Trout Shouldn't Exist Here, But They Do!
The San Juan River stands out on its own because it is an environment where trout shouldn't exist, but they do because it's a tailwater. The Juan boasts the highest density of trout in the state. It's a freak show. The water coming out of Navajo Dam is a bug factory that fosters 12 months of incredible fishing with streamers, dries, and nymphs. It is truly a trophy fishery in the high desert.
Rainbow Trout
In the upper reaches, a mix of juvenile trout up to seven inches are stocked, while the middle river receives catchable-sized rainbow trout, exclusively AAA females. This means that any male rainbow trout caught was naturally born in the river, as they don't typically reproduce successfully here.
Brown Trout
The San Juan River is a trophy fishery with absolutely massive brown trout. The population is 100% wild and self-sustaining, growing significantly over the last decade. They feed on juvenile rainbow trout stocked by the state, producing some freakishly large browns and making for some incredible streamer fishing—our specialty.
Fishing Seasons
When is the best time to fish the San Juan River?
When folks ask us, "When is the best time to fish the San Juan River?" We simply reply, yes. The Juan is a year-round fishery, with trophy opportunities lingering around almost every bend regardless of the season. Whether you're a streamer junkie or a Euro nympher, we've got a trip for you.
San Juan River Tactics
What Is The Best Way To Catch San Juan River Trout?
First things first, we LOVE streamers. Streamer fishing the San Juan River is our specialty. That being said, there is something for every angler here. From epic baetis hatches in the spring to Euro nymphing trophy trout in the winter, it is truly a year-round fishery that allows us to catch trophy fish with every tactic imaginable.
Streamers
If you've made it this far on the page, you already know that we love streamer fishing on the San Juan River. From Texas Hole on the upper river down through the rest of the state park, there are truly massive fish here looking for meat. Peak streamer season is June-September.
Dry Flies
Not a streamer junkie? Don't worry! Many of the largest browns and rainbows on the river are eating dry flies and nymphs. The San Juan River has a huge biomass of midges, baetis, and BWO's. Peak dry fly season is in Spring and Fall with midges working all year round.
Nymphs
You've had to of heard of the San Juan Worm, right? Similar to dries, many trophy-sized trout in the San Juan are still eating nymphs year-round. Common patterns are aquatic worms and scuds. With ample wade access, Euro Nymphing is a great way to fish the Juan.
Fly Fish The San Juan River With Us
Sections Of The San Juan River
We guide several different sections, all with their unique Fly Fishing tactics, on the San Juan River. From Texas Hole all the way through the state park and into the private water, the river carves its way through mesas lined with Cottonwood Trees, sagebrush, and unique wildlife.
The Quality Water
The Upper San Juan River
The first four miles of the San Juan River are known as the "Quality Water" that resides within the Navajo Lake State Park. The average size of fish here is absolutely massive. Texas Hole is the first boat launch, leaving incredible wade-fishing opportunities in the stretch between there and the dam, where we can hit multiple spots in a day.
The Quantity Water
The Middle San Juan River
Once we make our way out of the Quality Water section of the San Juan River, the gradient picks up a bit. We have dubbed this section between Crush Hole and the Aztec Bridge as the "Quantity Section," where you can get into the double digits easily. There are more stocked fish here, but it still boasts a population of Wild Browns. This is a great section for Euro Nymphing and is a great warmup for new anglers getting into the sport of fly fishing.
Outside The State Park
The Lower San Juan River
Once we make our way out of the Navajo Lake State Park we're in the Lower River. Flowing almost entirely through private property, the gradient picks up even more, reading more like a traditional Western river. Fishing in this section is a special addon and is a long nine-mile, eight-hour trip for the die-hard anglers only. We do not fish here a lot to help maintain a healthy population of browns, and only offer trips here depending on the flows and the season.
We're About Trout
Plan Your Trip
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