So, it turns out after reading the most recent F&S, my dad and I had the same idea regarding the article about trout fishing between Durango and Silverton. You can get off the train halfway between Durango and Silverton, and then backpack around for several days and trout fish. Has anybody done this? Are there a lot of people out there? (not seeing anyone would be great) Is the weather good enough to do this around the 1st of August?
However there is a problem, neither of us fly fish. We've caught plenty of trout in the Ozarks on ultralights. Is it legal to use non-flyfishing tackle? Is it even plausible out there? Would we get laughed out of town if we showed up with ultralights?

My father and I saw that article as well, looks like a blast. I have fly fished that area and ridden the train in the past, but never in one trip.

Although I have only fly fished there, I would assume you could use ultralights. As far as being laughed at for not fly fishing, I would not worry about it. You should fish how ever you are comfortable and what ever you enjoy.

If you have ever wanted to try fly fishing this might be a great opportunity to give it a try.

If you go up there, do yourself a favor and learn to flyfish. It is an outstanding experience. When you get back, you may find yourself flyfishing for bass, bluegill, or reds. As RamblinRogue aptly put it once, "Flyfishing is like the bowhunting of fishing."

Go to a local shop that can set you up with what you need - rod, reel, backing, line, tippet, waders, vest, etc. A knowledgeable place can help you. Try the White River shop inside of Bass Pro.

Then find a guide online and set up a day with him to teach you how to flyfish (not just casting, but how to hunt the fish) and show you parts of the area. What you will learn is that many people will just park next to any stream somewhere and fish their way upstream. It may just be running down the side of a road.

It is big fun and a wonderful experience.

There are a number of glacier lakes in the area between Durango and Silverton (Electra, Big and Little Molas come to mind), and there are some good campsites as well. Was the fishing on the Animas? If so, while it won't be packed, there is decent tourist trade (Silverton is a freakin' tourist trap), but not too crowded. I know the Animas is used a lot for rafting and kayaking, but I wold think there is still plenty of great fishing. Beautiful scenery, BTW.

in regards to fly fishing, i would just check the regs. but i agree, if there is ever a time to learn, it is between now and then. however, it is a lot more difficult then regular fishing so i wouldn't just start on the river. also, instead of getting all suited up with waders and the like, and since you will be packing, i have started just wearing quick dry shorts/ or swimming trunks and tevas. this works great, and especially in august, the water will be relatively warm.

i wish i was going with ya'll. my dad and i will be going to taos during that time to also do a fly fishing trip. lets us know if you have any further questiosn on fly fishing gear, packs, and the like

Learn to fly fish you won't regret it up there. Far more fun than ultralights. Are you talking about the Animas? She's flowing about 2500 right now. A bit mose that this pic.


The Delores offers a lot of opportunities as well.

I'll be in Durango this time next week . Don't forget to go to the Steamworks microbrew and grill while you are in town.

I fish about 60% UL spinning and 40% fly fishing up there, mostly because of the kinds of water I'm fishing and lack of experience fishing for trout on flies, but you can do both. There are a few "trophy" waters with special restrictions here or there, but when you get your colorado license, they have a booklet like the Texas ones they give you that describes any special restrictions on certain waters.

The Animas is a pretty nice stream to fish, it comes down a glacial valley, and has PLENTY of fishable water, and is a really pretty place. You can see all kinds of hiking and jeep trails from the railway. You probably won't need waders really, as the water is cold, but not punishingly so...you get wading shoes and quick dry pants, and you can probably tolerate the cold. I've swam in the Animas before, and people tube it in the mid-summer when it is lower. Backpacking up in there ought to be a heck of a lot of fun. And be prepared...in the summer sun, it can get plenty warm, even way up there.

Lake Electra is pretty nice fishing at times. There is a hell of a good place to cliff jump/dive there, too, but the water is cold!

I've gotten kind of a new fishing tactic I like to try up there now on the lakes.. I bring up my kayak, and troll a Kastmaster spoon behind me, and just take a paddle tour of the lake I'm fishing, and I've picked up some nice fish that way while checking out the lake for fishing spots...

hey master, what can you tell me about the taos region of new mexico? i've fished pagosa springs in colorado, but i heard taos is a verible hot bed of streams and areas to fish.

I've ridden the train and jumped off in between Durango and Silverton a couple of times to backpack in the Weminuche Wilderness. If you want to get away from tourists and such, then you'll need to hike in a ways ... Lots of people congregate around that train stop (Needleton), and it can get quite crowded in the summer.

It's about 7 or 8 miles (uphill) to Chicago Basin, and you follow a good-size stream most of the way. Or, you can just follow the Animas up- or downstream for a ways to get away from the crowds. It's absolutely beautiful up there, and quite worth your time ...

I've fished Red River and pulled out tons of stocked trout. If you want a sure thing, there is fawn lakes campground up near Red River, with a couple of well stocked streams. You can get a jeep or 4x4 and head upstream from Red River towards the headwaters of the river on some of the jeep trails, and that area gets very light fishing pressure..I saw lots of trout up there, and there are numerous small lakes in the area.

Eagle Nest lake is mostly for trollers, but has kokanee and makinaw in it.

The Rio Grande is really good fishing if you have the legs to get down into the canyon. I've seen some MONSTER trout down in there, and because of the hike down 800 feet or so of elevation to get there, they get very little fishing pressure. If you want a trophy trout, that is a place to try.

I've never actually fished that specific area. Most of my experience in New Mexico is on the San Juan, Cimarron, and Pecos. The only thing I can say about taos is it is the only place I have ever had a guy offer me a "blower"! No joke.

no way! um, alright then. i'm a pure fly fisherman, that rio grande sounds interesting. how bad is that hike in?

if you want to hike and backpack for a few miles, then try to hit up big and little emerald. above them you have moon lake which is full of bookies. there are huge trout in the emeralds, in fact they use it to stock other lakes. the usual size restrictions associated with it apply.

awesome spots to set up a tent and photos to boot.
the lakes and los pinos are in the weminuche wilderness.

i dont have any of mine posted, but i did find these.
little emerald

silverton narrow gauge

moon lake


google maps show
moon 37 34'45, 107 26' 24

emeralds 37 33'13, 107 26 45

Not terrible, but pretty vertical. I hiked down at the Wild Rivers Recreational Area, off 378, on the Arsenic Springs trails. It takes a beating from the mid-day sun, and you need to bring your own water unless you want to pull some from the springs (it is pretty fresh, and generally drinkable from the source if you can reach it, but it never hurts to put a purification tab in it). The trail is a couple of miles long, maybe three. There are some BIG brown trout in the Rio grande down there, and if you get skunked, it is still worth it just for the scenery.

well i guess, hows getting back out. did you hike it? is the water deep enough for waders?

FYI, the Rio Grande where I was Fishing looks like this. Took this about 4 years back...

I saw some guys with waders down there, but I just used the rocks... you can reach most of the river easily from the banks...wading shoes wouldn't hurt, but waders probably not necessary unless you really don't like cold water.

mouth... you've been a huge help.

now where did you stay while you were there? did you camp? i think my dad wants to get like a cheap hotel close to the water. sorry to bug you so much on this, i'm just fishing it blind right now.

txpirate,

the weminuche is a beautiful place. If it is legal you can catch those fish on ultralight, but since they eat insects you may have better luck flyfishing.

If you want to learn to flyfish before you go contact 87flyfisher at www.flyfishingfork.com

If you use ultralight get a water bobber and tie your fly below the bobber on 4 lb line. the water bobber will allow you to cast the fly a ways in a lake.

Take plenty of warm gear for storms in this area.

good luck.

Yah, June/July is the rainy season in Colorado... little T storms may pop up at any time in the mountains.

As far as where I stayed in New Mexico...

I was camped at a national forest campground west of Red River NM, about 10 feet from the bank of Red River itself. There are plenty of nice places to stay in Taos, or Red River even. As far as near the Rio Grande, it actually runs through the desert flats a little ways from the mountains, in its own little canyon. There really isn't a whole not of lodging close to the river itself. If you want to be right on a river that is fishable, you might try in the Cimmarron area...that river is also some good fishing, though it gets a LOT more fishing pressure.

There's not a lot of good public water on the Cimarron but there is some. I've fished some awesome private water on it though.

Keep in mind that if you are fly fishing as a beginner, the Cimarron can be a bit tough. It is awful tight in most places.

[This message has been edited by MasterAggie (edited 6/19/2007 1:01p).]

not a beginner, just looking for some good places.

i think i'll focus on the rio.... sound interesting. is it wadable? the cimarron seems alright, but i think the rio is more my style

Yes, to a limited extent you can wade it, but there are stretches that are very rocky, like the picture, with deep holes and swirling water... other sections you can wade in...

I've done this backpakcing trip before, get off halfway, go over columbine pass, and down to vallecity resevoir. It's a pretty steap hike not the easiest from the train side. I'm bummed this was written up, don't want more people in my favorite spots.

If you go, take extra extra care of your backpack and shoes when you are near timberline. The marmots will devour anything you sweated on for the salt. not fun to walk out with no boots and no shoulder straps on your pack.

Tony...sounds like you speak from experience about the pack and shoes!!! This has to be one of the most helpful threads on TexAgs yet! Thanks guys!

Yeah, definitely one of the most helpful threads. This trip seems definitely plausible, now to nail down some concrete plans.
As for fly-fishing, it is in BOLD on my list of things to learn or do. It seems like it is more of a connection to nature, like you have to be part of the system, or at least act like it. I certainly appreciate this; Spring turkey is my favorite hunt for this very reason.
However, with my dad, well, you know what they say about old dogs and new tricks. So we'll see. I'll post back with my plans when I have them.

You can take the narrow gauge up and have them drop you off along the animas. Or if you don't want to pay the money, you can just walk in about a mile or two from the trailhead across the highway from Durango ski resort. That part of the trail is used by climbers and hikers and you shouldn't see too many other fishermen

Are there any books, dvds, video, or supplemental texts on this area and fly fishing it? I guess what I am trying to ask is, what types of flys work best and what time of year is the best to do this trip? Thanks again!

I always have a ***** of a time matching hatches, being a relative flyfishing noob, so I either use old summer stanbys like mosquitos or maybe a grizz adams or even a grasshopper..

or I try sinking nymphs that match the bugs and critters i find under the first rock or two I turn over.

Let me put it this way.. i'm a fly fishing noob with very little tackle, and I probably have something like 100 different nymphs, flies and streamers in my flybox.

ugh i hate nymphing... hate it.

have you ever dropped? you tie an extra two foot of tippet past your dry fly and put a nymph on that. that works really well. however, you can only have two prep casts at most... otherwise it will tangle like crazy.

i have a big fly box with a ton of different patterns, some that only i tie. however, when i go fishing, i bring a small box with limited amount of patters... otherwise its too much weight! mouth, have you ever looked at learning to tie? catching a bug, and then tyinng that bug on the river is definately the best way to go, they sell tons of travel fly tying kits too.

I've made a few simple ones, but I don't have a kit, so my materials were pretty limited. That would be one way to do it, though.

chililights and tony
What did you do to plan your trip? My dad was given the ok for the vacation time, so it is time to figure out where to go and what to do. Who should I contact?
could you shoot me an email? txpirate11 at hotmail . com

email me the details and of the trip and when you are going if possible ccddbb65@yahoo.com thanks!

I've done it. We didn't do any river fishing, but we fished the lakes that are way up in the mountains. We caught several trout at one of the Emerald lakes. You have to hike way in to get to them. I believe we hiked a full two or three days before we got to Emerald lake, but the scenery was magnificent. The hike was very difficult. Imagine hiking 50 miles with an 80lb pack pulling a stubborn llama that didn't want to follow.

It was 13 years ago, but my dad and many of his work buddies put together a 50-mile hike. We had the whole package: llamas, etc. We hiked the 50 miles in about 7 days.

At any rate, we got on the train at Durango and got off about half way between Durango and Silverton. The train ride is beautiful. As far as seeing a lot of people, I don't remember seeing that many. The park ranger came around and warned us about a bear in the area, but other than that, I don't believe we saw too many.

If you're in that area, I highly recommend Black Canyon of the Gunnison. It is amazing.

TAF

[This message has been edited by RightWingConspirator (edited 6/24/2007 8:46a).]

I would recomend parking at the campground at Valecito Resourvour and backpacking up valecito creek, turn east and follow an iron stained creek untill you hit rock lake, then follow rock creek till it hits los pinos and that will take you south back to the resourvour. Or if nothing else, just head a couple days up the valecito and turn around. I did that trip a couple summers ago and caught literally 100's of trout off of roostertails. THey are all wild trout and very colorful. Look up the vallicito online and you will see the route I am talking about. Very secluded and beautiful mountains.