I posted this on the travel forum and forgot to put it here as well:

My family is going to Conejos County for vacation this summer and will be staying at the Ponderosa Rv Park off 17 between Antonito and Chama. I've fished the Conejos but was wondering if anyone has some other gems to suggest. My wife, 8yr old son, and my parents will be there and they'll be more comfortable on some area lakes. Any suggestions on some lakes other than Platoro Resevoir?

I would like some short distance backcountry suggestions for me to hit while in that area as well. Has anyone fished Elk Creek Second Meadows, Adams Creek, or El Rito Azul areas? I packed over the divide to Crater Lake for 3 nights for some backcountry fly-fishing last year ( i'll have to post some pics and video) and frickin loved it. Crater Lake's trailhead is a little NW of Platoro and I approached it over Elwood Pass out of Pagosa and highly recommend this trip to anyone looking for a lake away from civilization. This year I'm with the family and can't venture too far away so tell me where the honey hole is.

Bump for monday

[This message has been edited by BTHO all (edited 6/25/2012 7:38a).]

I spent every summer as a kid there, my family has a cabin right on the Conejos. I second the pinnacles area.

I also suggest going up to Platoro, fishing a little at the reservoir and then continuing up and fishing the head waters.

I've been to that area many times and have stayed at the Ponderosa just as many. The conejos is great fishing and I've been as high as 4th meadows up Elk Creek. Depending on when you get there, the meadows can range from a large flooded lake to nothing more than a meandering stream depending on the snow melt. There are one or two lakes near Elk Creek that are supposed to be real honey holes, but I've never been. I have always stayed in the streams.

Along Elk Creek there are also several small "ponds" just below some waterfalls where the fam could hang out and fish while you cruise up the river and catch cutthroats all day.

Wish I knew more lakes for you, but I can't stay away from all the great streams and rivers. Stop in the Fox Creek store on HWY 17 and they can probably point you in the right direction. I'm super jealous and wish I could go.

Thanks guys guys for the recommendations. It's mind boggling how relatively unknown this area is with the trophy Browns that abound in the "Rabbit", but just over the mt s fork is a virtual mecca for Texans not to mention pagosa.

As Aggie John stated the pinnacles is a must see/do. It can be difficult to get in, fish, and get out, but because it is so hard it doesn't get fished as much. The pinnacles are probably the prettiest place on earth I have ever seen. It wouldn't make me one difference if I caught a fish there or not, just walking through is reward enough. Do check it out if you haven't before, but ask around because if the river is high you have no chance of getting in or out. Best of luck and don't tell others about the conejos country.

Go to this Big Lake near Platoro (there's another Big Lake that is close by as well). It's about a 3 mile hike, but it follows the Lake Fork of the Conejos all the way up, and there are several smaller ponds along the way. Additionally, there's a road that follows the stream up, but it is closed to vehicles, so it is a fairly easy hike. It's considered Wild trout water, and I think it also has Gold Medal status.

http://goo.gl/maps/RxzQ

Holy carp I can't wait to go there since last year was my first time to go there and fish that area. We aren't going til 8/11 so I may not make it that long. Thanks for all the info. I'll probably get a guide out of Conejos River Anglers, anyone have experience with them? I was in there last year and they seemed great.

Watch your cornhole if you do go.

http://bfro.net/GDB/show_county_reports.asp?state=co&county=Conejos

Whoa! I'm gonna have to bring some jerky along for the the big fellas. The SJWA is also the last sighting place of a grizzly that far south back in the 80s. A bow hunter shot and killed it. Supposedly biologist have seen clues of their exitence in the backcountry.

He actually stabbed it with an arrow after it attacked him. Autopsy revealed that she had been pregnant at some point, but they never found the cubs.

Wow that's crazy. That was definitely in the back of my mind while on the Crater Lake trip. A bear actually came grunting into my
camp one morning and I had my cook pot
with some pebbles in it for a noise maker. I made as much noise as I could with that thing. Strangely enough I wasn't able to go back to sleep.

5 star review for the Snowpeak Ti pot and skillet/ black bear frightening noisemaker.

quote:

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I'll probably get a guide out of Conejos River Anglers, anyone have experience with them?

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My brother and dad used them a few summers ago and were very happy. If you have any specific questions I'm happy to ask as I know they'll love to talk fly fishing and relive the trip

And funny you mention South Fork...we were there last week and saw many a Texas license plate, and even ran into some other Ags.

Dave
Definitely tell me more. What time of year, what were they catching on, cfm, what part of the rivet, guide?

I sent questions to my bro..in the meantime if you post your email I'll send you a Word file he put together with pics and summary of their trip. Some questions answered there (flies used, name of private water they fished, areas of river fished). They got the 2 day/3 night eat-sleep-fish package (2 days of guided fishing on private water and 3 nights of lodging).

I'd love to see that info.
domojr@hotmaildotcom

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