Where to Go Arkansas River – Pueblo

 SUMMER HOURS 6 am to 6 pm Daily

Report Date: 8/27/2026

 Voluntary closure 12 pm - 12 am daily - CPW

Current Conditions:

Flows below the dam are running low at roughly 60 cfs, making the water clear, slow, and highly technical. Lower section water temperatures spike significantly by afternoon, prompting a voluntary closure on the stretch east of Pueblo Blvd from 12 pm to 12 am. Stick to the cold tailwater flows in the upper two miles directly below the dam, and plan to finish your day before midday.

Guide Report:

Ted Demetriou - 8/18/2026

476 cfs. Slow. Fish on Splatte Roller Caddis, Worms, and Annelids.

Hopper Juan Ramirez - 8-18-2026

Flows at 370cfs. Awesome! Tricos and Caddis. Shuts off mostly at 9:30 am.

Weather:

Short Term -

Expect typical desert-style late summer heat, with daytime highs climbing into the lower to mid 90s under sun and scattered clouds. Winds stay relatively light around 5 to 10 mph, but late afternoon heat can trigger localized isolated thunder or sudden gusty winds.

Long Term -

The extended pattern keeps hot and dry conditions in place, with persistent daytime highs hovering in the 90s and overnight lows dropping into the upper 50s. Rains remains minimal over the lower basin, meaning low flow conditions will persist until agricultural water demands or upper-basin releases change.

Hatches:

Trico mayflies dominate the early morning window, starting with an emergence right at dawn and followed quickly by a dense spinner fall. You will also see a steady mix of small midges, sporadic tan caddis in the morning and evening, lingering PMDs, and a strong presence of terrestrial ants and beetles along the brushy banks.

Tactics:

Rig up lightweight dry-dropper or yarn indicator setups to keep your presentation delicate and avoid spooking fish in the shallow, glassy tailwater pools. Target the transition seams where deep slots spill out into slow, sandy-bottom glides, drifting small micro-nymphs or emergers just off the riverbed. During the morning Trico drop, position yourself downstream of tailout pods to cast delicate, low-profile spinner patterns on long 6X or 7X fluorocarbon leaders.

Tips:

Carry a stream thermometer and stop fishing if water temperatures approach 68 degrees, which happens quickly as you move downstream past the Nature Center. Start your day right at first light to capitalize on the prime morning feeding window and cold dam releases before midday sun puts the fish down. Take advantage of the heavy streamside brush and high banks by keeping a low profile and staying out of the water whenever possible to avoid pushing wake through the quiet pools.

Photo by Ted Demetriou