Planning a Trip to the San Juan?
Our lodge offers guided fishing and comfy rooms right on the river.
Quick Fishing Overview
- Flows: 276 CFS
- Water Temp: 40s (℉)
- Clarity: 3-5ft visibility
- Nymphing: Great
- Dry Fly: Great
- Streamer: Decent
- Weather: Amazingly nice and sunny. AM: 50s. PM: 70s/80s.
- Lower River Guide Trips: Not running these. Flows too low.
Summary: The murky water from last week's rains is starting to clear. We're still using some higher-vis flies like zebra midges or disco midges, but we've also been fishing flies without any sort of flash with solid results. If in doubt, fish one visible fly to a less
visible one. If a particular fish isn't feeling a flash or bead wing case, then it just might go for the more basic fly, like a Big Mac or Mono Midge. Dry fly fishing is still pretty good, especially in the afternoons. It's not like how it was when it was cloudy last week, but we still see some fish feeding on the surface on most sunny days. Streamer fishing is also starting to pick up.
Flows and Weather
Detailed Report by River Section
The Quality Waters
Overview: The water is clearing up nicely here. As mentioned above, a higher-vis fly paired with a less "flashy" one is a good bet. Unlike last week, when we suggested an 18 Pheasant Tail, the water is clear enough to be back on size 20 and 22 flies. Double midges or fishing a midge to a mayfly (Chocolate Foam Wing, Fluff Baetis, etc.) have worked well. Hatches are still coming off even on sunny days. Have sizes 18–22 of Comparaduns, Griffith's Gnats, and Parachute Adams. As we get close to spawning season, we're seeing the brown trout start to go after streamers. A few guides have begun fishing them during the day with decent results.
Tips/Technique: With the drop in water, lots of weed beds that bloomed in the high summer flows are now exposed. We haven't really been fishing in or around these. We've seen the fish prefer open, clear-flowing water. It's worth the walk/row to get away from these.
The Lower River
Overview: The murkiness from last week is gone, but the flows are too low to float this section.
Tips/Technique: N/A
The Village
Overview: The water is clearing here a well, but attractor patterns like a San Juan Worm or a bunny leech are still a great choice. As are size 16 or 18 Pheasant Tails. Like in the quality waters, as less visible fly like a fluff baetis for the dropper fly is a good choice. 18 to 20 is about the right size. We're seeing similar hatches here as in the Quality Waters, so bring the flies we list in the "Quality Waters" section of this report. It's a great place to fish dries since the fish can be less skittish and picky here.
Tips/Technique: Also keep an eye out for and avoid the weed beds. There are more fish and less hassle away from them.
Current Fly Recs
You can purchase flies and licenses at our fly shop. Many are hand-tied by our own guides.
Sub-Surface Flies
| Name | Colors | Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Bunny Leeches | Olive, Gray, Natural | 8 and 10 |
| Yarn Egg | Red, Pink, Orangel | 16 to 18 |
| San Juan Worm | Brown, Red, Burnt Orange, Natural | 10 to 14 |
| Midge Larvae | Red | 16 to 22 |
| Rojo Midge | Gray, Olive, Brown | 20 to 22 |
| Mono Midge | Black, Olive, Slate, Brown | 20 to 22 |
| Zebra Midge | Black, Slate, Brown | 20 to 22 |
| Big Mac | Black, Slate | 20 to 22 |
| Foam Wing RS2 | Brown, Black, Gray | 18 to 22 |
| Fluff Baetis | Gray, Brown | 20 to 22 |
| Scintilla Midge | Black, Gray | 20 to 22 |
Dry Flies
| Name | Colors | Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Parachute Adams | Standard | 18 to 22 |
| Comparadun | Standard | 18 to 22 |
| Ants | Black | 16 to 18 |
| Hoppers | Gray, Tan, Yellow Variations | 16 to 18 |
Planning a Trip to the San Juan?
Our lodge offers guided fishing and comfy rooms right on the river.