Fishing Report for the Arkansas River Tailwater, Pueblo:
Date: September 4th, 2024
Temperature: 67F from the dam, 65 – 72F D ownstream
Clarity : 2 to 3 feet visibility
The tailwater is seeing the best late summer flows in recent memory which is keeping fish relatively spread out and offering lots of fishable water. However, we are also experiencing warmer than normal water temps so focus on fishing in the morning and be sure to play fish as quickly. It is also very important to keep fish in moving water once netted and until they are ready to be released. The morning hours are also when you can fish through the Trico lifecycle from emergence through egg laying and spinner fall. The trico spinner fall can offer up some of the most exciting AND demanding dry fly fishing of the year while chasing 20″ plus fish on sz 22 dry flies.
Our guide trips continue to produce great numbers and quality of fish. Give us a call at (719) 543-3900 to book a trip you are sure to remember!
The tailwater is very wader friendly now that flows have dropped back down after last weeks rainfall and fishing has been quite good in the morning hours. Tricos are finally abundant and the fish are taking notice. We are having good action fishing through the hatch both nymphing and with dry flies. Fishing really shuts down by noon and water temps are starting to hit the low 70’s by then so we recommend not fishing midday for the foreseeable future, or at least until we get another cool front. There can be a good late evening/nighttime window after sunset to fish dry flies (skated and on the dead drift) as caddis adults return to the river to lay eggs.
Flows are up a bit with the recent rains we’ve had this past week but we should see some drops over the coming days if the forecast plays out as predicted. The higher flow makes for more challenging wading but it also puts the stream banks in closer proximity to where the plentiful grasshoppers are hanging out. The tailwater isn’t known as a great terrestrial fishery but this year is definitely better than most for throwing big hoppers.
Water temperatures continue to creep up and are now at 67F from the dam. Play fish aggressively and keep them in the net and in the current when releasing. Expect fishing to really shut down midday so try to get out early in the morning or late evening. The best fishing will be in the first couple miles of the dam for the next month or so until night time temps start to cool things down.
We are currently offer half-day, early morning guide trips on the tailwater to correspond with the best water temperature and bug activity window. Give us a call or swing by the shop to book your trip.
Caddis Pupa: Hot-Wire Caddis, Z-wing Caddis, Tungsten Dart, Soft hackle Hare’s Ear #14-16
Caddis Adult: Parachute Caddis, Foam Elk Hair, Foam Run Caddis #14-16
Trico Nymph/Emerger: Foamback Emerger, Sparkle Wing Rs2, Tailwater Tiny, Pheasant Tail #20-22
Trico Dun/Spinner: Barr’s Vis-a-Dun, Zipp’s Dead on Arrival (DOA), Tungsten Spinner #20-22
Other: Jigged Sexy Walts, Squirrel Leech, True Blood, Tungsten San Juan Worm
Streamers: Peanut Envy, Wounded Sculpin, Thinmint, Big Gulp and Sparkle Yummy Minnow
