Rio Grande National Forest Info

I have had a lot of questions about fire restrictions in this area. I spoke with the forest service earlier today and they told me that the Rio Grande National Forest is only at a Stage 1 fire restriction. So as far as having a campfire the only places that you are allowed is in the forest service campgrounds in there fire pits. That is just for safety reasons. If you have any questions about what is going on in the national forest please feel free to give the Forest Service Office in La Jara a call I have posted there number at the bottom of the blog. You can also go on the website for the Rio Grande National for other information I have also posted that link at the bottom of the blog.

They told me that there is not a threat of the forest being closed down especially considering that we are about to head into the rainy season.

Forest Service Office- La Jara, CO

719-274-5193

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gjAwhwtDDw9_AI8zPwhQoY6BdkOyoCAPkATlA!/?ss=110209&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=FSE_003853&navid=091000000000000&pnavid=null&position=BROWSEBYS

Water Coming Down

Jasmine and Josh both guided the lower river yesterday and they both gave me the same report... The fishing is off the hook right now! Josh caught a few fish on Salmonfly dries but mostly nymphs and Jasmine said that they caught all of there fish on big Stonefly nymphs and Caddis patterns.

This lower river is now below 1000 cfs and is continuing to fall. If i had to guess our Goldenstone hatch this year should be something to see. I am looking forward to throwing some big dries this next week.

Jon guided the upper river yesterday and said that the fishing was good but a bit tough due to the falling level out of the dam. He did a one person half day in the upper meadow in the morning and a two person half day in the lower meadow in the afternoon. On both trips the guys caught the biggest fish of there lives.

Troy guided two people on one of the smaller tribs yesterday and they had an amazing day on dry flies.

Paul just came back from a half day on the lower river and said that they amazing. They were picking up fish int he deeper/fatser water with flashy flies and along the edges with stonefly nymphs.

I guess what I am trying to get at is the water in Conejos County is fishing good and it is time to start thinking about get on the water. I also want to say thank you to all of our hard working guides. You guys do a great job.

From the River to You

I just want to update everyone on what the guide trips lately have been like so that you all have an idea of what is happening on the water. Jon was in the meadows below Platoro with two young men (about 14 years old) yesterday. One of them had never held a fly rod before and the other had fly fished very little. The days end result was amazing to say the least... they netted 55 fish!! The meadows are on fire right now. Jon is out the water again today so we will see what he has to say when he gets back this afternoon.

I also wanted to let everyone out there know that during the weekend of the 4th that we have still have 2 cabins open and a bunch of open days for guided fishing. I am a little surprised that that weekend has not filled up yet. So if you want to fish the Conejos it looks like there will be plenty of water open to you.

If your plans for the 4th are still open you should consider a trip this way.

Conejos River Anglers Guide Staff

Jon Harp

Devan Ence

Troy Smith

Jasmine Ence

Josh Curtis

Rob Scott

Just wanted to put up a post so that everyone could put a face with the name. We are currently working on putting together a "Meet the Guides" page for the CRA website. It will have a photo and bio of each of our guides so that you can get to know them better.

New Summer Hours

Just letting everyone know that we have switched to our summer hours.

7:30am to 6:00pm

Monday- Saturday

7:30am to 2:00pm

Sunday

Make sure to stop by on your way to the river.

Nymphing the Conejos River

Jasmine, Troy and Jon heading down to the Water

Jon Harp landing a beautiful Conejos River Brown

Jon Harp working on catching that next fish

Troy Smith choosing his next offering

Jasmine Ence landing a healthy Conejos River Brown

Troy Smith working a run during high water

Jasmine Ence throwing a double nymph rig with a 3/0 Split Shot

Over the years we have worked on developing a technique for nymphing that has proven successful all over the US as well as in all of the foreign destinations we has hosted trips to. It has really become an important component of day to day success on the Conejos River. Now don't get me wrong the dry fly fishing can be amazing here, but catching fish on nymphs is a lot more consistant. If you really want to dial in your nymphing spend a day on the water with one of the guides. It will be something you won't regret, I promise.

The Hatch is Happening NOW!!!!

Salmonfly Adult

Salmonfly Hanging out on a Pair of G4 Waders

Well it is happening... The Salmonflies have started to pop on the Conejos River. Troy smith came by the shop yesterday and had three of these amazing bugs crawling on him when he walked thru the front door. It is one of the hatches that we all have been waiting for. If you haven't fished this hatch on the Conejos before, you need to get here and give it a try.

*Troy Just rolled into the shop a little bit ago to tell me how the fishing on the lower river was this morning... "It is crazy out there right now... I fished for about 25 minutes this morning and landed 15 fish. I only took a break to come in and let you know what was going on and now I am heading back to the water." Then he was gone. Well there you have it straight from the river.

Let The Production Tying Begin

Prepped Material for Session

25 Dozen Pink G-String Worms

(Tuesday Tying Session)

51 Dozen G-String Worms

(Yesterday and Tuesdays Tying Session Together)

I have set a goal for the month of June to tie more flies in one month then I ever have before. In the past two days I have been able to put 51 dozen (612 flies) thru the vise and sense June 1st I have totaled 105 dozen (1,260 flies). This is to build a stock pile of the flies we use all season long. I will keep you updated on the total as the month goes on, with the final tally on June 30th. I really appreciate the support that everyone has given for the flies that we tie here at CRA.

Early June

CRA Guides Jon Harp, Troy Smith and Jasmine Ence

talking with there clients about the plan of attack for the day.

Big Stonefly Dries

(GETTING EXCITED YET!!)

Got Jimmy's?

This morning we had our first real brush with summer. It is a beautiful blue bird day with no wind and a shop full of clients anticipating a great day on the water with the CRA Guides. The water level is up but the fishing has been great. These Conejos fish get extremley wormy this time of year. Yes, that means fish puking up worms in the net "I just couldn't help myself" says Mr. Brown Trout "It just looked to good to pass up" says Mrs. Brown Trout. Any way it is time to start really thinking about Southern Colorado.

I know that we are all looking forward to what is coming in the next couple of weeks.... SALMONFLIES!!!!! We are all ready to see those B-52's flying over the water and I know that you all are looking forward to making some casts to some hungry trout waiting to ambush a struggling stone. With the snow pack being what it was this year we are looking forward to some fantastic dry fly fishing this season.