Fly Fishing the Animas River – Durango Colorado

 The Animas River

 

 

THE ANIMAS RIVER

See The Durango River Report for up-to-date USGS river flows on area rivers.

The Following Information on the Animas river is excerpted from Jackson Striet’s “No Nonsense Guide to Fly Fishing in Colorado”and is reprinted courtesy of David Communications. All Rights Reserved.

 

 

The Following Information on the Animas river is excerpted from Jackson Striet’s “No Nonsense Guide to Fly Fishing in Colorado”and is reprinted courtesy of David Communications. All Rights Reserved.

Copyright 1995 by David Communications

 

Types of Fish
Brown, rainbow and a few cutthroat and brookies. Fish 18 – 20″ are taken.

 

Known Hatches
November-March: Midges (Diptera)
April-May, late Aug-Nov: 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 l/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 neoprene chest high
waders, boots with stream cleats and a wading staff. Light-
weight waders work well in summer heat.

 

Flies to Use
Dry Patterns
Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, Wulffs, Humpies, Irresistibles &
Trudes #12-16, Green Drakes #12 (during hatches), Sofa
Pillow, Stimulator #6-l2 (for stonefly and willowfly hatches).Nymphs and Streamers
Hare’s Ears #I0-14, Prince & Beadheads #8-16, Caddis
Larva & Pupa #12-16, Bird’s Stone #6-12, Twenty-Incher
#6-l0, Halfback #6-12, Woolly Bugger #2/0- 4, Clouser
Minnow #2/0 – 2, Sculpins #2/0 to 2.

When to Fish

Heavy runoff usually lasts until mid-June, so the river starts fishing very well when it is high and clearing. Durango summers are warm and midday fishing is slow. Things really pick up in the fall when browns are spawning. The Animas is also a good winter fishery with a surprising number of moderate days. Water temperature near 40 degrees usually means good fishing.

Seasons & Limits

Open year-round. From Lightner Creek to Purple Cliffs, artificial flies and lures only. The bag and possession limit for trout is 2 fish, 16″orlonger.

Durango has a variety of motels, hotels and restaurants as well as other services. You can actually fish out of some of the motels in town.

Nearby Fly Fishing
The Dolores, Piedra, Florida and San Juan rivers.

Rating
Chances of landing a real trophy are as good here as any place in western Colorado. The Animas rates an 8.5.

 

Copyright 1995 by David Communications

See real time Animas River Fishing Report!