One of the finest attributes of the Arkansas is its accessibility. Roughly 60 % has public access and most of it is well marked along major highways. Traveling south from Leadville, you will pick up the river at the Highway 24 Bridge. This marks the beginning of over five miles of the Hayden Lease. The river here is a small, winding stream with willow lined banks. From this point, it begins to pick up speed and water from tributaries as it cuts through Brown’s Canyon between Buena Vista and Salida. Brown’s Canyon is without a doubt one of the most scenic wilderness canyons in the state of Colorado. The best access is by boat, launching at Fisherman’s Bridge and taking out at Hecla Junction. You can hike upstream from the lower end of the canyon at Hecla, however you must cross to the east side to access public land and that can be tricky except during low water. Once across, you can use the abandoned rail bed as a trail system and walk the entire canyon, stopping to fish pool after pool of productive water.

By the time the river reaches Salida, it has leveled in elevation and becomes a meandering, classic Rocky Mountain freestone river with wide gravel bars, boulder fields and deep runs accented with shallow pools and backwater eddies. For the next 50 miles, U.S. Highway 50 shadows the Arkansas, providing the most popular recreational access. From Salida to Texas Creek, fly fishers find easy access, wonderful habitat and great fish populations. From Texas Creek to Canon City, the river begins a gradual drop to the foothills. This stretch includes the Royal Gorge, which holds some nice fish, but is extremely difficult to navigate. The twenty miles from Texas Creek to the Gorge takes you through a beautiful granite canyon, complete with one of the largest Big Horn Sheep herds in the Rockies. This water offers excellent fly fishing during the spring and fall. During the summer, it is literally a water park because of the numerous Class IV and V rapids. I particularly like this section due to its close proximity to Front Range cities, and because it looks more difficult to fish, many newcomers pass it by. Actually, the fish here tend to congregate along the edges and outside seams, making shoreline hikes a nice way to spend a morning. The Arkansas in Canon City offers excellent fishing along 3.5 miles of improved river trail systems, called the Riverwalk. This water is public along the trail side (south side) and provides great walking, biking, and bird watching as well. The Riverwalk runs from the ninth street trail head to McKenzie Ave. on the east end of town.

The next fly fishing opportunity comes at Pueblo Reservoir and the tailwater below the dam. The reservoir itself can be excellent for Wipers, Crappie, and Bass. Small Mouth and Large Mouth Bass regularly fall to float tubers, but a powerboat is necessary to effectively chase Wipers. The tailwater has just undergone a habitat improvement project. The selective placement of small and large boulders has created an efficient trout habitat where nonproductive water once existed. The DOW is considering a special regulation stretch of water, so in the future this tailwater could become even a more productive fishery, especially during the winter when so many other waters are locked in the grip of winter.

Even though the Arkansas is the number one whitewater rafted river in the lower 48, the use of McKenzie style drift boats is not encouraged after the river drops below 1000 cfs. During runoff and high water these boats generally work fine, but inflatables in the 13 to 14 foot range such as self bailers from Aire, Maravia, and Down River are the best. Personal pontoon craft in the 8 to 10 foot range navigate this river extremely well. To drift this river, understand your skill level and get a good river map. Launch areas are well placed from Granite to Canon City, giving you the option of short or long floats. Even if you use a boat, probably the best way to fish this river is to get out and walk/wade the boulder fields, rock gardens and long shorelines. Fish hold along shorelines primarily and a competent fly fisher can break the river down into smaller systems and work fish up close and personal. Wading can be dangerous in many places, so use studded boots and a wading staff. It makes sense to be prepared, since the Arkansas is one of those rivers that tempt us to wade “just a little further.”

Ninety-five percent of the time, I fish this river with a 9 ft. 5 wt. rod. Afternoons can be breezy, so wind penetration is a must. If you have an 8 ft. 4 wt., it should be perfect for fishing dry flies. One of this river’s assets is that it provides something for everyone; dry fly fishing, nymphing and streamer fishing can be effective most of the time. The Arkansas is not an early morning river. I find it fishes better from 9:00 AM till 2 PM, and 5:00 PM till just after dark. Large Browns didn’t get big by exposing themselves to the numerous predators along the drainage. A lantern and a short sink tip line can be a good combination for those who enjoy night fishing. I find it invigorating and extremely productive, but it does require knowledge of the streambed for wading safety purposes. Besides, all you need is a #8 Black Woolly Bugger - well, maybe two.

Bill Edrington has lived on the Arkansas River in Canon City, Colorado since 1986 but has fished the river for over 30 years. He grew up in West Texas where he learned to fish Bass and Bluegill with a fly rod as well as the Trout of Northern New Mexico streams and lakes. He has written several articles on fishing Arkansas hatches as well as how to get started in fly fishing. His writing skills come from over 25 years of teaching criminology and sociology at the college level. Bill has been the proprietor of Royal Gorge Anglers, fly fishing shop and guide service, since 1990.
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In the winter when most lakes are frozen over, there still are places to fish for bass… they are called rivers. If the river you fish is stained or has dingy water, I have a bait for you. The flat tail grub!

The times I like to use these is when he water is 40 degrees or less. Then I tie on a 3″ grub with a round 1/4 ounce head and a 3/0 hook. I also use 6 pound test, which lets you feel more bites and also is better in windy conditions.

Make sure you rig the grub so the flat tail is horizonal. Fish the lure so it bumps into any kind of object and let it sit. I mean let it sit. The colder the water, the longer you let it sit. Then if you don’t get a hit, just raise your tip and let it fall again and sit some more.

When you get a hit, it usually isn’t like a tap-tap, it feels like you hooked a leaf and dragging it through the water. Feels kind of mushy. When you feel the “mush” or softness, set the hook but not like on a regular lure, set it more lightly and take up the slack in the line with the reel.

When you get tired of sitting at home and want to do some bass fishing in the winter, go to the nearest river and try this technique.

Charles E. White has fished 50 years for bass from California to Florida. In his lifetime, it is estimated that he has caught over 6,000 bass. His biggest bass is a 12 pound 14 ounce that hangs on his wall in his office. His tips and techniques have helped many people who have never fished for bass before become successful anglers.
He also has fished with the Pros in Florida.
His website is at:
http://www.bassfishingweekly.com

A picture is worth a thousand words, so why not capture the fishing trip of a lifetime or that trophy catch on film?  Here’s how to assure that your “fish tales” are fully documented and fishing memories always close at hand.

1. Be prepared.  Have camera, film, flash and batteries with you at all times.
2. Make sure that your fishing buddy knows how to use the camera, too.  Practice on shore before you land the big one!
3. Always use a flash to eliminate shadows and intensify colour and contrast.  Some cameras have a fill flash setting, find out if that includes your camera.
Tip! Some fishing lodges advertise a certain amount for a few days by the lake. It is advisable to ask if there are any hidden charges.
4. Shoot with the sun at your back, turning the boat if necessary.
5. Zoom in as close as possible, eliminating most background.
6. Take photos with both horizontal and vertical orientations.  This makes for better choice in how you use the pictures including scrapbooks.
Bass Fishing Secrets. Catch more and bigger bass immediately. We Guarantee it.
7. Remove / exclude distracting items - e.g.  beverage cans, sunglasses, etc.
8. Keep the “horizon” level and include some background other than water.
9. Photograph special catches and the fishing action as it plays out.
10. Take the photos immediately.  Do not keep fish in a livewell or on a stringer.
11. Avoid stringer shots and photos where the angler is holding the fish closer to the camera (distorting its actual size).
Carp Fishing Secrets. The carp angler’s bible. Over 270 pages of carp fishing advice from the home of carp fishing.
12. Avoid bloody fish photos.  Give the fish a quick rinse just before shooting. This will improve colour and add some shimmer to the fish.
13. Leave the lure in the fish’s mouth (but not live bait).
My Ice Fishing Secrets. Earn 40% people download it and pay.
14. Take “live release” photos at boatside.
15. Consider getting an inexpensive digital camera, just in case it ends up in the water. 
16. Using a digital camera? Make sure it is 3 megapixels or better.
17. If you are going on a multi-day trip remember to take extra batteries.  If you are using a digital camera it is a good idea to have two or more memory cards. 
Bass Fishing Basics. Learn to catch more Bass even if you’re a beginner.
18. Swap memory cards at the end of each day so that at least one card is on dry land at all times.  This ensures you always have some pictures of your trip regardless of what happens to the camera out on the water.
19. Record the length / weight / date / lake on the back of the photo. Some digital cameras have a video or audio option. You can use this to record this information and transcribe it later.
Long Lost Fly Fishing Secrets. Discover original tips and techniques from early fly fishing masters and classics.
20. Kids fishing or doing shore lunch? Take lots of photos.

Photos will help you tell the story of your fishing trip. With that in mind remember to take pictures before and after you start fishing. These pictures can be used to bookend your awesome action shots.

Online since 1998 by long-time OFM field editor, Bill Rivers, the Ontario Fisherman is now taking on a new look, but remains committed to showcasing “the best of Ontario sportfishing”. Some of the most popular features are reviews of Fly-in Fishing Lodges.

Follow this link for more Ontario Fishing Information.