers dominate my approach. Rainbows are spawning. April is my favorite time to fish this river.
May
The weather is probably getting more consistent, but we can still see a May snowstorm. We may still get consistent Blue Wing Olive hatches. Streamer fishing can be exciting. Dry-droppers dominate my approach. In the beginning of the month, flows often start to increase, which should make floating a little smoother, but by the end of the month run-off is usually in full force. Run-off may shut down floating due to poor water clarity. Typical flows on the Ark in the Salida area for April may be 250 to 500 cfs while run-off peaks in May or June can often be 10 times as much. So, the fish are trying to pack on the pounds before the deluge they know is coming.
June
The beginning of June is typically washed out with snow melt on the Arkansas. By the end of the month the flows should subside a bit to make for more effective float fishing. The fish are super hungry and compressed along the edges making them a somewhat easier target for anglers at this time. Dry-droppers dominate my approach. This is another favorite time to fish.
July
This is usually the busiest time of year on the Arkansas. The fish have plenty of food options from big stoneflies to small mayflies and everything in between. So, a variety of tactics are successful, but dry-droppers still dominate my approach. The flows are usually still up but usually not close to the extremes of run-off. This is monsoon season, so while you may get sunny warm mornings, there will be a thunderstorm most afternoons. This may also affect water clarity at times.
August
The flows on the river usually begin to lower. The fish likely have been heavily pressured for a while now and can be highly educated. With that said, the fishing can still be excellent. It is still monsoon season. Dry-droppers still dominate my approach.
September
September usually brings low clear water and sunny skies. Plenty of fish can still be caught but your technique may have to be more precise than earlier in the summer. Blue Wing Olive hatches are back, but the dry windy conditions make it harder for the fish to target the adults on the surface. However, due to abundant terrestrials dry-droppers still dominate my approach. September weather can be absolutely perfect with 72 degree highs, bluebird skies and maybe an afternoon breeze.
October - March
While the fishing can still be excellent, I tend not to guide much this time of year. I need time to rest, do a little hunting and hang with the family. However, if you want to go it alone the Ark has the best winter fishing in the state and mild weather compared to the rest of the mountains. Pick sunny days to fish, target slow runs and under the edge of any ice shelves. Throw very small flies, like midges, paired with heavy flies, like stoneflies. See you in the spring!