Fly Fishing Conejos River - Lower Freestone

The lower Conejos near Menkhaven and Aspen Glade meanders through forested hillsides and open valley water, with wide gravel riffles, long runs and deeper pools. The variety of current gives anglers different places to present a dry fly or work a nymph beneath the surface.

The Lower Conejos is a freestone through and through, shaped by snowmelt and seasonal runoff, and fishing approaches change as runoff rises and recedes. As runoff recedes, riffle-and-pool sequences and long runs invite dry-fly and nymph presentations. Anglers here can explore a broad range of water types — from shallow pocket water to deep pools and long tailouts — each offering different holding water for trout.

Look for brown trout near undercut banks and woody structure, and rainbow trout in riffles and runs. The Lower Freestone also offers chances at Cutthroat and Cutbow Trout. Insect activity drives much of the action: Blue-Winged Olives emerge in spring and fall, while summer brings prolific Stoneflies, Caddis, and PMDs. By mid-to-late summer, terrestrial fishing with hoppers, ants, and beetles becomes a highlight, offering dry-fly opportunities along grassy banks.