A Private Escape To The High Country
The Conejos River is your classic, medium-sized Western river surrounded by gorgeous mountains and trees. We have exclusive access to sections of private water on this river. It's stocked with rainbow trout but boasts a healthy population of wild brown trout and the occasional cutthroat trout, though these are rare here. This is a great place to learn how to fly fish without the pressure of other guides or anglers on the river—we're going to be the only ones out here!
Rainbow Trout
The rainbow trout in this section are stocked, but that doesn't mean they don't fight! They get abnormally huge due to the abundance of insect life in the Conejos River. You can expect to have trophy-sized fish on a regular basis here.
Brown Trout
The Conejos River boasts a healthy population of wild brown trout, which we catch on everything from nymphs to streamers. These brown trout are incredible fighters, feeding on the smorgasbord of aquatic insects in one of the state's most fertile rivers.
Cutthroat Trout
Most anglers who want to fly fish in Colorado are looking to cross a cutthroat off their list. While there is a small population of cutthroat trout in the sections of the Conejos River we guide, we highly recommend fly fishing on the Upper Animas River if you want to target Cutthroat.
Fishing Seasons
When is the best time to fish the Conejos River?
Located outside of Antonito, Colorado, the Conejos River's best fishing is typically from Spring when the snow melts and bugs hatch, to the Fall, where the weather is incredible and the colors of the changing leaves only add to an amazing Colorado fly fishing experience.
Conejos River Tactics
What are the best flies for the Conejos River?
The Conejos River is your classic, medium-sized western river, and it boasts a huge biodiversity of aquatic bug life. It is a great river for Euro Nymphing with a lot of pocket water, riffles, and runs. Each beat on our private water is relatively short, covering about a half-mile of river each time.
Nymphs
With its faster currents and deeper pools, Euro Nymphing is the game on the Conjeos River. We're typically nymphing with a mix of Perdigons, Blowtorches, Sexy Walts, and other stonefly patterns. If you're looking to learn Euro Nymphing, this is the perfect place to learn!
Dry Flies
The hatches on the Conejos River are epic, particularly the drake hatch in the late spring / early summer. We're typically fishing flies like the Parawulff to get some awesome sips on the surface. Depending on the season, we may throw a dropper on there to increase our odds.
Streamers
Listen, we're absolute streamer junkies, especially on the Juan. We can mix it up with smaller streamer patterns in deeper pools or get reaction bites in some of the faster runs, but we're typically throwing nymphs and dries up here on the Conejos.
Fly Fish The Conejos River With Us
Sections Of The Conejos River
We have access to several private sections of the Conejos River outside of the Forest Service's public land. This is an exclusive fly fishing experience that is great for anglers of all experience levels. If you're new to fly fishing, this is a great place to hone your cast and learn how to read the water.
Antonito, Colorado
Elk Meadow Ranch
With a private half-mile of river access, the Elk Meadow Ranch is one of our favorite sections to guide. This property has been family-owned and operated since 1998, and they do an incredible job of maintaining the fishery. This section is home to trophy-sized rainbows and browns. They have private cabins for those looking to extend their fly fishing experience in Colorado. And as the name implies, you will see Elk here—lots of them.
Antonito, CO
Riffle Water, LLC
Located in Colorado's San Luis Valley, Riffle Water LLC has about a half-mile of private access on the Conejos River with a more intimate feel. The fishing on this section varies from open runs and riffles to tight and technical water. It has easy access with four cabins available to rent.
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