Taking the family to Durango CO for a few days in July and was hoping there might be some people on the forum who have fished up that way that could lend some advice or share their experience(s). We will be on no timetable per se so hoping to get out with my son (10 yrs old) and fish a bit whether that be in Durango on the Animas or somewhere near by. We dont actually fly fish, but are very comfortable with our light and ultra light spinning tackle that we use on the Lower Mountain Fork.

Any suggestions on locations and tactics would be great.

Thanks in advance.

The animas is great, might still be in runoff, not sure never fished it that time of year. Lemon Dam has some good fishing if you don't mind a reservoir. The Juan is less than an hour south.

Oh, if you experience runoff on the Animas, the Pine (Los Pinos) might be a great alternative. You would have to hirer a guide is mostly private water.

Vallecito lake is a great place to take the family, cabins, campgrounds. They have rainbow, brown, kokanee salmon, small mouth, walleye, and pike. 7 miles north of Bayfield.

I lived in Durango for 3 years. Man July will be awesome. You can fish any of the rivers. I'd focus on fishing the Animas, maybe Lime Creek or head south to the San Juan.

The Lime is a special place but a little bumpy getting in to it. Some camp and picnic grounds there too. It's north of Durango up by Purgatory.

I'd stop in Duranglers in town in Durango and ask them what's fishin.

Great information. Thanks so much!

Any advice on tackle/lures that would work for non fly fishermen? I am not big on bait chunking so would like to stay away from powerbait if possible.

I'd toss things like Rooster Tails and small spinners like Panther Martin, Mepps & Blue Fox but I like the Rooster Tails the best.