Ready to fish one of Colorado’s most iconic stretches of water? In this episode of The Rise Beyond River Report, we dive deep into the May 2025 fly fishing conditions on the Arkansas River near Buena Vista—a legendary Gold Medal stretch that’s producing some of the season’s best trout action.

We’ll break down:

• Current Flows near Hecla Junction and Browns Canyon (~295 CFS and clear)

• Water and Air Temps to help you plan your outing

• Best Times to Fish and where trout are holding

• Top 3 Flies for May (including the MVPs: Elk Hair Caddis, Pat’s Rubber Legs, and Sculpzilla)

• Detailed Hatch Chart covering March through May

• 3 Access Points You Shouldn’t Miss (Big Bend, Hecla Junction, Browns Canyon)

• Wading & Parking Ratings, Trail Access, and Google Maps links

• Pro Tips for dry fly, nymph, and streamer fishing

• Local Landowner Rights & Regs so you fish smart and stay legal

Whether you're planning a quick wade trip or floating the canyon, this stretch of the Arkansas offers technical challenges, incredible scenery, and trout that reward persistence. From morning nymph rigs to afternoon BWO hatches, this report gives you everything you need to fish it like a local.

🎧 Plus, we talk gear, etiquette, and the little things that help you Rise Beyond average days on the water.

New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe, rate, and share with your fishing buddies.
More gear and flies at RiseBeyondFlyFishing.com

In this episode of The Rise Beyond River Report, we cover everything anglers need to know about the Yampa River Fishing Closure 2025 — what’s closed, when, why, and what you can still fish.

Join us as we break down:

• The mandatory full-day closure on the 0.6-mile stretch below Stagecoach Reservoir, including what triggered it and how long it might last

• Details on the anticipated seasonal closure at the Fish Creek confluence to protect spawning mountain whitefish this fall

• How low flows and warm water temperatures are affecting trout health, fish behavior, and CPW’s emergency response

• Tips for anglers on staying legal, ethical, and informed while fishing other stretches of the Yampa

• Alternative locations near Steamboat and beyond where fishing is still hot and the hatches are happening

We also talk about CPW’s closure policies, how to interpret fishing regs like a pro, and why river stewardship starts with awareness — not just fly selection.

Whether you're planning your next weekend trip or just want to stay dialed in on Colorado’s spring and fall regulations, this is the episode to hit before you tie your next knot.

Subscribe, share, and stay ahead of the closures.
Full updates available at cpw.state.co.us

This week on the Rise Beyond River Report, we break down the best fly fishing near Denver right now—with up-to-date intel on rivers, hatches, and the fly patterns that are actually working.

Whether you're looking for a quick after-work cast or planning a weekend trip, this episode gives you everything you need to make the most of the Front Range fly fishing scene in May 2025.

In this episode, we cover:

• Which rivers are fishing best today based on current flows, clarity, and hatch activity

• What flies to use (and what to leave in the truck)

• Detailed river-by-river breakdowns including Clear Creek, Bear Creek, South Platte at Deckers & Cheesman, Blue River, Waterton Canyon, and more

• The impact of runoff season and how to fish around it

• Daily best-time windows by water type, including tailwaters, freestones, and stillwater

• Our weekly top fly picks, including size, color, and how to fish them for maximum takes

We don’t just recycle conditions—we track flows, hatches, and angler pressure in real time using River Whisper 7.1, our custom-built platform designed specifically for Colorado anglers. With over 750 mapped access points, live USGS data, clarity reports, hatch forecasts, and fly recommendations, River Whisper gives us the edge—and we pass it on to you every week.

Fly fishing today in Colorado isn’t just about showing up. It’s about showing up informed. That’s why this episode is packed with on-the-water details like:

• How to time caddis hatches on Bear Creek for surface eats

• Where to find fishable water during runoff

• When Deckers is worth it and when it's just a parking lot full of hope

• What Cheesman trout are keying in on during low-flow spring conditions

• Which river is the dark horse this week—and what rig to bring

We believe in smart, responsible fly fishing. Every cast is a choice—and this podcast is your weekly field guide to making better ones.

If you’ve ever Googled “best fly fishing near Denver today,” this is the podcast you were hoping existed. Now it does.

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