Winter MIDGE Fly Fishing On the San Juan River Tailwater for Trout - McFly Angler Episode 3

If you haven't ever fly fished the quality waters on the San Juan River in New Mexico, you are missing out. Trout are everywhere, and its difficult not to hook a few. The problem there though is that your best bet for hooking trout is with small midges in the 28-32 size verity. Also you need to use really light tippet like 6x. Flourocarbon is best. Because the river is fished quite heavily, the trout come accustom to knowing what is a fly, and what is not, so you need to fish really light. These are not small trout, and therefor its difficult to bring them in. The small hooks rip out of their mouths, and the light tippet snaps when you put any pressure on the fish. Fighting a large trout can take you 10-20 minutes before getting it in, and by that time you have lots of chances to loose them.
I hooked 3 good sized trout on this trip, and brought in 2 of them. The 3rd one I lost never got on camera due to my batteries dying. This trip was a tough trip though even though I landed a few fish because I was struggling to get bites. I only had 3 hit all day, and I was lucky enough to bring in 2. Finally the hunt for the San Juan River trout is over, and I can move onto another river in my next series of fishing rivers.
Some would consider the San Juan to be more of a creek as its not very wide, but there are spots that are very wide and those places are slow and shallow, but there are big trout all throughout this river. I landed 2 fish, and hooked a 3rd on this trip. That third fish was just too big, and too strong to bring in. I lost him about 2 feet from landing him in the net. All around a great day fishing.
The first time I fished the San Juan must have been a once in a blue moon trip because I landed 20+ trout in about one hour. This river is considered one of the best in the United States, however its not quite like some of these rivers you see in New Zealand. There are lots of people, and its not so remote and secluded feeling. However its a great river still none the less.
Here is a list of the gear I was using and links to where you can buy them.
TFO Lefty Kreh Pro Series II 9' 5wt amzn.to/2ortSpZ-
Sage 2250 reel - amzn.to/2orw54K
Rio Mainstream WF5F Line - amzn.to/2orn3Vr
Simms G3 waders - amzn.to/2orheYe
Simms Vapor Boot - www.simmsfishi...

[@karldunphy17]

Ah yes, the foam line is the key to current lines and often demarks areas where slacked water meets slightly faster. That's where they'll hold alright and often when there's colour to the water they go deep. I catch ninety percent of my trout right on the river bed with very small tungsten head nymphs. Thanks for the info and the prompt response. Keep em coming. We can learn so much from watching and listening to others. The real beauty of fly fishing is that there is always something new to learn and discover

[@McFlyAngler]

Yeah right? Honestly Ive only been fly fishing on rivers for a short time... About 2 years... I did a lot of saltwater fishing and warm water (lake fishing). The trout thing is kinda new to me. Im always up to learn from others. Especially a kind old man that was pulling them in more then anyone else on the river. I watched others maybe get one or two every hour, he was getting one every cast almost! He pulled in like 6 while I was standing there for 10 minutes... It was nuts! HAHA Yes, no matter how long you have been fishing, someone always knows more, and you would be a fool not to listen to others on how to catch them. Thats how I always feel. The humble fisherman gets the correct info in my opinion...

[@uciphd]

I really enjoy your videos, McFly. You do a great job of vlogging your experiences with some refreshing, honest commentary. We fishermen may not always want to admit it, but all of us have been in those situations before and felt the same frustrations. I like that you not only show the fish landed, but also the moments the other ones got away. I was right there with you when you left your polarized sunglasses in the car, snagged your vest, tried everything you could but just couldn't get a bite, or just had to keep fishing even though your shoulder was killing you. This is real fishing. I fished the San Juan years ago with good success, and your videos sure brought back some great memories. Keep up the good work!

[@McFlyAngler]

+uciphd thanks man! I'm you understand what I'm trying to do with my videos. As a kid I used to watch all the fishing shows. I loved them, couldn't get enough... but sometimes I'd watch and think "holy crap these people are just too good, I could never be that good". But my favorite show was of one old man that would show everything. He would fall off his bass boat, hook his finger, and even some days have a less than super productive day. Of course some days he did amazing. That guy was bill dance. It was fun, and entertaining. It was also informative. But it left you thinking that you could do it also. This is what I wanted to do with my channel. I don't want to film multiple days and just make a highlight reel, I want it to be real. Thanks for watching! Viewers like you are why I make my channel. God bless!

[@yehudafisher3896]

i realize I'm quite randomly asking but do anyone know a good site to stream new series online?

[@marshallkairo6608]

@Yehuda Fisher flixportal :D

[@yehudafisher3896]

@Marshall Kairo thank you, I went there and it seems to work =) I really appreciate it!

[@marshallkairo6608]

@Yehuda Fisher happy to help =)

[@aaronfullwiler631]

Seems like a great winter fishery. Your a lucky man to have such great water to fish mid winter. Here in Oregon our trout streams are mainly blown out till May. Makes watching you catch fish all the more enjoyable. Tight lines!

[@McFlyAngler]

Glad you liked it! Yeah, quite lucky I know.

[@flyfishingvet11b12]

nice fish bud. good to see the passion of sticking to it and determination to get one.

[@McFlyAngler]

Ha! Thanks! Yeah if I don't have determination then I really have nothing. LOL As its become pretty apparent I am not the most skilled trout fisherman, however I am learning. Cant wait to get back to the ocean and do some redfish fly fishing video's.

[@flyfishingvet11b12]

Mc. Fly Lures for sure. I hope to have some of my fly videos up when the snow and ice get out of here. I get to live my fishing thew KZbin right now. can't wait to see the ocean videos.

[@McFlyAngler]

THanks! Yeah, this is a mild winter, not sure if we will get much ice... Hope to keep fishing through the winter. If not, I will have to take some trips back to the Texas Gulf and fish for some redfish soon! HAHA

[@flyfishingvet11b12]

Mc. Fly Lures I need to make it down there someday. if ya ever make it to Oregon hit me up and I'll take ya out on some nice rivers in central Oregon.

[@McFlyAngler]

Sweet! ill keep that in mind

[@redshaftedflicker]

Pre-front. I've done well on those days for both trout and bass. Nice job on those roll casts and saving that shoulder. I hope that you heal up soon! My hat is off to you fishing the super small stuff. Nice chunky 'bows, wtg out there!

[@McFlyAngler]

Yeah there are some nice fish out there for sure!

[@huntingicon]

Congratulations! Another great video. What a stunning backdrop

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks! Yeah its a pretty place isn't it?

[@jhen8633]

Very nice video and great looking fish!

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks! Yeah he wasn't beat up like some of them are on the river. Since its catch and release only, many of them have busted up mouths. Luckily my two were pretty fresh! HAHA

[@eriesteelheadangler9614]

Pls keep making these vids of you fishing... Luv them

[@McFlyAngler]

Glad you like them! Please share with your friends.

[@WesternPaFlyFisher]

Another nice video. I'm having pretty good luck with small olive streamers here in Western Pa. catching Rainbows and Brook Trout. Not much luck with small terrestrials. Keep the videos coming and I'll keep watching. Thanks for keeping it real.

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks! Yeah, I fish a streamer here a lot also, but the last few weeks they haven't been wanting to hit them. I think cause they are deeper, and I haven't brought any sink tip lines for them. I should next time I go... Just its expensive to keep buying new lines! HAHA

[@WesternPaFlyFisher]

I still use float tip but just use about 5' of 4lb fluorocarbon for tippet (with a 9' fluorocarbon leader) and a streamer with a small bead. I'll count to 5 before I start retrieving as it floats down stream. Just my opinion, I wouldn't spend money on sink tip unless you plan to fish a deeper lake where you are trying to fish the bottom.

[@McFlyAngler]

The places I fish a streamer are a good 5-15 feet deep in fast to medium water. Its impossible to get down deep enough without a sink tip. I have better luck getting deep in a lake with no water. There is one spot that is slow moving water that I fish but its a good 20 feet deep I think. Texas hole is very deep. You really need a very long leader, or a sink tip. I have caught in the summer there without, since the trout come up higher. But in the winter they are holding very deep, so I have trouble getting deep enough for them.

[@galeysprimetime1115]

Nice work. Looking forward to the next.

[@McFlyAngler]

+Galey's Prime Time thanks! 2 weeks and you will see the Animas river... already filmed, need to finish editing and uploading.

[@the4twenti]

Nice catch!!! 🎣

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks

[@dalehilltopfarm]

My favorite stream. Nice post!

[@McFlyAngler]

Thank you! Yeah, I love the San Juan. Stop by "Float n Fish" and say hi next time your down.

[@davidwhite4266]

Really enjoy your videos, I will be in your area in July to Fish!!! Keep it up.

[@McFlyAngler]

+David White sweet, well maybe I will see you out there, thanks for the nice words

[@willstargate4381]

Pretty Cool! Congrats! Way to stay with it!

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks Will!

[@simonsmed6515]

Nice vid dude ! allways fun to watch. congrats on the fish from Danmark 👍

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks! :)

[@m40_kid70]

glad to see one in the net finally

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks! Me too! HAHA

[@robhelmhout4668]

great video man! good to see you got one!! gr rob

[@McFlyAngler]

+Rob Helmhout thanks!

[@lets_fish_already_9345]

You probably know way more than me but mad river outfitters has a lot of tips and tricks for fly fishing

[@McFlyAngler]

Awesome man

[@highaf_fishingtv420]

Hey McFLY! Love the videos. Great job on the editing and narration!

[@McFlyAngler]

Thank you

[@bigpapi3636]

Well done McFly! Good technique as well. I try to start out big, #12-16 and then go smaller or use a large anchor fly and a smaller second fly on the dropper. Regardless, well done and congratulations. Take care of that wing!

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks Robert! Have you tried fishing this river before? They literally watch size 20 float right by them. I wish they would hit larger, but it is what it is. Ill try to keep nursing the shoulder, its feeling better and better every day! :)

[@ericmatthewkeenan1986]

awesome video.

[@McFlyAngler]

+ERIC MATTHEW KEENAN thanks Eric!

[@davidcollins4207]

Very nice video

[@McFlyAngler]

Thank you David!

[@joemarquez1201]

Nice job bro

[@McFlyAngler]

+Joe Marquez thanks!

[@whitehairal4430]

Awesome video! Always wanting to fish the San Juan, soon though. Try some Flash, like Rainbow Warriors in that colored water.

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks! Yeah I usually will throw out stuff with flash when the water turns. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@RGJR02]

Awesome video. Yeah usually bb's don't work there.

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks man! :) BB's? Sorry for not knowing the term...

[@RGJR02]

I had the same problems when I first went there. You usually keep your indicator way up the line also even in shallow water.

[@medtech1a]

Great fishing.

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks! :)

[@rileymurphy8329]

How do you cast with split shots, every time I do, the loop either tails or splashes hard in the water in a horrible cast.

[@McFlyAngler]

I rarely overhand cast actually. It’s mostly roll casting. And even there it takes some practice for sure! Haha

[@4xangler505]

Another great vid! I too love the Juan, but like you, I find it very tricky at times. What was the advice the "kind man" next to you gave you?

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks man! Yeah the san Juan is great, and yes, very tricky at times! The advice was basically to fish the "foam" slick at texas hole. Its deep and slow, so I wasn't finding current, but the foam slick indicates current. Also, fish super deep, like 4-6 feet below my indicator with a very small midge (like usual).

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

That "getting weeds off fly" segment is 1000% the Provo river from August to January....maybe longer.

[@McFlyAngler]

Lol yeah for sure, some times of the year it can be a challenge to keep your fly clean.

[@naterks203854]

Quick tip play the fish upstream and let it just drift downstream to your net :)

[@McFlyAngler]

Isn't that what I did? LOL

[@305Tato]

Awesome man

[@McFlyAngler]

+Gilbert Bory thanks

[@ixgrubxi]

Great vid. For streamers lose the floating line and go with a sink tip fly line. Teeny 200 is perfect for that water. My guess is that streamer was going right over the fish's heads.

[@McFlyAngler]

+Ix GRUB xI M well I got stuck on the bottom... lol so I might have been deep enough huh? but yes I need a sink tip for sure. Just funds are tight so, I gotta save up. :)

[@dantheman7624]

Correction to turn over. The top water cools and gets more dense than sinks to the bottom of the lake stiring up the merky waters. Untill the weather starts to stay above 39 degrees we will have cloudy water in the river.

[@McFlyAngler]

+dantheman7624 thanks for the clarification. Like I said I wasn't 100% sure on the exact process. I was just going off of what a few people have told me. Also trying to reiterate it becomes like the telephone game right? Ha ha

[@owenbaum3202]

hey i love your vids and if you can do a video fly fishing on the guadalupe for rainbows and browns it would be awesome btw the river is in texas in new braunfels

[@McFlyAngler]

I know the Guadalupe, I used to live in San Antonio. The problem is I live very far from there, and when I do go back and visit the area, I am going to corpus and doing some redfish fishing. But maybe I can try to spend a day on the Guadalupe on my next trip there.

[@owenbaum3202]

McFly Angler I fly fish for reds a lot in Galveston and I know a guide in new braunfels His company is called lone star fly fishing. You should look him up he’s a pretty cool guy

[@McFlyAngler]

Yeah. There was a guy that invited me on a guided redfish trip the last time I went to corpus. I thought that was pretty cool of him. He is a subscriber to my channel. But it never seemed to work out. I will check him out at one point when I am making the trip back down. It probably won't be till mid to late next year.

[@iaov]

I'm heading to the San Jaun next month!!

[@McFlyAngler]

Sweet! Good luck! Maybe I will see you out there.

[@iaov]

I'll be there by the 8th...am staying to fish for a month....I really hope we can wet a line together bro ...I very much have enjoyed watching your efforts.....couple more days!!!

[@McFlyAngler]

Sweet! Well I will be out there Tuesday or Wednesday, not sure which day yet. If you see me, say hi! :) But fair warned, you will be in the video that day! HAHA

[@jarettlawther5531]

nice job

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks! :)

[@bassknuckleskid1374]

Nice vid you should do a video with Tyler's reel fishing

[@McFlyAngler]

+Bass Knuckles kid what reel is that? Are you talking about the maverick that was on the last video? I haven't purchased one yet so I haven't fished it. Soon I'll get one, but I don't have a ton of money at the moment to make a purchase. Even though it's a good deal for sure!

[@bassknuckleskid1374]

Mc. Fly Lures no he is a KZbinr that live in Texas

[@McFlyAngler]

Oh you mean do a joint video with a guy name tyler that has a youtube channel called "tyler's reel fishing"? Oh ok, I've never heard of him but would love to fish with the guy. However I live kinda far from Texas. Maybe some time in the future for sure!

[@johnkinsfather6369]

What did the old guy, who was catching fish, tell you to do differently? John K

[@McFlyAngler]

The advice was basically to fish the "foam" slick at texas hole. Its deep and slow, so I wasn't finding current, but the foam slick indicates current. Also, fish super deep, like 4-6 feet below my indicator with a very small midge (like usual).

[@karldunphy17]

Hey there, really enjoy your videos but you left something important out. What was the old man's secret? It will not benefit me in any way. I live in Ireland and know I will never have the chance to fish the legendary San Juan. I'm just curious and one never knows if an idea from somewhere else will inspire you on a dour day on your home waters. Thanks for sharing your experience and your flies

[@McFlyAngler]

Sorry, I should have said what it was... He told me to fish a midge deep (like 4-6 feet below my indicator) and with a heavy weight. Its slow moving water at that one spot, so I was fishing a light weight, but he said to go heavier. Then he also told me to fish the bubble slick (more like foam really). There are a few bubbles on the top of the water that travel in a line. He said that is where the actual current is, since its really slow moving water like a lake, there is still some current under the water, and the bubbles tell you where that is.

[@italiantroutaholic8926]

you can know have a really good beer.

[@McFlyAngler]

Yes, it was a really good beer. Also, being tired and hungry didnt hurt the flavor either! But I've been there before, and they do have amazing beer for sure!

[@modernflyfisher5091]

nice man

[@McFlyAngler]

Thanks! :)

[@PonyFoot123]

I hate losing flies!

[@McFlyAngler]

Does anyone like it? HAHA Yeah it sucks...

[@kennethewald1189]

San Juan worm?

[@McFlyAngler]

+Kenneth Ewald even though the San Juan worm was invented at this river I personally don't like fishing it here. I think cause the fish see that fly all the time, and therefor know it's a fly if that makes sense? I think they probably all have been hooked by one at one point in their lives.

[@kennethewald1189]

True. I saw a neat lure last summer at the Ozarks National Scenic Riverway fishing lodge. Didn't buy one, but it is a wooly bugger with a small spinner in front. They have trout there also.

[@Meh-hr7gq]

Next time think 7X tippet and size 26 or smaller midges. Crazy I know but that’s what that river fishes.

[@McFlyAngler]

Please watch my other videos

[@Meh-hr7gq]

@@McFlyAngler hell, I will do you one better. I will subscribe and watch them! 😉

[@Meh-hr7gq]

@@McFlyAngler I don’t know where your from but also do a video to Broken Bow Oklahoma if you have not. Nice little fishery. Summer is not the best. 👍🏻

[@Meh-hr7gq]

Here’s another little tip while I’m thinking about it. Order some flies from Andy Kim. He’s probably the best guide on the San Juan but personality is…….let’s say different. The AK 47 in summer is amazing. Andys Candy is also amazing along with his blondie. He’s way to find and sells his flies. He’s no joke one of the best. I fished with him once but he is loved and hated.

[@McFlyAngler]

Cool thanks for subscribing.

[@kennethewald1189]

If you just tore it via activity, I guess it'll heal by itself. Mine got ripped by bone spurs from Arthritis. Surgeon remove the spurs and re-attached 3 tendons to the bone. Eight weeks after surgery I'm going into the next phase of therapy.

[@McFlyAngler]

+Kenneth Ewald I'm sorry about your shoulder, yeah unfortunately I tore mine by rolling over in bed of all things... lol. I'm out of shape I guess.. I never went to the doc though, but from what it feels like it's probably a torn rotator cuff. The pain is on the front part of the shoulder. I felt a rip that night and heard it as well.

[@kennethewald1189]

If that's all that happened, then I'd say it likely you have bone spurs. Tearing a tendon requires lots more stress than that unless bone spurs are cutting it. Go get it checked out! Believe me, my sister-in-law didn't do anything about hers and now she can't raise her arms.

[@McFlyAngler]

Well I couldn't raise my arm for like a week after the injury. But now I can. I cannot go directly back though (like on a cast) without some tension, but luckily I can do it, and it only hurts slightly. It could be a bone spur, I really don't know. But it wasn't like I didnt put stress turning over. My kid was sleeping in bed with my wife and I because the weather was cold. (our heater wasn't working properly). And I had like 1 inch of bed space. So when I turned, I had to lift my whole body up and turn on one arm. The motion put some major stress on the arm and I heard it tear. I also had been doing more then normal amount of pushups the day before, and I was already sore. However yes, I should probably go to a doctor, just our insurance sucks, and doctors are expensive. Also, I really hate going to doctors! HAHA

[@fernandomiron7557]

🐧❄

[@McFlyAngler]

Yes, it was too cold... HAHA

[@kennethewald1189]

That dropper rig should work just fine. I've got a different type of flotation - check out www.strikeindicator.com/.

[@McFlyAngler]

+Kenneth Ewald yeah I try to go with the simplistic method... however I might be looking into a different type that is less noticeable.

[@ericmatthewkeenan1986]

suck it up and fish lol..

[@McFlyAngler]

+ERIC MATTHEW KEENAN yeah I think that's what I was doing. Ha ha

[@ericmatthewkeenan1986]

Lol..

[@colebee6084]

Give me back my fly

[@McFlyAngler]

?

[@colebee6084]

McFly Angler yup..I lost that fly in that fish

[@McFlyAngler]

Oh you did? When?

[@colebee6084]

Just teasing mcfly but it is possible..I always hook big fish right there and lose some flys

[@McFlyAngler]

Finders keepers losers weepers.... lol.