Believe it or not, the best fly fishing on the San Juan River is all year-round! There really is no best time necessarily to fish this amazing river, as all seasons and weather offer different fishing benefits.
Summer is of course a great time to fish as trout are more active and are willing to take a wide range of insects including mayflies, caddis, scuds, annelids and terrestrials like ants. Make sure to wear light colored clothing, sunglasses, a lightweight hoodie and cap, or a wide-brimmed hat to keep comfortable and shaded New Mexico's strong UV rays on hot sunny days.
Fall fishing on the San Juan is also wonderful, the scenery is beautiful with the golden cottonwoods and other fall colors. Fish feed aggressively on lots of insects including annelids, scuds, midges, mayflies and terrestrials. Fall is a great time for wading too, with good flows and beautiful colors around the river.
Winter fishing on the San Juan River is a great time as there is less pressure and you'll find more solitude. You can still have a great day on the river during the winter months, and catch some big trout. The water temperature remains fairly constant throughout the year due to the low release point of the dam, so fish are active year-round. Wear layers to keep comfortable and warm.
Spring fishing is also a perfect time to fish the San Juan river, as fish start to move out of their winter holds and start feeding actively on all of the insects that are starting to hatch, and will take dry flies, midges, eggs, and streamer patterns. Make sure to dress in layers so you can enjoy all weather conditions, as it is often super nice, or it also can be cool or windy in the spring. Don't worry, if it's windy, Chris has all the best tips for fishing in the wind so that you can still be successful no matter what the conditions.
Treat yourself to a Fly Fishing Guide trip on the San Juan River any time of year with Chris Gallegos, of Angler Management. Chris loves bringing people out on the river, whether it's for a guided fly fishing float trip, or a guided wade trip. Chris loves working with people of all experience levels, and will guide you on a perfect day on this amazing river – no matter what time of year it is. Reach out to talk about booking your San Juan River Fishing trip »
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