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!
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