New Mexico Fishing Report for The San Juan River

Capt. Mark Nesbit
August 19, 2002
San Juan River - Freshwater Fishing Report

San Juan River is Flowing at 850 cfs, the water is clear and has chunks of dark green moss.. Fishing has been good with quality fish. The fly patterns have hardly changed in the past couple of weeks, and here they are. Some other things have changed, see the bottom of this report.

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CATCH & RELEASE

This area has been fishing ok with some days being good in the mornings

• UFO’s (tan or brown size 24's)

• Red Spots ( a smaller version of the Red Hot)

• Desert storms #24

• Gray RS-2's and Johnny Flashes

• Black Midge emergers

UPPER FLATS TO TEXAS HOLE

Fishing has been good in the braids and the upper flats water. Some nice midging fish in the late afternoon

• Same flies as above for the AM

• San Juan worms (AM)

• Chocolate beatis patterns like RS-2, Johnny Flashes

• Flashback Pheasant tails

TEXAS HOLE TO LOWER FLATS

There has been some large fish caught in this area.

• Desert storm #24.

• San Juan worms ( brown or orange)

• Gray or chocolate RS-2

• Midge emergers Black or olive

• Red larva and UFO’s

LOWER FLATS TO BAIT WATER

• San Juan worms (brown is best)

• Caddis larva patterns I use a double beadhead with pheasant body

• Flashback Pheasant tails

• Chocolate beatis patterns

• Gold ribbed hare’s ear

The crowds are still light, but the fish seem kind of spooky. We are using lighter leaders (6X) and 6 or 7X tippet, depending on the fish. Some times in the summer we have to go to size 26 flies in the upper water. I had a client catch a 24"long by 14 ½" fish in excellent shape. Approx. weight 7 lbs.

Tight lines

Mark

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