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Flows steady, visibility high, and winter water tightening the feeding lanes around Salida and Howard.
Updated: 12/03/2025
The Middle Arkansas is in a textbook early-winter pattern with stable flows, excellent clarity, and trout sliding into their deepest soft-water lanes of the season. Compared to last week, water temperatures dipped slightly, tightening the feeding window but concentrating fish so predictably that technical anglers are thriving. Expect sparse morning action, then a sharp lift in activity once the sun hits the canyon walls. Crowds remain light, giving you long, quiet runs to work without pressure. If you stay slow, subtle, and disciplined, this stretch is giving up consistent fish in the warmest four hours of the day.
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Conditions Summary
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- Flow: Mildly low and stable across the Salida gauge with no meaningful week-over-week change
- Water Temp: Lower 30s at first light, rising into the upper 30s by early afternoon
- Air Temp: Upper 30s to mid-40s; slightly warmer this week under clearer skies
- Clarity: Very clear with extended visibility typical for early winter
- Crowds: Light; mostly locals working the midday window
- Best Window: 11 am to 3 pm when water temp increases by several degrees
- Fishing Type Focus: Nymphing, because trout are pinned to the slower trenches and inside bends where midges and small baetis are the only consistent winter food sources.
Expect crystal-clear water, cold starts, and trout packed into long walking-speed winter lanes. Riffles produce very little. Deep inside bends, the slow edges of long runs, and the structural trenches downstream of boulders are performing best. Cloud cover helps but isn’t required. Wind in Bighorn Sheep Canyon can shorten the day.
Recommended Article
Colorado Winter Trout Feeding Behavior in Clear, Low-Flow Freestones
Top Flies in Your Box This Week
- RS2 Gray 20–22
- Shot Glass Baetis 20
- Zebra Midge Black 20–22
- Zebra Midge Red 20–22
- Black Beauty 20–22
- Mercury Midge 20–22
- WD40 Brown 20–22
- JuJu Baetis Brown 20–22
- Olive RS2 20–22
- Micro Leech Black 14
Pro Rig of the Week
Middle Arkansas Deep-Lane Winter Rig
Leader: 10 ft 5x fluoro
Tippet: 6x dropper
Top Fly: RS2 Gray 20
Dropper: Zebra Midge Red 22
Weight: Micro split shot 8–10 inches above top fly
Indicator: Extra-small yarn
Target Water: The slow, deeper winter trenches between Salida and Howard.
Hatch Chart for December
| Hatch Type | Bugs You’ll See | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Midges | Reliable mid-day clusters |
| Secondary | Baetis | Light but steady around noon |
| Tertiary | Winter Stones | Random but present on rocky edges |
Download the Hatch Chart
Grab the full December hatch timing for midges and baetis on the Middle Arkansas.
Access Points
Salida Town Stretch
Long runs and soft mid-channel trenches ideal for precise winter nymphing.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Big Bend Area
Classic cold-season structure with boulders, seams, and slow walking-speed water.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Howard Region
Deep bends with predictable winter holding water and minimal pressure.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Cotopaxi / Bighorn Sheep Canyon Edges
Clear, technical water that rewards tiny flies and quiet movement.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Local Regulations and Notes
Shelf ice forms early but disappears by midday
Flows highly stable all winter
Watch for canyon winds after 2 pm
Post-Fishing Stop
Elevations Brewery, Poncha Springs
After working cold, technical freestone water, head straight to Elevations Brewery. It’s warm, local, and packed with the kind of people who fish this river. Order the First Cast IPA, the perfect finisher after a winter session on the Arkansas, and settle in while your legs thaw out. Great beer, zero pretense, and the right end to any day on this stretch.
FAQ
Q: Does the Middle Ark fish well in December?
A: Yes. Stable flows and clear water make it highly predictable.
Q: Are dries possible?
A: Only during calm midge clusters near slow edges.
Q: What’s the best part of the stretch?
A: Long slow trenches and soft inside bends around Big Bend and Howard.
Q: Are streamers good?
A: Only slow-drift micro leeches; otherwise stick to nymphing.
Q: Are crowds low right now?
A: Very. Winter offers some of the quietest days of the year.
Q: What size tippet works best?
A: 5x to 6x fluoro to match the clarity and fly size.
