How to go fish the Arkansas River (Colorado)

The months we list for the Arkansas River (Colorado) are May, June, July, August, September, October. You are inside that window now, so this brief is written for August.

August

Reading the gauge…

Flies to tie — August

We hold no hatch chart for August on this river, so there is no fly list to publish here. Browse the fly library.

Access

Buena Vista River Park
38.842, -106.131parking
Salida East Bridge
38.535, -105.986parking
Pinnacle Rock (above Royal Gorge)
38.483, -105.367parking

Regs — check current rules before you go

Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for current regulations. Gold Medal water from Leadville to Pueblo Reservoir. Specific sections have catch-and-release and artificial-only restrictions.

Pack list

A current state fishing licence
Waders and boots you have already leak-tested
Net, nippers, forceps
Floatant and desiccant
Tippet in the sizes the chart asks for
Water, sun cover, polarised glasses

Generic gear. Anything specific to this water is above.

Full hatch chart, access map and live gauge on the Arkansas River (Colorado) page →