THE 2021 CONEJOS SUPERFLY

from High Country Angler | Spring 2021

SPRING FEVER

GEARING UP FOR THE 2021 CONEJOS SUPERFLY

by Kevin Terry

Since 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 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

insects. The San Luis Valley Chapter of TU is incredibly grateful to the folks at Conejos River Anglers for their generous support over the years. The fly shop owned and operated by the Blankenship family is a tremendous resource for anglers, and they also offer comfortable lodging on site. The Blankenship clan does 100% of the work to organize and host the Superfly event, to give back to the resource and have fun doing it. This is incredibly admirable, and if you think so too, please stop by the shop and say thanks to them in person while you pick up a few local patterns and some of the daily on-the-water intel.

SLV TU and CRA are aiming to double the fundraising for Conejos projects over the next decade. You can be part of that in any number of ways. You can join us at the Superfly, give directly to SLV TU, leave a check at Conejos River Anglers, spread awareness to people in your personal network that love the Conejos, etc. This year the Superfly will be held April 9-11, 2021, and the event will be modified to comply with Co-Vid guidelines and to provide a safe comfortable experience for participants. You can find more information on the Conejos River Angler website and Facebook page (www.conejosriveranglers. com).