San Juan River Colorado Fly Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes that make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone
Species
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Cutthroat Trout
Size
Small to Medium
Location
Southwestern Colorado
Nearest Towns
Pagosa Springs
Durango
Season
Year-round
Access:
Fair to Good
Non-Resident License
State of Colorado
USGS Water Data:
Near Pagosa Springs
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Seasons:
Except for the Spring runoff, fly fishing the San Juan
River can be fished year-round.
Spring:
Fishing can be good before the Spring runoff. Runoff is usually from late April or early May until early June.
Summer:
Summertime is usually a good time to fish the San Juan
but the water can get a little low and warm during the hottest part of the summer in some of the lower areas.
Fall:
Early fall presents some very good opportunities. The water is usually low but the brown trout pre-spawn time can be great for larger fish.
Winter:
If the weather cooperates, fishing during the Winter can be good.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing the San Juan River Colorado: 04/16/23
The San Juan River is a big river that is about 383 miles long that begins in Colorado; however, it isn’t big in its headwaters in Colorado. It begins along the southern slopes of the San Juan Mountains and flows into New Mexico. It is formed by two main forks, the East Fork and the West Fork. It has several tributaries in Colorado including the Animas River, its largest, the La Plata River, the Los Pinos River, the Navajo River and the Piedra River.
The San Juan River is impounded at Navajo Lake by the Navajo Dam, creating a nationally famous tailwater near Farmington, New Mexico.
Fly fishing the San Juan River in the Colorado section is also very popular. The river has a population of rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout. It flows mostly though private property but public access is available, most of which is located in the East and West Forks.
The West Fork of the San Juan River requires some effort to fish but as a reward, it provides the best opportunities and solitude. You have to hike into the Wemnuche Wilderness to fish the majority of it.
The lower part of the West Fork flows through a valley consisting of private property all the way downstream to its confluence with the East Fork. Forest Road #648 follows the river upstream into the mountains to the West Fork Campground where public access begins.
There is easy access for a short distance above the campground along with some water that is difficult to get to. Not far above the campground the West Fork flows through a deep canyon. There is also a section of private land to block your progress upstream in that area.
The river above that section must be accessed from the Rainbow Trail. You have to hike a mile to reach public water but it is well worth the effort. Access from the trail to the stream isn’t easy in the first few miles. It is high above the water in most areas but access is possible. A foot bridge on the trial crosses the river near Beaver Creek. Access in this area is generally easier with plenty of pocket water but there is also open meadows with slower flowing water. Because its a three mile hike to the footbridge, you will have less competition from other anglers..
The lower section of the East Fork of the San Juan River is the easiest water to access but also the heaviest fished. About six miles of the East Fork is bordered by an unpaved road with easy access. The lower part of the East Fork flows through a canyon with heavy pocket water. It is narrow and tightly enclosed with trees. One section has a several short waterfalls. Above the heavy pocket water you will find some riffles and slower moving meadow water that’s quite narrow.
In addition to the above, there is also a short section of public access in Pagosa Springs.