Float fishing

Photo: Mike Rosso

Float fishing is one of the most effective ways to tackle the Arkansas. Sections of river with difficult shore access or that

which flows through private property is often easily approached from a raft or cataraft. And from late April through October, when trout are dispersed along seam lines and edges of the river, float fishing allows anglers to really “pound the banks” efficiently and effectively.

During April and the first half of May, when emerging baetis mayflies and then the brachycentrus caddis flies awaken the fish from their winter torpor, brown trout move from deeper winter holes and out into feeding stations adjoining areas with higher current velocity. These stations can be against banks, along current seam lines between main stream and eddies, and directly behind subsurface rocks protruding from the bottom. Prior to this time, float-fishing is not particularly effective as most fish are on the bottom of the river in

deep water and in the middle of the channel. Float-fishing anglers end up floating directly over and spooking most fish. With the spring dispersal of fish to the many forms of feeding habitat available, float-fishing becomes extremely effective.

Prior to run-off in late May, float-fishing is technically challenging from a boating standpoint. Even in less challenging reaches of the Arkansas, a fairly steep gradient combined with many obstacles makes guiding a boat for float-fishing more difficult than on such rivers as the Green, San Juan or Colorado. However, lower flows also equate to lower current velocity, allowing guides more time to maneuver boats between obstacles. The bottom line is that in spring and fall, when flows are typically below 500 cfs, floaters should be prepared for technical boating and be prepared to make a lot of moves. In areas of public water, the guide can take better advantage of available habitat by hopping out behind the raft and walking the boat slowly through productive water. This is particularly effective during the baetis and brachycentrus hatches when feeding activity can be quite localized and intense. Maneuvering boats on foot can be an extremely effective way to position anglers to best reach fish and allow time for changing flies as hatches progress.

During periods of higher flows, mid-May through mid-August, float fishing is particularly effective. The increased volume of water makes for easier guiding and fish are more concentrated along banks. A guide can establish a good casting distance from the edge of the river and maintain the distance with greater ease than at lower flows. Because of faster moving water, fish are accustomed to making quicker decisions about food passing by. They are also burning more energy to hold their position. Big offerings like hoppers, wooly buggers and large, high visibility dries will draw an aggressive response from shoreline fish all day long.

Rafts and catarafts are the best craft for tackling the Arkansas. Drift boats are not recommended at flows below 700 cfs and even then, one should be prepared to bump a few rocks. Smaller personal watercraft can be an effective means of transportation but with the gradient and technicality of the Arkansas, fishing from them is a challenge. Belly boats are definitely not recommended.

Suggested float trips on the Arkansas for boaters of average ability include the following:

Johnson Village to Ruby Mt.

Put-in at Wilderness Aware (check in at office) on the northeast corner of the U.S. 285 bridge over the river. The first half mile is busy Class II-plus water but quickly settles down into a nice freestone float that alternates between pasture and some steep banks. This section carries a certain amount of morning raft traffic but not much afternoons. Takeout is at the AHRA Ruby Mountain Campground site. Almost all of this float is through private land except for the section passing through the Champion lease on river right. Stop and wade there. Otherwise, respect private property and stay in the boat. Trip length — 5 miles.

Stone Bridge to Salida

Put in at Stone Bridge AHRA site on the north side of the Colo. 291 bridge. This beautiful float alternates between pasture-edged cobbled bottoms and more technical boulder-strewn rapids that mainly reside where side drainages have flashed over the years. DOW leases through this stretch include the Smyth lease, Big Bend Fishing Access and State Wildlife areas at Mt. Ouray, Frantz Lake, Shavano, and Sands Lake. Do not attempt to run the well-marked low head dam about 2 miles above town. Use the boat chute on river left. Takeout is at the downtown Coors Boat Ramp at G St. and Sackett Ave. just upstream of the F Street Bridge. 9 miles.

Salida to Rincon

This trip begins at the downtown Coors Boat Ramp and ends at the AHRA Rincon Campground on U.S. 50. The trip starts with 2 to 3 miles of great fishing in town and then enters Bighorn Sheep Canyon, arguably the most productive water on the Arkansas with a great mixture of habitat structure. The riverbed is mostly public once you leave town with the exception of a 2-mile reach from the Wellsville Bridge through Swissvale. Takeout is at the upper end of the Rincon Campground. 9 miles.
Rincon to Vallie Bridge

This often overlooked section of river produces some remarkable fish. About three-fourths of a mile below the put-in, Badger Creek rapid poses the most formidable boating challenge. Scout it from the left side of the river. Not far below the rapid, the river passes into private land and remains so until Red Bluffs State Wildlife Area below Howard. Passing out of the low red sandstone canyon above Vallie Bridge, boaters enter a strictly controlled section of private water. Stay in the boat until reaching the take-out at the AHRA site directly above Vallie Bridge. 9 miles.