What times of year are good for fly-fishing the Arkansas?
It fishes really well in March and April, it’s famous for fishing in May—with the caddis fly hatch around Mother’s Day. But right before and after the hatch, it’s great beneath the surface because the trout are already keyed in on caddis flies. Clearly every fisherman has their secret spots they keep to themselves, but which ones are you willing to share? I think the Arkansas would be on that list because it’s just so much fun to go and fish it between Salida and Browns Canyon. The other spot is where I used to live, and that’s the entire Gunnison drainage. Anything that feeds into that drainage is outstanding. Talk to us a bit about Salida and Buena Vista, two towns situated right on the Ark. Number one: stop there. That’s the first rule. Get off the highway and go at least a block into each of the two towns. They’re older towns that have been around for more than a hundred years, and they’re funky and eclectic. There’s decent little bars and places to eat, coffee shops like Bongo Bil
