Copyright 2010 James Marsh
Fly Fishing the Animas River Colorado
The Animas River flows through steep canyons,
beautiful mountains, the town of Durango and down into
the state of New Mexico. It starts out small in its
headwaters and ends of large before it flows into the
San Juan River. It is the states newest Gold Metal water
as of the date this was written. Once ruined by runoff
from mines, the Animas River is now a fine fishery.
The Animas starts near the historic mining town of
Silverton in the mountains north of Durango. There are
several small tributaries in the headwaters. The stream
can only be accessed above Hermosa via train. The
river flows through a very steep canyon. Some anglers
take the train from Durango to fish the section above
Hermosa. I am not suggesting this, but it is a method to
fish the canyon.
The river is basically pocket water with long runs and
riffles and some pools. In the lower section, large
boulders and log jams provide cover for some huge
brown trout. Below Durango the Animas River has some
fairly deep water that doesn't permit wading in certain
areas.
The best water is just south of Durango. There's also
some fairly good fishing in the town of Durango. About
two and a half miles of the river in Durango is public
water. About seven miles south of Durango the river
flows through the Ute Indian Reservation. Permits are
required to fish that section. Fly fishing the Animas River
is best in the reservation area.
Angie and I spent a week in Durango, a great fly fishing
destination. During the week we fished many streams
within driving distance of there. There are many alpine
meadow streams in the area and from Durango you can
fish many other fine small trout streams. We caught a
several brown trout in the 16 inch range from the
Animas River. We also caught plenty of smaller one of
all the species well upstream. The fast pocket water is
fairly easy to fish but the smoother sections that hold the
nice browns is far more difficult.
Seasons:
Except for the Spring runoff, fly fishing the Animas River
is mostly good all year. The water become questionable
during August in the town of Dunango - yes, the Gold
Metal Water. The stream can become warm and low.
Spring:
March into April before the Spring runoff is a good time
to fish the river. Runoff is from late April or early May
until sometime in early June.
Summer:
Summer is a very good time to fish but the water can get
quite warm during the hottest part of the summer.
Fall:
In the early fall the river is low and can be waded easily.
Winter:
Late winter the river is normally low enough to wade and
fishing can be good.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies
The Animas River flows through steep canyons,
beautiful mountains, the town of Durango and down into
the state of New Mexico. It starts out small in its
headwaters and ends of large before it flows into the
San Juan River. It is the states newest Gold Metal water
as of the date this was written. Once ruined by runoff
from mines, the Animas River is now a fine fishery.
The Animas starts near the historic mining town of
Silverton in the mountains north of Durango. There are
several small tributaries in the headwaters. The stream
can only be accessed above Hermosa via train. The
river flows through a very steep canyon. Some anglers
take the train from Durango to fish the section above
Hermosa. I am not suggesting this, but it is a method to
fish the canyon.
The river is basically pocket water with long runs and
riffles and some pools. In the lower section, large
boulders and log jams provide cover for some huge
brown trout. Below Durango the Animas River has some
fairly deep water that doesn't permit wading in certain
areas.
The best water is just south of Durango. There's also
some fairly good fishing in the town of Durango. About
two and a half miles of the river in Durango is public
water. About seven miles south of Durango the river
flows through the Ute Indian Reservation. Permits are
required to fish that section. Fly fishing the Animas River
is best in the reservation area.
Angie and I spent a week in Durango, a great fly fishing
destination. During the week we fished many streams
within driving distance of there. There are many alpine
meadow streams in the area and from Durango you can
fish many other fine small trout streams. We caught a
several brown trout in the 16 inch range from the
Animas River. We also caught plenty of smaller one of
all the species well upstream. The fast pocket water is
fairly easy to fish but the smoother sections that hold the
nice browns is far more difficult.
Seasons:
Except for the Spring runoff, fly fishing the Animas River
is mostly good all year. The water become questionable
during August in the town of Dunango - yes, the Gold
Metal Water. The stream can become warm and low.
Spring:
March into April before the Spring runoff is a good time
to fish the river. Runoff is from late April or early May
until sometime in early June.
Summer:
Summer is a very good time to fish but the water can get
quite warm during the hottest part of the summer.
Fall:
In the early fall the river is low and can be waded easily.
Winter:
Late winter the river is normally low enough to wade and
fishing can be good.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies
| Type of Stream Freestone Species Brown Trout Cutthroat Trout Rainbow Trout Size Medium to Large Location Southwest Colorado Nearest Towns Durango Season Year-round Access: Fair to Good Non-Resident License State of Colorado Weather National Weather Service Link Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies |
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Animas River
Colorado
Colorado
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Photo Courtesy Steven Lamb
| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |