Planning a Trip to the San Juan?
Our lodge offers guided fishing and comfy rooms right on the river.
Quick Fishing Overview
- Flows: 750 cfs
- Water Temp: 40s (℉)
- Clarity: 5ft visibility
- Nymphing: Great
- Dry Fly: Decent
- Streamer: Decent
- Weather: Sunny. AM: 50s. PM: 80s w/ wind gusts.
- Lower River Guide Trips: Yes, just talk to the front desk!
Summary: The water clarity is the same as last week, but the flows are likely to go up this week. Fish patterns like leeches and worms in addition to the usual midges and mayflies.
Flows and Weather
Detailed Report by River Section
The Quality Waters
Overview: With flows going up this week, we expect them to wash bigger morsels into the water. A San Juan Worm or leech pattern above a small midge or mayfly should be a good combo. Above the surface we're not seeing a ton yet, but are eagerly anticipating the yearly ant fall where big trout feast on the surface. Streamer fishing is fair. Keep them close the bottom and use long, slow strips.
Tips/Technique: You can fish 4x if you use a leech or San Juan Worm on top. If you choose to fish two small flies, go with 5x for both. We always use fluorocarbon tippet when fishing subsurface.
The Lower River
Overview: The lower river is by far the clearest section and is fishing well. The dry-fly fishing continues to pick up here, with a few guides scooping up solid trout on hoppers. Nymph rigs are also working well on midge, mayfly, and caddis imitations in the 18–22 range. Streamer fishing is decent here as well. Like in the Quality Waters, there’s no need to use a high-vis pattern anymore.
Tips/Technique: 4x tippet is still fine here. Even though the water is clear, the fish aren't nearly as pressured as in the famed Quality Waters. Fish monofilament for dry flies and fluorocarbon for nymph rigs. 1x has been our choice for streamers.
The Village
Overview: Fishing here has been consistent. We're seeing PMDs and caddis more and more. The water isn't quite as clear as the lower river, so we're still having most of our success on nymph rigs. Prince Nymphs, RS2s, midge larvae, and San Juan Worms are all working decently.
Tips/Technique: You can still fish 4x in this section since the fish are less pressured. They're not nearly as leader-shy.
Current Fly Recs
You can purchase flies and licenses at our fly shop. Many are hand-tied by our guides themselves.
Sub-Surface Flies
| Name | Colors | Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Vernille San Juan Worm | Brown, Black, Natural | 10 to 14 |
| Midge Larvae | Red | 16 to 20 |
| Rojo Midge | Gray, Olive, Brown | 20 to 22 |
| Mono Midge | Black, Olive, Brown | 20 to 22 |
| Foam Wing RS2 | Brown, Black, Gray | 18 to 20 |
| Bunny Leeches | Black, Olive, Gray, Natural, White | 6 and 8 |
Dry Flies
| Name | Colors | Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Parachute Adams | Standard | 20 to 22 |
| Comparadun | Standard | 20 to 22 |
| Rosenbauer Parachute Beetle | Black | 10 to 24 |
| Cartoon Hopper | Gray, Olive, Brown Flash! | 4 to 8 |
| Ants | Black | 12 to 16 |
Planning a Trip to the San Juan?
Our lodge offers guided fishing and comfy rooms right on the river.