Fly Fishing Colorado. Jackson Streit

Barr’s Emerger

       (PMD, BWO, Trico)

       WD-40

       RS-2

       Smith’s Baetis Nymph

       Buckskin Nymph

       Burton’s Mysis Shrimp

       Brassie

       Copper John

       (Copper, Chartreuse, Green)

       Beadhead Pheasant Tail

       Barr’s Tungsten Flashback Stone

       Beadhead Prince Nymph

       Beadhead Hare’s Ear Nymph

       Marabou Damsel Nymph

       Twenty Incher

       Woolly Bugger

       Krystal Bugger

       Muddler Minnow

       Zonker

       Clouser Minnow Deep

       Whitlock’s Deer Hair Popper Porky’s Pet

      Photos by Pete Chadwell.

      Mount Massive looms over an angler on the Arkansas River. Photo by Jim Muth.

       Conditions by the Month

      Here are general conditions for fly fishing waters in Colorado by month. You can use this list to help plan your vacation to Colorado. Or, if you are in the state, a quick glance at this listing will show you where to fish, given the time of the year. Always consult the local fly shops to get the latest information.

      Tug-of-war with an Eagle River trout. Photo by Jim Muth.

       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