Flows, guide
report and flows
Animas flows have been fluctuating a bit. Flows have
ranged from 180 cfs to 425 cfs. Visibility is very clear
to very green depending on daily air temps. When air
temps warm the river will green and stain, however as
long as night-time temps stay cold the river will be
clear and fishing will be fantastic.
Guide
Report: Steady to good fishing through
town and Quality Waters section.
Lower river, including Southern Ute
has fished well too. Strong hatches
and eager fish.
Guide
activity: Will, Chris,
Matt
|
Hatches
Animas river insect hatches: Spring Blue Wing Olives
(BWOs) are hatching mid day through the afternoon.
Clouds vs sun has not been a major influence on insect
activity. Keep your eyes peeled for fish on dries
and suspended in the water column feeding on emergers.
-
Winter:Midges
-
Spring:
Midges, BWOs, caddis, stones
and sculpins
-
Summer:
Caddis, PMDs, tricos, ants and
hoppers
-
Fall:
Hoppers, BWOs and sculpins
Insects
and food in the system: Caddis pupa
(both cased and free) caddis larva,
midge larva and pupa, mayfly nymphs,
snails, stones, eggs, worms and sculpins.
|
Fly
patterns
BWOs
in #16 to #22. Bugs are gray, tan and
chocolate.
Midges are small #22 to #26. Black and chocolate pupa.
Caddis
emergers and pupa are #16 and #18.
Cased caddis in the same size range.
Elk hair caddis, peacock caddis and
small stimis to match the adults.
BWO's (baetis) size #16 to #22 in
brown, chocolate and gray. Streamers
in black, brown olive. Vary the size
of streamers you strip.
|
Predictions
and forecast
The
current snow pack should set up flows
similar to the 2008 season. We'll have
increased flows in March with run-off
peaking some time in late May or early
June. June caddis hatch should also be
on time starting in early June.
The
Animas is a fantastic free-stone
river that runs right through Durango
Colorado. Perfect river for full
and 1/2 day trips. Looking to learn
a few of the Animas secrets? Book
an AvA guide to help you decode this
tricky but great fishery.
|
Animas
River Trout and Year-round Season
Cutthroat, rainbows and browns are the main trout species
that live within the river and the average fish is 12
to 16 inches. However 18 to 20 inch fish are common.
Sight nymphing, stripping streamers and casting dries
to these wild and planted fish make it a fantastic wade
or float fishing. Monster trout, 7 to 10+ pounds, do
in fact lurk in the Animas. These rouge trout are very
shy and only show themselves once in awhile. Most of
the monsters feed at night on other fish, mammals and
small birds.
The
season on the Animas River is year-round.
On occasion there will be slush in
the river during really cold periods
mid winter. The river will become
muddy and high during spring run-off
during late April and early May.
Flows subside in June.
|
|
Animas
details
The Animas is a stunning, free-flowing river that tumbles its way
through Durango Colorado before heading into New Mexico and merging
with the San Juan near Farmington New Mexico.
Animas
has been designated Gold Medal status by
the state of Colorado. There is nearly 4
miles of Quality Water that starts
just south of Durango. The section is from
Lightner Creek down stream to Dallabeta Park.
Rivers in the state only earn this status
by high numbers of quality trout.
There
is public access through Durango, the Gold
Medal section and a few sections in the Southern
Ute Reservation. A separate fishing licence
is required to fish the Ute waters.
|
