Way back in 1962, when Denham was a 6-year-old and his family had just bought a cabin in Masonic Park, local angler Joe Kenyon taught him and his father how to trout-fish. Like many beginners, Denham started with a little discount-store closed-face outfit. He also had countless hours of instruction on the river and learned to read the mysterious waters.

These days, Don Denham and his grown-up son Randy fish together from time to time. But if you're a father or a son, you know it's difficult to recapture the days of youth when fishing with family.

"That guy is a legend around those parts," said Randy of his father. "He can still fish with the best of them."

Denham's grandfather fished the Rio Grande as so many of our grandfathers did -- with worms and salmon eggs. The man camped out for hours at huge pools.

Randy prefers lures. He has tried all kinds on the Rio Grande, but nowadays he's narrowed down his selection to a Panther Martin No. 9 with black body, yellow dots and gold or silver spoon. Second choice is a Panther Martin No. 9 with red body, red dots and silver spoon.

Killer consistency, said Randy.

SCENIC BEAUTY
The mighty Rio Grande flows through some of the prettiest scenery in Colorado. The section from South Fork up to the Rio Grande Reservoir is the most scenic section of the river. The water is as clear as the air, the mountains are majestic and the trout plentiful.

It's a freestone stream with numerous tributaries in a wilderness setting. This is beautiful and rugged country where the nation's second-longest river begins its southward trek. The river swells with tributary after tributary, surrounded by interconnecting trails and alpine lakes. Deep runs, big pools, riffles -- all kinds of water flow through narrow canyons and broad valleys.

It's some of the most primeval scenery left in the Lower 48. One of the great things about this section of the Rio Grande is that despite its remoteness and despite its lack of angling pressure, the river is easily accessed by road and trail.

Private water is marked and visible, and you'll be pleased by the dozens of miles of public water and roadside access from Highway 149.