Pagosa Springs Fly Fishing Guides

The San Juan River

Nice Rainbow, fly fishing on the San Juan

Becky Martin and guide Steve Baird, showing how it's done on the San Juan.

The Quality Waters

The San Juan River lies in Northern New Mexico and is one of the most renowned tail-waters in the country. This outstanding fishery was created by the construction of Navajo Damn in 1962. The damn is 400 feet high and 3/4 of a mile long, the water released at the base of the damn is consistently around 41 - 42 degrees. Perfect trout habitat!  The management of the New Mexico Fish and Game and the New Mexico State Park system has created and maintained this outstanding fishery. The first 3.75 miles of river below the damn has been given the designation of "QUALITY WATER". The Quality Waters offer some of the most consistent fishing conditions, with fish averaging between 16 - 18 inches! Fish this size would be considered a trophy on any other river. Recent studies have shown that the river is supporting 15,000 fish a mile, through the Quality Waters.

 

First fish on a fly!

First fish on a fly rod!

A guided trip on the Quality Waters will be the difference between success and frustration. The San Juan is not easy to fish, most first timers that don't hire a guide, leave the Juan disappointed and frustrated. They find it tough to understand that large trout eat the smallest flies (#20 - #26), and that they have to be fished on very light tippets.  With a guided trip, we can help you unlock the secrets of how to fish on the San Juan. The San Juan doesn't require you to be an awesome fly caster. The casting is often fairly close with the most attention given to your leader and fly set up, the technique, finding where in the water column the fish are feeding, and most importantly - strike detection. We offer both float and wade trips on the Quality Waters, and if you are staying in Pagosa Springs, we will drive you to the river. 

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fishing the san juan  fishing on the san juan

Ron Hedrick with an excellent San Juan River Bow, and Scott rigging up on the Texas Hole.

Float fishing on the San Juan River one in the net

ET Rock on a Fall float, and my dad Jack with his first New Mexico Rainbow.

float fishing for big fish on the san juan

Kyle Rickert , showing how it's done on the San Juan.

Brown Trout

Alyssa's nice brown! Read about her float trip on http://theflyguide.blogspot.com/2010/06/williams-creek-and-san-juan-river.html

 

970.946.5229

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