Trout fishing near Durango Co. ? - Page 2

**THE JAMMER** · #11 06-04-2012, 10:49 AM

As far as you fishing gear, check out Fishing Tackle Unlimited. They have some great combos (4 piece rod, reel, line, backing, case) for some great prices. I got one of these for my kid several years, and many trout ago.

Talk to Andy, and tell him Chip says hi.

**ss mudminnow** · #12 06-04-2012, 09:24 PM

How cold is the water near the end of june ? do you need waders or is it warm enough to go without them, like just jeans and tennis shoes maybe ?

**bigfly55** · #13 06-05-2012, 03:34 AM

tennis shoes = bad idea on about any of the rivers up there. Slick enough with felt and quite a few use studded soles also. Especially on the Juan. Fishing the creeks with a lot of walking between holes, you may not need waders, but that water is cold.

Jetpadge · #14 06-05-2012, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ss mudminnow

How cold is the water near the end of june ? do you need waders or is it warm enough to go without them, like just jeans and tennis shoes maybe ?

Unless you are a REAL man, you had better wear wadders. I was there in late June and the water was too cold for me in shorts. Do not use tennis shoes, make sure you have felt bottom wadding boots. If you try tennis shoes, i promise you will bust your butt on the slick rocks, and then you will see how cold that water is. We used #20 WD40's with a 12 to 14 inch #5 tippit trailer with a #22 black nymph. Add just 1 split shot above the rig, and get after it.

You are gonna have a blast.

**THE JAMMER** · #15 06-05-2012, 09:20 AM

We used #20 WD40's with a 12 to 14 inch #5 tippit trailer with a #22 black nymph. Add just 1 split shot above the rig, and get after it.

Jetpadge has been there done that. Good suggestion. Waders for sure. The temp at the SAn Juan is basically about the same year round in that it is a tail water fishery. Water comes into the river from the bottom of the ****. Too cold for wet wading for me. I'll do that on the upper Rio Grande in July, but not the Juan.

**ss mudminnow** · #16 06-06-2012, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetpadge

Unless you are a REAL man, you had better wear wadders. I was there in late June and the water was too cold for me in shorts. Do not use tennis shoes, make sure you have felt bottom wadding boots. If you try tennis shoes, i promise you will bust your butt on the slick rocks, and then you will see how cold that water is. We used #20 WD40's with a 12 to 14 inch #5 tippit trailer with a #22 black nymph. Add just 1 split shot above the rig, and get after it.

You are gonna have a blast.

LOL !! yeah i dont need to be bustin my butt, done that enough in my life time, Thanks for the info.

**Salty Dog** · #17 06-06-2012, 05:57 PM

Felt soles are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Look for the new Vibram soled wading shoes. Felt soled shoes are not allowed on some waters and will be banned from more in the future.

As far as wading wet it is not a problem in the summertime so long as the water is knee deep or less in most of the places you will fish. You don't want to be dipping the jewels in a cold, hard running river. When I fish smaller streams I often leave the waders behind and just wear my wading shoes.

**ss mudminnow** · #18 06-06-2012, 07:58 PM

Thats good info Salty, i will check them vibrams out also, thanks, yeah i sure dont want to get the jewels in that cold water they is already less than a karat, dont needm no smaller, lol

**michaelp936** · #19 06-13-2012, 03:04 PM

I make an annual trip to the San Juan from south Texas. While I fish throughout the western states...CA, ID, MT, WY, CO, etc.....I can only echo what others have said. There are more fish per linear mile in this tailwater than any other in the western U.S. It is a blast and you will catch fish. It's almost 'blind squirrel....' fishing. It's about an hours drive from Durango, but well worth the minimal effort it takes to get there.

Go by Fisheads (Orvis-endorsed lodging and guides, but they are very accommodating.....also, great food in the restaurant!) at Navajo Dam and ask the folks at the store what they're biting. Then, head upriver and fish the Texas Hole just below the dam....folks in the store can tell you where to park and walk to get to the fishing.

Good luck and have fun wherever you end up.

**jerkyourcroaker** · #20 06-13-2012, 11:39 PM

We have house out by Lemon Reservoir in Durango and I have fished out there every summer for the last seven years. I was out in April to kick around a little bit but didnt get to fish. I will be back two more times before the summer ends. I'll give you my normal game plan. I'm not the most experienced Flyfisher in the world so it should work for you too.

I would recommend buying or borrowing an inexpensive four weight rod. Get yourself a decent floating weight forward line and some 9' 5x tapered leader. Buy a dozen elk hair caddis, some royal trudes maybe a hopper or two and some bead head pheasant tail nymphs.

As much as I like the Juan, when you travel to Durango it's hard to pass up the creeks and rivers close to town. Fishing the Animas in late June will be a challenge. The fish will be spooky,the rafters abundant and it can be frustrating. There are some quality fish in the animas but into the summer they get lock jaw. Snow pack was light and ran off early this year so flows will be good in late June. Normally, they might be a little high. You can fish Williams creek north of town on 550, just park and walk in adjacent to the mountain bike trail. If you like to hike, fish Vallecito Creek north of the Vallecito campground. You have to hike about a mile and a half in befor the trail gets down by the creek but the views and the fishing can be incredible - one of my favorites. East of Bayfield is access to the Piedra. A freestone river with some solid browns in it. Easy to access, not a long hike to the river, fishing can be very good.

You will need waders and wading boots. It will be too cold to wet wade unless you stick with the creeks. The water will be just above fifty in the morning and that will hurt you in your tender spots.

I fish with a guy from Duranglers every year, his name is Spencer Schreiber. Great guide and has gotten to be a food friend. My wife went to HS with Corky Corcoran, mentioned above, and he's very good too. Stop by the shop to buy your license and some flies and they will point you in the right direction. Take a half day trp with one of their guides and they'll show you how to get it done and where to go.

PM me if you have any questions about where to stays what to do where to eat etc. I know a little about the area and would be happy to help. You'll enjoy your trip.