Well, I was on a wade trip yesterday and I didn’t see another fisherman all day! This is a first for me, In ten years of guiding the river I can’t remember one time wading the catch and release water all by myself, all day long. There wasn’t even anyone in cable hole or upper flats. It was great! I was fishing with only one guy who caught fish all day. You have to work for them but they are there and eating.
The water is clearing; there is about three feet of visibility by the dam. It gets more turbid the further downriver you get. There is also plenty of slime floating in the river. Keep cleaning your flies clean, if the fish can’t see it they won’t eat it. If you want to fish the river in relative seclusion and catch some fat fish come on out. We are doing well with woolly buggers in all types of dark colors. Try dead drifting them instead of stripping. Fish eggs, worms, and red or orange larve behind them. It is also useful to change flies often. When I catch a couple fish in one spot and they stop eating, I change flies and almost always catch a few more. They are not eating anything specific. The fish are being opportunistic and eating whatever gets them excited. Weight and depth of your rig is also very important, the fish are still on the bottom.
Good luck!
Chris, Fisheads of The San Juan
The river is down to 1600cfs which allows us to get to all those fish that have been hiding during the higher flows. The fish today were still adjusting to the change, I suspect they will settle into there new situation over the next few days. The fish are all in great shape from the high flows, I haven’t seen such fat fish in years.
Find the places where shelves and holes would hold fish when the water was higher. These fish have not seen any artificial flies for months and should be more than happy to give yours a try. The water is still off color so the brighter flies that get there attention are still the way to go. Eggs and San Juan worms are still good upper flies. Scuds, red and orange larve and disco midges will all work as your second fly. You will still need some stout weight to get your flies in front of the fish. Try different weights and leader lengths until you get it right.
Good luck and enjoy the lower flows while we have them, Chris
Tight Lines, Chris
ORVIS Endorsed San Juan River Guide Service
New Mexico Fly Fishing
www.fisheadsofthesanjuan.com
“What is the fishing like on the San Juan with all this high water?”
I seem to answer this question about a dozen times a day. I personally like high water. It offers a totally different river than you see the rest of the year. Yes, you need to change your tactics but if you take the time to figure things out you will be rewarded with some of the healthiest fish you have ever caught.
Insect selection has not been the problem. Worms and eggs of all types and colors will catch fish all day long. Keep changing until you find the combination that works best. Red and orange larva, size 14 to 18, have been a staple. I have also had success with different colors of disco midges. The river is off color, there is about 2 feet of visibility so you need to fish something they can see.
Weight and depth of your rig is probably more important than fly selection during high water. You need to be on the bottom! If you are not occasionally hanging up on the bottom you will not present your flies to many fish. Stop by Float and Fish and get some BB’s before you get to the water. Don’t hesitate to fish two or three of them if that is what it takes to get your flies down. Fish 3X and 4X tippet to help pull your flies free when you hang up. The fish are not leader shy right now.
Find places along the bank or behind islands that offer protection from the heavy currents. The fish are grouped up in these places so when you catch a fish work that area well. Try different flies and weights if you do not have any more success. You should be able to find more fish if you keep working.
You will probably not catch as many fish as you will during lower flows simply because there is so much water for the fish to hide in. You will however learn something and probably fish the Juan with fewer people than you have ever seen. The fish have been eating very well so expect some great fights. I have not had a disappointed customer through all of high water.
Good luck and let me know how you do.
Tight Lines, Chris
ORVIS Endorsed San Juan River Guide Service
New Mexico Fly Fishing
www.fisheadsofthesanjuan.com