Where to Go Arkansas River – Pueblo

Open 9 am to 6 pm Daily

Report Date: 10/3/2026

Current Conditions:

Combined streamflows below Pueblo Dam bumped up to a healthy, highly fishable level around 340 to 350 CFS following recent upper basin rain and dam release adjustments. This might not last long so get down there while you can! Water clarity is excellent throughout the state wildlife area and urban park reaches, with release temperatures moderating comfortably into the upper 50s near the dam. The increased volume has spread fish out into prime current seams, riffle heads, and broad glides, giving them extra coverage and confidence to feed actively without being pushed into ultra-tight holding cover.

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 -

The short term brings classic Front Range early fall weather across Pueblo. Warm, pleasant afternoons reaching the low to upper 70s give way to crisp, cool nights in the upper 40s to low 50s. Light, predictable breezes build during the afternoon hours, creating favorable conditions for midday hatches and keeping surface glare down along open gravel bars.

Long Term -

Heading deeper into October, cool fronts will gradually lower daily temperatures into the 60s and introduce periodic overcast, low pressure days. These cloud covered days will significantly extend afternoon hatch windows and trigger aggressive pre spawn feeding behavior among resident brown trout. Stable tailwater release temperatures will keep this reach feeding reliably long after surrounding mountain streams begin to freeze.

Hatches:

Micro midges provide steady, all day activity across the entire stretch. On overcast or late afternoon periods, fall tiny Baetis and Pseudocloeon mayflies emerge along soft current edges, tailouts, and slow foam lines. Late season caddis and scattered terrestrial activity, such as small land ants and beetles, still draw opportunistic surface takes during warm, sunny mid day hours.

Tactics:

With flows sitting in this comfortable mid range volume, both nymphing and dry fly tactics are producing well. Rig up two or three fly nymph setups using 5X or 6X fluorocarbon tippet. Lead with a non flashy attractor or small leech/scud pattern to reach the lower current column, followed by tiny midge or baetis emerger trailers. During active hatch periods, switch to delicate dry dropper rigs or long, fine leader single dry fly setups targeting subtle foam lines along the banks.

Tips:

Photo by Ted Demetriou