Almost 30 years ago when I first fished the Animas, there were a few caddis, a few sculpin and a few large brown trout. Since then, due to many factors, water quality and bug life has improved dramatically; so much so that in 1996 A stretch of the Animas was designated as Gold Medal.

So, why can’t you catch more fish?

-There are not as many fish in the Animas as there could be, so don’t expect numbers when you go out.

-It’s The ‘Animal’! These are wild fish in a freestone river and they just don’t feed everyday.

-Because there are fewer fish, the one you are targeting has probably seen that ‘B’ rated movie a couple of times  and isn’t going back.

-The few rainbows and browns that due try to spawn, have their best success right here in town. However, because of the ease of access and viewing points, these spawners are very visible and people hammer them and their  reproductive success goes way down.

So, how do you improve your catch rate on the Animas?

-Look for the feeding fish first, then make a good approach and try to catch just that one fish you see.

-Keep fishing her! If you pay your dues, the Animas will reward you some day.

- In the summer, don’t be afraid to throw a big dry fly, even when your nymphs and streamers haven’t worked.

- The Animas has some of the best natural fish habitat on any river in the state, especially right through town. It is very hard to cover it all, but you have to try to fish  around every rock you see.

What else can you do?

-Help get catch and release on the entire Animas River.  Even though it is considered Gold Medal, you can still keep fish(big ones), and people do.

-Leave the spawners alone to do their thing.

John Flick

Historically, February is a great winter month for fishing the Animas and the San Juan. Longer days and slightly warmer temperatures can bring on some good midge hatches and occasional BWOs. Don’t be afraid to get out on those snowy days, when temps aren’t too bad. These are the days to see fish feeding on the surface.

The San Juan has been fishing decent since the first of the year and should continue to be a great option in February.  Count on Duranglers to be your source of what is happening on the “Juan” and for you flies and supplies.  Marc Wethington is coming to the 5 Rivers TU meeting to report on the recent work done in the Braids.  Meeting is on Monday, 2/6, at Durango Brewing (3000 North Main Ave.), at 7pm.

If it is too cold to get out, then it’s a great time to tie flies. As always, we have a complete selection of fly tying materials. If you would like to learn, inquire about our beginner fly tying classes. Call or come in to sign up and get details.

San Juan River 1/5/12

Last week I got a chance to guide one of my favorite guys, Craig Gillihan.  Craig lives in Quakertown, Pennsylvania and we have fished together for several years now.  Swapping stories about bowhunting and fishing always seem to fill the spaces between fish when we’re on the river together.

We started the day wading around the new sections in the braidsand caught some nice fish on eggs and crystal flash midge emergers.  I’ve had a lot of fun poking around in there lately and checking out all of the new buckets that are holding fish.  The improvements in the braids have been getting a lot of attention lately and rightly so.  Rediscovering

San Juan River Bow 1/5/12

a new spot on an old favorite is always worth the time.

After lunch we worked our way through the main channel where Craig caught fish steadily all the way into the upper flats on thread baetis and Rs2’s.  Much of the water we fished in the afternoon we had to ourselves which made our day even better.

Craig is a fine angler and fishing with him is always a pleasure.  If you haven’t taken advantage of the unseasonably warm weather we’ve been experiencing lately, now is the time.  The San Juan has been fishing well and the crowds have been thin if you walk a few minutes further from the parking lot.  Thanks Craig for a great day on the River!

See you on the River!

Rob Coddington

With Christmas just around the corner, its time to start thinking about those special gifts for all the anglers in your family. We have most all of the Summer clothing on sale along with selected Sage Rods and Reels and Lamson Reels. We have some great beginner and youth rod & reel packages for those new anglers. Come in and check out the great savings.  Speaking of savings, Duranglers is in the latest “Buy Local” coupon book andwe have them for sale here.

We have scheduled the first fly tying classes for January 10, 12, 17 and 19. This will provide 8 hours of lessons for $100 and we furnish everything. If you can’t make our January class, we will have another class in February and, probably, March.  Come in and sign up or sign someone else up for a great Christmas gift.

The San Juan and the Animas are still fishing very well. With the usual Midges and some BWO’s in the afternoon down on the Juan, there are lots of fish on the surface. Not huge numbers, but there havebeen some very large fish caught right here on the Animas in recent days.  Nymph small baetis and midge patterns, or dredge a black bugger for best results.

Don’t forget to get in here and sign up for the Holidazzle drawing. Win a fly box and flies worth $150. Drawing will be held at 4pm on December 23^rd.  Also, come in and put down your wish list so your loved ones will know exactly what you want.  Tight lines and happy holidays form the guys and gals at Duranglers.

The habitat project on the San Juan River below Navajo Dam has been completed and flows have been restored to 500 cfs on December 1, 2011.

Descriptively, the work has included creating a detention pond in the outlet of the Rex Smith Wash so as to prevent siltation of the area in and below the “Kiddie Hole”; placement of rock, topsoil and willows so as to close off some of the unproductive braids; and creation of 20 fish holding areas, “holes” if you will.

On 11/30/11 Buck Skillen of Duranglers got a guided tour of the work from New Mexico Game & Fish fishery biologist Marc Wethington.  Here is Buck’s reaction to what he saw.

“The result of all of this work is just short of INCREDIBLE!  There are now a lot more places to fish up through the braids and this will spread people out more and, perhaps, reduce some of the crowding.  The fish have already moved into the holes that were created.  I stood next to one such hole and was able to fish to probably 30 or 40 fish within an easy cast.  I hate to say it but shooting fish in a barrel came to mind.  Fortunately, they were hungry and ate readily.  I wont ask you to suspend belief or strain my credibility by mentioning numbers; suffice to say I had fun.  And, perhaps, best of all it doesn’t look fabricated.  I really believe inside of a year we won’t be able to notice what was done.  All in all a very exciting development for our San Juan Quality Waters.”

Midges and BWO’s still coming off and fishing has been very good with only a few anglers on the water.

Tight Lines,

Tom

November is a great time to get out on the river; no crowds and still good fishing. With the recent moisture, flows in the Animas are holding up and should make for some great nymphing or possibly dries on the right day (there is the chance for midges and olives to start coming off). If it warms up and the river gets a little color, don’t be afraid to chuck a streamer or wooly bugger.

The San Juan is also a great bet as it has been fishing quite good. As always there will be midges in water.  Look for Blue Wing Olive hatches, especially in the afternoon. Nymphing with RS2’s and Baetis emergers is a good bet, but look for rising fish on those overcast days.

Most all of our summer clothes are on sale as well as selected Sage Rods and reels and Lamson Litespeed Reels.  Come in and check out the good deals for early Christmas presents.

We will begin are winter fly tying classes soon. Please give us a call if you are interested in these lessons, as class size is limited. Dates will be posted soon.

Tight Lines

Lets Go Fishing!!

Duranglers Tom Knopick will be hosting our 3rd annual trip to Andros South Lodge on Andros Island in the Bahamas.  The staff at Andros South Lodge does an awesome job and this is truly a great trip.  Andros is without question one of the great Bonefish destination on the planet with endless diverse flats and creeks, the opportunities here are boundless.  Andros South Lodge is focused on providing the finest bone fishing in the world.

Trip Dates are April 21-28, 2012.  Join us for a trip of a lifetime!  Please contact Tom for details.

This brute of a Bonefish could not resist a well-placed size 4 Gotcha.

Come on in to the shop and check out the new Sage One fly rod.   The Sage One is quickly developing a reputation as an easy casting rod with a huge sweet spot. Both new and experienced anglers will appreciate how easy it is to make accurate casts at any distance.  The One is a light, fast action fly rod, with a sensitivity that allows for increased feel.  A blend of power and finesse result in a revolutionary rod that is unmatched when it comes to accuracy and line control.    The One is available in a wide range of sizes from a three weight to a ten weight and has proven itself in demanding fresh and saltwater conditions.

This really  is a great Fly Rod and an improvement in Fly Rod technology!

Fall is here in the Southwest, the leaves are looking great, and we have received our first blast of snow in the high country.  Despite the recent snowfall many of our local waters are still fishing great!  The San Juan is flowing at a steady 500 cfs and is fishing well.  The fall is one of our favorite times of the year on the San Juan and there have been some great afternoon mayfly hatches resulting in some really productive dry fly fishing with small BWO patterns.  Nymph rigs with a mix of analids, midge pupa, and small mayfly nymphs have been a great choice on the Juan as well.  The Animas and The Piedra have both recovered from our rescent round of snowy, wet weather and are clear and at great flows for fall fishing.  On the Animas the fish have been suspended high in the water in the afternoon actively eating small mayfy emergers, small midge pupa, and we have even recently spotted Trico duns later in the morning.  Trico spinners have been a solid source of food for the Animas fish later in the day.  As always, streamers and buggers are a fun and effective way for fishing the Animas.  One of our favorite drainages, the Piedra, has been fishing well recently and a attractor dry with a attractor nymph as a dropper has been producing some nice browns and rainbows recently.  We are excited about the recent catch and release designation on the Piedra and it seems like the fish are healthy, colorful and happy this fall!