Animas Lunch Report – 5/22/15 – Get Used To It

Animas Lunch Report – 5/22/15 – Get Used To It

Well the Animas is in full fledged runoff now, and it will be for a while.  It’s time to get used to it.

Even as we are in full runoff, it continues to snow in the high country adding more to our every increasing snowpack.  It’s a weird dichotomy: the flows have increased but the snowpack is going UP!  A few good things are coming from this though:

1. Half our state is not on fire nor will it be in the foreseeable future.
2. We are going to have PLENTY of water for our float seasons on the Rio Grande, Animas, Upper San Juan, and possibly even the Piedra.
3. Our reservoirs are filling back up, hopefully this means increased flows on the lower San Juan, Dolores, and Gunnison in years to come.
4. With these increased flows, many of our rivers are getting a good flush…one they have desperately needed for a while.  The Animas in particular.
5. More water means river temps should not get too high later in the summer.  Lower water temps mean trout will not be all stressed.
6. The float season is going to last longer than in years past.
7. Fall fishing.  Could be epic.

So when you roll into town this Memorial day weekend for the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, remember that there is something good coming from that sleet and snow you will be riding through on Molas Pass.

If you want to catch fish this weekend, you are going to have to head down to the San Juan River tailwater like Lysa and Les did.

Kyle – Prediction: runoff won’t be fully over until June 27th.

Andy – If you are hoping to get out on the water this 3 day weekend, don’t count on the Animas to produce much fish for you.  Tailwaters, stillwaters, and creeks up high are going to be your best bet.  If you are going up to the high country to fish, bring bead head nymphs and lots of warm clothing…and a rain jacket.