---
title: "Arkansas River Report – Buena Vista (Sept 24, 2025): Tricos, BWOs & Skinny Flows"
description: Flows at 175 CFS, clear and technical. Tricos dominate mornings, BWOs on cloudy afternoons, and nymph rigs carry the day. Modern reports for Modern Anglers.
image: https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/hubfs/Arkansas%20River%20-%20The%20Arkansas%20River%20angler%20casting%20in%20fall%20flowing%20through%20a%20rugged%20valley%20of%20buena%20vista.png
---

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# Arkansas River Report – Buena Vista (Sept 24, 2025): Tricos, BWOs & Skinny Flows

- September 24, 2025

![Tymothe Meskel](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(33).png)

[Tymothe Meskel](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/blog/author/tymothe-meskel)

The **Upper Arkansas River**, running from **Leadville** to **Buena Vista**, is an angler’s dream, especially during the fall months when the air is crisp, the water is clear, and the fish are hungry

![Arkansas River Fly Fishing Report  Near Buena Vista](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2025%20Spring%20River%20Report%20Banners%20Cards/Arkansas%20River%20Fly%20Fishing%20Report%20%20Near%20Buena%20Vista.png?width=1000&height=750&name=Arkansas%20River%20Fly%20Fishing%20Report%20%20Near%20Buena%20Vista.png)

The Ark near Buena Vista is skinny but clear at **175 CFS**. Fall hatches are shifting: Tricos linger in the mornings, BWOs are gaining strength on cloudy days, and midges/baetis nymphs carry fish through the middle of the day. With steady pocket-water flows, trout are concentrated and spooky — perfect conditions for those who like technical fishing.

Wading is wide open, but pressure is medium with anglers scattered along public access.

---

### Listen to the Podcast

Upper\_Arkansas\_Fly\_Fishing\_\_Mastering\_7X\_Tippet\_and\_Micro-Nymph

11:44

 

**Rise Beyond Fly Fishing – Buena Vista Dispatch**  
We dig into how to fish skinny fall flows — from picking the right Trico spinner to rigging a two-fly nymph setup that can still turn heads in pressured water.

---

## Conditions Summary

![rise beyond fly fihsing company in denver colorado a guide rating for a stream. Good is 5 trout. This rating is for 3 trout. So good or semi challenging fishing conditions.](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Guide%20Ratings/Guide%20Rating%20(800%20x%20175%20px)%20(3).png?width=800&height=175&name=Guide%20Rating%20(800%20x%20175%20px)%20(3).png)

- **Flow Rate:** 175 CFS — skinny but very wadeable
- **Water Temp:** Low/mid 40s°F — stable, safe for trout
- **Air Temp:** 40s°F mornings, climbing to low 70s afternoons
- **Clarity:** Clear — fish are spooky, approach with stealth
- **Best Times:** 7–10:30 AM Trico spinners; BWOs on cloudy afternoons
- **Fishing Pressure:** Medium — public pull-offs see traffic, but hiking spreads anglers
- **Star Rating:** ⭐⭐⭐ — productive windows, but technical

[BUENA VISTA WEATHER](https://forecast7.com/en/38d84n106d13/buena-vista/?unit=us)

 

---

### Hatch Chart – September at Buena Vista

| Insect Group | Presence |
| --- | --- |
| Tricos | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| BWOs | ⭐⭐ |
| Midges | ⭐⭐ |
| Caddis | ⭐ |
| PMDs | ⭐ |

*Notes:* Tricos remain strong early, but BWOs are the future. Midges and baetis nymphs keep subsurface drifts alive.

 

### Download the Arkansa River Hatch Chart

 

---

## ![fly fishing in colorado (84)](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Angler%20in%20River/fly%20fishing%20in%20colorado%20(84).png?width=800&height=533&name=fly%20fishing%20in%20colorado%20(84).png)

## Flies to Tie On

**Nymphs / Emergers**

- **JuJu Baetis** (olive/black, #20-22) – steady producer in pocket water.
- **RS2** (gray/olive, #20-22) – deadly as a dropper below dries.
- **WD-40** (brown/black, #20-22) – crossover midge/baetis pattern.
- **Tungsten Pheasant Tail** (#18-20) – anchor fly in two-nymph rigs.
- **Duracell Jig** (#16-18, copper/black) – great for fast seams.

**Dries / Terrestrials**

- **Trico Spinner** (CDC wing, #22-24) – morning must-have.
- **Blue Wing Olive Parachute** (#20) – for cloudy afternoon hatches.
- **Parachute Adams** (#20-22) – versatile dry that covers multiple hatches.
- **Hi-Vis Griffith’s Gnat** (#20-22) – for midges in slow slicks.
- **Amy’s Ant** (#14-16, peacock/tan) – still picks off opportunistic browns.

**Streamers**

- **Lil’ Kim** (white/olive, #8-10) – triggers bigger fish in deeper slots.
- **Slumpbuster** (natural/black, #10-12) – swing through pocket water.
- **Mini Leech** (#12, olive/black) – subtle, effective in skinny flows.
- **Sparkle Minnow** (#10-12, sculpin colors) – useful in shaded banks.

 

---

### Tactical Playbook

- **Morning (7–10:30 AM):** Target riffles and slow flats with Trico spinners; trail RS2 or WD-40.
- **Midday:** Nymph seams with JuJu Baetis or tungsten PT anchor, trailing RS2/WD-40.
- **Afternoon (clouds):** BWOs emerge; parachutes and emergers do the trick.
- **Evening:** Streamers like Lil’ Kim or Slumpbuster swung in deeper pockets.
- **Rig Note:** Long leaders (12–14 ft), 6X-7X fluoro. Anchor with tungsten PT or Duracell; trail micro nymphs.

---

### Access & Flow Zones

- **Downtown Buena Vista:** Accessible runs; good Trico water but pressured.
- **Upstream toward Johnson Village:** Riffle/run water with lower traffic.
- **Cottonwood Creek confluence area:** Good nymphing water, less crowded.

---

### FAQs – Arkansas River (Buena Vista)

**Q: Is 175 CFS too low?**  
A: No — it’s skinny but very fishable. Stealth is key.

**Q: What’s the go-to pattern?**  
A: Trico spinner in the morning, JuJu Baetis or RS2 below the surface midday.

**Q: Are streamers worth fishing here?**  
A: Yes, especially in the evening. Stick to smaller patterns.

**Q: Best quick access?**  
A: Public runs near town; hike upstream for less pressure.

**Q: What rod/tippet setup?**  
A: 9’ 4–5 wt, long leaders (12–14 ft), 6X for dries, 5X for streamers.

---

 

![Animas River (1600 x 900 px) (12)](https://risebeyondflyfishing.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Animas%20River%20(1600%20x%20900%20px)%20(12).png?width=800&height=450&name=Animas%20River%20(1600%20x%20900%20px)%20(12).png)

 

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