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ACTIVITIES

Top Colorado Trout Streams
Conejos River, Colorado
By GORP Expert Angler Mark D. Williams

Feeder waterfall
above the Conejos

The coldest night I ever spent in the outdoors was in a tent with my brother-in-law and most frequent fishing buddy, Kenny. We were fishing a feeder creek to the Conejos and camped out at about 11,000 feet. We shivered all night long and never really went to sleep. When we tried to get out of the tent about four in the morning to make a fire, we had to break the ice sheets covering the tent first — they slammed to the ground, breaking into huge chunks.

We broke camp and hiked out five miles at five in the morning. You'd think such a chilling experience would have been the highlight of our trip when we shared the fishing excursion with friends and family back home. But we told them about the 40 fish we each caught one day instead, and the four-pound brown Kenny landed in a big unnamed pool. It's that kind of river.

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The Conejos is arguably the best of all the wild rivers in the Southwest. The feeder streams are big and productive enough that it'd be worthwhile to visit them alone. Most require at least a hike, and you'll need a full-fledged backpacking expedition to get to the best parts of them. But if you want true wilderness angling in pristine forests and wide meadows, hit any one of these tributaries. Some say that if you were ever going to run into a grizzly bear — the last of which was seen in 1979 in the state of Colorado — it will be in the backcountry of the Conejos. Wild, wild, wild.

And what about the Conejos? Miles and miles of fishing a 30-foot clear stream with little competition. Abundant insect hatches. Meadows and canyons. The Pinnacles towering overhead.

While the river has fished inconsistently the last few years, historically, it's not uncommon to pull brown trout as long as your arm. And even if you aren't that lucky, the scenery is worth the trip.

Practicalities
Topos and other maps: USGS Osier, La Jara Canyon, Spectacle Lake, Red Mountain, Platoro, Summit Peak, and USFS Rio Grande National Forest.

Location: South-central Colorado near Alamosa, Antonito.

Description: Freestone stream with diverse water: pocket water, riffles, runs, pools, meadows, canyons.

Directions: From Alamosa, drive south on Highway 285 to Antonito. Turn west on Highway 17 south of town where you will pick up the river for 35 miles. Turn right on Forest Road 250, which follows the river to Platoro Reservoir.

Lodging, camping: There are numerous campgrounds along the river including Mogote CG, Aspen Glade CG, Spectacle Lake CG, and Elk Creek CG. In Antonito, you can stay at the Cottonwood Meadows Cabins (970-376-5660) and Narrow Gauge Railroad Inn (970-376-5441).

Accesses: The river has plenty of public access along its 60 miles of fishable water.

Season: Open year-round but fishes best late June and early July through mid-October.

Tackle: 8- to 9-foot rod for 4- to 6-weight line for the main river and lakes. A shorter 2- to 4-weight for the numerous feeder creeks is ideal.

Flies: Irresistible 1216, Elk Hair Caddis 1218, PMD Comparadun 1620, Blue Winged Olive 1420, Adams 1420, Humpy 1218, Royal Wulff 1218, Hoppers 812, Muddler Minnows 26, Hare's Ear 1218, Pheasant Tail 1420, Bitch Creek 28, Dark Stonefly nymphs 48, Brown trout streamers, Prince Nymph 1418, Brassie 1618, Midge larva 1822.

Regulations: The section from Menkhaven Ranch down to Aspen Glade CG is considered Wild Trout water where the bag and possession limit for trout is two fish, 16 inches or longer. Other special regulations sections include Saddle Creek Bridge downstream to the Hamilton property (where South Fork enters) and the Bear Creek subdivision. Check the regulations handbook for the specific restrictions.

Species of game fish: Rainbows and browns, mixture of stocked and wild.

Hazards: None applicable.

Highlights: The Pinnacles.

Scenery: The forks of the Conejos are worth taking a day or two to visit. If you backpack, the forks are made for you. Catch backcountry browns and brookies in some of the most remote, spectacular scenery on the continent. I love the Conejos Fall view on the Middle Fork. The lakes of the South San Juan Wilderness are excellent destination angling spots.

Navigable: Not applicable for anglers.

Other: Fox Creek Fly Shop.

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