Tired of crowded campgrounds, rivers overrun with anglers, the same old scenery? Consider a trip into Indian Country — some place like the Southern Ute Reservation just southeast of Durango and southwest of Pagosa Springs.

The Southern Utes have four great rivers running through their territory, the San Juan, the Piedra, the Pine and the Animas.

The Ute’s six-mile stretch of the Animas below the popular college town of Durango draws the most visitors to fish for a good population of rainbows and the chance to snare a large brown trout, said Ben Zimmerman, fisheries biologist for the Southern Ute Tribe.

But if one is looking for solitude, spectacular scenery and plenty of good fishing, they might want to try a trip to the less traveled areas of the San Juan and Piedra rivers in Indian Country.  Continued...

The San Juan River through the Southern Ute Indian Reservation features several promising fishing holes, little traffic and plenty of country scenery.  Photos by Karl F. Moffatt

“You’d be lucky to see anyone else out there with you,” Zimmerman says. Both rivers’ headwaters can be found in the mountains ringing the town of Pagosa Springs and flowing south to Navajo Reservoir. The 20-mile long Navajo Lake straddles the Colorado and New Mexico state line, and the San Juan River re-emerges from below Navajo Dam as the blue-ribbon trout fishery well known to many Colorado and New Mexico anglers.

The stretch of the San Juan River above Navajo Lake as it flows south out of Pagosa Springs through Indian Country is one with which many anglers might not be as familiar.

Taking Archuleta County Road 500 out of Pagosa Springs one will travel a gravel, country road along the river with several promising fishing holes beckoning anglers. The countryside is dotted with farms, high piñon and juniper covered mesas and great stands of cottonwood trees along the river bottom, which would make for a great drive during the fall.  Continued...

A recent sun rise over Navajo State Park in southern Colorado where water from the San Juan and Piedra rivers is impounded to form Navajo Lake.

Those in possession of a Southern Ute Indian Tribe fishing permit can stop at any number of fishing areas posted along the road and try their angling luck.

This stretch of river looks very like much like big, brown trout country where streamers, nymphs, bait and lures might work.

The Utes’ permits can be purchased in Colorado at shops in Durango and Ignacio where the tribe’s headquarters are located. They can also be purchased in New Mexico at stores in Farmington and at the Float and Fish fly shop at Navajo Dam. However, the tribe’s fishing permits cannot be purchased in the town of Pagosa Springs nor online and those arriving from out of the area might want to contact one of the participating vendors and make arrangements to purchase one by mail.

For more information about permits and rules and regulations check the Tribe’s web site.

It should be noted that signs posted at the Utes’ fishing access sites state alcohol, drugs, firearms and dogs are prohibited while utilizing these areas. This writer has no information about how strictly enforced these prohibitions are, but visitors should exercise extreme discretion while on Indian lands.

This long, lonely stretch of road eventually passes through the abandoned railroad town of Pagosa Junction where a magnificent, whitewashed, adobe church still stands upon a hill overlooking the town’s ruins. Here one can wander among several still standing buildings and a great stand of cottonwood trees and wonder about the history of this formerly bustling town.

Continuing south on County Road 500, visitors will encounter the top end of Navajo Lake which features numerous pull-offs for recreation. Camping and other services are available at Navajo State Park and more information can be found at the Navajo Lake web site.  Continued...

The San Juan River slowly makes its way downstream along a lonely stretch of Archuleta County Road 500 road between Navajo Reservoir and Pagosa Springs.

County Road 500 ends at the intersection of Colorado State Road 151 where one can head north to access the Ute Tribe’s six-mile stretch of the Piedra River up Fosset Gulch off Forest Road 613.

This stretch of river was rehabilitated back in 2000 with the installation of hundreds of tons of large boulders to shore up the riverbanks, re-channel the river and create healthier habitat for fish. The characteristics of this stretch of the Piedra River are so appealing to the angler’s eye that it almost looks like a movie set. It is that well constructed.

So far, the Utes’ plan seems to have worked with the area now attracting the discriminating angler. Stream surveys show a good population of rainbows and some large browns trout lurking in the depths, Zimmerman said.

Anyone catching a rare, red-bellied, round-tailed chub from Southern Ute Reservation waters is asked to handle the fish carefully and return it unharmed, immediately, to the water, Zimmerman added.

This stretch of the Piedra River flows through a heavily forested, cottonwood canyon flanked by rolling hills, some rocky mesas and the occasional pasture on the far bank. Once again, this should prove a spectacular drive in the fall.

Wildlife-viewing opportunities are abundant with raptors, including owls, in great numbers swooping over the road and a coyote jogging ahead of the vehicle during a recent trip. At one point, a horse emerged from the woods, walked up to the vehicle and allowed for a quick rub of its velvety nose before running off in a clatter of hoofs and a cloud of dust.

Visitors can see by map that Forest Road 613 cuts through to Colorado State Road 160 between Durango and Pagosa Springs but note that a private- property owner has since installed two locked gates across the road blocking access.

It’s unknown if, and when, this issue will be resolved to the public’s benefit.

From this stretch of the Piedra River visitors can also see the twin spires of the Chimney Rock Archaeological Area in the San Juan National Forest located between Durango and Pagosa Springs. This hilltop American Indian ruin is a great side trip off State Road 151 and features a guided, interpretive walking tour and spectacular views from the mountain top fire tower. The site is open May 15 through Sept. 30 and more information can be found at the Chimney Rock web site.

And on the far end of State Road 151, visitors to the area will find additional fishing and camping at the Southern Utes’ Capote Lake.

Overall, this area of Southern Colorado in Indian Country offers much for those seeking to get away from the crowds and constrictions found on public lands during summer months.

For more fishing and travel stories from writer Karl Moffatt, visit his blog at www.talesfromthefarbank.com. This article previously appeared in the Santa Fe New Mexican; used by permission of the author.