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.

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.

• 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

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

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

The Arkansas through Cañon City is running 354 CFS, clear, and in full fall swing. Morning Trico spinner falls still drive the surface game, but BWOs are starting to show stronger on cloudy days. This is technical but rewarding fishing: riffles, seams, and pocket water are alive early, with trout sliding deeper as temps climb.

Flows are prime for wading, and while pressure is medium in town, a short walk will buy you elbow room.

Rise Beyond Fly Fishing – Royal Gorge Gateway Dispatch
We cover the best riffles for Trico spinners, which BWO emergers are producing, and how to set up a tactical nymph rig for browns that have seen it all.

• Flow Rate: 354 CFS — stable, wadeable, perfect pocket-water flows
• Water Temp: Low/mid 50s°F — safe, active trout temps
• Air Temp: 50s°F mornings, climbing to 70s-80s afternoons
• Clarity: Clear — excellent visibility, stealth required
• Best Times: 7–11 AM Trico spinner falls; BWOs on cloudy afternoons
• Fishing Pressure: Medium — easy access draws anglers, but room available
• Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ — strong fishing if you match hatches

Notes: Tricos headline mornings; BWOs are on deck for cloudy afternoons. Midges and caddis keep fish feeding subsurface.

Nymphs / Emergers

• JuJu Baetis (olive, #20-22) – staple baetis imitation; deadly on light rigs.
• Barr’s BWO Emerger (olive/gray, #20-22) – perfect for afternoon overcast.
• WD-40 (black/olive, #20-22) – midge/baetis crossover, great as a trailer.
• Tungsten Pheasant Tail (#18-20) – classic attractor, works in riffles.
• Duracell Jig Nymph (brown/black, #16-18) – high sink rate, picks up opportunistic feeders.

Dries / Terrestrials

• Trico Spinner (CDC, #22-24) – key for morning spinner falls.
• Parachute Adams (#20-22) – versatile, covers Tricos and BWOs.
• Hi-Vis BWO Parachute (#20) – for spotting in choppy riffles.
• Amy’s Ant (peacock/tan, #14-16) – warm afternoon terrestrial option.
• Micro Chubby Chernobyl (#16, olive/tan) – doubles as hopper/dropper anchor.

Streamers

• Lil’ Kim (white/olive, #8-10) – flashy, great in deeper slots.
• Thin Mint Bugger (#10-12) – brown/black/olive blend for all-around use.
• Slumpbuster (natural/black, #10-12) – swing through shadowed runs.
• Mini Dungeons (olive, #8-10) – for aggressive browns in off-color water.

• Morning (7–11 AM): Trico spinners on 6X with RS2 or WD-40 droppers. Target riffle tails and glassy flats.
• Midday: Two-fly nymph rigs with JuJu Baetis and Barr’s BWO Emergers. Focus on seams and pocket water.
• Afternoon (if cloudy): BWOs hatch strong; hi-vis parachutes and BWO emergers shine.
• Evening: Streamer work in deeper runs or shadow lines.
• Rig Note: 10–12 ft leaders, 5X-6X fluoro. Anchor with a tungsten PT or Duracell, trail WD-40/RS2.

• Riverwalk Trail (Downtown Cañon City): Classic riffle/run sections; prime Trico water.
• Upstream toward Royal Gorge: Technical water with deeper pools; good for nymphing and streamers.
• Downstream of town: Lower pressure, slower seams, strong evening streamer water.

Q: What’s the hatch schedule?
A: Tricos in the morning, BWOs if cloudy in the afternoon, midges and caddis filling in throughout.

Q: What’s the go-to fly right now?
A: Trico spinner early, then nymphs like JuJu Baetis and WD-40 midday.

Q: Are streamers working?
A: Yes, especially Thin Mints and Lil’ Kims in deeper shadowed runs.

Q: Best rod setup?
A: 9’ 5 wt for versatility — dries, nymphs, or streamers.

Q: Is it safe to wade at 354 CFS?
A: Yes, flows are prime for wading and covering pocket water.

​​

Welcome to the North Fork of the South Platte River. This stretch of river is a hidden gem just outside of Denver, less crowded than its more famous cousins like Deckers or Cheesman Canyon, yet equally rich with opportunities to catch trophy-sized trout.

The North Fork near Bailey is running 200 CFS, clear, and delivering classic fall fishing conditions. Trout are keyed in on Tricos in the morning, with BWOs sliding in on cloudy afternoons. Midges and small baetis nymphs keep rods bent through the middle of the day.

Flows are in a sweet spot — wadeable, with enough water to spread anglers out. Medium pressure is the norm, but you can find space by walking away from road pull-offs.

Rise Beyond Fly Fishing – North Fork Dispatch
We cover why the Trico hatch is still running strong, how to pair it with tiny nymph droppers, and when to switch gears to BWOs or leeches.

• Flow Rate: 200 CFS — steady, wadeable, and fishable
• Water Temp: Mid-40s°F — cool and safe for trout
• Air Temp: 40s°F mornings, 70s°F afternoons
• Clarity: Clear — trout easily spooked in shallow runs
• Best Times: 7–11 AM Trico spinners; 4–7 PM BWOs if clouds appear
• Fishing Pressure: Medium — roadside access draws anglers
• Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ — steady fishing, but technical

Notes: Morning Tricos are still the top ticket. BWOs are more consistent on overcast days. Midges are constant subsurface producers.

Nymphs / Emergers

• WD-40 (#20)
• RS2 (#20-22, gray/olive)
• JuJu Baetis (#20-22)
• Zebra Midge (#22-24)

Dries / Terrestrials

• Blue Wing Olive (#20)
• Trico Spinner (#22-24)
• Parachute Adams (#20-22)
• Micro Hopper (#16, fading but still an option)

Streamers

• Mini Leech (#12, olive/black)
• Slumpbuster (#12-14)
• Sparkle Minnow (#10-12)

• Morning (7–11 AM): Trico spinner fall is prime; fish small spinners with RS2 droppers.
• Midday: Double-nymph rigs with WD-40s, baetis, and midges. Trout are subtle, so watch your indicator.
• Evening (4–7 PM): BWOs on cloudy evenings, micro-streamers in shaded slots.
• Rig Note: Long leaders (12–14 ft) and light tippet (6X/7X) are required in clear water.

• Bailey Section: Roadside access, classic riffle/run water.
• Downstream toward Shawnee: Less traffic, deeper pools, and pocket water.
• Above Bailey: Smaller water, stealth essential, but great Trico sight-fishing.

Q: Is the North Fork too crowded right now?
A: Medium pressure. Roadside spots fill up, but walking upstream/downstream finds room.

Q: What’s the best bug?
A: Trico spinners early; WD-40s and JuJu Baetis under a dry are reliable.

Q: Are streamers worth it?
A: Yes, in shaded banks or deeper runs. Keep them small.

Q: Can I wade safely at 200 CFS?
A: Yes — flows are excellent for wading.

Q: Best rod setup?
A: 9’ 4-5 wt with 12–14 ft leaders and 6X tippet.