GEARING UP FOR THE 2021 CONEJOS SUPERFLY
by Kevin Terry
S
ince 2008, The San Luis Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Conejos River Anglers Fly shop have partnered to raise money for Conejos River habitat projects through a casual fishing competition known as the “Conejos Superfly.” Every year, on the second weekend of April, just as the glorious Conejos River is waking up from a long winter slumber, approximately 40 twoperson teams roll into Antonito, CO for a weekend of comraderie and fishing. The Superfly offers anglers the opportunity to draw one of 25 beats, including access to otherwise very exclusive private water. Teams draw a beat in the morning, fish hard all day, and then get together for great local food and tall tales of the day’s adventures. The casual, family-like atmosphere is refreshing, and the event offers even lifelong Conejos anglers opportunities to fish new waters. The best part is that the Superfly raises money for projects to improve habitat on the Conejos River, and the results have been quite 36
High Country Angler • Spring 2021
significant. So far, the Superfly has raised over $31,000 for the San Luis Valley Chapter of TU, and the chapter has kicked in an additional $12,000 over the years. Leveraging this money effectively, TU has received 3 grants for habitat work, and multiplied the $43,000 by nearly 7 times. The first grant of $54,000 came from the Fishing is Fun program administered by CPW, and the project improved trout habitat on a section of USFS land known as the “Hidden Mile.” The project also protected the reach with fencing to keep cattle out, and improved the parking area. More recently, TU received two complimentary grants, one from the Colorado Water Conservation Board, and a second grant from the Fishing is Fun program, for a total of $219,000. The project will be constructed in the fall of 2021 in the “Meadows” section of the Conejos near Platoro. The work will enhance wintertime/refuge habitat, and connectivity between habitat during low flow conditions
on a 2-mile section of the Conejos. This project will compliment TU’s Winter Flow Program work, which is a partnership with the Conejos Water Conservancy District designed to increase wintertime releases from Platoro Reservoir. Additionally, SLV TU recently partnered with the Division of Water Resources to install temperature sensors on the Platoro and Mogote stream gages, making that information available in near livetime, which helps managers and anglers protect the fishery when water temps are too high, and helps anglers and guides strategize for optimal water temperatures for hatches and good fishing! Collectively, these projects are making a big difference for a fishery dominated by a wild, self-maintaining population of Brown Trout. The Conejos River has tremendous public access and the surrounding watershed presents a lifetime of opportunity for the adventurous angler. The Conejos is a stonefly factory with prolific hatches and an incredible diversity of aquatic www.HCAezine.com
