I am going on a family vacation to Salida area in July
and have a question for you experts or anyone who has
been there. We are staying at the River Orchard Place
in Poncha Springs. Anyone been there and have any thoughts
on the fishing?

Also, in July, fishing in the area, do I need waders or is it
warm enough at that time to go waderless?

Would appreciate anyone who has knowledge.

Thanks

Fished the area around monarch ski area last Augiust. We hit the creeks. i have wet waded some in July in Colorado, can get a bit chilly. Beautiful area.

The arkansas river runs near there. I just returned from there last week and it was fishing really good on caddis and parachute adams. We mostly fished the canyon area and hecla junction access. The upper lakes will be good and very cold. If you have room I would pack the waders. Good luck.

Thanks guys, great feedback
Looks like waders are in.

For up to date info. check with royal gorge anglers website.

Just PM me, we fish that are that area ever year.. Also check with Arkangler in Salida..
Waders and wading stick..

This year there should be more snow melt..

I talked fishing with a manager at rockfish off hulen st. in Fort Worth a few years ago is that you by chance? I have fished the area a bit and may be a little help.

I just got back from Salida/Canon City. Weather was awful and fishing was worse, but only for a 3-4 day period. I fish up there 4x a year, so I know my way around.

Snow pack is at about 75%, runoff has started from Salida downstream. BY mid june it will be done. JUly will be perfect with augmented flows in the 500-700 CFS range. JUly is caddis, golden stones, and some mayflies. Salida has some access to the Arkansas River, and there are plenty of access points both upstream (toward Buena Vista) and downstream (Salida East and Wellsville). If you fish the Arkansas river, waders are a must and a strong stick or wading staff is highly recommended. IN July, there are also several feeder creeks that will be full of Brown Trout on the lower reaches and Brookies up high. Badger Creek, Chalk Creek, and Cottonwood Creek (cottonwood pass in BV) are a few. I am not familiar with the lakes, but I know they hold lots of Browns, rainbows, cutties, and brookies. There are hundreds of mountain lakes near Salida. You can go without waders in the mountains, but it will be cold water!

Agree with several above, check out www.royalgorgeanglers.com. I know all of them in that shop and Taylor runs a good business. A good website for current flows, flies, and hotspots.

MOnsoon rains rarely hit in July - you should be ok there. Runoff will be done. ArkAnglers run a good shop in Salida - stop by there for info.

Enjoy - I may be up there in late July as well.

We have pass thru Salida on our way up to the Lodge on the south fork of the Snake River I Idaho, each time we stop at the Ark Anglers in Salida and they had a guide ready for us to get on the Arkansas River to make a video for our Outdoor Challenges Shows. Can�t help you in July, we go in September on the way up to Idaho and stop on our way back in October. We will be on Dish starting Tuesday June 30th at 7:30am on ch. 266
www.outdoorchallenges.com

Thanks everyone, great info.

I am not an expert (or even good) fly fisherman, but love to do it.


We will be staying right on the South Arkansas just
outside of Poncha Springs.

I will check out everything you guys suggest. Will be there for a week
and plan on getting a guide for at least 1 day.

Appreciate all the input.

Tommy

Ask for Bear at Arkanglers. He is a beast!

Know the private property boundaries. Some land owners there will hang it in you if they can whether it's posted or not.

your right about the private property. Just came back and
was sick of seeing posted signs everywhere. Its not like
it used to be. Also the water was way too high and swift to
fish any of the rivers or streams we went to. The locals
said they had a record snow fall and lots of rain, some
of the passes were still closed as of saturday 6/13/15 because
of snow or the road was washed out.

Most of the Arkansas River basin is in full runoff right now. Best guess from the guys in Salida is two weeks more. Early July will see clear edges, dropping water, and hungry fish. The tribs will be in great shape as well.

Rockfisherman - I will be staying 1.5 miles west of you (on the South Arkansas) the first week of August, so I'd appreciate any information you can send me after your trip. I'm a bass fisherman, so for me downsizing is going to a spinning reel, so that'll probably be my primary weapon, but I'm planning on learning to fly fish better before then and taking the long rod up there too. Keep me informed if you would please.