Root Pond private trophy trout lake Winter 2010

Lake conditions
Root Pond is iced over. Back on Root Feb or March 2010!

Guide Activity: Will, Chris, Rick, Tim and Josh spring 09

Hatches:

  • February through March: Some midges good streamer fishing
  • April: Giant midges, cali beatis and great streamer fishing.
  • May: Midges, may flies, ants, damsels, dragon flies and streamers.
  • June: Damsels, dragons and hoppers
  • July/Aug/Sep: Too warm to fish.
  • Oct/Nove: Midges and streamers

The trout, bass and others
Most trout in Root Pond are a Donaldson-Bailey cross. They definitely show off their steelhead traits with long power runs and thrashing leaps. There are also a few cut-bows lurking about too. There are also monstrous crappie and yellow perch.

We also have nursed a small population of largemouth and smallmouth bass. They are getting bigger and can be a blast on the fly rod.

The season
Late February or early march kicks off our Root Pond season and extends to early July. Our fall season starts in late September and goes through October depending on air air and water temps.

In the spring, fish destroy streamers and will pounce on midges. The midges, looking like bats, are large compared to their San Juan cousins. April through June is when the cali baetis and damsel flies hatch. There will be thousands of blue adult damsels flying and mating all over the place, and it is common to see mating pairs snatched from the air by an aggressive, impatient trout. Due to the high protein diet some fish are as big around as they are long. Fish size ranges from 13 to 24 inches.

Still water fly fishing you just have to experience
This pond has become a fantastic place to fish regardless of ability. If you are just beginning in the sport of fly fishing, or if you have years under your belt on all types of water you will find Root Pond to be a special and exciting place to wet a line.

The pond is deep and clear, allowing full view of fish cruising weed beds, rock points and long flats in search of grub. We float it in our standard drift boats or skiffs. This gives the angler the ability to spot fish, lead the fish with a cast and hopefully hook and play it.

Root Pond trophy trout lake details

Root Pond is an 8-acre private trophy trout lake
that Animas Valley Anglers has exclusive access to fish.

The fish are big and strong. These "football" shaped rainbow trout are so strong they will rip the rod right out of your hand. Monster trout ranging in size from 1 to 7 pounds, and they crush streamers and dries. Be it a diet of crawfish or damsels we have no idea why these fish are so incredibly mean and strong. Many of these fish have abnormally large girth.

It is tucked away in draw west of Durango, hidden amongst the rolling Pinto bean fields surrounded by Pinion pine, sage brush and small willows.




AvA home | guide trips | trip info | rates | book a trip | guide & river reports | guide crew | real-time river flows

blog | photography | durango | creede | global adventures | booking policies | gear reviews | email


Graphics-Web Design-Creative Design-Photography by Will Blanchard © 2000-2010 Animas Valley Anglers | all rights reserved