3 Must Have Mayfly Patterns For The San Juan

Spring is springing on the San Juan. This is the time of year the trout really seem to be into eating small mayflies. On the San Juan baetis are our most often fished mayfly pattern. While the PMDs seem to have dwindled over the years (still a good option to fish) the blue winged olives are still very much around.

Spring offers the first good window of dry fly fishing we get on the San Juan. For the sake of most anglers reading this, we are recommending 3 nymph patterns. In the spring, mayflies are a big part of what gets trout looking up, sliding into softer lanes, and feeding with a little more purpose. Everybody gets excited about midges out here, and for good reason, but spring mayflies are a major deal and something anglers overlook all the time. When those bugs start showing in better numbers, fish key in hard on them, whether they are eating nymphs below the surface, emergers in the film, or adults drifting clean on top. That matters because it changes how you should fish. If you are still blindly grinding the same winter rig while trout are shifting into more consistent mayfly feeding behavior, you are behind. Spring on the San Juan is one of the best times to pay attention, match the stage of the hatch, and fish with a little more intention instead of just going through the motions.

#1 Rootbeer Baetis

With a great slim profile and being easy to tie, the root beer baetis is a staple in our guide boxes. If we only had one small mayfly pattern to fish on the San Juan, this is it. Commonly fished in sizes 20-24 but don’t be afraid to fish it in a #16, especially outside of the Quality Water.

#2 FSE Thread Baetis

FSE, (Fast, Simple, Effective.) This is a great box filler for all the tiers out there. Again size 20-24

#3 Pheasant Tail

The classics are classics for a reason. Either the flashback variety for dirty water or plain Jane for clear water. #18-#24