July 14, 2010
New Mexico Fly Fishing | San Juan River Fly Fishing
Much has happened since the last Fisheads Newsletter! We had a great fishing season right into late fall, and then started up again in February. It’s always good to see our old friends along with the new Fisheads anglers! We have had a very good spring with great fishing and lots of wind ….UGH! The fishing has been great, but the wind has been incredible! Thankfully it is starting to cut back now, as our arms can’t take too much more of it.
Now for the Fisheads news! We have recently purchased the Rizuto location and have renamed it “Fisheads San Juan River Lodge.” Our plans for the 
lodge are already in progress with lots of long hours being put in refurbishing the place. New flat screen TV’s are being installed in all of the rooms as soon as we repaint and upgrade the rooms with some new furniture and WI-FI access. In addition, your cell phones should work much better as we are installing a signal booster so you don’t have to drive up the road to make a phone call. All of these improvements are being spearheaded by Eric Mesker who has much experience in construction and improvements of property.
LEAVE US REVIEWS!!
Help us by leaving a review of your experience fishing or stay with Fisheads Lodge it only takes a minutes.
Click here to leave your review.
We currently have accommodations for 18 people. However, within a month, we will be adding a three-bedroom house to the accommodation facilities that will house groups of up to 8 people who want to stay together while fishing on the river.
By sometime in July we expect to have our restaurant, called “The Back Cast Cafe” up and running. Our Chef is Josh Mesker, Eric’s brother, who graduated from Johnson Wales Culinary School in Denver. At this point, we are purchasing the equipment necessary, and getting the plumbing and electrical done to be able to install it. There once was a kitchen at the lodge, but it has been defunct for many years. With Josh running the restaurant, we are confident that we will be offering the best food in the area with a varied menu that should appeal to, and please everyone. Along the same vein, we will be applying for a beer and wine license so you can enjoy your favorite beverage while staying at the lodge. Also, there will be a screened in patio where you can dine, or relax and swap stories with your favorite beverage at the end of a day of fishing on our great river.
To enhance your fishing experience, we have opened an ORVIS Endorsed Fly Shop. All of the equipment you need, from tippet and streamside gadgets to rods and reels can now be purchased at the lodge. The shop, run by Thaddeus Cano will be open from 6:00 AM to almost dark, with hours adjusted throughout the year as fishing hours change by the season. Any order you place with our fly shop, for ORVIS equipment or supplies, with a minimum of $30.00, will be shipped to you at no cost for the shipping. That’s right! Free shipping of any ORVIS products with a $50.00 minimum order. You can now get your fishing equipment from the same people you fish with. Thad assures you that the selection of flies will be second to none, with many flies not available anywhere else. We will have midge patterns in the shop tied specifically for the San Juan River. No more searching for patterns that guides have, but are not available for you to purchase. We have the patterns that work on the river.
The river is clearing up nicely from the the spring turnover of the lake, with the fish eating well on midges in the morning and baetis and midges in the afternoon. The fish are in great condition this year with even the smaller fish being strong and fat from eating well. According to the authorities, there will be no high water this year, as they lowered the lake way down this past winter to take care of the spring runoff from the mountains. Therefore, the river will be in prime condition for a great year of fishing.
We look forward to seeing you all this year, and showing you our new endeavor with the lodge. We have the same great guides you have enjoyed fishing with in the past. With the new lodge, fly shop and restaurant and the fishing being great, we continue to push ourselves to make your experience on the San Juan the best it can possibly be.
Thank you all for your continued support over the years! Because of you, Fisheads has truely become the Premier Guide Service on the San Juan River. We enjoy fishing with you all and look forward to many more adventures you will never forget.
Your guide and friend, Chris
FISHEADS/ Chris Taylor
1-505-634-0463
email; chris@fisheadsofthesanjuan.com
web site; www.fisheadsofthesanjuan.com
July 1, 2010
San Juan River, New Mexico Fly Fishing Reports & Conditions
6 / 28 / 2010
Fishing Report Last Updated:
Fishing Conditions
Water flow: 880cfs
Visibility: 60 inches
Water temperature at mid-day: 42 Degrees F
Water condition: Clear
Best time of day to fish: Consistent all day
Best stretch: Texas hole to the Dam
Best access point:
Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:
The best fishing in the morning will be with midge pupa and larvae, size 22 and 24. You can find fish eating midges of all colors, dark midges have been best. Size 22 and 24 black, brown, dark gray and olive, fish have been eating cream as well. Try fishing BWO’s from 11:00am to about 5:00pm. Dark gray and olive been the best colors in a size 22. Back to midges in the evenings. Black is the best right now! Stripping streamers has also been effective. Brown and yellow worked great today. The caddis are starting to hatch on the lower river. It will be fishing very well for the next month and a half. It is the best dry fly fishing of the year!
“Must-have” fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:
| Fly Name: |
Fly Color: |
Fly Size(s): |
| Midge Selection |
grey, olive and crea |
22 to 26 |
| Midge |
all colors |
20 to 24 |
| Rs2 |
All |
22 |
| Wd-40 |
Gray, olive, brown f |
20 to 22 |
| Bh American Pheasant Tail |
brown |
20 to 24 |
| Cdc Mayfly Emerger |
gray, olive, brown flash! |
22 and 24 |
|
|
|
| caddis |
brown and black |
16 to 20 |
| PMD’s |
dry’s and nymphs |
16 and 18 |
| stimulators |
orange, yellow, brown |
12 to 16 |
| terrestrials |
Ants and hoppers |
6 to 16 |
Fish species: Rainbow and Brown trout
Fishing season: Year Round (Prime: March – November)
Nearest airport: Albuquerque, NM (2.5 hr) or Durango, La Plata Airport, CO (40 min) or Farmington, NM (40 min)
Real-time water flow data from USGS:
The water is completely clear but they have started releasing water to compensate for the snow melt. The water will increase to 950 cfs tomorrow, fish red and orange larvae when the water changes. We are sight fishing in the shallower waters throughout the day. Fish are eating midges in all the usual places and moving to the faster runs in the afternoons looking for baetis. Right around lunch will be the peak of the midge hatch and the start of the baetis hatch. The fish will eat strongest during this time of day. I have done well with a small dark colored baetis to a black or brown midge between noon and 5:00pm. It has been best to go back to your midge patterns after 5:00. For those of you who have never fished the 10 or so miles of river below town it is time to give it a shot. It will be fishing well for the next month and a half. It is the best dry fly fishing of the year! You can only float this section and don’t anchor or get out and wade. The land owners own the bottom of the river, it is also easy to take the wrong branch of the river and get stuck in shallow water. I recommend floating this section with someone who knows it before you try it on your own.
//
San Juan River Description
Located in the northwest corner of New Mexico, 40 miles South of Durango Colorado and 30 miles Northeast of Farmington New Mexico. The San Juan River is world renowned for providing some of the most rewarding trout fishing you will ever experience. The San Juan is a consistent producer of both rainbows and browns averaging 16 to 18 inches, with many reaching much larger proportions. Recent studies have suggested … 
that there are 15,000 fish per mile.
Since the completion of the Navajo Dam in the early 60’s, the river below
the dam has provided a perfect environment for the growth of trophy sized trout. Brown trout naturally reproduce in the river and the rainbow
fingerlings that are stocked yearly are essentially wild by the time they reach maturity. Catching them is an experience you will never forget! The San Juan has developed a far reaching reputation for Gold Medal trout fishing throughout the year. With comfortable temperatures all four seasons, you can be assured of enjoyable fishing whenever you come. The San Juan provides something for everyone, year round.
Clothing should be layered so you can adapt to the widely varying temperatures. An afternoon rain shower is common in the summer. Bring a rain jacket even if the sky is cloudless in the morning. Sun block (SPF 30+), sun gloves, hats, neck protection, polarized sunglasses and sun protective clothing are highly recommended.
Best Fly Fishing Techniques & Tips
Fishing 22 and 24 midges in the slower waters has been great. You can even sight fish in some places. Fish light weight ( a number 6 or smaller ) with your strike indicator 2 or 3 feet above the weight. You don’t want to be on the bottom when you are midge fishing. The BWO hatch is going great. Baetis live in fast water so look for them in the riffles at the top of holes and at the bottom of holes in the tail out. Fish are eating gray, olive and brown nymphs in these places, again it just depends on the day so have them all. You may have the chance to see fish on top during this time as well. A parachute Adams or comparadun should do the job. The may flies are green and are about size 22. Use dark colored wings as the fish are turning away from white wings. If you can’t see this try a marker fly about 12 inches above the baetis. The midges are actually bigger than the may flies right now so fish are looking for them all day. Try a brown and red colored midge or black and red midge, it is deadly! I have had great success with gray midges the last few days.
7-Day Fly Fishing Forecast
Fishing has been awesome and I see no reason for that to change. The weather looks good for the next week although I am sure the wind will continue to blow in the afternoon, its not a problem for catching fish but it makes the dry fly fishing tough as it blows the cotton wood seeds all over the water. The thunder storms have started which will get the ant fall coming soon. Fun stuff!! The lower river is fishing great! The caddis and PMD’s are hatching!!! Good luck to all the Fisheads out there, Chris
November 25, 2009
Water flow: 475cfs
Visibility: 48 inches
Water temperature at mid-day: 42 Degrees F
Water condition: Clear
Best time of day to fish: 11:00am to 5:00pm, Blue winged Olives!!!
Best stretch: Texas hole to baetis bend
Best access point: Baetis bend parking lot.
Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:
The best fishing in the morning will be with a small egg pattern to a red larvae. You can find fish eating midges as well, dark colors have been best. Size 22 and 24 black, brown, dark grey and olive.
THE BLUE WINGED OLIVES ARE BACK!!!! from 11:00am to about 5:00pm. Grey, olive and chocolate have all been catching fish in the fast water! Fish are looking for them on the surface from lunch to about 4:00pm.
Streamer fishing has been good at night or first thing in the morning!
Egg patterns are going to be good attractors for the rest of the year.
“Must-have” fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:
| Fly Name: |
Fly Color: |
Fly Size(s): |
| Midge Selection |
Grey, olive, cream, |
22, 24, 26 |
| Midge |
cream, brown, black |
22 to 26 |
| M And M Midge Pupa |
Grey, olive, cream |
22 to 26 |
| Wd-40 |
Grey, olive, brown |
20 to 24 |
| Red Hot Nymph |
Red? |
20 to 24 |
| Cdc Mayfly Emerger |
grey, olive or brown |
22 and 24 |
| Bunny leeches |
brown, green, natura |
4, 6 |
| Midges all day! |
Grey, olive and crea |
22,24,26 |
| egg patterns |
Yellow, peach, pink |
14 and 16 |
| Streamers |
brown, olive, black |
4, 6 |
Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby: Fisheads of the San Juan
Fish species: Rainbow and Brown trout
Fishing season: Year Round (Prime: March – November)
Nearest airport: Albuquerque, NM (2.5 hr) or Durango, La Plata Airport, CO (40 min) or Farmington, NM (40 min)
Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 Foot Leader
Recommended fly fishing tippet: 5X Tippet Size
Best fly fishing rod: 10′ 5 Weight Fly Rod
Best floating fly line: Trout WF
Real-time water flow data from USGS:
|
| The fish are really keyed in on color! I am fishing an egg to a bright red larvae in the morning. Switching to the red larvae and a chocolate may fly nymph in the afternoon and back to the egg and larvae in the evening. The fishing has been awesome! The may flies are larger and the trout love them fishing mayflies will be productive from 11:00 to 4:00. The dry fly fishing has been great in the afternoon!! Use size 22 dark green or blue-grey BWO’s. Make sure the wings are small and dark in color, the fish will be picky. A parachute adams has worked well if you darken the wing with a marker, fish don’t like the white! Egg patterns are working well in the morning, pink and peach have been my best colors. Tie them about the size of a pea or even a little smaller. Try stripping streamers in moving deep water. You will find that there are aggressive brown trout staging there before the spawn. |
|
|
Best Fly Fishing Techniques & Tips
|
| Try fishing a small egg, peach or pink in the deep fast runs with a red or orange larvae. Make sure you have enough weight to get things to the bottom and remember that eggs don’t sink as fast as other flies so you will need more weight than usual. I have also been fishing an orange egg lately, its been productive in the morning and evening. The BWO hatch is getting stronger every day! Baetis live in fast water so look for them in the riffles at the top of holes and at the bottom of holes in the tail out. Fish are eating grey, olive and brown nymphs in these places, again it just depends on the day so have them all. You may have the chance to see fish on top during this time as well. A parachute adams or comparadun should do the job. The may flies are green and are about size 22. Use dark colored wings as the fish are turning away from white wings. If you can’t see this try a marker fly about 12 inches above the baetis. This is one of the best times of the year to fish streamers. Mornings, evenings and into the night or cloudy days will be the most productive times. |
|
7-Day Fly Fishing Forecast
|
| OK, winter fishing is here. There was ice in the guides yesterday. This is the time of the year for hardy fisherman with good gear who like to fish alone. Winter fishing on the Juan can be excellent and if you are ready for the weather you won’t be disappointed. Fishing was as good today as any other day this year and there was hardly anyone around. It was windy and 45 degrees but don’t you think its worth it? Good luck to all the Fisheads out there, Chris |
October 7, 2009
|
|
 |
San Juan River, New Mexico Fly Fishing Report & Conditions
|
 |
// <![CDATA[
var wx_locID = 'USNM0218';
var wx_targetDiv = 'wx_module_5572';
var wx_config='SZ=180x150*WX=FHW*LNK=SSNL*UNT=F*BGI=seasonal2*MAP=CSC|null*DN=orvis.com*TIER=0*PID=1005214730*MD5=96f7a4b0c77de09e27ef17a1a59e0438';
document.write('');
// ]]> |
 |
|
|
Fishing Conditions
|
|
Water flow: 746cfs which is an excellent flow for the fall!!
Visibility: 48 inches
Water temperature at mid-day: 42 Degrees F
Water condition: Clear
Best time of day to fish: ALL DAY LONG!
Best stretch: The whole river is fishing well. Lots of fish are still midging all day in the slower water. Fish are also looking for baetis in the faster water up and down the river.
Best access point: Texas Hole
Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:
Fish are eating midges great all day long!!! Fish above Texas hole with dark grey, cream and olive midges size 24 and 26. Have lots of variations on your midges as fish will get wise to your patterns. Midges, midges, midges!!!
THE BLUE WINGED OLIVES ARE BACK!!!! from noon to about 5:00pm. Grey, olive and chocolate have all been catching fish!
Streamer fishing has been good at night or first thing in the morning! You will find brown trout are getting aggressive before the spawn and are more than willing to eat a streamer!
with the increase in water flow the fish are eating moss trying to get the bugs living in their. Try different color dark bunny leeches as an attractor, you will get some fish to eat it. Brown and gold variant have been best for me.
“Must-have” fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:
| Fly Name: |
Fly Color: |
Fly Size(s): |
| Midge Selection |
Grey, olive, cream, |
22, 24, 26 |
| Midge |
cream, brown |
22 to 26 |
| M And M Midge Pupa |
Grey, olive, cream |
22 to 26 |
| Wd-40 |
Grey or olive |
20 to 24 |
| Red Hot Nymph |
Red? |
20 to 24 |
| Cdc Mayfly Emerger |
grey, olive or brown |
22 and 24 |
| Bunny leeches |
brown, green, natura |
4, 6 |
| Midges all day! |
Grey, olive and crea |
22,24,26 |
| cartoon hopper |
Yellow, olive, cream |
6 and 8 |
| Streamers |
brown, olive, black |
4, 6 |
Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby: Fisheads of the San Juan
Fish species: Rainbow and Brown trout
Fishing season: Year Round (Prime: March – November)
Nearest airport: Albuquerque, NM (2.5 hr) or Durango, La Plata Airport, CO (40 min) or Farmington, NM (40 min)
Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 Foot Leader
Recommended fly fishing tippet: 6X Tippet Size
Best fly fishing rod: 10′ 5 Weight Fly Rod
Best floating fly line: Trout WF
Real-time water flow data from USGS:
|
|
| The best fishing right now will be with midges, have lots of different patterns and colors. You will catch fish on both larvae and pupa size 22 to 26. You will find lots of fish in shallow water, use a small indicator a foot or two above a #8 or #9 weight. I find this kind of sight nymphing as much fun as dry fly fishing. Get to a good riffle or tail out after lunch and look for fish eating baetis. The mayflies are small in the fall, I have been using size 22 and 24 grey, olive and chocolate nymphs. Try stripping streamers in moving deep water. You will find that there are aggressive brown trout staging there before the spawn Fish are eating moss, looking for the insects hiding inside. Try different color bunny leaches (olive, brown, natural) as your top fly. Twitch them once in a while. They have been working well early in the morning! |
|
|
Best Fly Fishing Techniques & Tips
|
| The fish are eating well in the morning from sun up to about 11:00am on the midge hatch. They will get tricky to catch as the sun gets higher in the sky, they can see our line and hooks better. The fish are concentrating in shallow water over weed beds where the bugs are hatching. The trick is to find the correct color midge. Some days it has been olive and the next cream the only thing consistent is the size, 24 and 26. I know and I’m sorry but it is what it is, use 6X fluorocarbon as well. This hatch is going on all day but has been most productive from sun up to about 11:00am and then in the evening when the sun gets off the water. The BWO hatch is getting stronger every day! Baetis live in fast water so look for them in the riffles at the top of holes and at the bottom of holes in the tail out. Fish are eating grey, olive and brown nymphs in these places, again it just depends on the day so have them all. You may have the chance to see fish on top during this time as well. A parachute adams or comparadun should do the job. After a month of eating mostly midges the fish will start eating these mayflies with reckless abandon, don’t miss out! The increase in water flow this week has broken lots of moss loose and fish are eating it. I know this sounds strange but our fish will tear at chunks of moss to get food hiding inside. Fishing bunny leeches on a dead drift will get some fish interested. Give it a try. I usually fish a large red or orange larvae (# 18) below the leech to get the fish that are just looking at the moss. |
|
7-Day Fly Fishing Forecast
|
| The mornings are cold and crisp, the cottonwood trees are turning a bright gold and fishing is awesome! Fall is one of the best times of the year to catch big fish moving around. Things are busy here on the Juan but there is always someplace to find your own fish and space. We have a long fall this far south, it doesn’t get really cold until the end of November or the beginning of December. I hope you all get to the river and enjoy this time of year as much as I do. Good luck to all the Fisheads out there, Chris |
|
September 29, 2009
|
Fishing Conditions
|
|
Water flow: 493cfs which is normal flow for this time of year.
Visibility: 48 inches
Water temperature at mid-day: 42 Degrees F
Water condition: Clear
Best time of day to fish: ALL DAY LONG!
Best stretch: Most of the shallow slow waters are holding fish looking for midges. Upper flats is excellent!
Best access point: Texas Hole
Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:
Fish are eating midges great all day long!!! Fish above Texas hole with dark grey, cream and olive midges size 24 and 26. Have lots of variations on your midges as fish will get wise to your patterns. Midges, midges, midges!!!
THE BLUE WINGED OLIVES ARE BACK!!!! from noon to about 5:00pm. Grey, olive and chocolate have all been catching fish!
Streamer fishing has been good at night or first thing in the morning!
The fish are eating moss trying to get the bugs living in their. Try different color dark bunny leeches as an attractor, you will get some fish to eat it.
Have I mentioned Midges?
“Must-have” fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:
| Fly Name: |
Fly Color: |
Fly Size(s): |
| Midge Selection |
Grey, olive, cream, |
22, 24, 26 |
| Midge |
cream, brown |
22 to 26 |
| M And M Midge Pupa |
Grey, olive, cream |
22 to 26 |
| Wd-40 |
Grey or olive |
20 to 24 |
| Red Hot Nymph |
Red? |
20 to 24 |
| Cdc Mayfly Emerger |
grey, olive or brown |
22 and 24 |
| Bunny leeches |
brown, green, natura |
4, 6 |
| Midges all day! |
Grey, olive and crea |
22,24,26 |
| cartoon hopper |
Yellow, olive, cream |
6 and 8 |
| Streamers |
brown, olive, black |
4, 6 |
Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby: Fisheads of the San Juan
Fish species: Rainbow and Brown trout
Fishing season: Year Round (Prime: March – November)
Nearest airport: Albuquerque, NM (2.5 hr) or Durango, La Plata Airport, CO (40 min) or Farmington, NM (40 min)
Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 Foot Leader
Recommended fly fishing tippet: 6X Tippet Size
Best fly fishing rod: 10′ 5 Weight Fly Rod
Best floating fly line: Trout WF
Real-time water flow data from USGS:
|
| The best fishing right now will be with midges, have lots of different patterns and colors. You will catch fish on both larvae and pupa size 22 to 26. You will find lots of fish in shallow water, use a small indicator a foot or two above a #8 or #9 weight. I find this kind of sight nymphing as much fun as dry fly fishing. Get to a good riffle or tail out after lunch and look for fish eating baetis. The mayflies are small in the fall, I have been using size 22 and 24 grey, olive and chocolate nymphs. There are thousands of small rainbow trout in the river that were recently stocked. Try stripping streamers at night in the upper flats or Texas hole. Big fish are eating the stockers, a much bigger meal than a size 26 midge. Fish are starting to eat moss, looking for the insects hiding inside. Try different color bunny leaches (olive, brown, natural) as your top fly. Twitch them once in a while. They have been working well early in the morning! |
|
|
Best Fly Fishing Techniques & Tips
|
| The fish are eating well in the morning from sun up to about 11:00am on the midge hatch. They will get tricky to catch as the sun gets higher in the sky, they can see our line and hooks better. The fish are concentrating in shallow water over weed beds where the bugs are hatching. The trick is to find the correct color midge. Some days it has been olive and the next cream the only thing consistent is the size, 24 and 26. I know and I’m sorry but it is what it is, use 6X fluorocarbon as well. This hatch is going on all day but has been most productive from sun up to about 11:00am and then in the evening when the sun gets off the water. The BWO hatch is getting stronger every day! Baetis live in fast water so look for them in the riffles at the top of holes and at the bottom of holes in the tail out. Fish are eating grey, olive and brown nymphs in these places, again it just depends on the day so have them all. You may have the chance to see fish on top during this time as well. A parachute adams or comparadun should do the job. After a month of eating mostly midges the fish will start eating these mayflies with reckless abandon, don’t miss out! I have mentioned that fish are eating moss. I know this sounds strange but our fish will tear at chunks of moss to get food hiding inside. Fishing bunny leeches on a dead drift will get some fish interested. Give it a try. |
|
7-Day Fly Fishing Forecast
|
| We had an Orvis group in this weekend from Scottsdale AZ. There were 16 people in the group and I think everyone landed at least one fish over 20 inches long. The big fish of the trip was caught by a 12 year old young man. He landed a 23 & a 1/2 inch rainbow on his first day, I don’t think the smile has come off yet. Unfortunately dad fell in the river the second day and got the camera wet, hopefully the card was OK! I love fishing the fall, great weather and big aggressive fish before the spawn! Its awesome. The best invention ever is TIVO! I can finally watch my patriots play football! Fishing guides work on Sunday you know. Good luck to all the Fisheads out there, Chris |
September 21, 2009
Fishing Conditions
Red Hot
Water flow: 579cfs
Visibility: 48 inches
Water temperature at mid-day: 42 Degrees F
Water condition: Clear
Best time of day to fish: Sun up until around 10:00am then 2:00pm till dark
Best stretch: Most of the shallow slow water is holding fish looking for midges
Best access point: Texas Hole
Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:
Fish are eating midges great all day long!!! Fish above Texas hole with dark grey, cream and olive midges size 24 and 26. Have lots of variations on your midges as fish will get wise to your patterns. Midges, midges, midges!!!
Blue winged olives from noon to about 5:00pm. Grey and olive have been good!
Streamer fishing has been good at night or first thing in the morning!
The fish are eating moss trying to get the bugs living in their. Try different color dark bunny leeches as an attractor, you will get some fish to eat it.
Have I mentioned Midges?
“Must-have” fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:
Fly Name: Fly Color: Fly Size(s):
Midge Selection Grey, olive, cream, 22, 24, 26
Midge cream, brown 22 to 26
M And M Midge Pupa Grey, olive, cream 22 to 26
Wd-40 Grey or olive 20 to 24
Red Hot Nymph Red? 20 to 24
Cdc Mayfly Emerger grey, olive or brown 22 and 24
Bunny leeches brown, green, natura 4, 6
Midges all day! Grey, olive and crea 22,24,26
cartoon hopper Yellow, olive, cream 6 and 8
Streamers brown, olive, black 4, 6
Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 Foot Leader
Recommended fly fishing tippet: 6X Tippet Size
Best fly fishing rod: 10′ 5 Weight Fly Rod
Best floating fly line: Trout WF
The best fishing right now will be with midges, have lots of different patterns and colors. You will catch fish on both larvae and pupa size 22 to 26. You will find lots of fish in shallow water, use a small indicator a foot or two above a #8 or #9 weight. I find this kind of sight nymphing as much fun as dry fly fishing. There are thousands of small rainbow trout in the river that were recently stocked. Try stripping streamers at night in the upper flats or Texas hole. Big fish are eating the stockers, a much bigger meal than a size 26 midge. Try a tan colored baetis nymph with a dun colored emerging wing! Fish it in the riffles and faster water when you see the blue winged olives coming off, it has been deadly! The PMD’s are gone for another year 
Fish are starting to eat moss, looking for the insects hiding inside. Try different color bunny leaches (olive, brown, natural) as your top fly. Twitch them once in a while. They have been working well early in the morning!
Best Fly Fishing Techniques & Tips
The fish are eating well in the morning from sun up to about 11:00am on the midge hatch. They will get tricky to catch as the sun gets higher in the sky, they can see our line and hooks better. The fish are concentrating in shallow water over weed beds where the bugs are hatching. The trick is to find the correct color midge. Some days it has been olive and the next cream the only thing consistent is the size, 24 and 26. I know and I’m sorry but it is what it is, use 6X fluorocarbon as well. This hatch is going on all day but has been most productive from sun up to about 11:00am and then in the evening when the sun gets off the water. There are still some baetis hatching from lunch to about 4:00 or 5:00. It is coming off from the bottom of upper flats all the way down river. Baetis live in fast water so look for them in the riffles at the top of holes and at the bottom of holes in the tail out. Fish are eating grey, olive and brown nymphs in these places, again it just depends on the day so have them all. You may have the chance to see fish on top during this time as well. A parachute adams or comparadun should do the job. I have mentioned that fish are eating moss. I know this sounds strange but our fish will tear at chunks of moss to get food hiding inside. Fishing bunny leeches on a dead drift will get some fish interested. Give it a try.
7-Day Fly Fishing Forecast
I would like to give you some new information this week but nothing has changed. Just make sure you have a midge pattern on at all times, all colors are working at different times of the day. This is an excellent time of the year to catch big fish, there isn’t anything to eat other than midges which causes the fish to eat all day trying to get enough food. Take advantage! We are finally getting some monsoons so have your rain jacket and please get off the water when the lightning starts. It is the number one killer on the San Juan. You will still find a few mosquitoes in the bushes so don’t put away the spray yet. In the end of August and the beginning of September the river becomes a midge fishery for almost a month. It is the best time of year for sight nymphing which is great. Good luck, its a tricky game. Good luck to all the Fisheads out there, Chris
San Juan River Fishing Fisheads – Only ORVIS endorsed san juan river guide service
_________________
Chris Taylor
Fisheads of the San Juan
www.fisheadsofthesanjuan.com
August 14, 2009
Hatches;
Midges in the morning from sun up to about 10:00am. Fish above Texas hole with grey and olive midges size 24 and 26. I have had some good luck on cream this week as well.
Blue winged olives from noon to about 5:00pm.
PMD’s from 2:00pm to 6:00pm
Midges in the late day from 6:00pm to dark.
Streamer fishing has been good at night or first thing in the morning!
|
There are thousands of small rainbow trout in the river that were recently stocked. Try stripping streamers at night in the upper flats or Texas hole. Big fish are eating the stockers, a much bigger meal than a size 26 midge. Try a tan colored baetis nymph with a dun colored emerging wing! Fish it in the riffles and faster water when you see the blue winged olives coming off, it has been deadly! This is the best hatch of PMD’s I have seen in over 6 years! From 3 island run to frustration point. Look for them between 2:00 and 6:00 in the afternoon. Fish are eating them on top and under the surface. Fish a size 18 greenish or yellowish comparadun on top and a size 18 or 20 phesant tail under the surface. There are many quality fish looking for these bugs! Fish are starting to eat moss, looking for the insects hiding inside. Try different color bunny leaches (olive, brown, natural) as your top fly. Twitch them once in a while. They have been working well early in the morning!
|
|
|
Best Fly Fishing Techniques & Tips
|
|
The fish are eating well in the morning from sun up to about 11:00am on the midge hatch. They will get tricky to catch as the sun gets higher in the sky, they can see our line and hooks better. The fish are concentrating in shallow water over weed beds where the bugs are hatching. The trick is to find the correct color midge. Some days it has been olive and the next cream the only thing consistent is the size, 24 and 26. I know and I’m sorry but it is what it is, use 6X fluorocarbon as well. This hatch is going on all day but has been most productive from sun up to about 11:00am and then in the evening when the sun gets off the water. There is still a good baetis hatch from lunch to about 4:00 or 5:00. It is coming off from the bottom of upper flats all the way down river. Baetis live in fast water so look for them in the riffles at the top of holes and at the bottom of holes in the tail out. Fish are eating grey, olive and brown nymphs in these places, again it just depends on the day so have them all. You may have the chance to see fish on top during this time as well. A parachute adams or comparadun should do the job.
|
|
7-Day Fly Fishing Forecast
|
|
Things are cooling off a bit, it was 45 degrees yesterday morning. That’s not to say it didn’t get to 91 in the afternoon. So its not as hot as it has been but make sure you still have plenty of water with you. The mosquitoes are not as ferocious as they were a few weeks ago but I am still using bug spray before entering the bushes. I had a customer who liked tanning so he used no sunscreen on his shoulders and wore a tank top all day. I think his skin must have had 2nd degree burns if not 3rd by the end of the day. I thought everyone used sunscreen? Good luck to all the Fisheads out there, Chris
|
July 29, 2009
The morning fishing is getting much better! The midges are really getting going up and down the river. The fish are concentrating in shallow water over weed beds where the bugs are hatching. The trick is to find the correct color midge. Some days it has been olive and the next cream the only thing consistent is the size, 24 and 26. I know and I’m sorry but it is what it is, use 6X fluorocarbon as well. This hatch is going on all day but has been most productive from sun up to about 11:00am and then in the evening when the sun gets off the water.
There is still a good baetis hatch from lunch to about 4:00 or 5:00. It is coming off from the bottom of upper flats all the way down river. Baetis live in fast water so look for them in the riffles at the top of holes and at the bottom of holes in the tail out. Fish are eating grey, olive and brown nymphs in these places, again it just depends on the day so have them all. You may have the chance to see fish on top during this time as well. A parachute adams or comparadun should do the job.
This is the best hatch of PMD’s I have seen in over 6 years! From 3 island run to frustration point. Look for them between 2:00 and 6:00 in the afternoon. Fish are eating them on top and under the surface. Fish a size 18 greenish or yellowish comparadun on top and a size 18 or 20 phesant tail under the surface. There are many quality fish looking for these bugs!
ITS HOT!!! The temperatures are between 90 and 95 so stay cool and drink lots of water.
There have been thunder showers almost every afternoon. Have a rain jacket and get off the water if you see lightning, it is the biggest killer on the San Juan.
Don’t forget your bug spray, the mosquitoes and deer flies are awful. Orvis buzz off clothing works great!
July 17, 2009
Best Fly Fishing Techniques & Tips
If you are fishing quality water, start early and wade the upper flats. The fish are stacked up in the riffles and eating midges. Fish size 22 to 26 olive and grey midges in the shallows to the fish you can see. I have been using light weights, size 8 and 9, with a pinch on indicator about two feet above the weight. 6X fluorocarbon is a must! Work your way down to the riffles between baetis bend and Texas hole for the BWO hatch after lunch. Grey and olive have been my best colors, the mayflies are small, fish size 22 or 24 nymphs. With the water up to 1000cfs you will need more weight to get to these fish, start with a number 4 weight and increase until you get in front of the fish. You can play with the depth to your indicator, 3 to 4 feet seems to work best. The water is very clear so use your summer techniques with light weights, sizes 4,6 and 8, and fluorocarbon tippets, 5x and 6x. You should be moving your strike indicator up and down your line as you move to different depth waters, keeping your flies at the same level as your fish. If you like to throw dry flies, fish the lower river from noon till dark. Have plenty of caddis and PMD’s, watch the banks and under the overhanging trees!
7-Day Fly Fishing Forecast
|
ITS HOT!!! The temperatures are between 90 and 95 so stay cool and drink lots of water. I saw a PMD in 3 island run yesterday. They are moving up river, we will start catching fish on them this week so make sure you have some on you. There have been thunder showers almost every afternoon. Have a rain jacket and get off the water if you see lightning, it is the biggest killer on the San Juan. Don’t forget your bug spray, the mosquitoes and deer flies are awful. Orvis buzz off stuff works great!
Good luck to all the Fisheads out there, Chris
San Juan River Guides
June 23, 2009
From sun up to noon there is a marginal midge hatch. For the next three to four hours we are seeing lots of baetis or blue winged olives, then midges again until dark. There are caddis coming off on the lower river in the float only section, this is best in the last 4 hours of the day. I am also starting to see some PMD’s on the lower river in the afternoon but it won’t really take off for another week.
Many of the fish are moving into the faster water looking for mayfly nymphs. Try fishing these areas early with midges and then move to baetis nymphs around 11:00am. When you change over, start with just changing the upper midge to a mayfly and leaving the lower a midge. You may still pick up a few fish on the midge, when you start catching fish on the baetis change the lower fly to a slightly different mayfly. This will help you maximize the fish you catch during the hatch change.
Morning fishing has been marginal at best. The midge hatch has slowed way down in the morning and fish know the mayflies will be coming. Most of the fish seem to be waiting for the afternoon to get their days worth of food. Sleep in and get fishing around 9 or 10 and fish until dark, this is the most productive time of the day.
One of the hidden jewels of the San Juan is the lower river float and this is the best time of year to fish it. There is great dry fly and streamer fishing to be had. You need a boat and do not drop anchor or get out wading as the land owners own the bottom of the river. This is a great stretch to fish with a guide, at least the first time.
Fishing has not been as good above Texas hole as it has been down river although you can still do well is some places if you know where the fish are holding. Olive and cream midges have been working well for me where the fish are midging but most fish are looking for baetis, even early.
Good luck, Chris
[url=http://www.fisheadsofthesanjuan.com]San Juan River Fishing[/url] [url=http://www.fisheadsofthesanjuan.com]Fisheads – Only ORVIS endorsed san juan river guide service[/url]
