Reprinted from the Pagosa Springs Journal
article and photos submitted by Jeff Marzec
Big Meadows Beauty
Pagosa Views
With all the hiking, climbing, mountain biking and horseback riding we do when in Pagosa Country, we have not made much time for another great pastime; fishing. We had done a little fishing at the town fishing ponds behind the River Center shopping area and in the San Juan River near by. We had even ventured as far as Big Meadows reservoir on the east side of the divide, but not much more.
With Sean getting more into fishing back home, I thought it might be time to add a couple of days of fishing to our Colorado agenda. After purchasing the proper state license we started out with a little spin casting at Echo Lake, where Sean picked up some tips from local fisherman.
Catch and Release
Denise decided to help out as well with the release part (and fishy pep talk) of the catch and release policy we were using.
Sean had his best luck wading in, out in front of the spillway of the dam. After a day of this type of fishing I felt he needed to try the type of fishing I was raised on; “fly fishing”. My dad and I would go to Roaring River State Park in Missouri and I would get my bamboo fly rod, my hand tied flies and lose a day fighting trout from a spring fed stream. Great memories. So we hooked up with the guides at the Ski and Bow Rack, rented Sean some equipment, bought some flies and got the scoop on where to head.
Fly fishing success
Due to all the fires and lack of rain previous years, we were told things might not be as good as usual in some areas, but that we should be able catch a few up on Williams Creek, below the reservoir. We first stopped at the area just beyond the bridge over the Piedra River, above the canyon. On the second cast, Sean hooked a rainbow trout.. Even though it was only a small fry, the fun was in the fight and Sean wanted more of that.
We found lots of beautiful fishing spots as we worked our way up-stream about a mile or so, but as we were told… no strikes.
Babbling stream
Soon the afternoon showers were getting heavier, so we hiked out, enjoying the impressive scenery the area has to offer. Now that Sean has had a taste of fly-fishing, he is ready for next year’s trip with so many other great bodies of water to drop a line in, he is truly hooked on making his own memories fishing in Pagosa Country.
