I thought I was going to the Bitterroot valley this summer. My wife was surfing the web and found Pagosa Springs, CO and wants to go there instead. Looking for a cabin to rent for a month.
So my question is, does anyone on FAOL ever visit there live there or use it as a destination for fishing. Seems like there are a lot of places to wet a line. We will probably be there the entire month of July. What about runoff at that time? Thanks for any input. Jim
I’m not a Pagosa expert, Jim, even though I play one on TV:D. But we have spent a little time there and can give you some generalities. It’s a great spot for lots of small streams, and the San Juan can be a great float. There are probably 5 smallish streams in the immediate vicinity, with more out 50 miles or so over on the other side of Wolf Creek pass. There is Williams Lake and its associated streams, and lots of places if you’re a hiker in the wilderness. The town itself is typical tourist and has a great Hot Springs. If you play golf, there’s a nice course there. So far, the snowpack in Colorado sounds pathetic, but that can change in an instant, and by July it should be perfect in any case. July should be Green Drakes and PMDs. Wolf Creek Anglers or Let it Fly can supply you with flies. Good choice, I think.
Jim,
I spend the summer at Vallecito Lake, about an hour from Pagosa Springs. Lots of streams in the area, as well as lakes. The San Juan is close, and if you like to hike the whole Winamuchi (sp?) wilderness is just upstream from you with seldom fished rivers and lakes for as far as you want to walk. Durango and the Animas river is just about an hour from you as well.
July is by far one of the best fishing months in the area.
You won’t be able to fish even close to all of it in a month.
If you want to fish Vallecito (the smallies are hitting topwater then) call me: 520-247-7483.
Buddy
Thanks for the responses. Got the contract for the vacation rental today. Cabin on Pagosa Lake. Fish from the back yard. WooHoo. @Buddy, I put your number in my cell phone. Don’t be surprized if you hear from me this summer.
Jim
Jim, make sure you spend some time in Durango while you are there. Take the train ride for sure.
Rich
Thanks Rich. I spent a time in Silverton in 78. Rode the train once 'cause I won a contest.
@ Herefishy: Thanks for the PM info.
The Animas can fish really well right through town sometimes. Check with Duranglers, really nice folks.
Make sure to visit Mesa Verde NP if you haven’t also.
Rich
What Rich said…
Plus I always spend a lot of time down on the Jaun below Navajo Dam.
Mesa Verde? We spent 2 days there in 1997. That was BCDC (Before Canon Digital Camera). We are actually taking 2 13 year old grandkids there for spring break. My FF club, Hi Desert FF in Apple Valley is planning an extended outing to the San Juan this year. I am thinking about taking a trailer with the Harley and the pontoon. Thanks for the suggestions.
Made it to Pagosa Springs yesterday June 18, after noon. Except for the smoke from a few wild fires it is beautiful here. Got in to our cabin on the lake and unpacked. First attempt at fishing the lake from the back yard gave me about a 20" rainbow. YEEHAW. I kept it for dinner on Wednesday. Today my wife went to the hot springs and I went to the 2 of the local fly shops. Got some info on East fork San Juan, Turkey Creek and about fishing the San Juan through town. More will be revealed. Jim
Really glad to hear the trip is going fine for you. This is an especially trying year for CO fly fishers.
That’s a great start Jim, now what are going to do for an encore? I have taken the opportunity to visit that part of CO but you are just north and a little east of my favorite part of AZ, down around Pinetop-Lakeside. Down in White Wolf’s (Gemrock) territory, Ft. Apache Reservation great trout fishing.
There’s a Louis Lamour novel about Pagosa Springs stuck in the back of my mind.
In a few weeks, we’ll be winging our way down to the San Juans tailwater ( tiny flies n’ big lies ) just below Navajo Dam, NM. Just an hour or so, southwest of Pagosa Springs.
I was gonna go to the San Juan in NM too but changed my mind for now. Pretty gnarley fire burning down that way right now. It’s taking out houses so they are attacking it pretty aggressively. The Little Sand fire North of Pagosa is being allowed to burn itself out.
This is a fish I caught this morning in the lake from my back yard.
