The Arkansas in Colorado

Mukman

Mukman

Life of the Party
Going to be able to spend a few days stealing some time away from a family gathering in CO to fish the Arkansas or some of it's tribs in the section between Buena Vista and Salida. Been reading what I can, and it looks like I should approach it like I would the Yak. Has anyone been around this area that could provide some guidance? Also, the land use question is a little concerning because it seems as though CO has some unique and variable rules around private/public access and what water can be fished. Thanks in advance for any intel.
 
Enjoy fishing the Arkansas! Lots of brown trout. There is epic whitewater rafting in that area as well.
 
You can fish public land only, you cannot wade on private land.

If I were you take a little of your fishing time to drive below Salida and fish near Coropaxi. Lots of public land along there. Hopper fishing should be good about now..
 
Mukman said:
Going to be able to spend a few days stealing some time away from a family gathering in CO to fish the Arkansas or some of it's tribs in the section between Buena Vista and Salida. Been reading what I can, and it looks like I should approach it like I would the Yak. Has anyone been around this area that could provide some guidance? Also, the land use question is a little concerning because it seems as though CO has some unique and variable rules around private/public access and what water can be fished. Thanks in advance for any intel.
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I fished that section once. It was fun, plenty of fish around, cool scenery. I remember I went to a fly shop, took my box in and was like, "what do I need"? I had a pretty stocked box but they found some things to recommend. I don't remember what patterns, but it wasn't the kind of place that you needed a bunch of specialty flies. It was pretty standard trout fishing. I think I went in April and I caught fish on dries, nymphs and streamers. I also remember driving way up to an upper river meadow-y access and it snowed heavily. There wasn't much structure to the river so I was wading down the middle tossing big meat to the banks. I got one huge blowup with no hook-up before I got out of there with the rental car before conditions got too dicey. I stopped back at the fly shop on the way back to report the good fishing and they said I was the only one they'd heard good things from. I think people make trout fishing too complicated sometimes. For the most part, trout are trout.
 
Matt B said:
I fished that section once. It was fun, plenty of fish around, cool scenery. I remember I went to a fly shop, took my box in and was like, "what do I need"? I had a pretty stocked box but they found some things to recommend. I don't remember what patterns, but it wasn't the kind of place that you needed a bunch of specialty flies. It was pretty standard trout fishing. I think I went in April and I caught fish on dries, nymphs and streamers. I also remember driving way up to an upper river meadow-y access and it snowed heavily. There wasn't much structure to the river so I was wading down the middle tossing big meat to the banks. I got one huge blowup with no hook-up before I got out of there with the rental car before conditions got too dicey. I stopped back at the fly shop on the way back to report the good fishing and they said I was the only one they'd heard good things from. I think people make trout fishing too complicated sometimes. For the most part, trout are trout.
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I think you're right. To me in part that means picking what should be working based on the season and covering water.

One other thing about the Colorado front range. The sun there is just different than here 70 there is like 85 here keeping hydrated is much more serious there keep lots of water on you.
 
Rob Allen said:
I think you're right. To me in part that means picking what should be working based on the season and covering water.

One other thing about the Colorado front range. The sun there is just different than here 70 there is like 85 here keeping hydrated is much more serious there keep lots of water on you.
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The only fly I remember for sure using was a prince nymph because I'm from Washington and so I just indicator fished with prince nymphs everywhere and they always worked. I haven't done much nymphing lately but if I did I would probably use a prince nymph. I was in Brown's Canyon and it seemed like stonefly water. I think prince nymphs look a little like stoneflies, maybe with some white stuff stuck to it :LOL:
 
Years ago I was visiting Colorado Springs on business every summer, I regularly took advantage of ArkAngler float trips on the Arkansas. A full day’s float through Browns Canyon is one to remember. The hopper fishing was terrific.

arkanglers.com

Guided Trips - ArkAnglers

With a variety of guided wade, float, and power boat options available, we’ve got something for everyone. Every trip includes rental gear, transportation to and from the water, and dedicated personal attention from our expert guides.
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There are public water accesses and its pretty well marked. You can also buy a detailed map of the river and there's always free literature that have pretty good maps showing access points.
 
Last Saturday I was sightseeing with my daughter and drove a big loop out of Denver. From Leadville to Johnson Village, through Hartsel, and back to Denver. Man I wished I had a fly rod. So much great looking, small water. I would love to explore that area some day.
 
Salida is a great town. The Ark is pretty straight forward with trout tactics. Check in at Ark Anglers in town. I liked fishing where clear creek flowed in, that's a bit further north. There's some good access right in Buena Vista. Like Rob mentioned downstream from town is a good section. fish up river with dries and nymphs and then back down river with a streamer. Hit up some hot springs while you're there! Princeton HS is expensive but have a nice setting right by a creek. Joyful Journey is a bit longer of a drive from Salida but cheaper and has a nice view of the Sangre de Cristos.
 
Love that river. Stop in at ArkAnglers, they sell a map that shows public access. Favorite sections are at and above Granite and above Vallie Bridge. In addition to what is said above, don't be caught without your tiny mayfiles and caddis in Colorado. If you need to nymph, brown/red perdigons and frenchies will crush.
 
I fished the headwaters from time to time. A beautiful river. Like most of the Colorado, my only suggestion would be to have some size 18-22 nymphs on hand. Never had much issue with land though. People are pretty good about posting No Trespassing signs.
 
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