The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

I'll be vacationing there over the 1st week of July....have always wanted to fish the famous Animus (unsure of spelling) but I imagine there is other good water up the canyon.

Any suggestions on gear, flys.....places, fly shops etc. would be really helpful. Thanks, and tight lines to all.

We stayed there for a night or two on a road trip. We did a wimpy raft trip down the river through town and it was fun. There are many access points along the river around town. Durangler's in town will have up to date info and sell only barbless flies.
My son and I gave it a try one evening hoping for a caddis hatch that never materialized. I would say a 4-5 wt would fine. They are some big browns in there but we were skunked on dries and nymphs. It's a nice little river I would say about the size of the Upper Sac. They have a little micro-brew or two in town but don't order the hot wings because they are baked and not fried.
Cool little town.

http://www.duranglers.com/

Good Luck,

Jet

It's been a while since I've been there, but it's a nice river. Helpful, huh? Actually I liked the town, and if you're in the area for a while there are lots of other places to try as well--head south into New Mexico for the San Juan, head east in Colorado towards Pagosa Springs, or follow the San Juan Skyway from Durango and hit the Dolores, the San Miguel, visit Telluride, Ouray. Lots of water to check out.

Durangler's there in Durango is, in my opinion, the best place to get info around there. The Animas is a fun river to fish, runoff permitting. Should be down and fishable by then, but with the snowpack this year...

Other nearby waters include the Dolores (a couple hours away), the San Juan (an hour), the San Miguel, the upper San juan, Rio Grande, Piedra. Lots of mountain streams and lakes. I

f you are staying in Durango, the river runs right through town, and you can fish it between the highway north and the highway west bridges easily, and downstream a ways from there as well. Once you get below the park, it gets private again. Mostly stocked bows, some browns, the odd cutt, in my experience.

Thanks all! Great info and link too.
I'd always thought the Animus was "blue ribbon" water with some great fish and fishing.....but based on your notes here I guess I should keep my hopes in check. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Mike

A unique option which Duranglers will gladly fill you in on is to take this:



the Durango & Silverton Train up through this:



and get off the train here:



in the middle of the wilderness with no roads and fish this:



for a while and then catch the train on its way back from Silverton. Some camp for a day or so before catching the train back. There are small streams you can fish up also.

The wife can stay on the train to Silverton and shop.

The train ride is gorgeous but I have not gotten off to fish the Animas myself. You will be catching average size fish of 10 - 14 inches but the setting is worth it. Mostly browns I believe.

malibumlk wrote:
Thanks all! Great info and link too.
I'd always thought the Animus was "blue ribbon" water with some great fish and fishing.....but based on your notes here I guess I should keep my hopes in check. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Mike

The Animas right there in town is listed as Gold Medal water or Wild Trout waters, I forget which, with some very large fish but most are average size. I had heard it is not as good as it was. Else where up river the fish are not as dense and as big due to the mining waste coming out of the Silverton area.

Hi Scuffy,
Thanks loads for the info.......in fact we are set to take the train and it could work out well, especially if Silverton is shopping and tourist oriented!! Thanks again.
MK