Blue Wings and Blue Noses

It is fair to say now that the blue wing olive hatch is in full swing on the Arkansas River below Salida. Both Saturday and Sunday, ArkAnglers guides reported adult mayflies on the surface and pods of fish feeding on them. This is a very “situational” hatch – one angler might encounter a tremendous hatch and feeding frenzy and someone 200 yards downstream might not see a bug. But odds are better now than they were a few weeks ago that cloudy skies will bring nymphs swimming to the surface and the fish are becoming conditioned to taking the adults on top.

We continue to field a lot of questions about runoff. Over the last 10 days, the upper basin snowpack declined from 146% to 136%, a positive trend in our view, but a long way from where we’d like to be. In our experience, it seems unlikely that true runoff will begin much before the May 15-20 period when it usually does. We may have a few small-scale events caused by rain or low elevation snow followed by a hot day, but until the sun is at a certain angle in the sky, it seems unlikely that true runoff will begin. Flows are higher than normal now, but they are the result of releases from Twin Lakes and not the melting of snow. We actually expect flows to recede a bit later in April as releases are decreased.

 We still have good availability for most days during the caddis hatch. It seems like we are a little behind schedule on our bookings, the result most likely of the weather and uncertain economic times. Please call us at 719-539-4223 or email to info@arkanglers if you would like more info on our trips or would like to make a reservation. We feel confident that despite the snowpack this will be a good hatch season.

If there is one statement that can be made about springtime on the Arkansas, it is that you can’t make one statement about springtime on the Arkansas. Each day presents a unique combination of factors that play into the behavior of the fish, and the nature of the fishing. It is a very rare day in which fish don’t eat – more common are those when we simply can’t identify what it is they are eating. Some days good fishing lands in our lap. Other days are challenging, to say the least. It is important this time of year to gather as much information as one can on the known forces at work within the fishery, but it is equally important to remain observant, vigilant, for clues as to what is really transpiring beneath the surface. By doing so, the toughest of days can become the best, those days where adversity transforms into brilliance, where we learn lessons we never forget.

Blue wing olive mayflies represent the best chance at a hatch and surface feeding now. As we have been blessed with mostly sunny weather of late, the hatches have been few. Nevertheless, the mayfly nymphs are very active and yesterday saw a flurry of fish working subsurface in the Wellsville area. The mixed weather predicted through early next week will probably bring more bugs to the surface.

Down along the bottom of the river, there is a lot more going on. Stonefly nymphs continue to become available to fish, particularly when they are molting out of their exoskeletons. Midge pupa, both black and red, also provide a steady food source. And caddis larvae are undergoing periodic drifts as well as they move towards maturity. From 11-3, blue wing olives are often the most likely food source for trout. But earlier in the morning and later in the afternoon/evening, these other bugs represent a more plausible offering to have on the line.

When you go to the river, take a little time before plunging in to look into the water and try to determine what the fish are up to. Take periodic breaks from casting to gain a vantage again and attempt to spot fish. Keeping an eye on water temperature through the day can provide valuable predictive information as well, both regarding insect and trout behavior. Anticipate changes in light as clouds move across the sky. And when the clouds do occlude the sun, don’t forget that the swallows may provide an earlier indication than the trout of adult insects beginning to fly.

 It is springtime. It’s beautiful. Dynamic. Bountiful. Cruel. It promises a lot, doesn’t always deliver, but it beats the heck out of winter.

Mid-March Fishing Update

With a warmer week on tap, the Arkansas River insect and fish populations continue to become more active. Blue wing olive hatches are now common below Salida while stonefly nymphs, bwo nymphs, and midge pupa continue to garner good attention. Flows are higher than normal for this point in the spring, but water quality has been good and the water temperature more stable. ArkAnglers has had a number of float and wade trips in recent weeks, but our schedule for the next four weeks is still wide open. Now is a good time to get on the water ahead of the caddis crowds. Call us at 719-539-4223 or email to info@arkanglers.com if you would like more information or to schedule a trip.

 We have a number of brand new discontinued rods that are on sale:

Sage SLT  9 foot 4wt 4 piece regularly $615, sale price $430

         SLT 8′9″ 3 wt 4 piece regularly $615, sale price $430

         SLT 8′9″ 3 wt 2 piece regularly $555, sale price $388

         SLT 9′ 4 wt 2 piece regularly $555, sale price $388

Scott  S3 9′ 5 wt 4 piece regularly $625, sale price $438

           V2 9′ 5 wt 2 piece regularly $185, sale price $129

           V2 9′ 4 wt 2 piece regularly $185, sale price $129

           V2 8.5′ 5 wt 2 piece regularly $185, sale price $129

Orvis  TLS 9′ 5 wt 2 piece regularly $290, sale price $203

 We will be glad to ship these rods, or anything in our inventory, the day the order is placed. Phone or email with questions or to order.

Turning of the Tide

ArkAnglers guides have encountered several blue wing olive mayfly hatches over the last three days. This is earlier than normal but represents a gift to those who are truly crippled by cabin fever. The hatches have been noted thus far in the upper reaches of Bighorn Sheep Canyon. We have seen isolated bwos further downstream, as well as strong midge hatches. In addition to this new emergence, we continue to experience golden stoneflies molting (and hence more available to fish), caddis larvae drifting, and blue wing olive nymphs more active regardless of an actual hatch. The fishing is turning on, time to get down to the Arkansas or at least make plans.

 ArkAnglers has a quiver of rental/demo rods that we are going to sell. They are Sage 590 Launch and Sage 590 DS IIs – cost is $110 and includes shipping. These are entry level rods, good for a back-up or for someone new to the sport. Contact us at info@arkanglers.com or call 719-539-4223 if interested.

 Greg Felt will be giving a talk on spring hatches at the Cherry Creek Orvis Store this Saturday morning from 11:00-1:00. This is a good “tune up” opportunity for those who fish the river sporadically and may have grown a little fuzzy on spring details.

 Our spring schedule is filling in around the caddis hatch. Don’t delay if you want a guided trip this spring.

We look forward to fishing with you soon!

A River Awakens

This is the new blog for ArkAnglers, Colorado’s premier guide service and fly shops on the Arkansas River. By opting in to this blog, you will receive regular updates on the Arkansas River, tips and suggestions for improving your fishing experience, and notices of special deals or events that may be of interest. Postings will generally be brief and specific.

The upper Arkansas River brown trout fishery is finally shaking off winter. Hatching midges, molting stonefly nymphs, and drifting caddis larvae are motivating fish to move out of the deep winter holding water and into feeding positions in tail-outs and structured shoreline. While fish and bug activity are still tied to weather, increasingly warmer average water temperatures are generating more activity. For more detailed reports, go to www.arkanglers.com. For questions, or to make reservations for a guided trip, call us at 719-539-4223 or email to info@arkanglers.com.