Our goal at Fly Fish the San Juans is to expand your knowledge of fly fishing through innovative teaching techniques and reasonable pricing while maintaining the utmost professionalism in sharing our fly fishing techniques with our clients. Our fly fishing guides in Durango, Colorado have years of experience on both the Animas and San Juan rivers and can show you the best techniques to land trophy fish.
In addition to great fly fishing guides, we also offer fly fishing classes, casting lessons and fly tying classes. No matter if you live in Durango year round or are just visiting, our friendly and knowledgable staff can take your fly fishing to the next level!
Check our Fishing Report page for the latest fishing report on the Animas in Durango, Colorado, or the San Juan in Northern New Mexico.
May Fishing Forecast
Spring run off is in full swing on our rivers in south west Colorado, but this does not mean that there is no where to fish. The San Juan below Navajo Dam is the model of consistency and offers great fishing year around. The BWO hatch has been getting better as the spring progresses, so keep an eye out for these bugs from the Texas Hole down. If you see only a few flying around try an RS2 fished 2-3 ft below the surface because you would be surprised by the volume of bugs below the surface. When there is no significant mayfly hatch the usual selection of midge patterns will take fish. A rig with a midge pupa as the point fly trailed by a midge larva will get you consistent hook ups above the Texas Hole. Below the Texas Hole, you can add a BWO nymph with either of the previously mentioned bugs. The Bureau of Reclamation has set the date for high water on the Juan which will begin on the 14th of this month and last till the 24th. The flow will return to 500 cfs if the Animas is running full or to 1000 cfs if the Animas is below average flow.
The Animas will be hit or miss depending on flows this month. There is not a lot of snow pack left in the drainage, so it is a little hard to predict what is going to happen this month. We could be fishing the caddis hatch by the end of this month or still be in the middle of rafting season. Flow should not be the determining factor when deciding to fish the Animas instead look for the clarity of the water. If the water is a shade of green or blue give it a try. Caddis and Crane fly larva bounced along the bottom in areas where structure breaks the current are good bets to take fish. Stripping your favorite streamer in the same areas will also produce some takes. With the lower snow pack and flows look for the hatches to start a little early this year, so keep an eye out.
As of this writing there is no planned high water for the Dolores. Flows will bump up to 60 cfs in May and be at summer levels 70 cfs by June. The Dolores is usually the first place to fish terrestrials in our area, so make sure you bring this box when planning a trip here. Midges, BWOs, and sculpins should round out you fly selection on the Dolores this month.
Pastorius reservoir is fishing very well right now and gives angler another option when area rivers are not fishable. Streamers and damsel fly nymphs will take fish when none are rising. If there is no wind in the evening the midge hatch is bringing a lot of fish to the surface. Do not be surprised when your 6x get snapped of because there are some big fish in Pastorius.
If you need to stock up on fishing supplies this spring check out Gardenswartz Sporting Goods on main street. They have everything you need to be successful on the water for the entire season.
