San Juan River, New Mexico
Quality Waters below Navajo Dam — World-class midge fishing in New Mexico's high desert
The San Juan River below Navajo Dam in Northwestern New Mexico is one of the most productive trout fisheries in the United States, producing an almost incomprehensible 15,000 fish per mile in the designated Quality Waters section. This 4-mile stretch of catch-and-release water below the dam represents the finest tailwater midge fishing accessible from the Four Corners region.
Like Lees Ferry on the Colorado, the San Juan's extraordinary productivity is entirely dependent on the dam. Cold releases from the bottom of Navajo Reservoir maintain water temperatures between 36°F and 45°F year-round, creating habitat so productive that fish grow from fingerlings to trophy size in just 2–3 years. Rainbows averaging 18–22 inches are the norm in the Quality Waters section, with fish over 26 inches caught regularly.
The river is a specialist's paradise for midge fishing. Tiny flies — sizes 22 through 28 — are the standard, and anglers who have honed their small-fly technique on rivers like the Provo or Green will find the San Juan a natural next step. BWO hatches from October through April provide the best dry fly opportunities, and the river's large fish rising to size 20 and smaller emergers is a genuine sight to behold.
The San Juan sits at 5,500 feet elevation near Navajo Dam, New Mexico — accessible from Albuquerque (3 hours), Durango (1.5 hours), or Farmington (30 minutes). Year-round access and mild desert winters make it a favorite destination when Utah and Colorado rivers are iced over.
Texas Hole — Primary Access
The most famous and most-fished section of the Quality Waters. Flat, slow water that holds enormous concentrations of fish. Walk from the Texas Hole parking area. Gets crowded on weekends.
Quality Waters — Upper Section
Walk downstream from the dam via the river trail. Faster water with more holding structure. Slightly less pressure than Texas Hole.
Below Quality Waters — Runs Zone
Below the 4-mile Quality Waters section, harvest is permitted. Fish are smaller but action can be faster. Good option when Quality Waters is crowded.
Rainbow Trout
Dominant species in astounding numbers. The Quality Waters section holds an estimated 15,000+ fish per mile. Fish averaging 18–22 inches with true trophies over 26 inches present.
Brown Trout
Less numerous but significantly larger on average. Some of the largest brown trout in New Mexico are caught in the San Juan. Most active during early morning and late evening.
The San Juan requires microscopic flies fished on fluorocarbon tippet of 6x or 7x. Carry a magnifying glass for knot-tying.
Texas Hole fish are the most educated on the river — work the less-obvious riffles and current seams below for more willing fish.
Winter fishing is excellent and often uncrowded. Blue-Winged Olive hatches are strongest in cold, overcast conditions from November through March.
San Juan Worms and red larva patterns consistently outproduce everything else sub-surface — don't be too proud to use them.
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