DRY FLY fishing the San Juan River - McFly Angler Episode 56

I have said many times that the San Juan River is not a dry fly river. And for the most part this is true. I mean you can catch fish on the dry, but usually you have better luck nymphing. However there are times that this is reversed like this time. Usually its when the sky is overcast, and occasionally with light rain, you will get some epic hatches. I mean, there is always midges out and about, but not too many larger fish are going to spend the effort to move to a single tiny midge. However when small BWO hatches happen, or the midge hatch is so thick there are clusters of them on the surface, the fish will start coming to the surface. When you see this, you might have one of the best times of your life fishing! Throw on a small dry fly and have at it. A better combo than I had on this trip would have been a Griffiths knat dropped to the small matts midge. The matts midge is a great imitator of a single midge, and the Griffiths imitates clusters off midges. It would be nearly impossible to see the single matts midge though with a cast further than a couple feet, so the Griffiths or some other indicator type fly is needed.
Here are the flies that I was using on this trip, and links to videos on how to tie them.
Matts Midge - • CDC Dry Fly Midge - Ti...
Olive/Gold Chernobyl Ant - • Chernobyl Ant - No exp...
Black Parachute Madam X - • PMX (Parachute Madam X...
Also here is a list of gear I used on this trip.
Rod: Custom 10' 3wt wrapped by midwest custom fly rods - www.midwestcust...
Reel: 4/5wt Piscifun Sword 2 - amzn.to/2NNOZQ2
Line: 4wt Rio LT DT (double taper) - amzn.to/2PDYH86
Sling Pack: Fishpond Summit - amzn.to/2PFutld
Rio Powerflex + leader - amzn.to/2Q9MoBx
Rio Flouroflex + Tippet - amzn.to/2NTuf9H
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ My Fly Boxes! ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Thin magnet and foam insert boxes - www.ebay.com/i...
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ My Shirts! ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Check out my shirts for sale on Amazon! Your purchase will help keep my channel going, and also provide you with excellent fishing apparel at a great price!
Hooded - amzn.to/2yDwTuO
Non-hooded - amzn.to/2yvSsyn
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Follow Me on Social! ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Facebook: / mcflytier
Instagram: / mcflyangler
Twitter: / mcflyangler
#sanjuanriver #flyfishing #dryfly #dryflyfishing #fishing #rainbow #trout #river #newmexico #newmexicofishing #4corners #fourcorners #mcflyangler #monster #monstertrout #monsterfish #fish

[@bigpapi3636]

Nice day on the water. It's always a special time when they're rising for dry flies! Thanks for the cool video.

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks man! Yeah I would far rather catch one small trout on a dry fly then a whole bunch on nymph

[@FlyFishingTexan]

Thanks for the video. Especially sharing what you are throwing, that is always nice and helpful.

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks man! Yeah I’ve been trying to include that. :)

[@KOKO-FLY]

I love San Juan river...there are some areas that are really good....my top favorites place for trout fishing...actually better than most fishing spots in Utah....Hopefully be returning soon again ...this month 👍

[@McFlyAngler]

Yeah it’s a good place for sure!

[@wesleyarmstrong5703]

Thanks for the new video! My cousin is the SW Colorado area and has hit the Conejos, Piedra, and upper San Juan and said it has been slow. He also hit Williams Creek below the reservoir but said its shockingly low. Think I'll give him the tip for the San Juan below the dam.

[@McFlyAngler]

The San Juan is always decent. I mean I’ve had a few bad days but not often. Usually the worst part is that it’s so crowded. But usually it’s not the best with dry fly, and yes this day was on it’s way to a skunk type day, but luckily they started rising. Wouldn’t touch the nymphs but hit dries only for me. Go figure! Hahaha. Not always the case.

[@thebrewerelkpursuit7863]

Thank you for thinking about my safety. The offer I made still stands. Hope to see you on the river

[@McFlyAngler]

:). No problem man! Thanks a bunch! :)

[@Alaskahuntr]

Fished Conejos a couple weeks back, but going to San Juan soon! Thanks for the awesome video!

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks for the comment man! So how was the conejos?

[@Alaskahuntr]

Awesome! We caught several over 20" mostly on dry fly patterns. Really good time.

[@justinmcquaide4862]

Great video love caching on small dries !! Thanks for sharing

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks! :). I used that Matt’s midge the whole time, works good there...

[@rockymountaintrout2689]

Nice video. I saw a pretty big dead fish at the bottom of the river, so sad to see them not getting released properly😓

[@McFlyAngler]

It happens. 100’s of people fish that river a day. Bound to have one or two. It is sad, but even people who release fish perfectly, sometimes fish just die. It happens.

[@McFlyAngler]

Hey TheBrewerElkPursuit, I noticed you commented. However you put your email in the comment and the world could see that. Just trying to help keep ya safe, so I deleted it. Say hi again without the email, and we can find a way to get ahold of each other. :).

[@THESPORTINGCAMP]

Thanks for another great video.

[@McFlyAngler]

🙂 glad you liked it! Thanks for watching! :)

[@medtech1a]

Great video of the fishing of the San Juan. I haven’t been there in a while. I was fishing the Pecos last week and I did pretty good.

[@McFlyAngler]

What was working at pecos? I’d love to be able to come down and fish that way. It’s just so far from me

[@medtech1a]

Hula damsel nymph worked great.

[@medtech1a]

I will be at Lake Roberts next week but I will be heading back to the Pecos the following week.

[@McFlyAngler]

Nice! Yeah ok so those are some big nymphs! I’ll have to check it out!

[@medtech1a]

I’m 7 hours away and I travel all the way up tp the San Juan and beyond. I chase the trout where ever they hide.

[@Coastalfishes]

7:07 Anyone also notice the big rainbow swim by?

[@McFlyAngler]

I didn’t because there are tons of them through this river. It is good fishing but can be frustrating to see 22-28” fish swimming by your feet, and not be able to catch it. Lol

[@Coastalfishes]

Not gonna lie I would bring a handline and chuck an entire worm at one when it passes by me. One of those big trout would not be able to resist a juicy earthworm, even though it's not a fly.

[@McFlyAngler]

Oh well that would be illegal there. It’s a lure and single barbless hook only. That’s why there are still fish. Can’t keep any either.

[@Coastalfishes]

@@McFlyAngler Yeah I am not from there and would love to visit all day so I don't know the laws, bur I always check the laws of the body of water I will be fishing before I go.

[@McFlyAngler]

No worries, not a problem. I just was saying... LOL. Believe me, we have lots of people try to! Its hard to not want to with all those huge fish running around! :)

[@johnlopez1690]

Light rain or cloud cover is good for fishing the Juan. Have you tried a hopper there on sunny days yet?

[@McFlyAngler]

Yes, have had good luck with hoppers. And for sure, some of the best fishing I’ve done there is on raining, snowing or just cloudy days.

[@ptube86]

I'm headed up to Durango next week! Great video!

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks! Yeah Durango man, it’s amazing up this way. Just don’t fish hermosa or the animas. Both are shot right now since the fire

[@ptube86]

Thanks for the info man!

[@McFlyAngler]

No problem. Yeah I just hate to see people still fishing those rivers/creeks that were effected by fires. They arent going to be as productive, and also if there are still any fish alive, they will be really unhealthy. So if they get hooked, it could kill them even if you plan on releasing them. :)

[@ptube86]

Do have any recommendations

[@theoutdoorangler1173]

Been a while since I got some on dries, great fish man!

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks, yeah the stars kind of aligned On this one. Usually the San Juan is not the best dry fly river

[@highlandguy0128]

Love the work you put into your videos and you are a talented tyer (is that a word?). The few guys like you willing to put in so much work contribute greatly to the sport. However, in this case, you just convinced me to never fish the San Juan because I don't like fishing a mile stretch with 100 of my best friends. Is it always like that?

[@McFlyAngler]

It is very busy a lot. The only times I’ve been down there without a lot of people is when it’s raining hard or snowing. Maybe not always 100 people per mile, but Texas hole and kiddy hole do stack up usually. Through the braids and down river usually aren’t as busy... just FYI... but you probably won’t ever go to the Juan without seeing a few people. This is why I’ve been fishing a lot of the small creeks and streams near me. Less people... Thanks man, people really don’t realize how much work really goes into making this channel. I mean it’s all enjoyable work, but let’s be honest, it is more enjoyable to fish without a camera stuck to you 24/7. Hahahaha. But, I really do this to being more of the young crowd, and conventional fisherman, into the sport. Hopefully guide them into better fish handling skills without stressing them also. Of course I have my haters, that think I’m doing this all for the money, hahahahaha. If they only knew... but of course majority of people appreciate the channel, which it’s nice to hear once in a while from great individuals like yourself! Thanks again man! :)

[@highlandguy0128]

If you ever head towards Atlanta, let me know, endless water in the Blue Ridge range, and a lot fewer folks to do the San Juan shuffle!

[@McFlyAngler]

Oh thank you for the invitation. I do fish other places than the Juan. Check out my other videos where I am fishing small creeks. Many of those places you won’t see a person all day.

[@bobbertheclown2907]

is this in new Mexico? I'm going to be in the northern end of the state i a month or so. Any good spots that you know of? Thanks for the video.

[@McFlyAngler]

Yes this is also in the northern end of nm. It’s a good river go check it out.

[@MikeWitmerNatureJournal]

Dead fish on bottom? Nice video. What rod and line are you using? Wow, that place is sure busy with guide boats!

[@McFlyAngler]

Yeah, as I was fishing, I watched as one of the boats came over fighting a fish, held the thing up for pics for a few minutes then just threw him back in, literally tossed him. It kinda sputtered around for a minute than died. Kinda sad actually. Yes It is busy with guide boats. Crazy busy. And I won't name names, but some of the guides will literally pull right in front of you while you are fishing. Ive said something before, and they are like welllll. This is my living, find a new hole. It gets pretty bad. But what are you gonna do right? Cant swim out to them and fight. Well I guess you could, but not with waders on... That was a custom rod, made by "midwest custom fly rods". Its a 10' 3wt that I love using on this river. Tiny flies but big fish means that the extra length and light sensitive tip of the 3wt is helpful. Helps protect that light tippet and size 26 hooks from ripping out.

[@McFlyAngler]

Oh and the line is a 4wt Rio Double Taper. I upped the line weight since its a longer rod, and being a double taper it doesn't have a lot of up front weight. So that way I can still make casts shorter (under 20ft) but have that nice roll cast with the Double Taper, all the way out to sometimes 50ft. Pretty awesome for this river.

[@yeshuaadoneinu436]

okay what would be a higher level budget rod. im completely ignorant at fly fishing but i love to watch your videos ,and i want to get into into it. i realize there are different weights but what do i need to catch these trout since thats probably what i have the most access to

[@McFlyAngler]

5wt is probably a good place to start. I just received a full combo in the mail that has the rod, reel, and line all in it for $85 or so bucks. I plan on reviewing it soon. Give me a month or so for that review. It would be a decent rod for you to start with for sure.

[@yeshuaadoneinu436]

thank you i can afford the other stuff you mentioned but not a custom rod . also what vise are you using these days to tie midges is it different than what you use to tie other flies?

[@McFlyAngler]

Yeah that custom rod I think was $250 or so... but I highly recommend a TFO Lefty Kreh pro 2... great rod for about $170. In The last year or so I’ve been using a renzetti traveler 2000 series Vise and love it. Prior to getting this Vise I was using an Anvil Atlas. And before that it was a dina King non rotary, I forgot the name of the Vise. Anyway, I only use one Vise at a time. The renzetti is great for every fly size all the way up to around 2/0, then I find there is trouble at that point. But I love it for the other extreme and it’s the best I’ve owned for really tiny flies. Anyway I did a review on the renzetti, you should watch it if your interested in getting a Vise.

[@dennisongeorge1748]

Awesome.

[@McFlyAngler]

👍

[@isupportthecurrentthing5225]

Did you tie that midge off the hook bend of your dry fly? Or did you use a tag end

[@McFlyAngler]

Yeah I dropped it off the back end of my Chernobyl ant

[@apfroggy0408]

How is the San Juan as a DIY trip? I'll be heading out there mid October.

[@McFlyAngler]

DIY?

[@apfroggy0408]

@@McFlyAngler Do It Yourself, without a guide

[@McFlyAngler]

Oh I’ve never hired a guide there. You will have more fish probably with a guide but you should do well without. I mean I’ve been skunked before, but it’s rare. Just keep nymphing small (22-26) sized midge patterns. Zebras, rs2’s, etc... also small (18-22) red annelida work well also.

[@McFlyAngler]

Watch some of my other San Juan trips, it will show how the fishing is.

[@apfroggy0408]

@@McFlyAngler cool. I'm excited to explore the area just hope it's not too busy during the week

[@graemeferguson7679]

Is that a dead fish at 4:04?

[@McFlyAngler]

Yes, it’s the San Juan, sometimes fish die there. It’s so crowded, with so many people catching fish. Some people don’t practice good fish handling skills when releasing. I’ve seen a dozen or more dead fish in the years while fishing there. Bound to catch one on camera once in a while.

[@BUCKYWHEATS]

That crowd looks heinous. Jeez!

[@McFlyAngler]

That wasn’t too bad for the San Juan! Lol. But yes this is why I’ve been fishing the other places around me lately

[@babyboy21154]

How you do your tippett and fly line connections??

[@McFlyAngler]

Loop 2 loop

[@McFlyAngler]

Well leader to fly line... tippet to leader is a blood knot or triple surgeons.

[@babyboy21154]

@@McFlyAngler on loops 2 loops, how good are they?? Dont they usually catch on the rings on the rod??

[@bigbriontheflysouthwestren6949]

Cloudy is the key for dries on the Juan

[@McFlyAngler]

I agree!

[@jackboetjer3151]

is that river rather shallow

[@McFlyAngler]

It’s more shallow than usual, yes

[@lazetanqn]

9:00 Los dedos en las branquias, pez muerto

[@stewoutdoors3020]

Nice , very nice. I got to get out of Florida some day .👍

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks, yeah man! I need to get down that way for some tarpon also!

[@stewoutdoors3020]

@@McFlyAngler You and your family are always welcome here.

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks stew! Kind of you! I have yet to catch a tarpon, and the guys from freshsalt fishing go to Florida for tarpon all the time! I need to meet up with them! Haha

[@stewoutdoors3020]

@@McFlyAngler Im a long time friend and fly tier for Captain Jim Willis check him out at Mrtarpon.com.

[@McFlyAngler]

Cool, will do. Those are the only major Sport fish I think I’ve not caught. Lol.

[@austinmoorman1303]

Hey man, I dig your videos. If you could message me, I have tried to find a way to message you. I have some questions about this river if you could help me any I’m coming from Texas to fish it and need help!

[@McFlyAngler]

Find me on Instagram, KZbin doesn’t allow messaging anymore. Just message me on there

[@austinmoorman1303]

Okay will do

[@aaronmiller6118]

Do palomino trout

[@McFlyAngler]

Lol they don’t have them near me...

[@aaronmiller6118]

oh well

[@aaronmiller6118]

they're pretty.