Arkansas River – 05/20/2025

Time: 11:30AM – 3:30PM

Location: Near Buena Vista

Arkansas River 05/20/2025 Photo Album

As I waded through my options for fishing on Friday, May 16, 2025; I reviewed the flows on the various Front Range streams. This survey of the DWR flow data taught me that the South Platte River was the one remaining moving water alternative, and I decided Eleven Mile Canyon would be my choice on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. However, after a series of cool weather days, I checked the stream conditions on the Arkansas River at Nathrop, and I was surprised to learn flows dropped from the 800 CFS range to the low 500’s. Could I squeeze in one more day on the Arkansas, before it blew up again, when run off resumed? I called the fly shop in Buena Vista, and Thomas answered and told me that the river was indeed clear and dropping and a viable fishing option.

I succumbed to the allure of the new area of the Arkanasas River, and made the drive to Buena Vista. Along my route I saw digital signs warning of the danger of high wind. Was my decision to fish in severe weather conditions a good one?

Flows Were Up a Bit but Decent

I stopped at the Buena Vista fly shop and introduced myself to Thomas and purchased a spool of 4X tippet and continued on my way to the parking area near my chosen fly fishing location. The temperature, when I exited the Telluride was 56 degrees, but the wind was gusting and made it feel much chillier, so I pulled on my long sleeve thermal undershirt, my fleece hoodie and my North Face light down coat. I forgot to pack my rain shell, which I normally use as a windbreaker. I also decided against wearing my wide brimmed western hat in favor of my billed New Zealand hat with ear flaps. This may sound like overkill for 56 degrees, but I was comfortable for most of the morning and early afternoon. For a fly rod I pulled my Sage One five weight from its tube to combat the wind.

More Clear Pockets

I hiked the .15 mile path to the top of the bank overlooking the river, and then I followed the trail downstream for .2 mile, before I negotiated the bank and positioned myself along the river’s edge. I wanted to explore the downstream area, since I did not start there on my earlier trip. To begin my search for trout, I selected an amber ice dub body size 8 chubby Chernobyl, and then I added an iron Sally and an olive perdigon.

A Winner

The river was a bit higher than my earlier visit, and this forced me to limit my casting to the west bank with minimal coverage of the center of the river. I prospected for thirty minutes until lunch at noon, and I managed to land three brown trout. Much to my amazement one crushed the chubby Chernobyl and the others grabbed the olive perdigon.

In Front of the Boulder Produced

After lunch I resumed my progress, and my success was limited to a couple temporary hookups. It was at this time that I waded to a spot, and when I placed my right foot between two rocks, it slipped causing me to temporarily lose my balance. My rod was in my right hand, and I reached down with that hand to prevent a fall, but I also placed the rod across two exposed rocks. Although I did not fall, I did suddenly lean to the right to rebalance, and this act snapped the Sage One in the butt section. Needless to say I was not happy, but after a bit of berating myself for my stupidity, I regained my composure. I removed the flies, broke down the rod, and returned to the car; which, fortunately was not far away. I returned the broken rod to its case and pulled out my back up five weight Loomis.

Promising

I returned to the river and resumed from the scene of my unfortunate accident. I exchanged the iron sally for a 20 incher and maintained the perdigon. These flies remained in place, until I snagged something in front of a large exposed rock, and the location was too precarious to allow a rescue, so I ended up snapping off all three flies. When I rigged anew, I substituted an olive-black Pat’s rubber leg for the 20 incher.

Chubby Eater

Using these fly combinations I increased the fish count from three to eight, before I called it a day around 3:30PM. The chubby Chernobyl accounted for two fish, the rubber legs logged one, and the remainder nabbed the olive perdigon. My day was rather slow, and I covered a lot of water to generate the eight fish day. The wind was a huge hassle. It gusted frequently from the north and created a frustrating headwind. My most effective casts were up and across with long drifts across from my position and downstream. Most of the landed fish appeared from deep lies in front of or next to large submerged or exposed boulders. I suspect that the lack of insect activity and the cold snow melt caused the fish to hug structure and not move very far for food.

One of the Better Fish

The size of the fish was quite favorable with nearly all being in the twelve to thirteen inch range. In one place I made a cast across a fast current to a wide slow moving pool below a large boulder, and as the flies began to swing, a fish grabbed one of the nymphs. I set the hook and turned the fish temporarily and exposed the side of a fairly long brown trout. I suspect it may have been the largest fish I’ve seen in my newly discovered stretch of the river.

Lovely Spot

I suspect I should have adhered to my original inclination and fished the South Platte, but high winds were in the forecast there as well. Breaking my rod was a bummer, but landing eight nice brown trout under challenging conditions during a lull in run off was actually a decent accomplishment  Nevertheless, tailwaters and lakes are in my future.

Fish Landed: 8