San Juan River- Sept. 2013

I don't know what to say about the San Juan river that I haven't said before.  I could talk about the breathtaking beauty of this northern New Mexico river, or about the giant trout that reside in its waters. I could try to describe the peacefulness of the sun rising over the braids, slowly filling up the river with golden rays, but it just wouldn't be the same as being in the river yourself.  There are just so many things that I love about the San Juan, that it is impossible to convey just how much I enjoy fishing this river.

My uncle and his buddy joined us from Michigan for our annual trip to the San Juan this year, and we did our best to convert two more "Fishheads" that share our deep love of this mythical water.  The fishing was absolutely outstanding this year, with literally tons of fat and willing trout in every pool.  I have fished this river many times in the last few years, and I can honestly say this was the best the river has looked.  All of the trout that have been stocked in the last few years have grown fat beyond belief on those little midges, creating a haven for anglers to come and test their skills, with numerous chances at a trophy.  Countless times we had fish peel line off our reels after feeling the sting of the hook, that beautiful sound of screaming reel filling the ear.  The usual assortment of flies did the trick, but the battle tested combination of a red annelid and cream UFO midge still were top producers.  There was also some outstanding midge dry fishing to be had as well.  Nothing like watching large fish rise to size 24 midges on the surface. Wow!

I was very fortunate to hook and land some of the bigger fish that I ever have anywhere, with many 20"+ fish coming to the net.  The entire river is stuffed full of large trout, from Cable Hole down to Crusher Hole, making it a certainty that you'll have a chance to land a fish of a lifetime.  When the fish are this big, the angler truly is at the mercy of the fish.  The only chance of landing them is to allow them to make powerful runs and slowly follow down river, hoping that the small tippet and hooks hold.  Such an adrenaline rush when it finally gets in the net!

Always a let down when the Jeep turns back north, and heads back to Denver, but the memories of the trip will get us through until the next trip south.  This one will go down in the books as one of the best ever.

26" slab from Cable Hole

Brothers on the Juan

Like son, like father??

Back in the Tying Game

After a month and a half hiatus, I finally sat down at the bench last night and twisted up some bugs.  Nothing fancy, just some little midges for our annual trip to the Juan next month.  Gonna be supplying flies for four fisherman, so I'm gonna have to start really cranking them out.  Felt a little rusty the first few flies, but got back in that nice little rhythm after a few flies and they ended up looking pretty darn good.  This time of year and tying midges always make me excited for our annual pilgrimage to the Juan!!!

Bling Midge and Boogie Nights Midge

San Juan River- Feb. 2013

Headed down to New Mexico with a group of fraternity brothers for 4 days of fly fishing on the San Juan to celebrate the 30th birthday of our buddy JP this last week.  Had the opportunity to catch up with buddies I hadn't seen in a while, and meet some new friends along the way.  Lots of beer was drank, poker chips exchanged, green chili was eaten, stories embelished, flies were tied, beautiful trout were caught, and most importantly, a damn good time was had.  The fishing wasn't quite as good as other times of the year due to the lake turnover and stained water, but that did not stop everyone from catching a boat load of fish.  Everyone from the experienced fly fisherman to the newbie hooked up their fair share, and enjoyed feeling the tug on the end of their line.

We fished all up and down the river this trip, from Cable Hole at the top of the quality water to Crusher Hole at the very bottom, hooking trout at every stop.  Everyone got their fill of stockers at Texas Hole and in the braids, with some larger fish being landed in some of the deeper holes and at the Sand Hole.  The fishing was slower up near the dam, but the fish that were landed were very healthy fish.  The lower water yielded larger (and more) fish to the entire group, including one of the prettiest fish I've ever seen on the Juan, which unfortunately, was caught by the birthday boy himself.  The normal assortment of midge patterns were working well, especially the tried and true red annelid (larvae).  The best fly of the trip for the majority of the guys was a small, white bunny leach, fished on the dead drift, swing or strip.  All techniques brought fish to the net.  I had never fished bunny leaches on the Juan prior to this trip, but it is definitely a fly that is going to be well stocked in the fly arsenal.  It seemed that the bunny leach fly would entice some of the larger fish to feed.

All in all, it was a great trip with great people.  Happy Birthday JP, you're now one old SOB!

Snowy San Juan

The boys in front of Fishheads of the San Juan

Clutch TTx 905 (review on the rod to come later)

Sunset over Texas Hole

Haws fishing Texas Hole

Birthday boy hooked up

Brett and the birthday boy

JP's nice rainbow to end the trip

Mr Beaver in Kiddie Hole

Pete with a nice fish at Simon Canyon

Pi Kappa Alpha- Epsilon Theta
 

Pizzle the night after his b-day