The southeastern part of Colorado is a veritable treasure trove of streams, creeks, rivers and lakes that provide solitude like no other area in the state. From the fabled 'Jurrasic Park' section of the Uncompaghre below Ridgeway Reservoir to tiny alpine lakes in the San Juan Wilderness, this corner of Colorado has everything that mother nature has to offer.
Conejos River This may be one of the greatest unknown rivers in southern Colorado. The Conejos (Spanish for rabbit) has strong numbers of brown and rainbow trout and you have the chance at hooking up with some real behemoths in this lesser known gem. The Conejos River starts off the Continental Divide and provides some extraordinary fishing along most of its length before meeting with the Rio Grande. With ample camping and lodging opportunities in the area and the long camping season this is a great choice when you want to get off the beaten path. With several other fishing options in the area including smaller tribs and high alpine lakes the Conejos is definately one of those places you should visit while in this great state. Recommended flies are pheasant tail nymphs, red copper johns, egg patterns, barrs emergers both PMD and BWO, yellow sallies, caddis, yellow and orange stimulators, adams, midges, prince nymphs. To get to the Conejos River from Antonito drive west on hwy 17 thirteen miles to the forest service boundry. Highway 17 follows the river for approximately 10 miles before meeting with FSR 250. FSR 250 continues to Platoro Reservoir.
Platoro Reservoir Platoro Reservoir is a hidden gem in just on the edge of the South San Juan Wilderness Area and provides not only some excellent options for fly-fishing, but also endless hiking, camping and backpacking options. Platoro (combination fo the Spanish words for silver and gold) is a 700 acre impoundment that provides brown, rainbow, brook, kokonee and greenback cutthroat for anglers, which does allow one the opportunity of the infamous Colorado 'grand slam'. Platoro does not have a marina and the boat launch can be fairly hairy, unless you can carry your boat we do not recommend even taking it to this high mountian lake. With high insect populations and low pressure Platoro can provide some excellent lake fishing for anglers of all skill levels. Recommended flies: olive hares ear nympohs, pheasant tail nymphs, scuds, brown and black wooly buggers, egg patterns, prince nymphs, damsel nymphs, griffiths gnats, adams, yellow sallies, caddis. To get to Platoro Reservoir from Antonito drive west on hwy 17 thirteen miles to the forest service boundry. Highway 17 follows the river for approximately 10 miles before meeting with FSR 250. FSR 250 continues to Platoro Reservoir.
wtotf's Mike Miller with his canine companions on a 2008 trip to Ptarmigan Lake.
Ptarmigan Lake If you are looking for a bit of solitude and a shot at a decent sized greenback cutthroat, then Ptarmigan Lake is one of those places you should definately take the time to visit when in Colorado. With plentiful camping located below tree line just north of Ptarmigan and access to several small ponds that are great for someone just learning to fly-fish, this can be a no-brainer for those that enjoy camping in the backcountry. Eventhough this lake is loaded with cutts, don't expect them to come easily, with sporadic hatches the big guys you see cruising the shallows are tough to fool. With the sporadic nature of this lake in terms of insect activity we highly recommend taking a full arsenal of flies to hook up with the bruisers in the lake. Due to the 3 mile hike to the lake you don't see much traffic and most folks you see aren't there for the fishing, though I have heard that this place can get busy at times. Recommended flies: olive hares ear, chronomids, olive streamers, prince nymphs, BWO, PMD, adams, ants, flying ants, beetles. To get to Ptarmigan Lake from Buena Vista take FR 306 (Cottonwood Pass Road) west for approximately 12 miles to the Ptarmigan Lake trailhead. Follow the trail about 3.3 miles south to Ptarmigan Lake, you will reach several other fishable lakes/ponds before getting to Ptarmigan Lake. Ptarmigan Lake sits at over 12,000 ft. and the weather can be unpredictable during the summer and dangerous if a thunderstorm rolls in when fishing above treeline. (USGS Quad Mount Yale).
