High Plains Drifters

Arkansas River - Below Pueblo Reservoir 2/25/24

Date: February 25, 2024

Trip Captain: Dwyne Combs

Contact - trips@flyfisherscolorado.com or 785-410-7298

For those that want to share a ride we will meet at Cabela's parking lot at 6am

(10670 Cabela Dr, Lone Tree, CO 80124)

We will then meet at the Elmwood Golf Course Clubhouse in Pueblo at 8 am for breakfast and to plan out the morning. From here we will go to the parking area across the road from the Dam. There a day use fee for this area unless you have a state parks annual sticker.

Lunch: At 1pm we will meet in the parking lot for a shore lunch, HPD will provide the main course. Please bring a side dish and your own drink.

RIVER INFORMATION

This tailwater section of the Arkansas River, located below Pueblo Reservoir, has quickly become a popular destination for anglers near and far. Over the past several years, the city of Pueblo has undergone major stream restoration efforts on this piece of water. The results of this work has created a truly fantastic fishery where fish over 20 inches are common. The upper 4 miles of this tailwater, which flows through the town of Pueblo, is the most popular stretch of this river and was even featured in the book "The 50 Best Tailwaters to Fly Fish" by Wendy and Terry Gunn. This river is home to a healthy population of rainbow and brown trout eager to take a well-presented fly.

In true tailwater fashion, the fishing here can get quite technical at times so be prepared to fish long leaders, 6x or 7x tippet, and flies into the size 22-24 range.

SEASONAL CONDITIONS

Winter on the Arkansas Tailwater below Pueblo Reservoir can provide some of the best fishing around the state. This fishery generally fishes well all winter.

1) Its location in Pueblo is unique compared to the majority of other tailwaters around the state because of the weather patterns. While temperatures around the state plunge, Pueblo has a very mild climate generally 10-20 degrees warmer on the daily average compared to Denver. 2) Another big factor here are the flows. Average summer flows here make it a very difficult to wade. As Fall and Winter approach the flows will drop giving anglers great access to the river.

There is an abundance of species in this tailwater from Bass to Rainbow Trout, however the upper few miles below the dam are where most people focus their efforts targeting trout. This stretch of river is home to some of the most vibrant Rainbow Trout in the state thanks to the never-ending food supply created by the dam. Fish size here ranges from small to very large with Rainbows pushing the two-foot mark never out of the question. Along with the Rainbows, there is a very healthy Brown trout population. The Browns are fairly elusive here given the abundance of structure these fish have to hold in, however streamers and nymphs are a great way to move these fish. Annual reports of very large Brown Trout are not uncommon.

Bug life here is superabundant with everything from Caddis to various Mayflies to Midges being present in good numbers. Given Pueblo’s mild climate there are great Baetis and Midge hatches almost daily from October-March. Fish will eagerly feed on the surface during these hatches, keying in on both emergers and adults. This is easily one of the best rivers for anglers to catch fish on fall/winter dry flies. Lastly, there are also a ton of streamer options here throughout the fall/winter. Focus on deep runs and structure with dead drifts or quick strips. Keep experimenting until you get results. You may be surprised at what winds up on the other end of the line.

Fly Recommendations

Elk Hair Caddis, Parachute Adams, Adams, Purple Haze, Film Critic, Griffiths Gnat, Scuds, Sowbugs, Sprout Baetis, Sprout Midge, Buckskins, Barr’s BWO emerger, Juju Baetis, Rojo Midges, Brassies, Red/Black Copper John’s, Mercury Black Beauty, Zebra Midge, Jujubee Midges, Bling midges, RS2s, Pheasant Tails, Wooly Buggers, Sculpzillas, Pine Squirrel Leeches, Sparkle Minnows, Slumpbusters.

After making the short 2 hour drive to Pueblo, river access is quite abundant. Pueblo Reservoir is located just a few miles west of town. Anglers have the option of approaching the river from several locations. You can park near the reservoir dam and hike downriver, midriver- near the Raptor Center (on Nature Center Road), or downstream- just north of the intersection of N. Pueblo Blvd and Hwy 96 (Thatcher Rd.). Once at the river, parking is abundant and there is a bike path running the majority of the river. Picnic tables are also abundant along the river.