A group of friends are going in late June, and I was looking for insight from anyone who has been there before.

I never got to fish there, but I used to release bears up there occasionally. Pretty country. I know the guys that did fish it really enjoyed it.

Worked for the owner and had some co-workers go down there for some fish work. Pretty sure they had a good time and did pretty well.

Is this the same ranch that offers big time, big money elk hunts for monster bulls? That name rings a bell.

Big time and big money, but I wouldn't consider the bulls there to be monsters. Big, however. You get "nice" when you go here. This place caters to the rich and famous, and they are amazing at what they do. The bunkhouse is extremely nice and the fishing is great. The hunts are a little extravagant, but really, you are paying more for the exclusivity and the pampering. Been out there a couple times and absolutely loved it. Of course, I didn't pay the couple grand per day it costs to go out there and fish either.

BTW, you would be better off staying away from the lakes and getting down into the rivers and brooks. Completely untouched down there.

My wife's cousin used to live on the ranch because her husband was a forester there. We used to stop by on our way to Colorado but I was never able to fish it, as they don't much care to let folks fish for free...go figure. It is an absolutely gorgeous piece of land and the accommodations for the paying customers were amazing. Enjoy it.

I've hunted elk there before. Accommodations are extremely nice. We hunted out of the old Costilla cabin that has been there for many years. They have within the last couple of years built a new Costilla lodge there and it is big time. Have only seen photos of it. The guide that I used also guided fly fishing in the summers. He took us down after we tagged out and showed us how to fly fish on the lakes, for free.

The way I understand it is that you can fish on your own or with a guide. You can also pretty much drive the entire ranch and fish, hike, picnic, etc.

I hunted there on invite one year and have hunted the adjacent land in Colorado the past two years and killed bigger bulls on the CO side. That whole area is known for big bulls, Vermejo is just known for being luxurious while hunting them.

Beautiful country. Take advantage.

Did you hunt the surrounding units as a non-resident with pref points or as a CO resident?

This will be my third year to visit. Price is $550.00 per night inclusive of food and non alcoholic beverages, but you can bring your own. The river does not hold trout, but the two creeks #1 and #2 are great fly fishing for small trout. The lakes hold trout up to 10 lbs. Best I have done is around 6.5, and a friend has a 7.25 rainbow on his wall. I was hoping for someone to provide some information on their successful trips. Which lake, what lures, ecetera. The best part about the place is the fact you get let loose in your own vechile on 600,000 acres with a color map. I have seen a herd of 300+ American Bison, 10+ bears and had to stop my truck and honk to get a 6x6 Bull Elk to move off the road. I strongly recommend.

We go up every year about the same time. I can't go this year bc my daughter has a softball tourney. I love the place. I always fish cadus with a wet fly under it and walk around the lakes and sight fish. On our last day I always go up to the creeks.. It's nothing to catch 100+ fish up there. We always do well at Adams.
One year we decided to turn on the 4wd and head into the Colorado part of ranch. We drove for ever. A rain storm came and we barely made it back that day.

Another time I was wading out at one of the lakes. My stringer was tied up on bank. A bear came out of woods walked down an took my stringer.

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Did you hunt the surrounding units as a non-resident with pref points or as a CO resident?

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We have hunted the CO side of Vermejo with private land tags the past 2 years and plan to go back this year. It's contracted out by Vermejo to a private outfitter who has guided the ranch for years. I took a 268" 5x6 on the main part of Vermejo in NM (granted I settled on the final day) 3 years ago and have taken a 302" 7x6 and a 310" 5x5 on the CO side. One member of our party last year took a 362" 6x6 on the final day of the hunt.

To the OP...sorry to hijack your thread. Also, if you want a fishing guide up there, ask for Brian Palmer. Dude knows his stuff. Not sure if he's still around or not. My uncle has used him for fishing in the past.