Durango, Colorado

[Stimmy]

Heading to Durango first week of August for my wifes family reunion, so of course I need to plan some river time. Any body been down that way before. I have checked out a couple of web sites, but I am looking for some first hand info. Thanks in advance

Stim

[Lonnie]

Two main choices. You could fish the Animas, which runs through town, or Buck up and hit the San Juan about an hour or so south.

Have you tried http://www.duranglers.com/ ?

[nightfish]

Just got back from that area on saturday, but didn't get to fish. The recent storms have dirtied up the water of the Animas, but it looks to clear fairly quickly. Duranglers is right in town (Main Ave & approx 9th, old town). They'll have the best info on waters closest to Durango, but if you want to venture away a bit, there's some nice stuff around Ouray & Ridgway to the north. The shop in Ridgway is:

RIGS fly Shop
565 Sherman, Suite 2
PO Box 2086
Ridgway, CO
(888) 626-4460
http://www.fishrigs.com

[Graycliff]

Thanks Stimmy, you beat me to the punch about Durango, we are thinking of taking the fam damily trip there this fall.

[Juke]

Sorry Lonnie, but this time of year, pointing people towards the San Juan is blasphemy( San Juan fish are more hook ragged, and trained than those on the Green). The area around Durango, is Montana without the crowds, and the hype.

The opportunities are endless. If you drive more than 30 minutes, you are taking away from your fishing time. The Animas through town is great, 20+ fish are not uncommon. I have friends who swear by Florida Creek above Lemon Reservoir, I have not had as good of success however. Good pike opportunities in Navajo and Vallecito Res., predictions of possible state record pike from Vallecito.

But the real gem in the area is the Piedra River, about 45 min east of Durango. I like the upper section above US 160 towards First Box Canyon. Take some of the logging roads off of First Fork road for access. Sometime a bit of a steep hike. Solitary fishing at its best.

Also the chance to catch Rio Grande Cutthroats is only an 1.5 hours away in Creede.

[nightfish]

Two great choices for food:

Carver Brewing Company-1022 main avenue
Stef enjoyed the turkey reuben, and my southwest roast beef sandwich was exceptional. The steak fries are baked, rather than fried, but I couldn't tell. very tasty too. They have a grilled ahi sandwich that looked tasty too. I didn't sample the brews, but they have about 8 house selections. We did have their homemade rootbeer, and it was super tasty...sweetened with honey!
Good lunch choice.

Ken & Sues-636 main avenue
Break out & treat the lady to a romantic dinner here. Quiet garden patio for a little romance. We had the crispy flatbread appetizer (herbed sour cream, smoked salmon, capers, red onion, cilantro and mixed greens with a gentle viniagrette), my favorite part of that meal! I had the potato crusted salmon, which was nice, but Stef picked the winner of our choices...pistachio crusted grouper (with sweet potato smash, sauteed spinach & vanilla-rum butter). Dessert was the molten chocolate cake with locally made coconut ice cream (order ahead). Their Creme Brulee is award winning, and nicely presented, but we didn't get to taste that one (way stuffed, and needed chocolate!) A touch spendy($50+ for 2 without adult beverages), but it'll earn you bonus fishing time!

If you're into sushi, I heard good things about East by Southwest (160 east college drive), and the town has everything you can hope for in cuisine types. Pick up the 2004 Durango area restaurant guide (ask the hotel, or check the racks in the lobbies).

Just some selected teasers from my copy:
-Rack of Colorado Lamb (rosemary pomegranite jus)
-Biscetta al Gourmet (beef tenderloin medallions sauteed with morels and shallots, on toast with a brandy cream sauce)
-Prosciutto sandwich (arugula, brie and pesto on artesan bread)
-Warm duck salad ( with spinach, arugula, toasted almonds, oranges, green olives and shaved manchego)
-Thai braised pork wrap (spicy shredded pork with peanut sauce, pea sprouts, red peppers and sesame slaw wrapped in a chipotle tortilla)
-Southwestern salmon tamale filet (with anaheim chiles, cilantro, and southwest spices cooked in a corn husk and topped with fresh tomato gazpacho sauce, and toasted pinon nuts on green chile potatoes)
-Chicken tequila penne ( chicken sauteed with bell peppers, red onion, fresh garlic, cilantro and penne pasta tossed in a tequila-lime cream sauce)

Ok, I'm ready to go back!

[Stimmy]

Did you manage to fish at all between meals? Thanks for the info, My wife would really appreciate a good (quality) meal.

Stim

[nightfish]

Nope, no fishing at all! I didn't even get to try all those dishes! But Durango (and the general area) is one place I intend to get to know better.

In fact, Stef & I were saying what a great place it would be for a UTOF outing. There's camping , hotels, budget motels or condos, and lots of great fishing opps. HUGE scenery, and hot springs at Ouray. Mesa Verde is less than an hour away, and historic stuff like the narrow gauge railway and the old mining districts. The road home has lots of fishing as well.

Enjoy the trip!

[dan moulton]

One of my favorite places is the Dolores River, north of Cortez, from the lake to The pass above Telluride. 40 miles of beautiful canyon and river.
The West Dolores is a gem to fish also.
I've Elk hunted there for quite awhile now but I'm getting to the point where I let others hunt and I just fish for a week and play camp cook.

[Juke]

Dan- You should have seen the Dolores below McPhee back in the late 80's, it had "the new reservoir effect" going on, with lots of nutrients growing lots of bugs. The trout were really huge, I have seen some 5lb-19" rainbows. Fat. McPhee has mysis, but not too high of a density.

Don't forget another historic town of Dove Creek, "the pinto bean capital of the world." Great Turkey hunting in that area as well. Still rumors of Grizzlys in the San Juans.

Try Starvin' Arvins in Durango for breakfast, a green chili omlette, and side of biscuits and gravy will set you right for day of fishing.

[Grizz]

Don't forget the cheap lodging opportunities in Durango. 3 of us spent a week in a room with 3 beds & a kitchen for 45 bones a night. Too many motels in Durango.

peace

[nightfish]

Hey Grizz,

will you give up the name of that lodging?