As spring arrives in the Durango area we thought it would be a good time to give you an update on Duranglers and the upcoming fishing season.

First and foremost it is shaping up to be a great year of fishing in the Durango area. After 4 years of drought Mother Nature has blessed southwestern Colorado with on of the best snowpacks in the west. So whether your thing is fishing for the big fish of the San Juan, prefer the beauty and solitude of mountain streams or you like the larger freestone rivers, things look great.

With the large snowpack we expect a spring flushing flow on the San Juan River from Navajo Reservoir. This is great news for this river, which has been laden with slit over the last four years. The spring flows will clean sand-covered gravel, which will enhance habitat for both aquatic insects and trout. Many fishermen correlate high flows with bad fishing but on the San Juan this really is not true. In fact some of the best fishing we have seen on the river has been associated with high flows. We are also hoping for steady good flows through the summer and fall.

Another tailwater in the area will benefit from this year's snowpack. The Dolores River below McPhee Reservoir will also see flushing flows and the associated benefits. This fishery has been down for the last few years but we expect much improvement in the fishing this year. The numerous smaller fish in the river should thrive in the healthier environment.

It should be a nice long float season for our floatable freestone rivers like the Animas and Rio Grande. Our guides can hardly wait to get on the oars and help their fisherman find the great Rainbows and Browns swimming these waters.

Obviously we are excited about the upcoming season and we will be here to help fisherman in any way possible. Whether it is advise from our shop staff on where and when, selecting the proper flies, hooking you up with a great guide or just getting a fishing license. In regards to fishing licenses we are excited that starting April 1, 2005 we will be selling New Mexico licenses in Durango. For those fishing Colorado and the San Juan below Navajo Dam this will be a real convenience.

We hope to see you this season.

Tight Lines,