Fly fishing · CO · Salida / Buena Vista · Gold Medal

Arkansas River: hatch chart + live conditions

Gold Medal freestone river through the Arkansas Valley. Good caddis and PMD hatches. Wade fishing below Salida is accessible. High volume during runoff, so best access is May through October.

Current conditions: Checking USGS… USGS site 07091500

Top 3 dry flies for July

1
Elk Hair Caddis fly pattern
Size 12-16 · dry
Matches active hatch: caddis.
2
Stimulator fly pattern
Size 10-14 · dry
Matches active hatch: caddis.
3
Trico Spinner fly pattern
Size 20-24 · dry
Matches active hatch: trico.

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12-month hatch chart

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Frequently asked

What are the best months to fish the Arkansas River?

Best months: April, May, June, July, August, September, October.

What flies hatch on the Arkansas River in July?

Active hatches this month: caddis, terrestrial, trico, pale morning dun.

What species are in the Arkansas River?

Primary: rainbow trout, brown trout. Gold Medal freestone river through the Arkansas Valley. Good caddis and PMD hatches. Wade fishing below Salida is accessible. High volume during runoff, so best access is May through October.

Are there special fishing regulations on the Arkansas River?

No special-regulation section is listed here, so standard Colorado trout regulations apply. Check CO CPW before fishing.

How do I check live water conditions on the Arkansas River?

The live USGS reading is shown at the top of this page (site 07091500). It refreshes hourly.

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