Beavers Bend Fly Shop

I would recommend the conejos river. It is a fantastic river. There is so much water to fish in the conejos river valley. You can spend a month up there and not even fish the conejos river its self. Conejos river outfitters are a supper great bunch of people. You would not regret going there. TRUST ME!

Oh yeah there a several and i mean serveral smaller streams. Elk creek, upper fork of the conejos, and la jara are very very good smaller streams.

Thanks for the info, Andrew. When is a good time to go? I've had several people tell me not to go too early in the summer as the run-off from the snow melt can be an issue. Is the Conejos affected by this run-off?

thanks
Schpanky

I have been up there serval times in july and the fishing is fantastic up high in the meadows. Last year i went during the first week of june and the run up was terible. The lower sections of the river were completely blown. But up high the fishing was good but the water was still very high. I think i would try for late june through early july. you should get into some stones and drakes hatching. The river has some tremendous hatches but be prepared to do some nymph fishing. There is alot of river to explore. Get away from the beaten path.

I been there in the fall and the hopper dropper was king

I love the Conejos it's a such a beautiful river. I went the first part of July Last year & remember a green drake hatch starting around 10-2, didn't catch much before that or after. The river or should I say Lake platoro probably won't be flowing a ton in July or even June this year due to the lower snow totals. You won't regret going but be ready, they don't stock much & the natives and bigger water can be challenging. The meadows below platoro are gorgeous. Be prepared to travel on some roads that aren't very good (Washboard) from Elk Creek Campround on up. As far as Conjeo's river outfitters, i've heard nothing but good things. Some places you can stay at have private river access. Good Luck!

You will enjoy going to the Conejos, lots of water and good fishing. I am attaching a pic of our last trip (7/2011) with a nice fish my son cought.

Man...thanks for all the info guys I really appreciate it. Looks like we're planning on a July trip to the Conejos and surrounding area and based on everyone's input and RTC's photo (nice fish), its going to be a great trip.

If there are any smaller streams/creeks that we also need to visit while there, please let me know. Based on everyone's info, we'll have plenty of water to explore just fishing the Conejos.

What about accomodations?....cabins/motels/campgrounds...we're not picky and don't mind primitive camping. I know there are cabins in Platoro but there aren't very many. Is there a lot of traffic?....do we need to book early?

Schpank

Conejos River anglers has cabins right at there fly shops at a pretty good price. If u go a few miles up the road before you get to fox creek there are some cabins there as well, but they aren't as nice a the other. Also, there is a nice campground at the elk creek trail head. The only hotel that i know of is back at Antonito, but that quite a drive if you are planning on fishing the conejos/platoro area.

I have traveled thru the area in early July and have fished the Conejos just above the Conejos fly shop. It's a beautiful river but was tough fishing. I had the fly shop guide us on the Fox creek. That was a blast sight fishing. Haven't tried the upper portion. Sounds like another trip for the summer. The fly shop has a great cabin on the river beside an Elk farm. Great for two people. Clean and beautiful setting. Reasonable price. Check with the fly shop. It's just west of them a mile or so. Good luck

There is a special regulation/wild trout area on the Conejos just west of Antonito. Easy river access by just parking along the side of the road. We went in Sep of 2010. Also fished Elk Creek after reading the article in FFM. Hiked up to 1st Meadow (3 miles). It's a beautiful area, but the fishing is demanding. Spend some time fishing the pocket water below the meadow. We talked with 2 guys who hiked up to 2nd Meadow (another 3 miles) and camped 2 nights. They caught a lot of fish, with some up to 18 inches. If you want an enjoyable non-fishing activity, I recommend the Cumbres-Toltec narrow-gauge train ride.





Thanks- Ken

FFMann,
Great photos. The view of the stream in the meadow below the golden aspens is superb, and that's a nice composition on the steam engine.

Bob,

I appreciate your kind words. Here are 2 shots of the aspens (taken from the train), looking across the border to New Mexico.




Thanks- Ken

Ken, the picture of the meadow on Elk creek is great. Anyone thinking about fishing Elk creek needs to plan on an overnight camp if you intend to go to the second meadow. It is too far to hike in and back out in one day. Been there and done that. Once was more than enough.
On the flip side no picture really does this hike justice. One of the most beautiful trips I have ever made. The fishing is demanding in the second meadow as well.
Dick

Great Pic's. Looks like a place to go