Arkansas River Colorado Mug

Arkansas River Colorado Mug

Add a splash of color to your morning coffee or tea ritual! These ceramic mugs not only have a beautiful design on them, but also a colorful rim, handle, and inside, so the mug is bound to spice up your mug rack.

• Ceramic
• Colored rim, inside, and handle
• Dishwasher and microwave safe

The Arkansas River in Colorado is one of the longest and most diverse trout fisheries in the state—over 100 miles of Gold Medal water, running from high alpine headwaters near Leadville through Browns Canyon and all the way to Pueblo. Known for its strong wild brown trout population, big water, and epic hatches, the Arkansas offers year-round fishing with both float and wade access.

Predominant Fish Species in the Arkansas River (Colorado)

1. Brown Trout (Salmo trutta)

• Makes up over 80% of the trout population

• Wild, naturally reproducing, and known for aggressive takes

• Range from 12–18", with occasional fish over 20"

• Most common from Buena Vista through Salida to Canon City

2. Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

• Less common than browns but increasing due to CPW restoration efforts

• Many stocked near Pueblo tailwater but wild fish hold throughout

• Often found in cooler, faster riffles

• Especially active during BWO and PMD hatches

3. Cutthroat Trout & Cutbows

• Rare in the mainstem but may appear in upper tributaries or high-elevation creeks

Key River Sections

1. Headwaters (Leadville to Granite)

• Small-stream character with pocket water and tight banks

• Great summer dry fly fishing

• Mostly browns and a few brookies and cutthroat in feeders

2. Granite to Salida (Browns Canyon area)

• Classic Gold Medal freestone water

• Deep pools, long riffles, and boulder gardens

• Excellent float section in moderate to high flows (600–1500 CFS)

• Famous for Mother’s Day Caddis hatch

3. Salida to Canon City

• Lower elevation = longer season

• Bigger water and strong flows, especially in spring

• Browns dominate, with occasional rainbows

• Good streamer water in fall

4. Pueblo Tailwater (below Pueblo Reservoir)

• Year-round fishery with stable flows and temps

• Stocked rainbows + holdover browns

• Great winter fishery with midges, BWOs, and tiny nymphs

Top Hatches & Fly Patterns

Spring (March–May)

• Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) – #18–22

• Mother’s Day Caddis Hatch (late April–May) – epic, dense, legendary

• Stoneflies – Golden and Skwala

• San Juan Worms, eggs, and leeches during runoff

Summer (June–August)

• Caddis, PMDs, Yellow Sallies

• Hoppers, beetles, ants—incredible terrestrial action from mid-July on

• Dry-dropper rigs dominate, especially on wade trips

• High water early, then clears by July

Fall (Sept–Nov)

• BWOs

• October Caddis

• Streamers—brown trout aggressive during pre-spawn

• Low, clear flows make sight fishing possible

Winter (Dec–Feb)

• Best fished near Pueblo tailwater

• Midges and tiny Baetis

• Deep, slow nymphing with light tippet