Fly Fishing Vacation in the San Juan Trophy Waters

Fly fishing the San Juan River in New Mexico is a trophy trout fishing experience like no other. Located in northwest New Mexico, just south of Durango and Pagosa Springs, Colorado, The San Juan area offers recreational opportunities for the non-fishers as well as fishermen.

The river itself is a tailwater of the Navajo Dam. There is a total of 3.75 miles of "quality trout waters" just below the dam. The first quarter mile is catch and release only. The remainder of the quality trout waters have a limit of one fish greater than 20 inches long per day. If you want to fill the frying pan, there is another 2 mile stretch of river below the quality waters, where the limit is 6 fish per day. Near the dam, the fish are mostly rainbow and cutbow trout. Farther down river, beginning near the end of the quality waters, big brown trout can be found.

The San Juan River gives the experienced fisherman an opportunity to test his mettle against some of the biggest trout in the lower 48. If you are a novice, don't dispair, you will find this a great opportunity to enjoy yourself and learn. Like chess, the basics are simple but the subtleties can take a lifetime to master. Most seasons fishing is best with nymphs and midges that "match the hatch". A year round favorite is the San Juan Worm pattern that matches an annelid indigenous to the river.

The San Juan experience can best be enjoyed with a local guide. Guide services are available from several sources. Check the website ifly4trout.com for details. Full day and half day guided trips are available. These trips can be either wading or float trips. For the budget conscious, I suggest a guided half day wading trip in the morning followed by an afternoon of fishing on your own.

Lodging is available at the river and in the nearby towns of Farmington, Aztec, and Bloomfield, New Mexico as well as in Durango and Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Camping is available on the river at Cottonwoods Campground, or at Navajo Lake.

Nearby non-fishing attractions include ancient native cultural sites such as Salmon Ruins in Bloomfield, NM and Mesa Verde National Park near Mancos, CO. Skiing is not far away at Purgatory Ski Resort near Durango, CO or at Wolf Creek Ski Resort near Pagosa Springs, CO. There are also great opportunities for site seeing and hiking. The Durango/Silverton Scenic Railroad is a wonderful way to spend a day, particularly in the fall when the colors are changing. The best night life and dining options can be found in Durango.

For a world class fishing experience combined with multiple non-fishing recreational choices, a San Juan River vacation is hard to beat. See ya on the river.