Animas in March

Finally I am back fishing! After a months recovery from melanoma surgery, I am very happy to be back on the water!

The Animas is a free flowing river, and that means that the water flow fluctuates through the year depending on snow melt and the amount of rain. So during the end of winter, we tend to get a very low flowing river. The water doesn't flow much, and its hard to find deep holes. Luckily, through out the town of Durango, and even into the Ute (Native American) land, there are some deep spots that you can find fish holding. The fish are sluggish though during this time of year, so fishing a streamer is not the most recommended approach. Nymphing small baetis, caddis and midge patterns though works wonders though, and I was able to hook a few fish.

So I am a bit rusty, and still sore from my surgery and not fishing for a while. So I lost quite a few fish during this trip. I was able to hook 3, but lost 2 of them. So I only netted one fish. That's OK though, as It was great just being back on the river. The fish I did bring in though wasn't huge, but a very beautiful brown with lots of spots. Just gorgeous fish on the Animas.