Freestone · Mixed · Colorado

Conejos River (Antonito / Platoro)

The Conejos is southern Colorado's quiet classic, a freestone tumbling out of the South San Juans down through canyon and meadow toward Antonito, and it has exactly the small-water dry-fly character the famous rivers have mostly lost.

Species

About as good as it gets

Low and clear — careful approach country. Take your time — read the water before you cast.

90% confidence in this read
Water temperature for brown trout
Ideal
11°C est.ideal 10–16°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for brown trout
  • Temperature10028% weight
  • Flow8022% weight
  • Clarity9518% weight
  • Feeding Time8013% weight
  • Pressure807% weight
  • Insect activity5312% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
10.7°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
18°C
Wind
NW 17 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1018 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.6 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
2.4 mm
Light rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for brown trout
When
Nymphing can work through most of the day.
Where
Cover mixed depths.
Method
Start with tight-line nymphs and adjust if fish rise or drift higher.
Kit
9 ft #4 rod, floating line, 12 ft tapered leader to 4–5 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Excellent — water temperature is right today, though insect activity could be better.
Through the year
0–3 scale · June highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Western Green DrakeHatch
2
2
Flav (Small Western Green Drake)Hatch
2
3
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Colorado licence
  • Wild-trout special-regulation sections (flies/lures, C&R) — verify CPW rules.
Directions
Apple MapsGoogle Maps
About this water

The Conejos is southern Colorado's quiet classic, a freestone tumbling out of the South San Juans down through canyon and meadow toward Antonito, and it has exactly the small-water dry-fly character the famous rivers have mostly lost. Browns and rainbows that still eat an attractor with enthusiasm, and a fraction of the crowd. It's a post-runoff summer river — caddis, stoneflies, and hoppers once it drops and clears — with native Rio Grande cutthroat and brookies waiting up in the high tributaries for anyone willing to climb. One of the best 'Colorado without the scrum' picks in the state.

  • Mixed
Seasons & zones
  • Trout1 January → 31 December
Other water nearby · 2