San Juan Quality Waters
Most of our float trips take place just below the reservoir in the quality water section located in Navajo Lake State Park. This trip covers about 3.5 miles on full and 1/2 days. This section is world renown for technical trout that eat specific fly patterns often times the size of a pinhead. Size 18 to 30 hooks are common practice on this incredible fishery.

San Juan Lower River
Lower river floats cover 14 river miles of public and private water. This section is perfect for the dry fly enthusiast. Most fish down stream of the public water are wild and untouched. Angling pressure is low due to limited access on this mostly private fishery. The absence of people and a good number of browns to a dry fly make this a wonderful float. Lower river San Juan floats offer the angler the chance to fish larger fly patterns including hoppers, caddis and PMDs. Streamer fishing can also be productive on this section in the spring and fall.

Year-round Season
Here at Animas Valley Anglers we believe a little snow and sleet shouldn't keep one off the water, making the San Juan float season in the Quality Waters year-round. However, most days in the winter are sunny and calm with temps in the mid 40's to lower 50's. Summer temps will be in the 90's, but with a slight breeze off the water it feels a lot cooler. The lower river fishes well from March through October.

The Trout
The consistent and stable environment created by the damn make the San Juan one of the top five tail water fisheries in the country when it comes to fish-per mile. Each little run, riffle and pool is chalk full of browns, rainbows and cut-bows. The trout average between 16 and 18 inches and every year the occasional 30 incher makes in to the net. Massive carp also live in the shallow back waters of the river and can make for great sport on the fly.

Catch rates
The San Juan is a fish factory. From the dam down through the lower river one can expect many opportunities at trout on the fly. 20 fish per rod, per boat is common. Keep in mind however, that these fish are large, strong fighting fish and they can be a real challenge to land on a #28 midge pupa. Not all of the monsters we hook make it to the net for a photo!