Planning a Trip to the San Juan?
Our lodge offers guided fishing and comfy rooms right on the river.
Quick Fishing Overview
- Flows: 1,000 cfs
- Water Temp: 40s (℉)
- Clarity: 5ft visibility
- Nymphing: Great
- Dry Fly: Great
- Streamer: Fair
- Weather: Dry fly weather! Sunny/cloudy/rainy. AM: 60s. PM: 90s.
- Lower River Guide Trips: We're offering them! Just let us know.
Summary: The ant fall happened at the end of last week. Monsoon season is here, bringing with it lots more dry fly opportunities. The fish have been going crazy for ants on the surface. We expect the fish to continue to look up as we get into
hopper and beetle season. With almost daily rain showers these last few days, we expect the flows from the dam to also drop a bit. The water from our dam is used for irrigation, so when it rains, the Bureau of Reclamation dials back the outflow a bit since other rivers in the San Juan River system are running higher. A slight flow drop shouldn't affect the fishing much, especially with fish looking up for dries.
Flows and Weather
Detailed Report by River Section
The Quality Waters
Overview: Dry fly fishing with black ant patterns has been the main winner the last few days, but the dry fly frenzy will taper off later in the week as the ants wrap up their yearly spawn. A size 16 or 18 black ant or beetle pattern will get the job done. They lose their pickiness during the ant fall. Just be sure to look for rising trout first. Nymph rigs are still working right now. Below the surface, fish the usual summer tiny midge and mayfly patterns, like red midge larvae, pupae in black or olive, or RS2s in black or gray. Sizes 22 and 24 are the mainstays right now.
Tips/Technique: Be sure to find rising trout before fishing dry flies. Even though it's dry fly season, it's less common to coax our fish to eat on the surface. Instead, they generally need to already be eating. Avoid dry fly fishing with fluorocarbon leaders because fluorocarbon sinks. Monofilament floats better on the surface. Fish two dry flies, and if you have trouble seeing them, use one with a high-vis post. Don't forget to use floatant to dress both your flies and your leader. Happy hunting.
The Lower River
Overview: The lower river has been CRANKING with nymph fishing recently, and it's still doing pretty well on dry flies. This section is still a solid bet if you're looking to throw larger dries like hoppers and beetles. Fish in this section are much more apt to rise opportunistically. We haven't seen much caddis activity, so for flies, we recommend terrestrials like hoppers and ants, as well as midge clusters and larger BWO patterns. A Parachute Adams in size 14 is a solid safe bet.
Tips/Technique: TThe fish in this river section are less pressured and therefore a bit more skittish. Use 9-foot leaders with your dry flies and try to cast delicately and accurately. The fish aren't as spooky as on a crystal-clear spring creek, so don't overthink it. A decent presentation will reward you; no need for absolute perfection.
The Village
Overview: Fishing here has been a bit slower, but still decent. It's still a great place for first timers to get their bearings before venturing into the quality waters. There are still very productive honey holes holding eager, but smaller-than-the-quality-water trout.
Tips/Technique: 4X, whether for dry flies or nymph rigs, should be fine in this section. Most dry fly activity here will be in the afternoons and early evenings.
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.