| Animas
fly fishing float Trips
We offer full day, 1/2 day and evening float trips on the Animas River. Our
float trips cover over 40 miles of water including the Durango
public waters, Gold Medal section and private waters south of town. We also
offer a special lower river canyon float that starts at the Southern Ute boundary
and
ends
a few miles into New Mexico. (We can not guide the Southern Ute Waters)
We have
exclusive
and
shared
put-ins
and
take-outs,
along
with
exclusive
private
land access where we can also wade fish and enjoy a stream-side lunch.
Float
day and river miles
Full day trips will typically
cover 6 to 12 miles of river. Half
day and evening trips will cover
3 to 6 miles depending on flows
and conditions. Even when flows
are low we continue to float fish
the Animas, usually covering shorter
distances and focusing on
deeper holding water. We
mix up our days on the various
beats depending on seasonal changes,
flows, water conditions and insect
hatches. Season
and techniques
Float season can start as early as February and can last well into October
or November. February through April the fish can be found eating small dries,
nymphs and streamers. April through early June, when the river flows are up,
we fish large streamers, nymphs and poppers. In mid June, as snow melt slows,
our annual caddis hatch kicks in making for fantastic dry and nymph fishing.
July through October we cast dries like hoppers, caddis, PMDs, tricos and cicadas.
Nymphing from the boat can be also be very productive almost any time of year.
Animas
Trout
In the various float sections of the Animas, an angler has the opportunity
to cast to browns, rainbows, cut-bows and cutthroat trout. Size range of trout
in the Animas is wide open. Any given cast gives you the opportunity for an
8-inch dink or a 30-inch fish of a lifetime... you just never know who's going
to latch on!
Catch
Rates
Catch rates can vary day to day, but the river is healthy with a strong fish
population, and many of the fish are wild trout. These studdly trout are quality
fish as well, you wont see many hook scars on these beauties. On a good day,
its not uncommon to have 20 fish or more to the fly!
Animas
float trips
All our
Animas float trips include:
-
Professional
Guide
-
Flies
(including secret guide patterns)
-
Terminal
tackle
-
Hearty
stream-side lunch with drinks
-
Transportation
(if needed)
-
Rod/Reel
and Waders/Boots (if needed)
Animas
float trips do not include:
Colorado fishing license and
customary gratuity for the guide
Upper
Photo: Chris Meyer shot of
AVA guide Will Blanchard
floating
the Animas - March 07
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