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

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

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

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

• 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

Hatch Chart – September at Buena Vista

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

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.

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