Where to Go Arkansas River – Pueblo
Current Reports
Open 9 am to 6 pm Daily
Report Date: 9/29/2026
Current Conditions:
Flows below Pueblo Reservoir dropped again and are holding at roughly 60 CFS. The tailwater is relatively clear and water temperatures are in the mid 50's keeping fish happy. The quality water stretch from Pueblo Dam down to the Nature Center (and through the Valco Ponds reach) is fishing exceptionally well, especially during morning hours. Hatch activity is still showing a strong trico hatch in the morning, with caddis and BWO presence throughout the day.
Guide Report:
Juan Ramirez - 9/27/2026
Tricos still out. Not a ton of eating going on some days. Flows have been a little bit better recently.
Hans Mylant - 9-26-2026
Excellent fishing! Tricos
Weather:
Short Term -
Cloudy skies and a high chance of rain will give way to sunny weather over the weekend and temperatures should stay in the mid-60's with a high of 79 degrees on Saturday. Wind between 10 and 15mph over the next few days.
Long Term -
Daytime highs in the high 70's and low 80's will cool later in the day to the low-to-mid 50's over the next week. These cooler overnight temperatures will continue to stabilize river conditions throughout the entire tailwater corridor.
Hatches:
Early morning hours feature strong Trico mayfly activity (#20–24) in quiet tailouts and slow eddies, followed by spinner falls around mid-morning. Small tan Caddis (#16–18) and Pseudo-Baetis/BWOs (#18–22) emerge steadily by late morning. Midge larvae and pupae (#20–24) remain present all day, alongside late-season terrestrial drops (ants and hoppers) along brushy bank edges.
Tactics:
During the morning Trico hatch, run a double dry rig featuring a visible lead pattern (such as a small tan Caddis or Parachute Adams) with a tiny Trico spinner or female dun trailer on a 6x fluorocarbon tippet. For subsurface feeding, switch to a dry-dropper or micro-yarn setup. Lead with a red San Juan worm, midge larva, or small flash-back nymph, trailing an RS2 or Mercury Midge.
Tips:
With flows dropping from roughly 150 CFS down to around 60 CFS, fish are becoming more concentrated in deeper runs, pools, and other areas with enough depth and current to provide cover. Focus your morning efforts on the upper 3–4 miles below the dam through the Pueblo Nature Center, where water temperatures remain favorable and trout tend to stay active throughout the day. In the flatter, clearer tailwater sections, longer 10- to 12-foot leaders will help keep presentations subtle around wary fish. As afternoon temperatures rise, handle fish efficiently and keep releases as quick as possible.
Photo by Ted Demetriou
This is an area where we offer guided fly fishing trips. There is no better way to learn an area like the Ark Tailwater near Pueblo than hiring one of our Orvis-endorsed professional guides!
Recommended Fly Patterns
Dry Fly Patterns
- Sparkle Dun BWO, sizes #18-22
- Parachute Adams, Size #18-24
- Tan Elk Hair Caddis, sizes #16-18
- Stubby Chubbies, Light Yellow, UV Tan, Size #14-18
- Amy's Ant, Olive/Red, sizes #14-16
Nymph Patterns
- RS2, Grey or Black, sizes #20-24
- Massacre Midge, Brown, Size #18-22
- Silverman Cranefly Larva, Size #08
- Black Beauty, sizes #20-24
- Juju Baetis, Black or Olive, sizes #18-22
- San Juan Worm, Red or Brown, sizes #12-14
Streamer Patterns
- Mayers Mini Leech, Black, Size #12-14
- Fish Whacker Mini, White, #6
- Humdinger, Brown/Tan, Size #2
Anglers Covey Bug Of The Month:
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR "WHERE TO GO" PAGE FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON OTHER AREAS!
River Info
The tailwater on the Arkansas River has blossomed into one of the best fisheries in the state, and it's a short distance from town. Fish populations are very healthy here and even hold some truly goliath trout. The technical angler will be perfectly at home here. If you go further into town, you will also find many other different species of fish, including largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, and even carp.
This area is oftentimes best fished in the shoulder seasons or winter due to high flows in the summer. But don't let bigger flows stop you! We are the only outfitter on the front range that offers both guided walk/wade and float trips here.
This is an area we specialize and are permitted to guide in, so give us a shout if you have any question or if you are interested in allowing one of our Orvis Endorsed Guides show you how best to conquer the Arkansas River – Pueblo.
Interested in Booking a Trip?
Directions - 50 miles - 50 Minutes
- From Anglers Covey: take I-25 south to Pueblo
- Get off on the highway 50 exit and go right
- Take highway 50 to Pueblo Blvd. and turn left
- Turn right on Thatcher and take Thatcher to Valco Ponds.