Call us and plan your trip today and come enjoy great San Juan River Fly Fishing. There are many opportunities for river and stream fishing across the San Juan Public Lands. Contact Info: High Country Fishing Charters 558 Ginger Cir. A Beginners Guide to San Juan River Fly Fishing. By the time the San Juan reaches Pagosa Springs, it is already a wide flowing river. What To Bring Appropriate seasonal dress should be considered but prepare also for possilbe rain shows any time of year. The San Juan is a river that presents both challenge and tremendous opportunity to the Fly Fisherman. Excellent anniversary trip on the river Heather T The front yard looks towards the San Juan National Forest. I had an awesome time trout fishing in Colorado and New Mexico the past week. About 12 miles of river are above the bridge on Forest Road 648. With over 7000 trout per mile, the San Juan is one of the finest tailwater fisheries in the US. Primarily settled by the Spanish as early as the 16th century thanks to land grants provided by the Spanish governors of Mexico, this area was Spanish territory up until about 1848 when it was ceded to the westward expanding United States. Below the Hot Springs is the best. San Juan River Resort is more popularly known as San Juan River Village. Fishing a full day on the San Juan River float or wade fishing. Just above the Forest Road 648 bridge over the West Fork is a half-mile of public water with difficult access. The Pagosa Springs area has some of the best fly fishing in Southern Colorado for every level of fly fisherman from high mountain lakes, small mountain streams to the headwaters of the San Juan. The Colorado River Basin lies in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, and is home to some of Colorado's most prolific trout streams. Unlock this map and get directions to over 30,000 fishing hot spots and real-time stream flow conditions with a membership! We caught plenty of fish, were safe, and found many fun things to talk about while on a day-long fishing trip! Lodging RV Parks Camping RV Rental Dining Sightseeing . The San Juan River is a significant tributary of the Colorado River in the southwestern United States, about 383 miles (616 km) long. Date: 07-Jan-21: Water Condition: Water Temperature : Conditions : SAN JUAN RIVER: Stream flow Monday morning was 320 cfs. This rule will go into effect on July Read more. July through September is prime time with consistent caddis hatches. Aaron Carithers supplies both from the technically rewarding waters of the San Juan River in New Mexico. Among the mighty volcanic peaks of the San Juan Mountains in southern Colorado lay the headwaters of the mighty Rio Grande River. We are a full service fly shop, located upstairs, on the corner of Main Avenue and College Street in downtown Durango, CO. We are just 1/2 block from the famous Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad station. With a relaxed demeanor and positive approach, you are sure to leave his company a better angler. San Juan River West Fork Tips & Resources Use these epic resources to get ready for your adventure. The San Juan River is a significant tributary of the Colorado River in the southwestern United States, about 383 miles (616 km) long. Fly Fishing San Juan River in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. The San Juan in Colorado flows rather conveniently through Pagosa Springs, providing easy access to the local hot springs as well as excellent trout fishing conditions. The closest airport for the Colorado section of the San Juan is the Durango/La Plata Airport, though if you dont mind the drive you can fly into Albuquerque, NM 2.5 hours away. Current Conditions at San Juan: Winter has arrived, and the Juan is a good choice for those looking to find some fish. The forks hold small cutthroat trout in their upper miles.The lower miles of the East Fork receive heavy fishing pressure, and one must work the water thoroughly to find good-sized fish.The two main forks of the upper San Juan are delightful small trout streams. Dont forget to check out local private vacation rentals either, as they can yield excellent stays for far less than youd spend at a comparably appointed hotel. Free Visitor Guides; Introduction Sleep + Eat. East Fork anglers should take Forest Road 667 east of Highway 160 for about 10 miles south beyond the pass.The easiest spot to get to the San Juan is in Pagosa Springs, where the river passes right through town. Follow the San Juan all the way to the Navajo Reservoir, and you will need to have a New Mexico fishing license. It heads in the high country south of Wolf Creek Pass where spectacular peaks and glacial valleys provide a dramatic backdrop to the river. For this stream, 7- to 8-foot rods are appropriate.About 2 miles up from the campground the East Fork drops through a series of falls where fishing is difficult. Popular fly patterns for the San Juan River include:- Woolly Bugger (brown, black, natural #8, #14)- Lynch's Double Dot Egg (orange blood dot #18)- Griffith's Gnat (black, olive #18)- Rojo Midge (gray, olive, brown #20 to #22- Rosenbauer Parachute Beetle (#black #10 to #24)- Cartoon Hopper (gray, olive, brown flash #6 and #8)- Poly Wing RS2 (brown, black, gray #18 to #24)- Foam Wing RS2 (brown, black, gray #18 to #24)- Bunny Leaches (black, olive, gray, natural, white #6 and #8)- Egg Patterns (chartreuse, orange, red, pink#8 to #22). The lower miles of both forks hold populations of brown and rainbow trout. It is formed by two main forks, the East Fork and the West Fork. Access to the headwaters of the San Juan River can be achieved via the National Forest Land off Highway 160 west of Wolf Creek Pass if you want to hit the West Fork. The river isnt fishing to bad. Our local guides are experts of the fishing in the area, southwest CO, New Mexico, Montana, New York and many other fishy places in the U.S.! Copyright 1997, 2007 by Craig Martin, Tom Knopick, John Flick, HOURS: He was truly a professional guide. 95% of the catch were Rainbow Trout and 79% of those trout were released back into the Management Notes Fish populations in the San Juan River through Pagosa are primarily sustained though Call us and plan your trip today and come enjoy great San Juan River Fly Fishing. You can take a short walk from your room and in less than 2 minutes you will be fishing on the San Juan River with access to 7 miles of world-class trout fishing on the San Juan River with no rod fees. Navajo Dam, New Mexico Navajo Lake, Colorado includes: Arboles, Navajo Dam With the flows over a 1000 cfs, the fish are able to spread out and can be found bank to bank. In most places the stream is wadable, but anglers should wear felts and use caution in the swift water. About the San Juan River; San Juan River Map; New Mexico Fly Fishing Rivers; Current River Flows Chart; San Juan Fly Fishing Photos; Navajo Lake Fishing; San Juan River Weather Forecast; Rates & Packages. Abel Vaya Fly Reel - 5/6 Northern Lights Fade, Scientific Anglers Amplitude Smooth Infinity Fly Line, Our shop doors are currently open and we are guiding fly fishing trips, Dave Whitlocks Rubber Legged Fox Squirrel Nymph Matt Bennett Jig Variant, G. Loomis Fly Rods IFTD 2019 Duranglers Flies and Supplies. In 1765, Juan Rivera was commissioned by the Spanish governor of New Mexico to push northwestward from Taos to search for minerals and to make contact with the Native Americans in what is now southern Colorado. The river starts off as snow melt and makes its way for 363 miles through the arid southwest region of Colorado before reaching New Mexico and Utah. Angling is much easier in this stretch than in the pocket water below. The river flows through a dramatic canyon with steep cliffs and a rugged floor. San Juan River Village is an upscale, secluded river community only 20 minutes from Wolf Creek, one of Colorado's oldest and finest ski resorts. Sightseeing Overview; Attractions Scenic Drives Shopping Recreation. The upper San Juan fishes best after spring runoff which typically occurs in late May / early June. Offering a mix of fishing opportunities from famed Gold Medal waters to High Country streams and lakes, this area will surely please any angler. San Juan River at Pagosa Springs, Colorado, with hot-air balloons The San Juan River begins in Archuleta County, Colorado at the confluence of its East and West Forks. Both forks originate above elevations of 10,000 feet (3,000 m) in the eastern San Juan Mountains in the San Juan National Forest. San Juan River. River Access Locations River users should access the San Juan River at the designated public river access locations. A great way to spend your day in the scenic southwest. South of Pagosa Springs, you will be in Southern Ute territory, and you need both tribal permission and a special license to fish the waters of the San Juan on their land. Nymph rigs will now be the best techniques to key in on the bites. The San Juan Angler is one of three full-service fly shops located in Colorado that are owned and operated by Frying Pan Anglers. San Juan River. Doug Thurston Jeremy with Heads Up FlyFishing, CO was our guide for a fishing trip on our anniversary trip on the San Juan River. The San Juan River, the River Flowing from the Sunrise, snakes through the blazing red expanse of the Four Corners region, through a landscape that at least four distinct cultural groups have called home. San Juan River. Year round trout fishing on this quality water in Colorado is both challenging and rewarding for fly fishing anglers. San Juan River Fly Fishing in Colorado is renown through the United States. ~ Rio Epic ~ Wishing everyone all the best for 2021! Click For Full Sized Map . No matter where on the Colorado River you choose to fish, you are going to land trout. Over 40 years of combined professional experience fishing the San Juan River and Navajo Lake! San Juan River Village is an upscale, secluded river community only 20 minutes from Wolf Creek, one of Colorado's oldest and finest ski resorts. From its junction with the East Fork, the West Fork flows through a lovely valley on private land. Whether you're planning your trip, learning your insects, improving your fishing with expert tips or getting detailed resources from the USGS streamflows or DoW, we got you covered to help you find the river and find the success you want. In general, the East Fork is easier to fly fish, and the West Fork offers more adventure and solitude. San Juan River in Pagosa ANGLER USE AND FISH SAMPLING INFORMATION of 1.57 fish per hour. Neither stream is a producer of large fish, but they are consistently good for small trout. There are a number of area fly shops that publish San Juan River fishing reports. From here to the boundary of private land the river is comprised of long riffles and runs flowing through small meadows with spotty streamside willows and alders. World Class Trout Fishing right from your backyard. The East and West Forks of the San Juan are a pair of complementary streams. The stretch of the Piedra River from lower Piedra Campground upstream to Sand Creek can only be fished with artificial flies and lures with a two trout, 16 inches or larger, bag limit. About the SAN JUAN BASIN. Species fished on a guided fly fishing trip, include Trout, Bass, Pike, Crappie, and more while Fly Fishing Pagosa Springs, CO. You can take a short walk from your room and in less than 2 minutes you will be fishing on the San Juan River with access to 7 miles of world-class trout fishing on the San Juan River with no rod fees. East Fork anglers should take Forest Road 667 east of Highway 160 for about 10 miles south beyond the pass. The trail remains high above the stream for the first 3 miles, dropping to a footbridge across the West Fork near Beaver Creek. The majority of the West Fork is accessible only by trail. We are your premier catch and release guiding outfitter for Southwestern Colorado; specializing in fishing the Rio Grande River, Upper San Juan River, private waters and other surrounding waters. Navajo Dam, New Mexico The result is superb pocket water and long riffles. [1] The river drains an area of about 24,600 square miles (64,000 km2) in southwestern Colorado, northwestern New Mexico, southeastern Utah, and a small part of northeastern Arizona. Landon Mayer Florissant, CO Author: Colorados Best Fly Fishing, Sight Fishing for Trout, and How to Catch the Biggest Trout of Your Life. Get the latest up to date fly fishing report for Rainbow and Brown trout fishing in San Juan River with the top producing flies and recommended equipment to get you into fish. The legendary trout of the San Juan are generally found below the dam at the Navajo Reservoir in New Mexico, and it is well worth the time and effort if you dont mind making a day trip from Pagosa Springs. There is, of course, the famous San Juan River below Navajo Dam along with the larger freestone rivers like the Animas, Piedra, and Dolores. Search. Flights are also available to Farmington, NM that will cut the drive down to as little as 40 minutes if you are looking to fish the southern reaches of the San Juan as well.As for places to stay, the best accommodations period are going to be in Pagosa Springs. Join a Pagosa Springs Fishing Guide for a great day fishing on the rivers and streams in Southwest Colorado, and Northern New Mexico on Navajo Lake and the " Quality Waters" of the San Juan River. The location is primitive be prepared with plenty of food and water but, the trade-off is youll enjoy solitude at Conejos Campground and Spectacle Lake in the Rio Grande National Forest. Aztec Anglers is the Premier Oufitter and Guide Service on the Famous San Juan RIver. Welcome to San Juan River Village! Lakes & Reservoirs. Lakes & Reservoirs. Flowing more slowly now, the Middle Colorado runs all the way to the Gunnison River just past the San Juan Mountains, where it begins to flow west towards the Utah Border and the tailwaters of the Lower Colorado.