The fishing on the San Juan has been red hot! The flows have stabilized around 1000 cfs allowing for the fish to settle into a routine and spread out a bit. As always, annelid and midge patterns are our top producers but as we move further into summer look for terrestrials such as grasshoppers, ants and beetles to tempt fish to the surface as well. Common practice for nymphing this time of year is to trail a midge larva behind an annelid or emerger pattern in the mornings and afternoons with baetis and terrestrial patterns being fished later in the day.

The fishing on the San Juan is back to what we would call "normal" here at the shop. Midges have been hatching consistently after 10am and we have been seeing some baetis hatches in the afternoon. Fish are being caught on all of the usual patterns. For nymphing, a midge emerger trailed behind a midge larva has been a great rig for the morning, and I would throw in a baetis nymph/emerger in the mix in the afternoon. Sight fishing with hopper patterns in the afternoon has also been a very good tactic.

The San Juan River has been at high water for more than a week now around 4000 cfs and up, but is on the drop. The fishing during the spring release has been very good. Once the fish settle in and adjust to the flows, they begin to feed constantly. The flows are headed down to normal and should arrive at 500 cfs by Saturday evening. If history proves anything the fishing conditions should be excellent for the next few weeks after high water and the remainder of the season!

The water conditions are still poor but fishing has been picking up. Water temps have increased a couple degrees and the fish are becoming more active. Visibility is around 1 foot. Today the flows are expected to increase from 350 to 400 cfs around 9am.

Fishing conditions are improving up still experiencing dirty water. Eggs, egg sucking leeches, buggers, worms and large annelids seem to be catching fish. The river edge is showing some visibility of 1 ft, but not much beyond that. Anglers have a good change of landing 10+, one fish or just being skunked altogether. It's a roll of the dice and staying positive. Keep casting!!

The poor fishing conditions that have plagued the San Juan River with muddy cold water should return to normal around April 1st. The Bureau of Reclamation for Navajo Dam Operations is in the final stage of maintenance and is scheduling tests on the main outlet. These tests will take place on Sunday March 31st beginning at 7:00 am and concluding by 7:00 pm.

After this, we expect a normal release and clear water to return. During the past few weeks the water temperatures were colder than usual causing most fish to enter a hibernation state to conserve their energy. Next week when the water temps warm up to normal, the fishing should go crazy! There are 80,000 fish that having eaten in weeks and they will be hungry!

Fishing is good and consistent, prime winter conditions on the Juan. Water is a little off color with visible of about 2ft. Olive and black leeches sz 8-12 either dead drifted with a twitch or stripped have been producing quality fish. Egg patterns in various colors, red annelids, tan UFO's and chocolate Big Mac's are recommended for nymphing.

Keep your eyes open for fish rising. Dry fly action is hit and miss depending on the weather, but there are always a few good ones. Griffith's Gnat's, BWO Comparaduns, Biot Midge.