Conejos Early July

Headed to Platoro and downstream July 4-8. Likely go hit Lake Fork and/or Elk creek too. Need some advice from anyone who has been there or lives there.

Best place to set up tent camp?
Fly Shops - I know Conejos Anglers
Does Antonito have groceries/gas?
Best place to find cutties nearby?
Are the LaJara tribs worth a day trip?

Thank you!

Jeff I’ll get you some info gathered up for a pm. that is my favorite time to be there other than the golden stone hatch. Kody’s Papa may be staying up there as well. Heck I might actually be up there that same week myself.

I normally go that week after the Fourth of July when the crowds clear out and the fish can get back to their normal routine

Conejos is very low due to extreme drought. Been here since before Memorial Day and you can fish every part of the river. Gas and groceries are available in antonito. Have not fished lajara
You can now take the train again to fish and get picked back up on a later day.
Right now, there are no open flames allowed in the national forest so camping might takes some creative cooking... Check with the forest service in la jara before you leave
Elk creek campground is a great place to camp
You have a pm on cutties....

Thanks! KP - I don't cook or use fire - I eat sandwich stuff out of the Yeti. Might be a bit cold with no fire though. Thanks. Will do some research on Elk Creek CG. La Jara FS said some of the same things - low snowpack, restrictions on fire, restrictions on trails.

RH - love to meet up with you if you end up there 4th thru 8th. Heck, I'll just follow you since I know you know where the big ones reside

I’ve heard good things about elk creek, I’ve fished almost every creek but it. Unless the Conejos river anglers place has switched hands those guys don’t know anything about fly selection, then again that was two years ago so everything could’ve changed. The fox creek place was much better. My advice to you is, unless you absolutely do not want to hike (elk creek is 6 or 7 miles to the meadows I believe), stay away from the lower river, go upstream of platoro to the meadows up there, or hit any of a number of hungry fish in the other tributaries. Lots of good brookie and cutthroat water in some of those smaller creeks. As a general rule, if you are willing to hike a bit, the fish will usually bite just about anything you throw unlike the lower river fish that can be a bit on the picky side.

Thanks MCC. I can hike about 2-3 miles at that altitude, but not willing to do 5-7. My 75lb lab/Belgian mix will be hiking with me. he can drink from the stream, I can't I know I will be on the main stem for a day or two - chances at bigger browns and bows. Two days will be spent in creeks unless the drought dries them up before I get there.

Headed to Platoro and downstream July 4-8. Likely go hit Lake Fork and/or Elk creek too.( I have fished Lake Fork up to Big Lake and it was a solid hike..take plenty of water. Expect to catch browns up to Rock lake and then cutts from there on up to Big Lake.

Best place to set up tent camp? I don't tent camp
Fly Shops - I know Conejos Anglers( I haven't had much luck with them. I usually call Land of Enchantment when heading to the area. They have a very good feel for the area)
Does Antonito have groceries/gas? (yes they have a Dollar General and a gas station on the main drag.)
Best place to find cutties nearby? (Easiest access would be Rio Costilla NM. 1hr)
Are the LaJara tribs worth a day trip? ( If there are decent flows it can be good fishing. I would rather spend time on Rio De Los Pinos)

Thanks everyone. As long as the forest stays open for business my plan is to camp at Lake Fork CG, fish the Lake Fork, then head Waaaay upstream to find cutties. If I get a wild hair I may try the Cumbres and Toltec to the Los Pinos. Got the packing list set and head out in less than 2 weeks. Now we just need some rain to dampen those forests and give the trout some cold water.

I cant remember the name but there is a small reservoir higher up from Platoro that has snakeriver cutthroats in it and some good ones. It was only about 6 miles but is a narrow rough road. Took awhile and 4x4 was a must. Somebody in Platoro can probably give you directions. It s been years since I've been there.

Wife said they got a good rain in the area on Tuesday. Good luck golfer, one of my favorite places on earth

i believe you’re thinking of Kerr lake, took a UTV up there a couple years ago, the lake itself is at 12,000 feet, and it is a long drive and you’d better have high clearance, 4x4, and some heavy ply tires

Yep i think your right. It was an adventure getting up there in a ext cab Z71

Conejos is already below 100CFS - not a good sign. I am still planning on going, but I have backup plans just in case. A little more rain wouldn't hurt.

That could make for some technical fishing for sure. If I remember correctly, the sweet spot is anywhere from 120-180 cfs on that river

Hope golfer is surrounded by risers right now. Wife and I almost bought a house in Forbes park area where 100 are already burned to the ground. That fire knocked out Internet service to a lot of the valley so we might not hear from him for a couple of days...

Robert - when are you going? MCC? I need to get back up there. Very bad camping experience drove me home 2 days early