Fantastic fall fishing

As the cottonwoods go from the deep green of summer time to the golden yellow of fall the insect population of the world famous San Jaun river in northern New Mexico comes to life with the seasons best midge and mayfly hatches.

Fall is one of the best times of the year to be on the Juan. The day time tempratures are going from the mid 80s to the low 70s as the sun gets lower on the horizon making the insect life as well as the enormous trout population explode with activitey. Morning midge hatches lead into afternoon BWOs (baetis mayflys) making for good nymph and dryfly fishing. Look for heads in the back channels as early as 10:00 am. 

A Big Mac midge pupa tied in gray with a red rib in a size 20 or 22 fished with a size 24 all gray Mono midge should do the trick in the morning, also an all black Zebra midge is always a good bet on the Juan. After the midge activitey begins to slow, around noon, keep a look out for the afternoon baetis. The fish will be in the riffles and faster moving water looking for this afternoon meal. Bring a variety of BWO patterns, including para adams and compara duns to fish on the surface. Afternoon cloud cover will make for fantastic dry fly fishing through November.  

This is also the time of the year when the truley big fish become more active due to the begining of the spawning cycle, adding calories and protien to their diets, 20 inch rainbows are not uncommon.

For more information or to book some of the best guides anywhere look us up at www.sanjuanguides.com, give us a call at 970-588-3659 or 970-759-0809 or drop us a line at anasaziangler@earthlink.net.

Enjoy the best time of the year, AC