This winter’s upper Arkansas River drainage snowpack ended up exceeding 200% of normal. The Fryingpan River drainage, from which the Arkansas River derives significant imported water, also posted an extremely high snowpack. Yet year to date precipitation on the valley floor in Salida is only 45% of normal and our summer rainfall in June and July has been minimal. The result of this is that river flows from Granite downstream are actually below the historic averages for this date. If the “monsoon” rains arrive, a phenomenon that has occurred the last two years at the end of June, we may see flows stabilize or even rise and we will face the daily possibility of murky water in lower Bighorn Sheep Canyon. However, the longer we go without experiencing this, the less likely it seems to be. The forecast for this week calls for a daily possibility of thunderstorms – we shall see what, if any, impact this has on flows.
From a fishing perspective, the current conditions are very beneficial. Wading the Arkansas has become a much more attainable goal while float fishing remains completely viable. Lower, clearer water, coupled with a decreased current velocity in many areas, has encouraged brown trout to move off the edges, particularly through the middle of the day when skies are bright, and this has led us to resume using nymphs on a more regular basis. Dry-dropper rigs out on the seams, or double nymph rigs off significant shelf lines, are producing well. Bugs like pheasant tails, hot wire and psycho princes, and pmd Barr emergers are all taking fish. On top, we continue to fish a lot of double dry rigs – a stimulator, hopper, or parachute madam x followed by a caddis or pmd has been typical.
With flows dropping, conditions are also good for our rowing instructional program. Many of our guests have voiced interest in these classes this year and we have largely put it on hold until conditions were more conducive to a good experience. From here on out, I think it is a productive situation. In addition to our one-day individualized instruction, we also used to offer a 5-day spring intensive course. This course, while aimed at private recreational boaters, does fulfill the 50 hour state training requirement for whitewater and float-fishing guides. We did not offer this course this spring but are considering doing so this fall. Interested parties should contact me at greg@arkanglers.com or by phone at 719-539-4223. If we can get several folks together for the same time frame, we can possibly make this work.
We look forward to an excellent fall season – hope to see many of you back before long!
Greg Felt
ArkAnglers
