SAN JUAN RIVER FISHING REPORTS ARCHIVE - 2003

December 15-26, 2003

This time of year is always one of my favorite to hit the river. The weeks before Christmas are always some of the best fishing and by far the weeks with the fewest people fishing. I'm going to be sure to fish a few days now that I am back from a little R&R!

The river is now in it's normal winter off color do to the lakes winter turn over. It's hard to say what is going to happen this year with the turnover with the lake this low. I guess there is a chance it could be over fast but there is the same chance that with the lower levels the currents will be stronger on the lake keeping thing more off color as well as maybe lasting longer??? We'll just have to see.

The fishing you ask, well it's been great fishing on foot, float fishing as been a little slow but buggers and big junk are all working well. All the guides out this week reported worms and red larva working well, worms in about any color/ shade that was orange. Red larva in 18-24 working well and pink scuds really got the fish to eat a few days. There are 1000's of flies like a pink scud that we'll fish one day kill them then never again or every now and then... You just need to think bright at first in the winter as the river is off color and the fish are still dumb enough to eat the bright junk. After a few weeks or a month they will not be so willing on the bigger flies and bright junk, you'll have to change back to more natural bugs but be sure to drop it off a bright bug. There will almost every winter be a week or two where egg patterns will almost never sink all the way to the bottom w/o a fish. Be sure to try one now and then!! The fish are going to stack in the deep slow pools with the off color water, be sure to try fishing a few new deep runs and fish the big junk after all how many days a year do we get to fish flies over a size 20 or even a #16??

Most of the river has been fishing well from lower flats to the dam and there are still many fish in the small water around upper flats! Have a happy new year and see you all on the water soon!

Chris Guikema

November 8-15, 2003

Well the flows went down to the winter low of 250cfs. The fish have not seemed to mind the chance, you just need to find there new holding spots and favorite holes. Over all the fishing has been great from the dam to lower flats. Mornings have been great and if there is any cloud cover afternoons have been good for both dry and nymph fishing. There is a big spawn on now the fish are stacked on some of the shallow flats so watch where you walk! I have been getting a few little fish (4-6") from the last spawn so the more we let them be the more we might see wild fish in the river!

The lower flows as a part of the states effort to hold back and conserve water we all hope will work. The lake levels on Navajo are at a low that has not been seen since they were filling the dam in the late 50's and early 60's. Right now SW Colorado has a good layer of snow on it and God willing we'll just get more and more!! Don't let the lower flows worry you about your trip or thought of a trip.  Fishing is great and there are not that many people on the river!

Dam to thole has been fishing great with midges and worms almost all day, but the beatis action does wake them up about 12 o'clock. Midge hatch is a little late on cloudy day (9) but they make up for it in numbers hatches have been great! with the drop in flows your also going to find fish looking for worms, almost any flow chance is going to get them on the worm hunt this is the case now!

Thole to lower flats has been fishing well, but this might be better boat water at this flow. Lots of slow slack water to fish now takes a little getting used to but look out once you get the system down! Lower flats down has not been fishing very well, lots of silt in the river from Simon down.

Midge and baetis patterns are all working well, use a worm to help find the fish then work a area hard as they are going to be stacked up at this flow. Remember to change you weights and depth often as this is likely a flow that you have not fished much and you old go too are not going to be a good anymore!

Have a great trip and a good winter remember that we still have a whole winter of great fishing in front of us with few people and willing fish!!

October 15-23, 2003

The River was busy last weekend but that is the last busy weekend (I think) of the year. But people don't want to miss out on what can be some of the best fishing of the year from Nov. 1 till mid to late Dec. The people are all gone and the fishing is very good! As we slip a little deeper into fall the weather cools off and we start to get cloudy afternoon and HUGE baetis hatches! Some of the best sight fishing of the year is in the next 4-6 weeks so I hope you all have a chance to hit the river.

Report Oct. 15-23- Sorry I missed the last few reports, I am now back on the water since my chest is (I hope) all healed up. Not in the boat yet but wade fishing has been great so I have been happy to be on foot. From the dam to t-hole has been some of the best fishing. The fish are starting to get into there fall spawn look out where your walking! The egg has been a money bug for me, yellow or cream are the two colors I like best, a red larva in the early part of the day is also a good way to go. You going to have to change around but midges in black and brown have been a hot choice. My #1 bug this week was a #26 gray mono midge with a black head and a UV,KF wing. Worms have been good as well but the last 2 days showed a big drop in worm bites. Midge hatches have been strong after 9 ( once the sun can warm the water a bit).

Baetis action has been on and off again. If you can hit the river on a cloudy day look out, dry fly action has been HOT and nymph fishing the beatis hatch has been almost silly!! Last few day even with the sun there has been a good number of bugs and good dry fly action (you just need to look for it!) Fishing from t-hole down has been a ball, there are not as many people in this section and the fishing has been great! You do need to know this water as there are many section that will not hold many fish and even more that don't fish well on foot. If your going to fish this section think more about beatis and midges then any other bugs. There have been good hatches and the fish are looking.

For the dry fly action, I have had 2 dry fly only clients in the last week and we did very well almost all day, your numbers are never going to be as high, but it's not all about number, right? #26 Adams has been the best bug and a dead chicken has been a close 2nd!

Hope you all have a chance to hit the Juan this fall for some great fishing and even better weather!!

Chris

September 15-28, 2003

Ok I guess that I better start off with the "moss" report. Yes there has been some moss in the river, there is every fall. This year there is a little more than normal but it seems to have gotten a little better but more importantly, the fishing has not been affected by it. Fishing the last couple of weeks has been great. Nymph fishing has been the better way to go. The only effects from the moss other than having to clean off your nymphs frequently is it has made dry fly fishing a little tougher. Midge hatches have been good most of the day and sight fishing on the midge hatch from the braids to the dam has been great. Look out for paired up spawning fish in the braids and let them be.

Fishing near the dam has been good. I've been swinging some leeches in some of the deep slow runs and been doing well. Or I've been fishing pupa and emergers to fish in fast water were they are a little easier to target. The deeper slower runs in ESPN and up near cable have also been producing very well. You just need to find a group of willing fish. Thole down - beatis have been the way to go. Fish have moved and relocated to new areas because of the lower flows. But fishing has been exceptional in the afternoons and early evening. Look for the fish to be on choc. foam wings, RS2's and PT's by about 10am. The only major change I've seen lately is the fish's interest in olive CDC RS2's. Worms are still working here and there. Best results with worms are going to be from the dam to Thole.

Simon canyon down throughout the bait water took a bit of a hit during the last major rainstorm. This section of the river has a lot of silt and sand in it that is still moving around quite a bit. Baitwater is starting to fish well in the sections that have not filled with sand as the fall beatis hatches kick into gear.

Have a great visit. See you soon! Chris

August 15-29, 2003

The flows are now 500cfs (ish) the reason for the lower flows now is that there has been lots of rain in SW Colorado so the Animas and upper San Juan are all flowing a little better. The word on the street is that NM water ditches are going to shut down in the end of Sept this year and at that point I am going to guess that flows will drop a little more.

On with the fishing!!! Since the flows dropped to 500 the dry fly action really got good. There are good beatis hatches as well as midges most of the day. The fishing in the morning still seems to be the best, but with the fall beatis starting up a little early this year afternoons should pick up! With the good midge fishing areas near the dam have been fishing very well. Fish are stacked up in the deeper runs and getting into the fast water as soon as the midges start to move. Fish seem to be looking for beatis at about 11 and after that some of the areas below Thole are a better choice. This section of the river did not see near the number of people as the upper river this year. I am going to guess that some of that was do to the higher flows and some to the fact that the fish are harder to find here above 700cfs. But this area of the river is not to be missed now that we are seeing more beatis.

Over all the flow changes and odd weather this summer did not seem to really shut the fish down. We are always worried when the flows are up and down, but the fish seemed to change gears in no time and move into new areas. It's a fun challenge when the fish are moving, because you get to hit new holes and water all the time!

With the midge action remember to match the hatch, are fish on pupa, emergers or what? Then work hard to try and match the color, this is the main key on the Juan. Look at your wader legs, your going to see the midges on them look at what color they are and start looking in your box for that color and size.

Beatis are a little easier hatch to fish as there are only 4 "main" colors (I know there are TONS of colors but there are 4 main) once you find the beatis color the fish want your set. Fish will feed hard in the faster water on this hatch, you can sight fish more at this time of the day.

Here is a list of what we have been fishing the last few weeks.. Gray scud 22, foamwing 22, RS2 gray 22, Olive RS2 CDC 22, midges in all colors and stages 26-20, PT 22, few worms in brown and golden brown, hoppers and ants, there are tons of other choices but I think if you fish this outline you should do OK.

Have a great time on the Juan and hope to see you all soon! Chris

August 1-9, 2003

This report is from our guides who have been on the river the last week when I was at the OLN Master Fly Fisherman competition and dealing with other things.

The flows were down then down again now back up to 777cfs as a part of the water management and because of the drought out west or flows are likely to keep changing now and then all summer and fall. Fishing however has not changed that much! Each time the flows change the fishing go back into a feeding frenzy and a worm and scud is about all you need. The fishing has not really been changed by the drop in flows. You will however want to look out for the up in flows as there will be a few hours that the river is a little mossy but don't worry it will pass in about 60min, it's a good time to get a little lunch then head back out!

Over all the whole river has been fishing well!

Thole to the dam midges as well as baetis and lots of worms have been the bugs of choice!

Thole down midges and baetis and PMD's are also on the move on the lower sections but it's hard to know what's going to happen now that the flows have changed! But I am sure there still going to be around.

Black brown or gray midges 22-24 PT 24-22 Flash back PT 24-22 Worms in all colors and many sizes few eggs in cream and cheese colors Choc foam wing Scud in 24-22 Red larva always a good flow change bug in 18-24 OJ 24 Yellow disco 24

Sorry for the short report I'll get a better one up in the next week when I am feeling a little better.

Now a report form the OLN competition. It was a fun day for Mike and I who have never been to a actual casting competition so we were not really sure what to be looking for. First cast was 25' 2nd 45' 3rd 70' then a 35' reach cast. You had 3 shots at each mark (2' 4' 6' circles) each worth points. The second set of the competition was distance and roll casting. I did well over all there were some incredible casters from all over the west!! It was a real pleasure to watch some of them cast! Over all I was able to take 19th out of 100 people as a individual and as a team mike and I missed the 2nd days competition by 200 points (1 target) the 70' cast for accuracy got both mike and I so that was where we lost it. In distance I was able to make up for some of it with a 96' cast and a 68' roll cast but accuracy is where you won or lost.. Was a cool trip had a chance to fish a few new rivers ( clear creek near golden killer cutts!!) and the Frying pan and blue rivers. Fishing on the pan was unreal PMD's and Green drakes were going crazy by mid afternoon so good dry fly action was had by all. On Monday we headed of to 11 mile canyon for the trico fall on our way home. We never had a chance to fish as we were involved in a head on crash on the way to the dam, 83 Toyota VS 2003 F350 our little Toyota lost and mike and I were soon on the way to the hospital in CO Springs. Mike is now our bionic guide with a fancy new Titanium plate in his head (but back on the water today)and I am stuck in the office for 6-12 weeks with a broken sternum and several ribs. I should be back on the water by Oct. 1st if all goes well. Seat belts saved both of our lives and were both sore but thankful that were still around. Thanks for all the get well calls and emails we have already gotten! Mike and I also wanted to send a big thanks to the Lake George Fire Dept. and all the other people (you know who you are) that were first to find us and help out the way you all did! And our RN GI Jane and her husband Mark for all there extra road side care!

Hope to see you all on the river soon! Chris

July 1-15, 2003

WOW, where did the rest of the summer go just yesterday I was wishing is was warmer so I could fish w/o my fleece vest. Now it's 90's every day and not a cloud in the sky!

I am sure that many of you are wondering about the 1050 cfs flow and what's been happening. Well the fishing has been GREAT since the flow changes and just gets better each time they let the flows stand for a few days. Yesterday (14th) was one of the better fishing days I have had for the summer. Midges and worms all AM and boy were the fish looking for PMD's in the afternoon!!!! Dry fly action is a little off with all the extra food in the river from the flow changes but if you look you will find!

Dam to T-hole has been killer sight fishing with worms and olive pupa or larva as well as gray scuds. Midge dry action is all around you just have to find the right fish. Try a hopper as well olive hoppers have been working for me in this section. Deeper holes like cable are fishing well, just remember that there is 2X the normal flow of water in the river and your GOING to HAVE to fish DEEPER then you did before. I have been fishing a lot of 0's to 3/0 to get my flies where I want them. A good rule might be to fish 2-3X what you would normally have on as far as weight. Worms are the bug right now to find your fish them stay on them and work that area with a bunch of weight changes until your "in the zone".

Thole down is fishing well fish have really moved the most in this section, look for fish to be working about any drop and deep run! Beatis patterns are going to be a better bet here but the scud also was working well yesterday in this area. PMD action is still going strong, hatch is well into the quality waters and the fish ARE looking for them. A red PT has been my bug of choice for the fish hunting PMD's as well as a flash back PT. Foamwings and rs2's have also been my other go to bugs. Worms are still a good bet here for hunting the fish then I work them with other rigs.

Over all the fishing is some of the best this year and with the above average flows August should be one of the best months to fish this year. Worms action should start to slow down once they stop changing the flows but until them they are my #1 money bug!

Have a great summer on the water! And I wanted to thank all of you for the emails about the OLN Master Fly Fisherman contest that Mike and I are in August, we'll do our best!!

Chris

June 15-29, 2003

Fishing is just getting better and better every day! The new flows of 500&550 are really getting the fish in the mood! The flows are going to 650 on Monday June 30th, hard to say what that will do to fishing that day but my guess is that there will be some moss and a little off color water for the first part of the day. You all need to remember that when the flows change the fish "most of the time" chow down on worms and red larva's. I'd be willing to bet that it's just going to get things going better!

Dam to T-hole: has been fishing VERY well, brown midge larva and UFO's are really hot, KF's and other midge emergers are also working very well! Look for the fish on almost any drop and deep pool. The water is REALLY clear now and the sight fishing has been great. Worms and scud patterns have also found me a few fish in this area and are always good searching bugs.

Thole down: baetis are on and the PMD's are almost in the quality waters. PT choc foamwing and fluff baetis are all HOT bugs. Yesterday I fished a gray fluff baetis to a gray midge all day and did very well. The boat fishing in this section is picking up and the stop and wade fishing is really fun. I love this time of year when you can fish midging in the AM and sight fish all afternoon on the drop's!

Bait water: Bait water is on fire!!! PMD's and caddis are all over by 3pm and there has been some great dry fly action from 2-8 last few nights right behind the lodge the dry action has been hot until you could no longer see your bugs! Fishing a skated caddis in the dark reminded me of growing up in Michigan fishing the hex hatch!

Lower river: still fishing good but the heavy caddis hatches are over and PMD's and smaller caddis are what the fish are looking for now. Was a great hatch this season on the lower river and long (almost 4 weeks).

Navajo Lake: Lake has been fishing well, carp fishing has been great with ant and hopper patterns with a beadhead dropper. Smallmouth and pike action is still good topwater bass action heating up fast and pike are also starting to look up! Still streamers have been my best flies for the last week.

Colorado fishing: Creeks and upper Juan all fishing very well, all dry fly action now!

The Animas has been fishing VERY well as PMD's and a few caddis are about. Our private water on the Animas just started to fish well last week and remember only your group of 1-3 people are on that 2.5 miles that day! We are only allowing 2 groups of anglers per week to fish the river with no less then 2 days between, so HOT fish that see NO pressure! Big bows and huge browns are what were looking for on this section of river.

All and all it's shaping up to be a great summer, ants should fall in the next few weeks or days and PMD's and caddis are almost in the quality waters!

Have a great summer and keep your line and wader boots WET!

Chris

June 1-10, 2003

Fishing the river has over all been great for the last 10 days. I love this time of year because wade fishing gets so good as the fish move into the faster water looking for Baetis and soon PMD's. Moat of the river from the dam to thole has been fishing really well! I had a client in Cable hole last week and got a 28.5" bow one of the larger fish I have had the pleasure of netting for a client on the river in the last 8 years, wow it's been 8 years almost seems like yesterday I was still on the bighorn. Any how.... brown midges were the color for the last 2 weeks both pupa and emergers the main hatch was going by 10:00 so hold in there it will turn on. The odd flows in the upper river with flows in the spillway have really moved fish around in the area from Cable to the dam just look for the deep water and your going to find the fish. CDC rs2 as well as a #18 gray WD-40 have also been working very well on the upper river.

Thole down, well baetis are on and the fish are looking, wd-40 rs2 PT foam wing all have been my go to bugs (today pt and a cdc rs2 all day) look for the fish in tailouts in the am and suspended in the fast water by noon or 1. Midges have been a great bet in the am fished deep in the slower water. Lower flats is starting to hold a few more fish but we need a few cloudy days and big hatches to move them in!

Bait water is starting to turn on had some odd fishing in the bait water this last week as baetis and a few caddis started to show up. The yellow stones are also starting to move around (found one on my truck this morning).

Navajo lake is really fishing well, topwater bite is really going good and the streamer fishing for big bass is hot. Carp are looking up got a bunch to eat hoppers on a trip last week. Pike are also on the feed you just have to go looking for them...

Weather has been a bit odd for this time of year, afternoons have been a little windy but the fishing has been great so it's not been much of a hassle. Look for the PMD's to get going in the next few weeks, as well as caddis and then in July or late June our next big rain will mean ANTS!!! Everybody's favorite day!

I just got back last week from a killer trip to Texas fishing Reds near Rockport, if anyone wants more info on this great fishing drop me a email and I'll get you the guides names we are also going to plan a trip to Texas this fall I'll host a week of reds on the fly if you want more info go to the "travel with us" link.

May 10-20, 2003

The river has been fishing very well right through the changes in flows and gates. Baetis hatches have been great on any day with clouds and midges have been holding strong. Sunny days have been best for the midges hatches, have been 10-3 or 4 then a small baetis hatch. Near the dam fishing has been a little odd since the flows have all changed but the area has been fishing well, just in different areas then in the past.

From Cable hole to thole the fishing has been a lot of fun the last few weeks. The fish have been moving around into new areas as the flows change but that is a good thing because it also moves around the big fish and the are getting hooked up with now and then. Midges and baetis (close to thole) have been by far the best choice but worms were fishing well all week with the flow change.

Thole down, baetis and midges, PT has been my best bug with a CDC rs2 also working very well. Look for fish to move into lower flats in the next few weeks with the better flow and more baetis. Fish have been in the deeper fast runs but they have moved in the big drops in the last few days. Fast drops are where your going to find you beatis fish later in the day.

Navajo Lake has turned on the smallmouth fishing has been great the last few days crappie are also really on the bite as well. Pike and carp are also eating very well. Top water bite on the bass started a few days ago all this action should be great for the next 4-6 weeks.

May 1-6, 2003

Fishing has been good all week! The cloudy days have shown us the great spring baetis action we have been waiting for! I love the cloudy spring days but the wind has been with the clouds all week. The windy days have still been great dry fly action but a little harder work, (well worth it though).

Upper river has been fishing great with midges as well as worms in deep fast holes. Midge hatch has been getting going about 10am and the baetis at about 11-12. I have been fishing only midges above cable hole starting with a small larva and then a pupa or a emerger. From cable to t-hole baetis and a midge have been with the fish were looking for. I have been fishing a small flashback gray midge 24 and a PT or cdc RS2 for the first fly. I have been also getting fish to eat a brown worm now and then but with the fish looking for real bugs I hate to fish a worm. The area above thole have been getting better every day as our spring baetis hatches get going. Look for fish to really get in the fast water and feed well all afternoon from cable to thole. Midges are also a good bet even in the big baetis hatch days.

Thole down is also fishing very well but the fish are all stack up in strange places. Look for then is deeper fast water, and a little in lower flats. the action in lower flats has been better then the last 4-5 months but is still not as red hot as up stream. Midge and baetis hatch as been going good from 10-4 best fishing has been from about 11-3. The dry action has also been really good on the days w/o to much wind. Look for the fish to rise best in the afternoon in the slower section and in the upper flats area. Adams in 20-26 has been best but I have also done well on a hackle wing baetis. cdc rs2 as a dropper with a little zink on it has also been great!

Bait water still a little slow but streamer fishing has been good most days, this is a great way to get a lot of water to your self!!

Navajo Lake- Pike action has turned on big this last week has a great pike trip last week (look for photos on my site soon). Pike were all over big streamers that were yellow and white. Bass fishing with a streamer is just about ready to turn on I would guess it to be in the next 1-2 week bass fishing will be red hot!

April 1-15, 2003

Fishing the last two weeks has been great. The fish are starting to fall into spring feeding patterns. The flow change on Monday did not seem to affect things and now they are going back to 350 cfs the 17th. Had a few windy days around the 15th, which always makes things a little tough, but the fishing was great.

Dam to thole both midges and baetis have been producing exceptionally well throughout the day. I have been fishing beatis patterns first thing in the morning because the hatches have been so good. Fish are definitely keyed in on this beatis activity. Midges are holding true all day. There is the large spring reddish brown #18 midge that the fish ARE looking for. This is a unique bug that seems to be a little more common that it used to be. I've been fishing a burgundy disco #18 to match this bug and the fish WANT it. This fly seems to have either a dark or a light gray head. Just got to figure out which one the fish want. Smaller #22-#26 pupa and emergers are also working very well. Fish seem to be keying in on gray/black combinations or olive/black.

Thole down. Fishing in this section has been very rewarding although I've not been able to find that 31 inch brown :) but I'm trying! Baetis hatches have been good. I think if we can get a little better water clarity in the next few weeks dry fly action will pick up, but the fish are looking. Midges and beatis combinations have been my best bet. Copper John in the AM and gray beatis patterns AM and PM. Midges (same large red midge as above) as well as black and choc. KFs. UFOs have also been good for a few fish.

Bait water. Have not had a chance to fish the bait water personally in the last two weeks, one of our guides floated the bait water last week and reported fair to poor action on green copper johns and prince nymphs.

Navajo Lake. Water temps are getting close to turning on the bass action. Pike fishing with large streamers has been fair to good. Smallmouth are still in their prespawn staging areas but moving up rapidly. Streamer fishing should be hot on the lake within the next few weeks.

Have a great day on the river! Tight lines - Chris

March 15-29, 2003

It's been a BUSY two weeks for me! I was in Page AZ getting my Captains license, so that I can start guiding on Navajo Lake as well for small mouth bass, pike and carp! It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, and I am GLAD it's over! But I am now all set as a licensed captain by the USCG! So I am going to start adding a short report on fishing the lake here above the dam. The fly fishing on the lake in the summer and fall is a wonderful change of pace and very much over looked!! Last summer I had a chance to enjoy many great days fishing poppers and streamers for bass and got a few monster pike on streamers and the carp, well nothing beats a 20# fish on a dry fly!!

Since I have been gone this report is based on information from our guides about fishing the last two weeks. From the sounds of it I picked the wrong two weeks to head out! Baetis action really got going and top water action is heating up! On the cloudy days look out, the spring action is here!!! Huge baetis hatches on days with clouds in the afternoon. Fish are looking up and are also looking for beatis. After noon and even before noon on some days rs2 or choc foamwing with a 24pt was all you needed. Yesterday guides fished foamwing 22 to Johnny flash or a pt all day and did very well. Midges are also going strong, gray and black always seem to be the colors of spring, but try a few other colors as well.

I have 2 more days off then I am going to be on the water for a week. So once I have a chance to get a few days under my belt, I'll do a longer better report (I hope before next weekend).

Glad to see that all you on the east coast are getting a chance to see what the ground looks like again! And I was very happy to see all the snow that we have gotten in Colorado as well!!

Tight lines and well see you all soon!  Chris Guikema

March 1-8, 2003

I seem to remember a old story about how if march comes in like a lion it goes out like a lamb... I hope that's not all together true, as we still need more snow pack! The first week in March put love 57" of new snow on much of the drainage areas that feed Navajo Lake. We are now at 80 some% of normal snow pack that our area is know for spring snows from now till maid April. We are all very happy that we have the snow we do, but it's going to take years for the lake level to recover from last years 30% snow pack and almost no summer rain! But many of us who live out here remember 1999 where we got rain almost every day and the Juan was running 5000cfs in Aug and Sept. lets all just pray for a wet summer like that for much of the west!

Well enough of that, right... on with the FISHING!! I am happy to report that spring flows will go from 330-350cfs to 500cfs in April this year. Once things start to drop on the Animas we should see the Juan flow from 500-850cfs most of this summer with no big spring flows. Sounds like it's going to be another rocking year as far as the fishing goes with steady flows! Last summer showed many of us some of the best and biggest fish we have seen in the last 5 years, why well we don't know. But were hopping that we are going to see more of the same this year!

I am going to mix things up a little this week, just to keep you on your toes...

Bait water, well I said last week I had not had a chance to fish it in a few week, so I fixed that this week. Streamer fishing on the cloudy days we had was a blast, olive was the color that got the most love, with brown in 2nd. Beadheads as well as copper johns also worked very well on days with a good hatch.

Lower flats to end of Quality water, this section has been getting better and better baetis hatch are getting the fish looking up and the midges are starting to move. I am still doing better in the boat fishing the deep slow holes but as we start to get warm spring days ( they are calling for 60's all week) fish will keep moving in the faster shallow runs.

T-hole to lower flats- fishing has been good in this section and even had a few days of ok dry action on a big baetis hatch. I think that as we warm up this week and then at the end of the week get a few cloudy days were going to get some huge hatches, (I hope). Midges and scud patterns have been a great was to go, but baetis are starting to kick in.

Dam to t-hole- well you know now that the midge is king above thole! Black as well as olive and gray head midges have worked well all week. There was also good action on a cream egg and red larva combo last week, this may have been because of the clouds but you never know they are always good bugs to fish! Cream larva as well as brassies worked great as top bug. This section of the river is still off color but not by much, things are really looking good and I hope to see the river clear in a few weeks.

Over all few worms and eggs on top or a red larva but for droppers try:

• UFO
• Cream larva
• black pupa
• gray pupa
• black disco
• green disco
• emergers in all colors and shapes, You just need to find the right one!
• PT's
• RS2
• WD40
• scuds
• streamers in olive or brown

Have a great spring see you all on the river! Chris

February 15-23, 2003

River has really started to clear up fast. The lower sections of the quality waters look almost back to normal. Fishing the last 3 weeks has been exceptional. Both wade and float fishing have produced excellent fishing on a wide variety of bugs. One of my favorite parts of winter is fishing leeches and woolly buggers on cloudy days. We had two solid days of rain (which we desperately needed) they both offered AWESOME leech conditions. White and ginger were the hot colors jigged on a dead drift.

Dam to Thole has offered up some good midge hatches and the starts of the spring baetis (on cloudy days). Weather overall has held very nicely the last several weeks with the exception of a few windy afternoons. As far as flies go, larvas, pupas and emergers have been the ticket dropped behind an egg. #26 olive black midges have been very effective through the braids and upper flats. Had some good reports from guests about dry fly fishing in the afternoons.

Thole to gravel pit . This section has been fishing better on foot but fish are still primarily in the deeper holes that are a little easier accessed by boat. Leeches and red hots have been by main rig in this section. But, since the water has started to clear red larva and pheasant tail or choc. emerger, or RS2 combinations have been very effective. There has been an increase in the number of midges in this section. Most of them are brown and size #22. Gray scud patterns have been very good in lower flats and the lunker alley area. I've seen a big increase in the way fish relate to scuds as a main food source the last 3 years.

Bait water - I have not had a chance to fish the bait water in the last two weeks.

Hope to see you on the river for some great spring fishing. Chris

January 15-26, 2002

Sorry so long between reports guys. We've been working hard on redoing the rooms and the flyshop here at the lodge so I haven't had much time. Fishing the last week has been getting better. We've had tremendous weather for this time of year and have gotten good dry fly reports the last few days. Fishing from the dam to T-hole has been very productive in the deep fast water. Woolly buggers, leaches, and worms have been great attractors, red larva, widowmakers, and other scud patterns have been good droppers. Brassies were reported to have been very productive the last several days as well as yellow eggs. Midge hatches have been good on warm days, few baetis, but decent hatches on cloudy days.

Texas hole down, still fishing a little better from the boat but productive wade fishing can be found around lower flats and lunker alley. Primarily same bugs as above but add a few PTs and midge emergers. Fish in this section of the river are definitely grouped up. Once you find them, stay on them. The bait water section of the river has been fishing better but needs a little better hatches to really turn this section on.

Overall crowds have been very low (with the exception on Martin Luther King weekend). Weather has been incredible, 50and 60 degrees all last week. Don't miss out on all the great winter fishing still left and exceptional spring hatches.

Dam - T-hole:

• buggers: olive and brown
• leaches: ginger and gray
• worms: white, brown, and burnt orange
• midges:  brown, black midge emergers 24
• PT
• scud
• red larva 18-24

T-hole down same as above but add:

• WD40
• RS2 gray and black
• choc foam wing
• red hot
• pink panther
• spectra yellow egg

Have a great winter. Hope your all staying warm back east! Chris

December 15 - January 3, 2002

Wow where did last year go.... Seems like yesterday that I was doing the first report for 2002 and now its 2003!

Most of this reports information is from our guides as I was out of town for the holidays home to Michigan to see my parents then a little R&R in Key west with two days of fishing the flats. I love salt water fishing but I HATE how much the weather can screw up the fishing! Us trout guides have it easy on the Juan, as the weather will slow things down but you still always get fish...

Fishing over all has been very good to great!! Wade fishing yesterday (2nd) was very good in the areas above Thole with worms red larva and foamwings. Sight fishing is a little harder now since the water is off color but still worth a shot. Deep slow pools have also been very good but try a few more buggers and leaches here. I would have to guess that red and orange will be the color as well as worms and eggs for a few more week, as the water is off color. But be sure to try a few of the normal smaller natural color emergers and pupa, the fish can see them! Over all the health and weight of the fish this past year was impressive! I sent more photos to the taxidermist that we work with this year then ever before! The week before I took off had a client land a 20/14" trout, not huge but with a girth like that well worth a mount! I'm sure his wife will love the mount in her office!

T-hole down has also been fishing well, but this section always seems to fish better from a boat in winter. Guides on floats the last 2 weeks of 2002 reported some of the best fishing in the past month and a half. Leeches and buggers or worms were the ticket, but guides also reported a slow down on the worms the first few days in Jan... PTs and red larva will almost always find fish in the deep slow pools of this section. Less people in this area all winter so give it a shot!

As far as the bait water I don't have much to report, streamers have been working well in this area..

We are posting the list of gear were selling on my site check it out and get some good gear at a good price...

Hope everyone had a good holiday season and that all that gear that Santa got you goes to good use SOON! Happy new year, hope to see you on the river soon........

Chris

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