About a month or so ago, I posted a question about Durango, CO advice.
I appreciate those who responded. So, here is a brief but not terribly
useful report on that trip.

I took the family to Vallecito Lake, about 20 miles or so East and North
of Durango. This is a beautiful area, but not yet as beautiful again
as it was prior to the Missionary Ridge fire of 2002. That fire affected
some 70k acres. You can see patches of dead trees all along the valley
that the lake lies in. It must have been a truly horrible fire. The
place is recovering though and at a pretty decent pace.

As far as fishing goes, however, I was looking forward more to hitting
the rivers and creeks that feed into and run nearby the lake.
Fortunately for the region, the recent drought ended this winter as there
was an excellent snowpack this winter. Unfortunately for my vacation
timing, they've had a pretty warm spring and the rivers and creeks were
absolutely raging. I expect it's been well documented here, but the
Animas which runs through Durango was running hard and dirty brown as
was all of the moving water in the region. Essentially unfishable.
The nice fellows at Duranglers were running no guides in the region.

So, I was left with the lake. Not exactly a fly fishing dream, but
there are opportunities. As it turns out, the cabin we stayed at,
though very nice, and with a pool for the kids (which we used frequently),
the lake access was a pain. I was hoping to be able walk out the door
and be casting within hollerin' distance of the cabin, but instead
it required a drive down the road and wasn't terribly convenient for
a family man.

Still, I got a few mornings in a row out at the north end of the lake
where the pike were supposed to be. It was beautiful in the mornings.
I had the place to myself, for the most part and the snow-peaked mount-
ains in view, casting on the clear cold water with my new TFO 8-wt.
That 8-weight with a big heavy pike fly is a different game than my
5-wt with little dry at the end of the line. I got the hang of it
eventually, but to no avail. I got no action from the big pike that
allegedly populate the lake. Obviously hooking up would have been a
better, but still living in Texas I can appreciate how awesome just being
out in the water working the cool (cold!) clear water. I can attest
to the cold part as the lake was filling up everyday, which my excuse
for taking a step too far and dumping some that icewater into my waders
and trying to drown myself. It took my breath away for a moment, but
I got my wits and was able to kick my way back to a place where I
could stand back up.

Anyway, I was shut out. My next outing will be better. Need to
change my vacation time - this is the 3rd time and the 3rd location
that a late May vacation was fouled up by excessive water flow. Either
earlier or later would be better I think.

Thanks,

Bill D.