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The Heresy of Big Junk on Technical Tailwaters
The Heresy of Big Junk on Technical Tailwaters Why we fish large, obnoxious attractors on the San Juan—and why it works On most tailwaters, there’s a script you’re supposed to follow: That playbook absolutely catches fish. We do it. We teach it. But on the San Juan—and other big, pressured tailwaters—we also do something that…
San Juan River Report / May Update 2026
Let’s get into it. It’s May, in case you didn’t know, and the San Juan is fishing well. The river is scheduled to bump to 650 CFS on May 7th, 2026, which should open up some different options and spread fish around a bit. Right now, we are catching fish a bunch of different ways: nymphs,…
Gear We Use: Hooks
There are a million hooks out there, and most of them are fine until they are not. That is kind of the problem. Plenty of hooks look good in a package, look good in a fly bin, and even look good on Instagram. That does not mean they belong on guide flies. When you guide,…
April San Juan River Report 2026
Guide Kyle McCallum found a giant streamer eater on 4/7 As of April 15, 2026, the San Juan is running at 300 CFS and still carrying some color, but the fishing has been good. We recently had a cold snap roll through, and while that slowed a few things down, the nymphing has remained excellent. Mornings have still…
Low Snowpack. Cold Water. Can The San Juan Save Your Summer Fishing Trip?
The West is dry. New Mexico is dry. Snowpack is poor, runoff looks weak, and unless something changes in a hurry, the San Juan is likely headed for a lower-water summer than normal. That is the reality. But lower water does not mean bad fishing. The San Juan is a tailwater, and that matters. While…
San Juan River Trout Spey
Many anglers have strong opinions about how the San Juan should be fished, but very few ever think about swinging flies. That is a mistake. Trout spey has exploded in popularity across the West over the last few years, and for good reason. If you have ever picked up a two-hander, you already understand the…
Gear We Use: Simms Access Boot
I have been wearing the new Simms Access Boot for the last few months on the San Juan and in Pennsylvania, and I can say without hesitation these are the best wading boots I have ever used. I have worn Simms boots since I was 18 years old, so that is not something I say…
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…
March 2026 San Juan River Report
San Juan River Report — March 2026 March on the San Juan is shaping up to be low, technical, and very fishable. The river was averaging 300 cfs out of Navajo Dam as of March 9, and Navajo Reservoir was sitting at 0.999 maf of live storage, about 60% of capacity. Reclamation also reported the…
