Top Colorado Fly Fishing Waters
Happy high altitude anglers in Colorado. Photos by Jim Muth.
Animas River
The Animas River is large by southwest Colorado standards (100 feet wide in some places) and there is no dam interrupting its flow from Silverton to Farmington, New Mexico. The narrow gauge Durango & Silverton Railroad runs through the scenic canyons and along the upper river from June to August. (Make reservations six weeks in advance.) The water here is fast with riffles and pools.
Mining operations have contaminated some of the upper river with heavy metals. Fortunately, by the time the river flows through the city of Durango it’s been diluted by feeder streams and is a fine fishery.
Starting about nine miles north of Durango the river meanders and in places is deep, slow, large, open and generally windy. There’s public access to the river through the city and three miles downstream to the Purple Cliffs below town.
Water for the Animas comes from a huge drainage area and is affected by snowmelt and summer storms. During heavy snow years the Animas may not clear until July and can be high and roily throughout the Caddis hatches.
To get to the Animas, head to southern Colorado and either make your way to Highway 160, which runs east to west, or take scenic Highway 550, which runs north to south. Both get you to Durango, but the latter runs along the upper section of the river.
Types of Fish
Brown, rainbow and a few cutthroat and brookies.
Fish 18–20 inches are taken.
Known Hatches
November-March: Midges (Diptera).
April-May, late August-November: Blue-Winged Olives (Baetis).
Late April-July: Caddis (various).
May: Stoneflies (Dark Giant Stone, Pteronarcys californica), Willowflies (Acroneuria pacifica).
Mid-July to early August: Green Drake (Ephemerella grandis).
Equipment to Use
Rods: 5-7 weight, 9-9 1/2’.
Reels: Click and pawl or disc with a good drag.
Line: Heavier floating and sink tip (for streamers) to match rod weight.
Leaders: 2x to 5x, 9’.
Wading: Tough wading here. Use breathable, chest-high waders, boots with cleats and a wading staff. Lightweight waders work well in summer heat.
Flies to Use
Dries: Elk Hair Caddis, Wulff, Humpy, Irresistible & Trude #12-16, Green Drakes #12 (during hatches), Sofa Pillow, Stimulator #6-12 (for Stonefly and Willowfly hatches).
Nymphs & Streamers: Hare’s Ear #10-14, all colors Copper John #14-20, Prince & Beadhead #8-16, Caddis Larva & Pupa #12-16, Beadhead Barr’s Emerger BWO #16-22, Bird’s Stone, Halfback #6-12, Twenty Incher #6-10, Woolly Bugger #2/0 - 4, Clouser Minnow, Sculpin #2/0 - 2.
When to Fish
Heavy runoff usually lasts until mid-June, so the river starts fishing very well when it is high and clearing. Durango summers are warm and midday fishing is slow. Things really pick up in the fall when browns are spawning. The Animas is also a good winter fishery with a surprising number of moderate days. Water temperature near 40° usually means good fishing.
Seasons & Limits
Open year-round. From Lightner Creek to Purple Cliffs, Gold Medal Water & artificial flies and lures only. The bag and possession limit for trout is two fish, 16” or longer.
Nearby Fly Fishing
The Dolores, Piedra, Florida and San Juan rivers.
Accommodations & Services
Durango has a variety of motels, hotels and restaurants as well as other services. You can actually fish out of some of the motels in town.
Rating
Chances of landing a real trophy are as good here as any place in western Colorado. The Animas rates an 8.5.
A strong brown trout from the Animas River. Photo by Brian O’Keefe.
Arkansas River
The “Ark” is a relatively under-fished river, known for a prolific May to June Caddis hatch. Many other hatches combine to make this a true western “big water” fly fishing experience.
The mountain section flows 150 miles from the old mining town of Climax through central Colorado to the Pueblo Reservoir. From 12,000-foot elevation at the Continental Divide, it drops to 4,700 feet in the eastern plains. There are hundreds of year-round fly fishing opportunities, especially below Lake Creek and from Salida to Pueblo.
The recent acquisition of the Hayden Ranch Recreation Area adds another 5.8 miles of public water access to the Arkansas. Located just south of Leadville, Hayden Ranch is quickly becoming a favorite of the knowledgeable angler.
There are numerous rafters, termed “the rubber hatch” by local anglers, May to August.
The Brown’s Canyon and Royal Gorge runs are particularly popular.
Fishing from boats can be quite successful especially when casting streamers at the banks and behind structure. Boaters need knowledge of class III-V water. Contact a qualified guide if you’re new to river rafting.
Types of Fish
Predominantly reproducing brown trout with some rainbow and cutthroat that average 11–14 inches.
Known Hatches
July to early September: PMD (Ephemerella infrequens & inermis). July to mid-September: Upper river, Red Quill (Rhithrogena hageni). Late March to early July & mid-September to November: BWO (Baetis), Caddis (Brachycentrus), prolific hatch late-April near Pueblo going up river until early July. June to September: Caddis (various, sporadic). November to May: Midges (Diptera). Mid-June to early July: Golden Stoneflies (Acroneuria pacifica). Mid-June to August: Upper river, Little Yellow Sally (Isoperla).
