Arkansas River (Colorado)

The Arkansas River in Colorado is one of the longest stretches of Gold Medal trout water in the state, flowing through the dramatic Arkansas River Valley from its headwaters near Leadville down through the Royal Gorge and into the high plains below Canon City. The river's upper reaches above Buena Vista offer outstanding freestone fishing for brown and rainbow trout in a classic mountain valley setting, with the Collegiate Peaks providing a stunning backdrop to every cast. Below the confluence with Lake Creek near Twin Lakes, the river gains volume and power, creating the kind of big-water runs and deep pools that hold genuinely large trout.

The Arkansas undergoes a remarkable transformation as it passes through the towns of Salida, Howard, and into the Royal Gorge. The canyon sections offer fewer but larger fish, with brown trout exceeding 20 inches a realistic possibility for anglers willing to work deep nymphs through the heavy water. The river's stonefly hatches are excellent, with salmonflies and golden stoneflies drawing fish to the surface in June, followed by prolific caddis activity through the summer. The Arkansas is also one of the premier whitewater rafting rivers in the country, which means fly anglers share the water with commercial raft traffic during peak summer months. Early morning fishing before the rafts launch, or targeting the quieter stretches between popular whitewater runs, are effective strategies for avoiding the crowds while still enjoying outstanding trout fishing in one of Colorado's most scenic river corridors.