(Leadville to Buena Vista) - The upper Arkansas is stable with clear, cool water flowing at 111 cfs. Caddis and yellow sally stoneflies have been active early and late, while hoppers and pale morning dun mayflies rule the afternoons. Below the Lake Creek confluence, where flows are 465 cfs through the Granite Gorge, dry-dropper rigs are taking a lot of fish off the bouldered shelf lines and out of pockets.

(Buena Vista to Salida) - Fishing in the Browns Canyon area has been outstanding. The cool, oxygenated water has been keeping fish active and feeding throughout the day. Pale morning duns and caddis fished behind an attractor dry have been taking a lot of fish off the edges and out of riffles. Dry-dropper rigs along the shelf lines have also done well. If going subsurface, a small, un-weighted mayfly emerger trailed off the nymph will take a lot of fish.

Much of the Arkansas River is surrounded by beautiful mountains. Driving on Route 24 along the headwaters provides a spectacular view. The most heavily fished and popular section of the Arkansas is from Buena Vista to Canon City. This section is approximately 75 miles long, with beautiful pocket water, pools, riffles and runs holding an excellent population of browns and a good population of rainbows. Trout in the Arkansas average 13-15 inches although fish to 18 inches and better are not that uncommon.

Camping: Stretching for 148 miles along one of the West's premier recreation rivers. AHRA operates five campgrounds along the river with a total of 86 campsites available.

From Steamboat Springs go west two miles on U.S. 40 to County Road 129. Turn north and drive 26 miles.

• Brown Trout
• Rainbow Trout
• Cutthroat Trout
• Brook Trout