My family has been visiting this secluded haven for Texans for fifty years, since before I was born. In south-central Colorado, from Creede to Lake City to Gunnison, runs Highway 149, and from this two-lane highway, anglers look upon great mountains covered in stands of aspen, broad mesas, inspiring pink cliffs, and deep canyons carved out by fierce rivers. They will realize, like so many other Texans, that there is renewal here, that they need to return here each summer like the trout does to its headwaters spawning ground.

Fisheries:
Trouters will enjoy the selection of fine trout waters, like the Rio Grande, Lake Fork Gunnison, Cebolla, Powderhorn, and Gunnison Rivers, all within one or two hour's drive. Lake San Cristobal is a shining jewel of a natural lake holding large mackinaws. Alpine lakes dot the landscape and those in search of wild trout in high country will not have to venture far from the cabin to find them.

Digs:
Where to stay? There are few top-dog digs in these tiny towns (quaint Lake City has only 300 people in its permanent population), but they do offer adequate motels, inns, and especially cabins. We recommend staying at the modest but comfortable Town Square Cabins in Lake City (970-944-2236), at the historic Creede Hotel in Creede (719-658-2608), and the Mary Lawrence Inn Bed and Breakfast in Gunnison (970-641-3343).

Eateries:
Can't beat the pizza and banter at Poker Alice's in Lake City and you won't find a better or more authentic milkshakes than the ones at the San Juan Soda Company on Lake City's town square.