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Flows stable, clarity improving, and trout sliding into deeper winter water around Buena Vista and Nathrop.
Updated: 12/03/2025
The Upper Arkansas is locked into early winter mode with low, steady flows and excellent clarity, which makes trout both easier to locate and harder to fool. Compared to last week, water temps have dipped slightly but stabilized, concentrating fish in soft mid-river trenches and the inside bends of longer runs. Crowds are almost nonexistent with hunters still out and cold mornings pushing most anglers to midday starts. Expect a short but predictable feeding window built around subtle midges and small baetis patterns. If you move slowly and fish small, you’ll find the best consistency of the winter season so far.
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Conditions Summary
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- Flow: Low and steady; no meaningful week-over-week change
- Water Temp: Low 30s early, warming to upper 30s mid-day
- Air Temp: Mid 30s to low 40s; slightly warmer trend this week
- Clarity: Excellent; long visibility common
- Crowds: Very light; mostly locals and midday-only anglers
- Best Window: 11 am to 3 pm
- Fishing Type Focus: Nymphing, because trout have settled tightly into deeper winter lanes where small midges and baetis are the only reliable food source.
Expect very cold starts, but the river picks up enough warmth by midday to activate midges and the occasional low-light baetis lift. Fish concentrate in soft, deeper winter water, making patience and quiet wading essential. Cloud cover improves feeding consistency, while wind in the canyon zones can shorten the afternoon window.
Recommended Article
Colorado Winter Trout Feeding Behavior in Clear, Low-Flow Freestones
Top Flies in Your Box This Week
- Black Beauty 20–22
- Zebra Midge Black 20–22
- Zebra Midge Red 20–22
- Mercury Midge 20–22
- RS2 Gray 20–22
- WD40 Brown 20–22
- JuJu Baetis 20–22
- Shot Glass Baetis 20
- Olive RS2 20–22
- Micro Leech Black 14
Pro Rig of the Week
Upper Ark Winter Soft-Water Rig
- Leader: 10 ft 5x fluoro
- Tippet: 6x for the dropper
- Top Fly: RS2 Gray 20
- Dropper: Zebra Midge Black 22
- Weight: Tiny split shot, 8–10 inches above the top fly
- Indicator: Small yarn or air-lock
- Target Water: Inside bends, deep mid-channel troughs, and the soft shelf water just below riffle drop-offs.
Hatch Chart for December
| Hatch Type | Bugs You’ll See | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | Midges | Strongest on cloud cover |
| Secondary | Baetis | Light but reliable mid-day |
| Tertiary | Winter Stones | Occasional around rocky edges |
Download the Hatch Chart
Get this month’s timing breakdown for winter midges and baetis on the Upper Arkansas.
Access Points
Buena Vista Town Access
Long runs, softer trenches, and predictable winter holding water right in town.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Riverside Park Area
Gentle banks, good wading, and a mix of riffle-run seams that fish well with midges.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Nathrop Pull-Offs
Excellent inside bends with deeper winter lanes and slow walking-speed water.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fisherman’s Bridge Region
Classic winter structure with deep mid-river slots.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Local Regulations and Notes
Shelf ice common early but melts quickly
Flows extremely stable through winter
Watch for afternoon winds in exposed canyon stretches
Elevations Brewery, Poncha Springs
Whether you’re coming off the water above Buena Vista, working the runs around Salida, or finishing a cold session through Bighorn Sheep Canyon, Elevations Brewery is the right way to end an Arkansas River day. The vibe is warm and unpretentious, the crowd is a mix of locals and river-worn anglers, and the beer list is built for people who actually fish here.
Order the First Cast IPA. It’s crisp, clean, and the perfect closer after a full day of picking apart fast pocket water or slow winter trenches on the Ark. Pair it with whatever food truck is parked out front, grab a seat inside or by the firepit, and let the day settle.
FAQ
Q: Is the Upper Arkansas worth fishing in winter?
A: Yes, clarity and stability make it one of the most predictable freestones in the state.
Q: Are dries an option?
A: Only during brief midge clusters near slow edges.
Q: What’s the best time to fish?
A: Midday, once the river warms several degrees.
Q: Are streamers good here?
A: Slow fished leeches can work, but nymphs dominate.
Q: How technical is it?
A: Very; clear water requires light tippet and small flies.
Q: When do fish move into feeding lanes?
A: Late morning into early afternoon.
