Major Improvements Are Underway In Pueblo’s Arkansas River Tailwater 2013

 

         Can Great get even better? Yes it can! Our beloved tailwater has seen many changes over the years and this year is no exception.  Starting early February a major project to increase fish habitat began.  This is phase two of the improvements which began in 2004.  Under the watchful eye of senior aquatic biologist Doug Krieger and President of Fin-up Habitat Consultants, Pete Gallagher, approximately seven miles of the river from the dam to Dutch Clark will be modified and improved.  About sixty percent of the work being done will be upgrade some of the rock structures put in during phase one and the rest of the work will be focused on introducing new structures.  This new structure includes rock formations, logs, and altering the stream bed to redirect flow.  According to Gallagher approximately 3,000 boulders will be added.  “Anglers may encounter front-end loaders and heavy equipment during the construction portion of the project, but the long-term implications are that there will be more structures that hold fish” said Krieger.

 

 

         The work began in the second bend  below Valco Ponds and has already made its way to the Nature Center.  The work will be halted mid-March in preparation for high flows and will resume as high water recedes.  Funding and planning for this project was thanks to a major collaboration between several entities including: The Pueblo Conservancy District, The U.S. Bureau of Recreation, Trout Unlimited, Xcel Energy, The Packard Foundation, The US Fish and Wildlife Service Sport Fish Restoration Program, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

After looking at the plans and having witnessed the fish grow and prosper under phase one, it is very clear that phase two will also greatly improve our fishery.  These changes will give the fish more areas to feed and rest and as an added bonus it will offer more areas for fishermen, which is perfect timing based on the increased interest in the tailwater.  So understanding the benefits long term is obvious but, the bigger question and the one we are hearing everyday in the shop is “How is the construction effecting the fishing right now?”

Here at the Drift we have been obsessing over this question ourselves.  So starting day one of the improvements shop employees, guides, and friends have been out scouting and fishing the new areas.  While out investigating we have noticed exactly what was promised.  There are several areas which were once slow and shallow and have been transformed with rocks and holding areas ideal for fishing.  What wasn’t expected was how quickly the fish recovered and adapted to the changes. Fish were spotted feeding in areas which had only hours before held heavy machinery.  In some spots the fish even took advantage of the cleared and are making their redds in these areas.  Amazing!!  So if you have been avoiding the newly worked areas for fear of scattered fish please put your fears to rest, the fishing has been incredible in the improvement section.  If you plan on fishing downstream of the workers, they work Monday through Thursday, clarity may be off for some distance below the work but that can be a benefit to the angler as much as a hindrance. 

All in all we are very excited about the changes and as proof we have photo’s.  These are a few pictures of the excellent fish caught in our new improved water. 

 

Thanks For Viewing!! --- The Drift Fly Shop:    www.thedriftflyshop.com