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Fishing Videos of Colorado - South

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Trout Streams of the Conejos Watershed

The Conejos River is a 92 mile tributary of the Rio Grande River in South Central Colorado. The first 2 miles of the Conejos are in the San Juan Wilderness. Most people bypass the one mile of canyon like water and focus on the mile of meandering meadow water. However, the canyon water holds more and larger fish. The upper Conejos flows into Platora Reservoir which runs for about 2 miles. The reservoir offers good fishing for trout but a boat is recommended. After the reservoir the Conejos passes thru the small town of Platora which is private and then begins the most popular section as it meanders thru a wonderful meadow area. From Platora down to the South Fork the Conejos is a productive tailwater fishery with good amounts of public access. The forest road following this section only allows parking at designated pull outs. Many of these pullouts become taken by mid- morning, so you will want to start your day here early. These fish are educated and you need a convincing presentation to be effective. I found a #12 soft hackle fly to be effective. Downstream of here there is some canyon water known as the Pinnacles. Larger trout in the 20 inch range can be found there although you should be prepared for rugged terrain and difficult wading. Unfortunately I didn't have time to fish that area. The next area of the Conejos with lots of good fishing is the 4 mile section below Menkhaven Resort. There is a 25' lease for public fishing on both sides of the bank. There are a number of public pullouts along the road and you will often see other cars parked here. The river is considerably larger here but I found wading near the shoreline was still pretty easy. There are a good number of brown and rainbow trout here and they a can be of good size. The Conejos further below this area continues to offer good fishing but most of the access requires membership in the Colorado Anglers Club, of which I am not a member.

	WATCH_NORTH FORK CONEJOS RIVER The North Fork Conejos River is one of 3 tributaries forming the headwaters of the Conejos River in southern Colorado. It's about 5 miles long and holds brook trout, brown trout and cutthroat trout. To access it you need to park at the Three Forks trailhead and hike 2 miles along the Conejos River thru the San Juan Wilderness.
	WATCH_SOUTH FORK CONEJOS RIVER The South Fork Conejos River is a tributary to the Conejos River in Southern Colorado. It offers some really good trout fishing. The South Fork flows for 14 miles thru the South San Juan Wilderness. There are several trails that lead to the stream and follow it to its headwaters, although my experience is these trails sometimes disappear so if you want to explore this stream, bring a GPS and be ready for some off trail maneuvers. Due to the canyon like environment and easily erodible terrain fishing here can be dangerous.
	WATCH_EL RITO AZUL El Rito Azul is one of 3 small feeder streams that form the beginning of the Conejos River in southwest Colorado. I believe the name translates from Spanish to mean "the blue rite" and may refer to Blue Lake which is near the source of El Rito Azul. Getting to it is not so easy. You will need to park at the Three Forks TH. Get here early because this area can fill up. You then hike 2 miles through the South San Juan Wilderness. When you reach the Three Forks sign you take a left, which is South, along trial 718. After crossing the Conejos River you will then find the stream. The trail follows the stream for most of its length.

Trout Streams of the Gunnison Watershed

	WATCH_GUNNISON RED ROCK CANYON The Red Rock Canyon of the Gunnison River offers great fishing for large trout. You need a wilderness permit to access it and these are difficult to obtain. It is a dangerous hike of 3.5 miles and 1,300' elevation drop to get there. Don't believe the Nation Park Service: There is always a trail and you must find and follow it or you will get stuck or worse. GPS also works and I advise turning it on during the hike in so you can leave a trail marker that may be helpful on your way back out. For addition information see: https://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/redrockinfo.htm
	WATCH_GUNNISON WARNER ROUTE The Warner Route to the Gunnison River in Colorado requires a 3.5 mile long hike with a 2,700' elevation change, difficult terrain, high temperatures and a trail that is easy to get lost on. The reward is great scenery and good fishing for large trout, mostly browns with some rainbows. You need to get a permit to hike here from the South Rim visitor center at 6PM the night before. The Black Canyon Gunnison National Park only gives out a limited number per day. While the Warner Route is the most popular with anglers there are 7 other routes and they all offer fishing opportunities. This hike is both difficult and dangerous. For addition information see: https://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/redrockinfo.htm
	WATCH_UNCOMPAHGRE RIVER The Uncompahgre River tailwater flows thru Ridgway State Park in Colorado and offers some very productive trout water. There is a $10 fee to park and fish here. Extensive improvements to trout habitat have been made on the Uncompahgre River mostly in the form of strategically placed boulders. There are only 2 miles of public water, but if you consider the river has two banks that gives you 4 miles of shoreline to fish from. With the bridge and access point in the center of this 2 miles you're never more than a mile from the parking lot. There are 3 main challenges on this river. First, you have to try and find a spot where the current is slow enough for the fish to hold. Second, you have to try to find a spot where no one else is currently fishing. And third, you need to find a fly that will fool the fish because the trout in these waters have received an advanced education from the relentless fishing pressure. Despite these challenges I had good success hooking a couple rainbows and a 16 inch cutthroat.

Created by: Dan Coppersmith 2024| www.CoppersmithStudios.com

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Fishing Videos of Colorado - South