Many who monitor conditions on the Arkansas River know that winter and early spring flows have been unusually high this year, the result of releases from Twin Lakes. The Bureau of Reclamation has been moving water from Twin Lakes to Pueblo Reservoir in order to vacate space for imports from the Frying Pan drainage during runoff. The large releases reflected the intent of the Bureau to move this water early, so that they would be able to reduce flows during the critical period of 4/1-5/15. Though late storms could necessitate some additional mild releases, the Bureau has completed its plan on time and is now stepping down the flows over the next four days. By Friday, the entire 330 cfs run from Twin Lakes will be reduced to zero, leaving us with a Wellsville flow around 300 cfs.
To say this is good news would be an understatement. Spring flows of 250-400 cfs are optimal for the brown trout fishery:
- Dropping the flow reduces the current velocity, allowing brown trout to make use of much more river bottom habitat. This reduces competition, allowing more fish to feed more effectively.
- In April and May, reduced flows allow the water temperature to warm more, strengthening the hatches and increasing trout metabolisms.
- Lower flows also lead to better recruitment of brown trout fry as they emerge from the redds in April.
- Low flows make wading easier and make more of the river accessible to anglers.
While it is early yet to project, it looks like flows will remain quite low well into May. There may be an occasional slug of murky water due to rain or melt from an abnormally hot day, but true runoff will probably not be a factor until May 20th or so.
Blue wing olives are hatching consistently now and caddis should begin to emerge in Canon City in 2-3 weeks. There are a few caddis around, not the species that causes all the excitement, but fish will take them off the surface late in the day. Stonefly nymphs and caddis larvae continue to take a lot of fish early in the day while the afternoons are devoted to blue wing olives.
If you’ve been holding out for dry fly fishing or easier wading, the wait is over. Both are happening now on the Arkansas.
Greg Felt
