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Where to Go Arkansas River – Pueblo

Current Reports

 

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SPRING HOURS: 9am TO 6pm DAILY

 


Photo by Covey Guide Brian Hilbert

 

Report Date: 5/12/2025

 

Current Conditions:
  The flows are down to 411 cfs. and absolutely perfect! These are about the best flows and conditions you could get on the tailwater. Its a great time to fish this area before downstream water demand increases and they really crank up the flows. Fish will spread out all over the river and they have been feeding heavy during the BWO and midge hatches. Its best to keep tabs on the flows down here as they can change suddenly without any notice.
Hatches:
 Midges and BWO's are the main bugs right now. But with the increase in flows, we have thrown a lot of stonefly nymphs, cranefly larva, and caddis larva
Tactics:
 These are great flows to sight fish in. Cover ground and find the feeding fish!  Hatch specific bugs are the name of the game right now.

Weather:

Short Term-  We will remain very warm (for this time of year) through Tuesday. Temps will be in the mid to upper 80's and quiet. Wednesday will be warm still but extremely windy. Temps will remain very nice through this coming weekend. Precipitation chances are non existent through the next week or so.

Long Term-  Towards the beginning of next week, we will cool down a bit here. Temps will still be very nice and in the upper 60's/low 70's. We could see some rain chances early in the week, but right now they do look pretty low. Long range forecasts are still predicting a dry and warm end of spring/start to summer. Lets hope thats not the case...

 

Tips:
Work water and move around. The clarity is great and sightfishing is a blast right now.   We would suggest keeping an eye on the flows as well.
PARKING NOTE- If you do fish in here, we recommend you don't leave anything in your car. Only take what you will have on your person. Thieves have been breaking into cars all over the place. 
This is an area we offer guided walk/wade and float trips, please give us a call if you are interested!
RECOMMENDED PATTERNS
For a custom fly assortment for this location, click here!
Our top 6 nymphs for today-
  • Pats rubber legs, size 16
  • Rs2- grey. size 22
  • Slim shady, olive, size 22
  • Barrs emerger, olive, size 18-20
  • Blowtorch, size 16-18
  • Mini leach, olive, Sizes 14-18
Our top Dry flies for today-
  • Neils BWO, size 22
  • Mole Fly, all colors, sizes 18-24
  • Parachute adams, sizes 20-26
  • Matts midge, size 22
Our top Streamer patterns for today-
  • Laser legal, Natural. Size 4
  • Double Gonga, yellow. Size 4
  • Mini dungeon, olive, size 6

 

Standard nymph rig set up. 

 

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR “WHERE TO GO” PAGE FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON OTHER AREAS! 

Shop Hand-Picked Pueblo tailwater Flies

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

  1. From Anglers Covey: take I-25 south to Pueblo
  2. Get off on the highway 50 exit and go right
  3. Take highway 50 to Pueblo Blvd. and turn left
  4.  Turn right on Thatcher and take Thatcher to Valco Ponds.
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