Fishing near Telluride
 

We're going to be in Telluride (Mountain Village) in August and would like to find a close place to fish. Ideally, roll out of bed in the early morning and either a short drive or walk to a quiet place for an hour or so. It looks like any place along the San Miguel river might work, or possibly Alta Lakes, although that looks like a longer drive. Any advice?
Thanks.

I don't think you can walk to any place in Mountain Village to fish. You need a 4WD to get to Alta Lakes, I believe. This should help:

http://www.visittelluride.com/things-to-do/fishing

Thanks. Do you know if you can fish the San Miguel in the town of Telluride? I'll ask when we get our fishing licenses, but the only thing I could think of, without needing a car, would be to take the gondola into Telluride and walk up-river a little ways.

The San Miguel in town is very fishable, and probably your best bet if you don't have a car. It's not very wide or deep there, and the gradient is easy. The water will be ice cold even in August. The fish can be spooky though, so approach the river softly & quietly. Look for the bigger fish to be holding in deeper, quieter water or close to undercut banks. There is a footpath that follows the river through town and beyond.

So there are a few options for fishing in or near Telluride. First if you want to walk and not get in your Car, hop on the gondola to town and you can fish the upper Miguel. People do fish right in town but I suggest walking west on the river trail at least to where boomerang rd hits the trail. You can also walk down boomerang rd from the village to the trail(around 20 minutes) fish it up stream and take the Gondola back. The upper Miguel is mostly brook trout but you will see the occasional brown. If you are willing to drive there are more options. The Miguel below illium can be excellent fishing. Its a bigger river down there and rainbows and browns are abundant. From the Village you are looking at a 10-20 minute drive(further is you fish below placerville). The South fork of the Miguel can be productive but Ive never had too much luck there. The upper dolorous can be very good too(20 minute drive). Now Alta Lakes is truly one of the most spectacular places in the world. High clearance is certainly recommended but the road is not difficult to drive. It does attract a decent amount of spin fishers. With a fly rod it can be difficult to catch fish with out a canoe or kayak. Pack a lunch and make a day out of alta lakes. There is a nicely preserved mining town a few minutes below the lake. Drive time is around 30 minutes from the Village. Priest lake(15 minutes drive) can be fun for catching small brookies and does not require high clearance. When your in town feel free to stop by the front desk of the Camels Garden Hotel(at the base of the gondola in Town) and I can point you in the right direction(Im almost always there.) Also please release all fish caught in the rivers, not only does it make the fishing better for the next people but there are high levels of heavy metals in the miguel from the mining days. It is safe to take fish from Alta Lakes(brookies are wild and should be returned but the Rainbows are stockers that will not make it through the winter)
Mike

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I am not a shill for this outfitter and there guided trips are very expensiv but they will be glad to send you a newsletter in every season that is very detailed for the rivers in that region

Thanks. I did not know you could walk from Mtn Village to the trail on Boomerang Rd so will have to check that out. Very helpful tips.
I saw the guided trips from Telluride Outside, but what we're looking for is that "roll out of bed when the sun comes up, grab your pole, throw on a baseball cap, and go enjoy the peace and quiet" type thing. I may go sign up for their newsletter though.
Thanks again for all the advice.