Humpback Rainbow

An odd looking Humpback Rainbow caught in the Upper Channel of the San Juan River, NM

Virtual Fly Guides Podcast Episode 4

Episode 4: Fly Fishing the San Juan River, NM

Last Cast on the San Juan River, NM

Two For One Special

One of the benefits of fishing with two flies is an occasional "two for one special." Take for instance my recent day on the Trinity River. I was fishing two nymphs: a bead head Prince and a Copper John. On my third cast the indicator darted one direction then another and I felt a fairly nice fish tugging on me. Nope. It was two fish.

I pulled my line to the surface and found two 10 inch Rainbows, one attached to each fly. They looked like twins. One cast. Two fish. Cool.

This isn't the first time it's happened to me. Believe it or not, it's happened to me numerous times. One day on the San Juan River in New Mexico it happened twice in one day! That was the same day I had a small Rainbow on the end of my line and a 20+ inch meat eating bow came out of nowhere and swallowed my smaller catch. That also happened twice on that day. I landed one of those fish and was accused of bait fishing. Unfairly. But, I digress...

What this indicates is that if you begin excelling at nymph fishing, getting those flies down deep AND fishing with two flies (sometimes even three), you WILL catch more fish. Frankly, there's no reason to ever fish with one fly. I can't remember the last time I had one lonely fly on the end of my line.

Call me an opportunist. Feel free. You would be right! Any opportunity to increase my catch rates--within the bounds of the law and fly fishing ethics--I am all for it.

Maybe someday you can enjoy a "two for one special." One cast, two fish. Double the fun. Enjoy!

Take Your Kids Fly Fishing Week Part 7

Lauryn Wallentine

Tucson, AZ

San Juan River, NM

June 21, 2008

13" Rainbow Trout

Flies Used: Orange San Juan Worm #16 and Red Larva #18.

Other Details: I fished at Cottonwood Campground with my family. I caught 5 trout with some help from my Dad. My biggest was a 13" Rainbow. I had fun walking barefoot along the river in the mud.

Take Your Kids Fly Fishing Week Part 3

Kaylee Wallentine

Tucson, AZ

San Juan River, NM

June 21, 2008

Rainbow Trout

Flies Used: Brown San Juan Worm #16 and Red Larva #18.

Other Details: Fished at Cottonwood Campground with my family. I caught 5 trout all in the afternoon, with some help from my Dad.My biggest was a 12" Rainbow.

San Juan River, NM Fly Fishing Report

Darin Wallentine

Tucson, AZ

San Juan River, NM

August 2002

Caught 34 Rainbows up to 22"

Flies Used: Tan San Juan Worm #16, Red Larva #18, and Dark Brown Midge Larva #20.

Other Details: Parked at the church lot. Fished the Kiddie Pool, the areas between Kiddie Pool and the Upper Flats, and the Upper Flats.

Profile of the San Juan River, NM

When fly fishers congregate to spin their tales, it is likely that fly fishing destinations will float to the surface. Conversations will begin with places like the Green River, the Henry's Fork, or a variety of assorted trout hunting destinations. But after a short time, the conversation rapidly turns to the San Juan River in northern New Mexico. For most fly fishers, they have made their pilgrimage to the San Juan at least once. And for a few of us, it seems to be an annual trek. Whether it is your first time, or your tenth, the experience is always the same. The anticipation of a hefty trout at the end of a tightly strained line floods the senses.

The San Juan River that most know of or have heard of, is a tail water that flows out of the bottom of the dam that creates Navajo Reservoir. The water is always cold and trout infested. Located near the small fly fishing community of Navajo Dam, NM, the San Juan River is an important economic focus for it's residents. There are a variety of shops, outfitters, motels and businesses catering to the wader clad tourists.

If you have not made your trek to the San Juan, it needs to be on your short list of places to fish. It will challenge all skill levels and in spite of the frequent bad rap that the San Juan is too crowded, there are many places to test your angling skill, even with some solitude.

San Juan River, NM Fly Fishing Report

Dan Wallentine
Irvine, CA

San Juan River, NM
August 2003
Caught 16 Rainbows up to 19"
Flies Used: Chocolate and Cream Midge Larva #20; Red Larva #18; Orange San Juan Worm #16; Parachute Blue Wing Olive #16.
Other Details: Parked at the church lot and fished the upper flats, Kiddie Pool,the braided areas between Kiddie Pool and the upper flats.

San Juan River, NM Fly Fishing Report

Davy Rawson
Spring Hill, TN

San Juan River, NM
May 2004
Caught 28 Rainbows and Browns up to 18.5"
Flies Used: San Juan Worm #16 (cream and brown); Red Larva #18; Black Midge with Foam Top #20.
Other Details: Parked at the church lot. Mostly fished the main channel and the upper flats. The lake was turning over, creating off color water and lots of moss.