Animas River Fly Fishing - Late Winter

Shhhhhhhhhhh...the Animas River is fishing well. I have had a few days on the water the past couple weeks with a few long time guests of AVA. Fished with Bob and his son Jeff for a couple days as well as Reed Tankerton and his buddy. Between the Animas and San Juan the late winter fishing as been well....again, shhhhhhh.....pretty sweet. Love the cold snowy days; fish are on the bite and you feel like you earned that hot coffee at lunch. This is a sample of shots from the Animas days with the guys. San Juan shots on the way. None of the shots have been tweaked, just strait of the camera.

-Will

photos: all images are copyright protected - Will Blanchard | Animas Valley Anglers

Honeymoon Pine River

Here are a few snaps from our time on the Pine River after the wedding...

26.5 x 17

grabin' the prize

24x15

nice stance, nice new rod

settling down for bed

champagne toast at the cabin

piggly wigglys on the San Juan

New to the sport of fly fishing? Not a problem for these two rookie fly anglers from Iowa. Zack and Alex, along with the rest of the big group found out quickly our trout are bigger than their trout. Great group and great spring fishing. Way to go guys.




photo1: Zack and his monster. photo2 Alex and his chucky rainbow

BWOs-the old blue wing olive

Spring and the mighty (small) blue wing olive. Catch a cloudy day on many of our western rivers and you just might see a thick hatch of these sexy little mayflies. The San Juan, Animas, Dolores, Rio, Pine and others will offer the fly angler a shot at nice fish on baetis nymphs, emergers and dries. The season is officially on!

thugs

images: Gator Brown from the Animas River (image published in Scott Fly Rod catalog in 06) Old Hook Jaw from the Animas, Big D stud

TU and Animas River Restoration Project 2009

Easter Eggs, Taxes, Small Flies and BIG TROUT

Spring is in the air...images: Last week Tony Lockwood took a break from the slopes and grabbed his son Trenton for a day of fishing with Animas Valley Anglers guide Chris Meyer. It was a great day on the water, but this monster brown was the cherry. Trenton did a great job landing this beast on light tippet and a small fly. The San Juan is starting to get the reputation of having hard to catch fish. Biologists say the Juan now has a split population between rainbows and browns. It is no secret that brown trout are harder to catch than bows. The second image is a big late winter Animas cutbow. The last image is an Animas bow Kispa has her eye on.

Summer Images 08

photos: 1) Stick-o-butter trout. This albino bow was chilling out on the Rio Grande in a Wason Ranch back chanel. Kispa loved the thing. 2) Rio Grande stones. 3) Jess on Apple Creek north of Durango. 4) Caddis orgy on the Rio. 5) More stone fly action.

What a Summer!

Photos: Bud working big dries on the Rio while Kispa waits for the take. David on the big "D" working a fish in the tail-out. Dolores buzzworm with a full belly and mega attitude. Waiting out a lighting storm on the Rio can be stressful, however Mike Johnson makes it more fun with a long-jaw Wason Ranch bridge bow. Phil, Will, Kis and an Animas bow.

Hanging with Bill and Ann-Root Pond and Juan

Our spring season is slowly slipping into summer. Last week it was snow and wind. Today? Sunny and warm. A few days ago I enjoyed a two day combo with Bill and Ann from New Mexico. These fishing friends visit us every month or so and enjoy all the diversity our region has to offer. We headed over to Root Pond on the first day then down to the San Juan below Navajo Dam on the second day. The wind decided to blow at Root Pond (check the first photo were my hat is safely in the drink) but the fish were on the bite. The Juan offered persnickety trout in the morning and then gave way to an excellent hatch of BWOs were the fish were keyed on the emergers and nymphs. It was a big fish day for sure. Ann was on a roll with four fish to the net all over the 20 inch mark. We all had a blast, Kispa included. Ann, being a lab lover sent me a fantastic book titled, Marley and Me by John Grogan. Great read so check it out. Thanks you guys. Cheers. -wb

Spring Floats, Trout and Thick Elk Steaks: Photo Set #1

San Juan Fishing Report: 3000 CFS and Solid Fly Fishing

The San Juan River in northern New Mexico, located below Navajo Dam is a fantastic year-round fishery. River flows are at 3000 cfs and the fishing is steady. One of the best times of the year to fish the Juan is in the winter and spring, especially with the increase in flows. Do not let the higher flows turn you off from the Juan because float fishing is one of the best ways to see and learn this tricky river. Looking for good fishing, little to no crowds and plenty of trophy trout on the fly? Well, you're in the right place. Book a fly fishing trip with Animas Valley Anglers today 970.259.0484

images: Last season high water on the Juan. 1) Jan, Will's mom hooked up 2) grip and grin with mom 3) Mom checkin' out the bow 4) Mom pretty stoked about all the trout she caught 5) Will in your face with a San Juan bow