In a heavy snowpack year, the Animas can be swollen from April to July, making fishing virtually impossible. You can get by with a 4-weight if you feel comfortable playing big fish and getting them to hand. In the winter, you'll want neoprene waders with felt-soled wading boots. Lightweight breathable waders or hip waders are the ticket in the summer. Artificial flies and lures only from Lightner Creek to Purple Cliffs, two fish, 16-inch minimum.
Standard regulations apply to other sections.
Rainbows average about 12 inches. Brown trout are the predominant species and anglers will catch occasional cutthroat. This is big water and the bottom is slippery in spots. You can prearrange to be let off about five miles above Hermosa to be picked up later in the day, the next day, or even several days later. Most anglers and hikers who get off the train hike east from the dropoff point into the Weminuche Wilderness .