As far as par for the course goes, expect to land [...]]]> Like Golf?  Like FlyFishing?  Well, the new improvements on the San Juan River have mixed the two – figuratively, not literally…you won’t be ducking golf balls, but you will be moving from one hole to another like a Nicholas designed golf course.

As far as par for the course goes, expect to land at least 3 fish per hole using a variety of tactics (dry-fly, surface nymphing and streamers).

Here are some Do’s and Dont’s for those looking to explore the new waters…

Do: Make your way upstream from Texas Hole and Kiddy Hole, as far as you can, there are lots of fish to be had with less pressure.

Don’t: Neglect open water as you are traveling from one hole to another; there are fish moving and feeding that you could be targeting.

Do: Focus on top-water tactics; whether that be dry fly or fishing nymphs in the film.

Don’t: Be afraid to throw some streamers across big bodies of water; use a swing technique in addition to traditional stripping methods.

One last note, I expect this area of the quality waters to fish the best at 700 cfs during the summer months.  There will be a ton of bugs on the water, so you can look forward to lots of dry fly action.

Year round waters are fabulous spots where fly anglers can catch quality trout in the dead of winter. These waters like New Mexico’s San Juan River offer a window of opportunity where anglers can [...]]]> An article by Brian La Rue, Denver Fly Fishing Examiner December 27, 2009

Year round waters are fabulous spots where fly anglers can catch quality trout in the dead of winter. These waters like New Mexico’s San Juan River offer a window of opportunity where anglers can fish virtually 365 days a year. Sure some days might be tougher than others, but when you plan ahead and choose a knowledgeable guide like Jeremy Nolan of Heads Up Fly Fishing (970-946-9313), all the pieces seem to fall in place.

Nolan calls the glorious San Juan his home river. Though he guides all over the Durango area, the San Juan, just a short drive to the south, is by far the most popular water in the region. Large trout can be seen all over the river. One a past trip with Jeremy, Tyler Hill of Durango and myself were able to fish from Texas Hole to waters 4 miles below Navajo Dam.

It didn’t take long to get into fish with a white leech/red midge. My first 17-inch rainbow was thick and put up a good fight. Things got pretty good for the first hour as Tyler and I were able to land 6-plus fish measuring 16 to 18 inches. Not bad considering we were in the middle of a full moon phase and Nolan said the last couple days had been tough.

After about eight fish or so, the sun began to shine and fish became more active. The 18- to 20-inch fish in 2 feet of water weren’t ready to hit hoppers but the shallow water around Three Island Run showed signs of life.

“When fishing dries here on the Juan, especially with clear flows, offer an upstream approach,” suggests Nolan. “These fish see lots of flies and even more leaders. The guys who present their offering fly first are going to get bit. As soon as you throw a midge, or hopper, you’ll want to throw an upriver mend to get the leader behind the fly, allowing the fly to drift naturally with no sign of your line.

“Even with hoppers here, you’ll want to cast ten feet up from feeding fish, mend the line behind the fly and have it ready six feet above a fish,” added Nolan. “Anglers should keep that in mind and they’ll catch more fish on big rivers where fish see lots of bugs.”

After a river-side lunch we focused on the lower river and threw hoppers as we pushed through the quick waters below ET Rock. A Schroeder’s Hopper and my favorite Joe’s Hopper worked for trout to 17 inches. This section of the San Juan proved more to my style of quick casts and even quicker takes as the fish have less time to scrutinize your fly. Nolan swears by the Schroeder’s so he was a little surprised to see me hooking fish with my Joe’s.

Overall, it was a great day on the water with a professional and experienced guide. It was my first time fishing the San Juan having spent most of my fly fishing time in the Eastern Sierra, Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. I would highly recommend you get in touch with Jeremy if a trip to the San Juan is on your to-do list in the near future. If not, plan a trip in 2010. Feel free to e-mail him questions or to book a date (jeremy@headsupflyfishing.com) or click on this page HeadsUpFlyFishing.

This is the first article in a 3-part series, covering the San Juan River.  It is not a comprehensive look, but rather a series meant for those first-timers who hit the water sight unseen and flyfishers looking to try something different.

Location:  Upper mile of the San Juan River directly below Navajo Dam.

Trout and Salmon are responding very well to a variety of flies, which you can pick up at DOC’S MARINA [...]]]> The Colorado Dept of Wildlife recently stocked rainbow trout averaging 14 inches, native brown trout are spawning and the salmon are running - now is the time to wet a line at Vallecito Lake!

Trout and Salmon are responding very well to a variety of flies, which you can pick up at DOC’S MARINA – most notably  black wooly buggers and red san juan worms (Note: Doc’s Marina also rents fishing rods).

Contact the folks at DOC’S MARINA (970) 884-9450 for a flyfishing lesson or custom guided trip.

This little beauty was caught at 3pm on Friday afternoon (10/08/10).

Noted among the best tailwaters in the world, fly fishers annually trek across the globe just to throw a line in the 4.5 miles of quality water. Home to [...]]]> They say fishing calms the soul and refreshes the spirit. Certainly, one can find truth in this by spending a day on the San Juan River.

Noted among the best tailwaters in the world, fly fishers annually trek across the globe just to throw a line in the 4.5 miles of quality water. Home to more than 80,000 trout, the San Juan is a place where 20 inch trout are abundant and your fishing skills are regularly tested. It’s a place where big trout play the game to win. A place where tiny flies and fine tippets are king, skills a must and patience supreme.

So you think you want to fish the San Juan?

Nothing would be more tragic in my opinion, than to spend the countless hours gearing up and traveling to one of God’s greatest places on Earth, only to be skunked by the crafty competition. There is a way to improve your chances of success, but keep in mind there are no guarantees.

THE RULES

To better understand what you are facing, let’s start with the rules. The rules provide the insight and guidance needed to unlock the secrets of the San Juan. Rules are the combination to the river’s secret lock.

Turn the dial left stopping at #1, Catch-and-release. From Navajo Dam downstream 1/4 mile, these waters are catch-and-release only! This can be a harsh mental test as trophies abound everywhere, but you can’t keep them. The fishermen on this stretch know what they are doing and many are masters of the sport. You must return the trout to the water immediately.

Turn the dial right stopping at #2, Quality Catch. From the Catch-and-release area downstream 3.5 miles (Riverside boundary sign east of Crasher Hole Boat Ramp,) your dreams come true. You may keep 1 trout only that is a minimum of 20 inches. Yes, I said 20 inches. This is no joke and quit common. Fishermen keep one everyday, all year long. Many trophy trout have made there way from this stretch to the fireplace mantle. Still, the greatest joy will come from the same premise as the area before, catch-and-release. Monster after monster will provide enough challenge and joy, that keeping one will be the last thing on your mind.

Finally, Turn the dial back left, stopping at #3, Bait Waters. From Riverside boundary sign east of Crasher Hole Boat Ramp, this section of the San Juan is affectionately know as the bait waters. It’s fishing as usual here and traditional fishing methods are common. If you’re lucky, and I mean real lucky, you could score a limit of monsters here. Chances are not likely though. Don’t get me wrong. You will likely catch your limit. Just not 20 inch monsters. This section is regularly stocked by the New Mexico Game and Fish Department with catchable trout in the 8-10 inch range.

So how do you catch the fish?

Starting from the top, Catch-and-release, This is where the pros fish. I wouldn’t even dare walking in there without a fly rod. Not that it’s against any rule, but because your dealing with a crowd of do-it-right anglers. These are the “by the book because we wrote the book crowd.” If I were fishing it and didn’t have a fly rod, I’d simply move on downstream or pick up a cheap one from an area shop.

Set up with a long leader and tie two flies instead of one to increase your chances of scoring big. Keep your line tight and cast upstream, allowing your fly to float past you as it heads downstream. Remember, this isn’t “A River Runs Through It.” Long artistic fly casts won’t catch you any more fish and may just cause more agitation to the anglers around you.

Some of the flies of choice here are: San Juan Style Nymph Rig, Wooley Buggers, stoneflies, mayflies, caddis and of course, my favorite, the San Juan Worm.

A great resource for learning about fly patterns that work on the San Juan is the San Juan River Fly Fishing Site, http://www.ifly4trout.com Additionally, it is advisable you take time to review the insect hatch information to get a clear understanding of the lifecycle, size, color, action, habitat and best fly patterns to use. In the spring, caddis and stoneflies hatch and often prove to be the best fly choice.

Now for the Quality Catch area. You can always stick with the techniques above, but since most anglers are not pros and many don’t own a fly rod, I will turn my focus to common spinner rods.

First and foremost, find Texas hole. This is trout heaven. Hit the area hard with a spoons and single barbless hooks. Make sure to take a slew of spoons in hot colors like Orange, Yellow and Gold. Sometimes spotted spoons that look like little trout are necessary to do the trick.

As for fishing; cast and reel, cast and reel. Vary your speeds and depths allowing the lure to work the fish’s instincts. In time you will find your rhythm and discover a new skill.

Another solid set up for your spinner rod, is to tie a fly on a leader 8-12 inches below a clear bubble. Monofilament 2 lb. test line is best, as trout tend to be easily stressed. Anything that looks odd, they avoid. Use the same flies as above and remember to study your hatch cycles.

Finally, we hit the bait waters. This one is simple. Do as grandpa taught you to do and nothing more. Despite the popularity of Powerbaits and scented artificial lures, nothing says “bite me” like a big juicey night crawler. Worms, corn and salmon eggs are traditional baits and for good reason. They work.

On the lure side, spinners like rooster tails are a basic must. When conditions are normal and stress is low, trout can’t resist taking a nip at a feather-covered hook with a flashy spinner.

When conditions are tough, I have learned the “must have” lure is a combination of one lure in two colors. A silver-colored and a gold-colored Super Duper® should reside in every fisherman’s tackle box. When all else fails, the Super Duper® delivers. When one color fails, the other delivers.

FINAL THOUGHTS

For my last few tips let’s focus on behavior. Trout are cold-water fish. They hang out in the shade. Find the spots where a nice shadow is cast over the water and fish it hard.

Second, trout are notorious for hiding behind objects. Sneak up on a big boulder and let your line float behind it or find a bridge, brush pile or tree that breaks the water. Be careful not to get to close. If a trout sees your shadow or reflection, they will be gone in a flash.

Lastly, trout find the bulk of their food in the water. Salmon eggs, worms, bugs are the prime eats. Only about 10% of their diet actually consists of flying insects. When you pick you bait, keep this in mind.

Now you’re armed with the knowledge to take your crack at conquering the San Juan. Should you fail, don’t fret, there are far worse things you could’ve done with a day in your life.

Note: A special thanks to Lance Cherry for sharing his article with us.

Lance Cherry, a native of New Mexico, has worked several years in the outdoor industry, with New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the New Mexico State Parks Division. Lance is a founder of Crosshairs for Christ, a Christian ministry with a desire to connect and change lives by spreading Christ’s message to sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts through activity-based fellowship. For more information contact Lance Cherry, lance@crosshairsforchrist.org or visit the Crosshairs for Christ website, http://www.crosshairsforchrist.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/317347

On the first day of the annual Flying Mako Tournament, our team (Project Healing Waters) encountered makos and a bit of adversity.  The pictured mako was the first of the day, a 100-point bonus, estimated at  150 lbs - landed by Lou Galvan of Galvan [...]]]>

On the first day of the annual Flying Mako Tournament, our team (Project Healing Waters) encountered makos and a bit of adversity.  The pictured mako was the first of the day, a 100-point bonus, estimated at  150 lbs - landed by Lou Galvan of Galvan Reels.

The first fish of the day was a blessing because we would encounter a bit of adversity while targeting our next mako an hour later.

After Jeremy spotted the next mako, I started casting to it with the same “lucky” rod Lou used to bring in the 150 lbs-er.   Problem: we never re-tied our fly after battling a big fish.  That is a NO NO…on the 8th cast, the Albright Knot unravelled and my fly fell off costing our team a valuable 25 points.  Solution: Always Re-tie.  It takes another minute, but can make all the difference in the world.

The following is an article about cutthroat by Durango’s own Paul Shepard:

Upon landing the fish, he joined our 20/20 club – Congrats Leroy!