Flyfishing the San Juan

[Bankermane]

Recently fished the San Juan River in Northern New Mexico. Beautiful lanscapes and great fishing. Most of the fish we caught were between 17 and 24 inches on size 24 nymphs. Four of us averaged catching about 35 fish per day each, all catch and release. Stayed in Durango, Colo., about 40 miles away. Following is a link to pictures. I'm the one in a white shirt blue sunglasses. Not many pics of me since I manned the camera.

http://www.pbase.com/image/31886798/original

You may have to adjust the picture size below the first picture the keep hitting next.

[Double R 2]

Great pics as usual!

[dukbum]

looks like you had sum good weather! nice pics..... was that a duck blind in pic. number 30? that sure is a purty fish

[Bankermane]

That is a wooden stand that is made for flyfishing from the bank. Not many ducks in the desert. No much water, either. Last rain was 4/29. A guy from Porland, Or. said their were more clouds there than Portland. He said Portland had only one. Same ole one was there everyday.

[bulldog]

Beautiful hawg rainbows. The only thing prettier is a hawg German brown. I have always wanted to fish the San Juan but it is a too little far to drive from northern CA. What kind of nymphs did you catch em on? I have been catching a few here and there on nymphs and caddis in the afternoons. Let me know if you want to catch some Left Coast trout on Hat Creek or the Sierra. June is the time to come.

[RedEyed Duck]

Did you catch them on San Juan worms?

[hwy61DuckCamp]

Nice pics.... Sure does look like a traffic jam of drift boats...is that normal for the San Juan ?

Nice looking bows....amazing how the coloration varies so much from fish to fish....

Nothing like the scenery out west....gives me the urge to head out that way again....

Wonder how many guys on the site here have fished the White or surrounding rivers in Arkansas.....Last year when hunting was slow and it was warm in Miss...I was this close to running up there and giving it a try...Ive heard the fishing can be good during warm winter days...

[Bankermane]

No San Juan worms. Traffic jam @ the "Texas Hole" always, but especially Saturday morning. Primary flys were midges, beatis,caddis,and pmd's.

http://www.sandstoneanglers.com/fishingreport.asp

Trip was not that expensive.

Just got back from a speckled trout trip in Cocodrie, La. Wade fishing. Caught limits of Specks(25) by 8:52 Friday and 8:03 today. Left em biting. Prolly play golf tomorrow! Not a bad weekend accept for being hit by a hard head catfish. Actually, Friday after catching a limit of specs, I pulled out the Fly rod and caught and released 12 specs. What a kick in the booty.

[B3]

Who did you fish with? I have been going to the San Juan for 10 years and I have never had a bad day on that river. Did you catch any on dries?That is a tough river for dry flies but it can be good.

[Bankermane]

No dry flies. Four of us fished with three separate guide services. I liked
John Tavenner of Sandstone Anglers. Also liked Anastasi Anglers. Have fished there four times and in the past always fished with Jerry Freeman. Jerry is the one in the cowboy hat. He no longer guides so we just took him fishing. Tavenner has been on ESPN several times and is considered somewhat of an expert on designing new fly patterns. His flies are available on his website listed above - Sandstone Anglers. Also has a fishing report on his website for conditions, water flow, current hatch, and current baits being used. Jerry Freeman is originally from Monroe, La. and started Anastasi Angler. He knows the river as well as anyone. He would be a good source for guide services and would be happy to help. He lives in Durango, Colo.

[teul2]

Look at that master angler!!!!Looks like you had a blast.