san juan river flyfishing

This is the first article in a 3-part series, covering the San Juan River.  It is not a comprehensive look, but rather a series meant for those first-timers who hit the water sight unseen and flyfishers looking to try something different.

Location:  Upper mile of the San Juan River directly below Navajo Dam.

Environment: This stretch of the San Juan River consists of a variety of trout habitats: runs, rifles, channels, pools, etc. and the water is consistently cool (40-44 degrees) because it is coming from the bottom of the lake.  Fish, mostly rainbow trout, ranging from 16-22 inches typically feed on an abundance of midges with annelids and leeches rounding out their diet.

Tactics: No boat access means strictly wading; tread carefully through slippery waters.

Patterns: Midge Larva (cream/red), Midge Pupa and Emergers (gray/black/brown), Annelids (orange/brown/red/tan) and Leeches (black/gray/brown).

Methods: While there are several ways of fishing this section, depending on time of day/year, I will use this section to highlight conventional and unconventional methods.

Conventional – Start with a 7.5ft 5X leader, then add 18 inches of 6X tippet with your weight (eg No 4) secured above the knot on the 5X leader.  Tie on your first fly (eg Red Hot) then drop another piece of 6X tippet for your second fly (eg Mercury Midge).  After rigging your leader/flies attach an indicator 1.5 times the depth of the water you plan to fish.  Once fully prepared, look for a channel to fish – present the fly to targeted fish by casting upstream and letting it drift dead-still while mending as necessary to avoid drag – if the indicator hesitates slightly, SET the hook!  [Note: Clean your flies often when dead drifting nymphs, every 2-3 casts, as the slightest bit of moss will deter a strike.]

Unconventional – Start with a 7.5ft 5X leader, then add 18 inches of 6X tippet with the smallest weight (eg No 10) you have secured above the knot on the 5X leader.  Tie on your first fly (eg KF Zebra Midge) then drop another piece of 6X tippet for your second fly (eg Scintilla).  Ditch the indicator, it’s time to start czech nymphing   Once fully prepared, look for short riffles that tail into pools to fish – present the fly to targeted fish by casting 12 inches in front of intended targets and drift with a tight line.  Look for strikes on the swing!

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