LOCATION
Durango, Colorado

SEASON
Year-Round

CAPACITY
Animas Valley Anglers can accommodate up to 10 anglers at a time. Special group rates may be available.

SPECIES
Rainbow, brown, brook, and cutthroat trout

GENERAL INFORMATION
Animas Valley Anglers is a small, personable guide service that offers float and wade trips on the San Juan, Animas, and Dolores Rivers, as well as a number of backcountry and high mountain streams and creeks.

LENGTH OF STAY
Trips and packages of any length can be arranged. All trips are completely customized.

THE FISHING
SAN JUAN RIVER
The world famous San Juan River, located one hour south of Durango, Colorado, flows cold and consistent from the bottom of the Navajo Reservoir dam. This river is often referred to as a “lunker-infested tailwater with an amazing fish density.” This is true desert canyon fishing, and the river is bordered on all sides by high sandstone cliffs that expose millions of years of geology. On the canyon floor, the river runs slow over shallow riffles and deep pools, surrounded by willows, cottonwoods, and sagebrush. This is truly one of the country’s top tail water fisheries, boasting thousands of fish per mile in the Quality Water section located just below the dam. Packed full of trout, 15 to 30 hookups per angler per day are very common, and the fish tend to be large and aggressive. Because the waters of the San Juan can attract large numbers of anglers, the guides of A.V.A. have become very good at fishing “off the beaten path” and keeping their clients away from the masses whenever possible. Casting small dry flies and nymphs are typical techniques used to hook fish within the Quality Water section, where fish size averages between 14 and 20 inches. The San Juan maintains a constant year round water temperature between 42-46 degrees, making this a fabulous winter fishery. This constant temperature provides a strong, year-round insect population and a consistent growing season for the rainbow fingerlings stocked throughout the year. New Mexico Game and Fish estimates the fingerlings grow four to six inches per year. The sections of the San Juan downstream from the popular Quality Waters receive much less angling pressure and are also home to large numbers of fish. A float on the lower river covers 9 to 12 miles of public and private water, and most fish in this section are wild and untouched. Here, the brown trout tend to out-number the rainbows, and fish size ranges between 8 and 15 inches on average. There are, however, some monster bows and browns lurking in this section of the lower river, and when the river is on, an angler can enjoy fantastic action.

ANIMAS RIVER
The Animas River is a stunning, free-flowing river that tumbles its way from the San Juan Mountains and through Durango, Colorado before heading into New Mexico and merging with the San Juan. The Animas does not have as many fish as the Juan, but more than makes up for it by the low number of anglers and the high quality of the resident trout. Depending on the conditions, it is a great river to float or wade. Sight nymphing, stripping streamers, and casting dries to these wild fish can make any day on the Animas very interesting. Cutthroat, rainbows, and browns are the main trout species that live within the river, and the average fish is 12 to 16 inches. Larger fish in the 16 to 20 inch range are common. Animas Valley Anglers offers full day, half day and evening float trips south of Durango through public and private land. They have a number of exclusive put-ins and take-outs, along with private land lunch stops where wade fishing can be excellent. “Town floats” through Durango can be fun and easy, and a great way to catch the evening hatch. The hatches and dry fly fishing on the Animas can be very good. The intense caddis hatches of early summer rival those on the Yellowstone and Arkansas rivers, and blinding numbers of caddis can be found along the river at this time. Blue-wing olives (spring and fall) and pale morning duns (summer) make up the majority of mayflies on the river. Midges are best during the lower water periods of late summer, fall, winter, and early spring. Terrestrials work well during late summer and early fall while large golden stones can be found along the river during the later part of June through mid-August.

DOLORES RIVER (Below McPhee Dam)
The Dolores is a small, picturesque river that flows from McPhee Reservoir before heading downstream into the slick-rock country of Utah. The Dolores Valley, rimmed by scrub oak, ponderosa pines and large sandstone formations, is absolutely stunning with what can only be described as a genuine “wild-west” feel. On any given day you can run across cattle drives, deer, wild turkeys, rattle snakes and thick hatches of mayflies. Unfortunately, poor management and low water flows in the early nineties greatly diminished the quality of this once great fishery. However, the river has rebounded somewhat over the past few years, and with the right attitude, one can still find a wonderful angling experience. The finicky trout of the Dolores can be challenging at times, but with persistence and decent presentations, anglers can usually hook and land fish in the 10 to 18 inch range. While high numbers of hookups are somewhat rare, there are days an angler can entice 10 or 12 fish to the fly.

BOATS AND EQUIPMENT OFFERED
Animas Valley Anglers uses a combination of drift boats and rafts, depending on the season, the conditions, and the waters fished. Demo and loaner gear from Scott Rods, Ross Reels, Scientific Anglers, and Patagonia are available for client use at no charge.

THE LODGING
There are a large number of lodging and hotel options available in both the Durango area and on the San Juan River. Information on Durango-area lodging can be found at http://www.godurango.com/lodging/lodging.asp.

RATES & DETAILS 2009
Full Day trips are 7 1/2 to 8 hours and half day trips are 4 hours long. San Juan trips do not include a 5.75 % New Mexico tax.

WHAT’S INCLUDED
Please note that all Colorado and San Juan/New Mexico rates include guided fishing, flies, transportation, truck shuttle fees, lunch, drinks, terminal tackle, and any applicable private land fees for boat launch and fishing access. If you don't have gear (rod/reel or waders) or you have no desire to pack your own along, Animas Valley Anglers has loaner and demo gear available. All rod/reel and wader demo and loaner use is included in trip cost.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Lodging costs in Colorado and/or New Mexico (unless prior arrangements are made), fishing license and gratuities.

DEPOSIT INFORMATION
A 50% deposit (per angler) of the total package cost for each trip is due to us within 10 days of booking to secure the reservation. Guides and dates cannot be held or reserved without a deposit. YDFA reserves the right to charge a handling fee of $100 per person for date changes after the initial reservation has been made. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure.

HOW TO GET THERE
With good highways and an airport served several times a day by United and America West airlines, getting to Durango is easy. If you choose to fly, you'll need to come through Denver, Phoenix or Albuquerque except during the winter, when there are direct flights from Dallas on American Airlines. The airport is about 10 minutes from town, and many area hotels offer shuttles. (When you make your hotel reservations, be sure to inquire about this.) Driving from Denver is gorgeous in good weather and treacherous during bad weather. With good driving conditions it takes about six hours. The drive from Albuquerque is about three and a half hours, although it's fun to take your time and stop in Santa Fe on the way.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
Colorado fishing license, available at all area fly shops and sporting goods stores, or by logging on to the following website:
Colorado Division of Wildlife
http://wildlifelicense.com/co/

NON-ANGLING ACTIVITIES
Durango, Colorado - home to the famous Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad – is located in Southwest Colorado at an elevation of 6,512 feet. Non-anglers looking for alternate activities can find great options such as rafting or kayaking on the Animas River (which flows right through town) or taking a jeep tour high in the San Juan Mountains among expansive fields of wildflowers and breathtaking scenery. The Durango area has great rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking and camping as well. A classic (perhaps THE classic) summertime activity is a ride on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, where you can see the beauty of the majestic San Juan Mountains from the comfort of a restored steam train coach from Durango to Silverton. Other popular activities include playing golf, having a laughter-filled evening at the melodrama or dancing to some live music, taking an aerial tour via glider or helicopter, shopping at our wonderful downtown stores and galleries, or soaking in the hot springs after a long day of playing.

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