This week on the Rise Beyond Fly Fishing Podcast, we head up to Buena Vista and break down the Arkansas River as it slides into prime summer shape. With flows settling around 1,150 to 1,250 CFS and water temps climbing into the mid-50s by mid-morning, the Ark is offering up classic Colorado pocket water—fast seams, long glides, and trout that reward anglers who think three steps ahead.

In this episode, we’re focusing on where the river stands today, what’s working right now, and how to beat the summer heat and weekend traffic to stay tight to fish. Whether you're running solo from the bank or rowing a drift boat down from the ramps, the tactics have changed from runoff conditions to late-season strategy.

Here’s what you’ll get:

Segment 1: River Conditions

• Flow rate trends and what 1,200 CFS really means in this stretch

• How water clarity affects your fly choice and tippet diameter

• When to be on the water (and when to leave it alone)

Segment 2: Hatch Breakdown

• PMDs are peaking in the mid-morning window

• Caddis are flashing midday, especially in the slower eddies

• Hoppers are entering the scene—Chubby Chernobyls are getting attention

Segment 3: Top Flies This Week

• Dry: Chubby Golden (#14)

• Nymph: PMD Emerger (#16–18) trailed behind a Pat’s Rubber Legs

• Streamer: Mini-Sculpin and olive buggers, retrieved slow through tailouts

Segment 4: Access Intel

• Why the G Ramp to M Curve section is the best spot for a drift or post-drift walk-and-wade

• Where to park, how far to hike, and what time of day gets you the most water to yourself

• Which hot spots to target with what rig—tailouts, seams, drop-offs

Segment 5: Pro Tips

• How to rig your dry-dropper for deep mid-channel seams

• Why late-day streamer strikes are coming back into play

• What to expect from other anglers (yes, it’s getting busy)

The Arkansas near Buena Vista is one of Colorado’s most versatile fisheries—and right now, it’s entering a short but fantastic mid-summer window. If you can beat the heat and time your outing, you’ll have fish stacked in oxygen-rich holding water and eating confidently.

No guesswork. No filler. Just the river, the flies, and the game plan.

This is your weekly fix for smart, current, and tactical fly fishing content near Buena Vista. Subscribe and stay dialed.