The Culebra springs out of the bottom of Sanchez Reservoir, located in San Luis CO, about an hour's drive north from Taos. Situated at the base of the 14,000 plus foot Culebra Peak, the creek offers both fantastic scenery and splendid fly fishing on a year-round basis. The river runs through lovely wide-open pastures and meadows. The fish, on average, are the largest in the Taos area, with fish 18" and up not uncommon.

Van Beacham has an exclusive lease on about eight miles of the stream. Van only allows anglers to fish the stream with a guide (unless you are one of the few privileged members of his Solitary Angling Club) which keeps pressure down. There are six sections and only one party per day is allowed on each. Every section receives at least two days rest each week.

By far, our clients' favorite place to fish. Hatches occur all year long (see hatch chart) with prolific spring and fall baetis hatches. Stoneflies, caddis, crane flies, PMDs and tricos hatch all summer and midges hatch all winter.

Culebra Creek in Southern Colorado is our crown jewel and perhaps the finest small stream in the southwest, boasting a robust population of wild browns and cutbows that average 16 to 20 inches with several larger fish up to, believe it or not, 30 inches! The number of big fish varies from year to year but the Culebra grows fish rapidly so there are always big fish. There are multiple reasons for the Culebra's ability to grow big fish. First, it's a tail-water below Sanchez Reservoir, which provides nutrient-rich, clean water with less fluctuation of water temperatures, resulting in good year-round feeding opportunities. Secondly, the Culebra has numerous bends with deep undercut banks where big fish can hide when endangered or threatened and very few places for small fish to survive the onslaught from cold winter temperatures, fast currents and predation, thus more big fish. Other factors include management tools such as SAC stream and habitat improvements, catch-and-release flyfishing only, prescription stocking of fish, reduction of poaching through patrolling and limited angling pressure through careful scheduling. (See the SAC brochure for more details.)

The secret to successful angling on the Culebra is learning which sections fish best at certain water levels and times of the year and the different techniques to use during those conditions. Needless to say our guides know the Culebra intimately and can help insure your next fishing trip is a success. We have over 10 miles of the Culebra divided into 10 sections (beats) so there is plenty of room to spread out and once you book a section with your guide, you're the only one there and chances are that there wasn't any one there yesterday nor will be tomorrow. The secret to our quality fisheries is that we "rest the water."

Come fish the Culebra with one of our guides and find out why it is by far our most popular destination that anglers keep returning to year after year. Call us at 1-866-502-1700 or email us at jack@thesolitaryangler.com to book today!

For details on techniques, seasons, hatches and access to the Culebra Creek refer to my book, The Flyfisher's Guide to New Mexico.

*The entire Culebra Creek is also available to members of the SAC.

Construction of a small lodge / fishing retreat is scheduled to begin this summer on my property on Culebra Creek. It will be unobtrusive to the angler on the river, yet still offer stunning views of the creek and the towering peaks of the Sangre de Cristos. Once completed, it will be available for nightly rentals to our members and clients that fish with us. More information as it becomes available can be found on our web site at www.thesolitaryangler.com by clicking on Accommodations.

Just a few miles north of Culebra Creek is a "Sangre de Cristo Gem" where fishing is the way it used to be long before flyfishing was popular. The 170,000 acre ranch (formerly known as Forbes Trinchera Ranch) has 3 major creeks that begin above 14,000 feet at the top of some of the highest peaks in Colorado. Here, the fish are truly wild, mostly Rio Grande cutthroats and cutbows as well as brook trout in abundance. The creeks are crystal-clear and the dry fly fishing is nothing short of superb where 50 to 100 fish days are not uncommon. Several lakes on the ranch add to the excitement and offer the possibility of some larger trout.

We offer day trips but the best way to enjoy the ranch is to stay at the 5-star lodge and combine fishing the Trinchera Ranch with fishing for large bows and browns on our Culebra Creek property, less than 30 minutes away.

Call us today to book this exclusive package at 1-866-502-1700 or email us at jack@thesolitaryangler.com .

For details on techniques, seasons, hatches and access to Culebra Creek refer to my book, The Flyfisher's Guide to New Mexico.