Weekly Fishing Report June 15, 2026
Planning a Trip to the San Juan?
Our lodge offers guided fishing and comfy rooms right on the river.
Fishing Overview
- Flows: 520 cfs
- Water Temp: 40s (℉)
- Clarity: 5ft visibility
- Nymphing: Great
- Dry Fly: Decent
- Streamer: Decent
- Weather: Sunny. AM: 50s/60s. PM: 80s/90s w/ 30mph winds.
- Lower River Guide Trips: Operating, just ask your guide!
Summary: The water is clearing up, especially on the lower river. Small midge and mayfly patterns are the name of the game now. We're starting to see dry-fly action across all river sections.
Flows went down to 500 from 900 last week and have settled nicely since. The slower, clearer water has the fish seeking out midges, mayflies, and caddis, especially if fishing the village or lower river. The fish are also starting to look up for dry flies, especially on the lower river, where guides have reported some success with hoppers. The Quality Waters hasn't been fishing as well for dry flies just yet, but we'll get there. Fluorocarbon nymph rigs with 5x tippets are working well here. Streamer fishing has been alright; with flows back to 500, it's easier to get these down to the fish.
How Each Section is Fishing
The Quality Waters
Overview: With the flows back down to the 500s and the water clearing up, we have had the most success fishing small midges and mayflies. Red midge larvae, mono midges, and RS2s in the afternoon have been working well. We've mainly been fishing sizes 20 to 24 in those patterns. With warming summer temps, we'll start to see more hopper and ant action, plus the monsoon season will bring cloudy afternoons for BWO hatches.
Tips/Technique: We've been saying 4x tippet has been fine, but with the clearing waters, we're suggesting 5x fluorocarbon since it's invisible to fish underwater. No need for 6x or thinner sizes. For dry-fly fishing on this section, look for cloudy afternoons. Size 22 Parachute Adams, without hi-vis posts, work well for these hatches. If fishing streamers, there's also no need to go hi-vis anymore.
The Lower River
Overview: The lower river is by far the clearest section and is fishing well. The dry-fly fishing is picking 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 Recommendations
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 (Just in Case!)
| 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.