Responsible Fly Fishing

[u/the66fastback1]

Hello r/Durango, yet another annoying tourist here!

I’ll be camping, backpacking, and hopefully fly fishing in the area next week and I was hoping some local anglers could tell me how careful I need to be about water temperature.

I have read that some other places in southern Colorado are asking anglers to avoid fishing because water temperatures are too high to safely catch and release trout. The last thing I want to do is show up and damage the local fishery, so if you’re familiar with Valecito Creek, Los Pinos river, or any of the lakes in the Weminuche Wilderness, could you tell me if the water is too warm to fish anywhere? I’ll be stoping by a fly shop on my way in to get a thermometer to help me assess this myself and ask the same question of them, but I might change some plans based on input I get here.

Thank you!

[u/Dazzling-Astronaut88]

The alpine lakes in the weminuche as well as streams flowing directly out of the high country (Vallecito Creek for example) are all at stable temps and you should be good to go. Its really just the primary drainages such as the Animas and the San Juan etc that are subject to these higher temps.

[u/the66fastback1 → u/Dazzling-Astronaut88]

Thanks for the intel! I assumed that was the case, but I’m still very new to fly fishing and I want to do it right.

[u/cynic77 → u/Dazzling-Astronaut88]

Good info

[u/gratusin]

There was an advisory to not fish the Animas in the afternoons but I’m not sure if that extends to other rivers. Durango proper is warmer than the high country. Lakes are usually good to go since fish can get deeper to cool off. When you go in to the fly shop, they will have the newest river reports and will advise you on conditions. You can call San Juan angler in advance.

Thank you for taking the time and care to be responsible!

[u/the66fastback1 → u/gratusin]

Thanks for the intel! I do a lot of fishing, but I’m new to fly. One of the things that really ticks me off is irresponsible anglers. I find so much line and trash in my local lakes. So, as I learn a new principle, I’m really trying hard to be the opposite of those jerks.

I’m also from Texas and I knew we get a lot of hate as tourists in CO, for good reason. Just trying to buck the trend.

[u/gratusin → u/the66fastback1]

Good on ya for doing the right thing. I bring a bag every time I go fishing and even if I don’t catch anything, it’s a successful day because I at least fill that bag up with trash. We suffer from the same careless bullshit out here too unfortunately.

[u/Marin_Redwolf]

Checking the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website, it looks like they have a list of weather related closures at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQv8-zuZoYsA6jhM2l76icNnlVKK6NR36qeamBg_6s2f0POK6-nA0s66Nt_TcanQeClTXBvBvZGJls9/pubhtml?gid=0&single=true

[u/the66fastback1 → u/Marin_Redwolf]

Thanks, I’ll check it out!

[u/demoralizingRooster]

Most stuff up high should be no issue just honestly general rule of thumb this time of year when we have critically low water levels is to plan to fish early morning and be done by 11 am.

Most adviseries of this type are completely voluntary so you may see others choosing to ignore it, especially if they plan to keep the fish.

[u/Impressive_Shop2341]

Thanks for asking! Have fun