Hi Joel, this post is two and a half years old. Thousands of pounds of catchable (10 inches plus) are stocked in the river annually. As water temperature remains fairly constant throughout the year due to the low release point from the dam, fish activity and insect activity continue during the winter months. We offer GO TO fly patterns that will entice trout throughout most of the states, not just on the San Juan River. The WD-40 is an emerging-midge pattern developed by John Engler on the Frying Pan, but it works almost anywhere there are midges. Simply the Best Place to go for Online Fly Fishing and Fly Tying. Learn to tie the RS2 with master tier Charlie Craven. When you reach that point, you've become more than just a confused bystander hoping to get lucky. Today I received this article from Orvis team published February 22, 2017 made 4 years ago Copyright 2023 DIY Fly Fishing, all rights reserved. Many people are fooled when they see this behavior and switch to a dry fly too early in the game. .2 .08 . Managing Menhaden: The Most Important Fish in the Sea, How to Mend, Set the Hook, and Strip Line, 2021 Fly Fisherman Father's Day Gift Guide, How to Remove Wind Knots and Snarls from Leaders and Tippet, Temps for Trout: How to Catch Fish that Behave Hot n Cold, midges have several life stages that both fly fishers and trout recognize, Costa Films Presents Hooked On: Bonefish, Pharmaceutical Pollution Threatens Florida's Shallow-Water Fish. Seriously though, this little midge pattern (yeah, we were talking about a midge pattern, you sicko) is one of the best flies you will ever buy. But, just so Im sure you get the right one, here is a link to buy one on DiscountFlies. But I would be happy to send each and every one of you pictures of each pattern if you would like. Look for the BOR parking and access signs along 511, youll scramble down an embankment on a switchback then hike a half mile through a wetlands area to the river. An injury and what seemed like the end of a career paved the way for a new passion. Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Tough to see on the water when fished alone, it is best fished trailing behind a slightly larger, more visible pattern, such as a Parachute Adams or Twilight Parachute Midge. If you plan on fishing the Taylor River or Gunnison any time soon, then you should stock your fly box with a few D-Midges in grey and red. The San Juan Angler . Easy to tie, easy to follow on the water and a perfect choice when the fish are picky. If you can master the tiny midge game in these waters youre going to be rewarded. Again, think small, size-22 BWO and size-24 Griffiths gnats. Whether you are fishing the Bighorn, the Missouri, or a tailwater elsewhere in the country, midges are among the most important hatches. Sometimes simple is best. Deal with it. A #22-#28 dry fly is impossible for me to see on the water, so I rarely even look for it. Give a Gift Was there last week. For the San Juan River, I generally fish a size 22-26 size midge pattern, but other rivers might allow for larger midges and therefor easier to tie and fish. A blend of feathers and dubbing, it's very streamlined. Midge pupae. The hatch chart is a general guideline and can vary based on water flow, temperature, and other factors. Smokejumper Midge. When will applications for continuing and priority enrollment be accepted? Hike up river a little ways to cross, the current is strong, but its not so deep you cant make it. Bling Midge - Duranglers Fly Fishing Shop & Guides So, for those days you cant spend on the water, this is yourFly Fishing Fix., This Site Was Developed By: RocketBlogger. When trout are taking these clumps, the Griffith's Gnat is the perfect imitation. You can catch fish on midge patterns, dry flies, annelids, eggs and streamer patterns. The best midge fishermen have great powers of observation and a meticulous, predatory approach to their angling. San Juan Unified School District, CA . The best imitations are nothing more than thread - twisted to create a segmented look - wrapped on a curved hook. End of April Fishing Report - San Juan River Fly Fishing I use improved clinch knots on the top fly because of the small knot size. Fishing can still be very good during discolored water conditions, you need to adapt your techniques to the conditions. Early in the day, you are likely to see more midge larvae than anything else. Just to help, I am an Orvis fun. If you ever hear a grown man talking about his Greenie Weenie, theres a good chance that hes about to put it in his palm and show it to you. Like most great guides James books up a year in advance, so dont delay. Dimensions. If youre looking for some adventure, upriver from Texas hole is an area called the Upper Flats. ", https://www.usbr.gov/uc/water/crsp/cs/nvd.html. The San Juan River is a true gem for fly fishing enthusiasts, offering a variety of environments and species to catch. The Griffith's Gnat has caught trout in these situations for decades and is probably the only midge pattern you can see on the water at any distance, which accounts for its great popularity with guides and their sports. Some are classics that may be familiar to you, and some are local secrets. Fall Fishing(September, October, November) I recommend a moveable yarn indicator or a small cork or foam indicator held in place with a toothpick. Ive never seen so many drift boats launched as quickly as on the San Juan. If you are serious about fishing midge hatches, your first course of action will be to sample what's in the water with a seine or a small aquarium net. San Juan Worm - Size 16 San Juan Worm size 16 The San Juan Worm is a great fly to pair with any nymph rig you're fishing. Guiderecommended.com and River Traditions LLC participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and others, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other companies." Unfortunately, with a daily blog featuring more than a decade of content, we cant keep track of all the links that change over time. Sorry about that. It can be done, but youll be crossing some sketchy areas only to find out its nearly impossible to get a decent drift, in the best water from wadable areas. Subscriber Services. Learn to tie the RS2 with master tier Charlie Craven. Things can change suddenly during a midge hatch, or combined midge hatches, especially on productive water where large trout have the luxury of targeting specific stages of specific insects. That's all I can tie in a #24 or smaller. A few burly sets of Perfect Rubber legs, a bit of soft hackle, a pinch or two of dubbing and you have a bug that brings a smile to your face. walk down the boat ramp take 10 steps up river and drop a midge pattern in the run about 20 feet out. The flash collar attracts fish, and also acts like a wing case. Just be sure to pay cash, and avoid talking about it over the phone; unless of course you are on a secure line. Landon Mayer | Illustrations by Joe Mahler. 2021 . Ju Jubee Midge. On a big river like the Colorado at Lee's Ferry or the Green River in spring, you'll want a 9-foot, 5-weight to reach distant water and control your line properly. We are putting out content just like this every week, and wed love to have you join in all the fly fishing banter. Midging For Trout - Fly Fisherman This pattern is an amalgam of the best aspects of many midge patterns on this list. Check with abes Fly shop on water quality before you go. Hook: TMC 101 size 22 Thread: Veevus 16/0 in Black The segmented body is similar to that of a natural, and the white Antron wing looks as close to the pupal wing buds as you can get. 15 Best Nymphs For Colorado (Heres What You Need), 9 Reasons Why You Should Buy A Fly Rod Roof Rack (Plus Our Top 2 Picks), 10 Best Flies For Brook Trout (Expert Angler Weighs In), 7 Killer Spots To Catch Brook Trout in Colorado, 7 Streamer Fishing Tips To Catch More Fish. The Gray Ghost. Sometimes when midges hatch, they ball up in a clump on the surface of the water. Most of my midge-fishing knowledge I learned from the people I consider to be the real experts on some of the most highly pressured waters in the Rocky Mountain West, but this information is effective everywhere there are midges and trout. Your purchase will help keep my channel going, and also provide you with excellent fishing apparel at a great price!Hooded - http://amzn.to/2yDwTuONon-hooded - http://amzn.to/2yvSsyn Follow Me on Social! Smokejumper(sizes 18 & 20) To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Situated near the eastern edge of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this prime destination for dry fly, You havent fished in the Southwest until you cast your like in New Mexicos waters. Sometimes youll seasonal spikes, especially in mid-summer. Those hackle tip wings are just killer. With their olive body and dark wings, the Morgans Midge can produce great results in a BWO hatch. Hi David Humphries Owner of Guide Recommended. Most of my fishing is on reservoirs sometimes desolate windy rough places, where buzzers come into their own. We love Mary in Charlotte !! This is a simple midge that is easy to tie, very durable, and works well at imitating a midge pupa ascending to the surface. I love casting medium-fast dry fly rods, so youll see me using my 9-foot, fiberglass 5-weight. There are stronger knots, but you usually have to pass the tippet through the eye of the hook twice, and that's not practical on a #24 midge pupa. An indicator that moves quickly and stays in place after you move it will make your day more enjoyable. During high flows it is best to fish only safely wade able areas or fish from a drift boat. The number of repeat customers over the past 9 years is a testament to the quality of our ties and customer service. Bryen Venema is thefly-shop manager and a guide at the Bighorn Angler in Fort Smith, Montana. The CDC Transitional Midge, created by Rene Harrop, is one of the most effective floatin-midge patterns of all time. It fishes well when tied in both olive and black. Thank you for visiting SanJuanRiverFlies.com. And learn why it's called Burning Man. Going to the San Juan come June. [Video] KF Midge Emerger by Juan Ramirez - DIY Fly Fishing Copyright 2023, The Orvis Company Inc. Black, olive or cream have been best. I remember when she caught that fish. This has become a reliable pattern for many tailwater guides because it is not only effective, but its easy to see, as well. Frank Smethurst Fly Tying Video | San Juan Midge Pattern - YouTube Frank smethurst tying one of his go-to midge patterns from his day's on the San Juan. For nymphing, I'd focus on the usual plethora of small San Juan midge patterns, with an emphasis on larva and pupa patterns earlier in the day and emerger patterns starting around 11:00 or so. Single adult. It's important to pay attention to where the fish are feeding, and if the fish are "up" on midges, you'll have to drastically reduce your leader length. When red midge larvae are present in high numbers after a stomach sample, this is a go-to pattern for many tailwater guides. Sometimes this is the case, but in most instances, the trout has not seen the fly. Some picks of a midge pattern. You can catch fish on midge patterns, dry flies, annelids, eggs and streamer patterns. There are thunderstorms during the summer which bring lightning. Support the Global FlyFisher through several different channels, including PayPal. Simple and easy, save it on your phone and start catching fish! Location. Make sure that you take the necessary precautions when lightning is in the area. Texas Midge - Top Annelid Pattern for the San Juan River! My friend Rick Takahashi ties a fly biot midge that is simply sinister to trout, and I swipe as many as I can out of his fly box when he is not looking. Stop by the shop for more information and to resupply. Old classics such as the Black Beauty, Miracle Nymph, or Brassie work as well. I will be heading out there pretty soon. Just tie one to the end of your line and buckle up. The other key to getting your fly to the fish is weight on the leader. The annelids that float down this river are a constant food source for the big trout that swim in its waters. Take A Break From Those Boring Work Emails, Its our firm belief that life is better when youre casting a fly rod. Using these flies, he's like a vacuum cleaner when he gets in the river, sucking trout up like dust bunnies, and drawing plenty of stares in the process. Pay attention to the insects in the water, both where they are and what they look like, and you will be rewarded. (Regulations and more), 11 Best Places to Fly Fish in New Mexico: MAPS INCLUDED, https://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/fishing/weekly-report/, The Complete Guide to Fly Fishing for Brown Trout, The Complete Guide to Fly Fishing for Rainbow Trout. Is it possible to repost this with a photo of the flies? I recommend buying it in the traditionally brown, white and red version, but the all red and all black versions work pretty great as well. The Manhattan Midge has the flash and pizazz to make it on Broadway, with the tenacity to hold its own on Wall Street. Learn to tie Harrop's Hairwing Dun with master tier Charlie Craven. Fish as a dropper under a dry to imitate emerging midges. 3 Fly Fishing Guide Rigs - Fly Fisherman Bling Midge - The Fly Tying Bench - Fly Tying Frank Smethurst Fly Tying Video | San Juan Midge Pattern It is best to carry these in a wide variety of colors including red, black, olive, and cream. Get out early to beat the crowds. We find that it imitates dead midges and mating clusters well. It is turbid with about 1 foot of visibility throughout the quality. HOOK: #16-20 Tiemco 2457 or 2487.THREAD: Brown 8/0.BEAD: Root beer.TAIL: Pearl Angel Hair.UNDERBODY: Pearl Krystal Flash.BODY: Brown Midge Tubing.WINGCASE: Pearl Krystal Flash.COLLAR: Brown ostrich herl. The absolute best spot is just of the small island closest to the parking lot. The life cycle and presentation tactics I've covered here are universally applicable, but midges come in different sizes and different colors on different waters, so you may have to modify the patterns I've mentioned to match the local hatch. On smaller rivers like the San Juan, Frying Pan, and South Platte, a shorter, 3- or 4-weight is adequate most of the time. 4 Neutral Colors - creams or grays or mix and match a combination of each. Fisheads of the San Juan's Tip of the Week. The distance isnt so far as to make the trip uncomfortable. Here is a list of materials I used on the fly, and links to where you can purchase them.Hook: Umpqua U203 in size 20 - http://amzn.to/2xJlSpeRed Thread: UTC Ultra Thread 70 - http://www.jsflyfishing.com/wapsi-ultra-thread-70-denierBlack Thread: Danville's fly master 6/0 - http://www.jsflyfishing.com/danville-unwaxed-6-0-flymaster-threadRibbing: Midge sized D-Rib in Red - https://www.allseasonssports.com/product-p/vr-.htmFinishing Resin - Solarez \"Bone Dry\" UV curing resin - http://solarez.com/products/fly-tie-ultra-thin-bone-dry/ My Shirts! San Juan River Fly Patterns | San Juan River Flies | Shelby Summer Fishing(June, July, August) Midge larvae are long and slender with a uniform profile. Reply. Rick Takahashi is an illustrator, Umpqua Feather Merchants fly designer, and regular Fly Fisherman contributor. You may put on a dry fly and catch a trout or two, or you can fish a midge pupa just under the surface and catch a dozen - it's up to you. It got frustrating clicking on one after the other that had no server found, went nowhere, or to a website but not to the pattern. I generally tie it in black, but it is effective in gray, brown, cream, and a variety of other colors. All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Learn to tie the versatile Hare's Ear with master tier Charlie Craven. Learn to tie Harrop's Hairwing Dun with master tier Charlie Craven. I'm not saying anything more - except hang on. San Juan River Flies. Make sure that you bring sunscreen, polarized glasses and bug spray. Summer is the busiest time of year. Subscriber Services. Heavy tippet is not only more visible to the fish, but it is also stiffer and affects the action of the fly in the water. However, if the water is cold and you know how to pressure a fish without breaking your tippet, then there's nothing wrong with dropping to 7X in some instances. That's all it took for the trout to inhale his #20 red midge larva imitation. - McFly Angler Fly Tying Tutorial McFly Angler 54.5K subscribers Subscribe 9.8K views 5 years ago Nymphs and Midges - fly tying. Tied on a stout jig hook and using black bead chain eyes for weight instead of the usual slotted bead, the pattern rides hook point up on the bottom without fear of snagging and those big eyes square off the head shape nicely, furthering the accurate silhouette. As Noel Gollehan discussed at our recent PVFF club meeting, midges hatching on the San Juan River in New Mexico range in size from 20-24. PDF Bridges After-School Program Continuing and Priority Enrollment FAQs The facilities for taking out are great and you can even stop at a couple of spots to use a restroom. 10,420 views Feb 24, 2015 This is a little black midge pupa nymph that is great for fly fishing tailwaters like the Green and San Juan River but. Weight.004 lbs: Dimensions.2 .08 .01 in: Reviews . We have rooms available and some of the best guides on the river. Colorado Hatch Chart (Flies that Work) - Guide Recommended . If the hatch is just getting under way, these trout are almost always taking midge pupae just under the surface. These guys have 200 plus days a year on the San Juan and guess where youll find them on many of their days off? Its easy to talk about how big the trout are when you dont have a picture to prove it. HOOK: #14-20 Tiemco 2457.THREAD: Black 8/0 Uni-Thread.BODY: Red and green Ultra Wire wrapped together.WING: Small tuft of Z-lon.THORAX: Gray and green rabbit fur, mixed. If you can't recognize and make the change, the fish will get the better of you. For this reason, long drifts to specific fish are ineffective. This pattern is typically fished in tandem behind another nymph, but it also works exceptionally well as a dropper below a dry. I hope you guys realize that many if not most of the pattern links in this article have expired! Glass Bead Disco Midge - Blue. Weight. Use big heavy nymphs as a point fly to get the offering down into the strike zone. HOOK: #18-24 Tiemco 2457.BEAD: Black size 15 Japanese seed bead.THREAD: White 8/0 Uni-Thread.BODY: Latex colored with olive Chartpak marker.WING PADS: Rust goose biot.COLLAR: Peacock Ice Dub. 5 Serger Thread Tips Selecting Thread Color | Sewing Mastery HOOK: #18-24 Tiemco 2487.THREAD: Red 6/0 Uni-Thread.BODY: Tying thread.RIB: Silver Lagartun wire (fine).WING: Mylar tinsel.POST: White poly yarn.HACKLE: Black ostrich.THORAX: Black dubbing. We are constantly adding patterns, so please check back from time to time and see what's new. Midge flies are too small to effectively use internal weight, so you must carry a good selection of micro-split-shot in various sizes. The steak dinner is amazing!! This article contains just 12 of the 1,000 patterns weve collected. San Juan River has been consistent - THE SAN JUAN ANGLER I shy away from 7X because I hate to leave hooks in fish and like to land them as quickly as possible. 7. Some of New, New Mexico Game and Fish publishes a weekly fish stocking report. It has all . Krystal Flash Emerger - Black, Chocolate - Sz 20-24. You might also enjoy.Steven Ojais Fly Box: Midge patterns (excellent reference). Either way, your shopping cart will be active until you leave the store. From the Florida Keys to the Bahamas to Hawaii, bonefish are an iconic inshore species with many monikers and a presence that is often felt but rarely seen. So, a few years ago we decided to write a book and we began contacting our like-minded friends, as well as fly tiers we met online, or have read or heard about. You can fish this little gem as either an emerger or a dry fly, so dont be afraid to throw a little floatant on it. We soon realized that many other midge anglers were on the same quest, and our discussions with fellow midge fishers soon became one of our main avenues of discovering new patterns. Then something amazing happened Flying Ants! I've seen anglers who had to pay out line from their reel manually, because every time a fish hit the reel, it would break off their 7X tippet. They'll move side to side more frequently, gulping pupae bound for the surface, and they'll often move into different water types to take advantage of the hatch. Duranglers' San Juan Flash Midge Pupa is a staple pattern for fishing the San Juan or anywhere trout feed on midges. I love chasing brown trout, big lake run monsters, night time trophies and memories of big boys that got away. The entire area is BLM land and is open for public use. And while this midge might not be a 24/7 slayer, it is one that you need to keep in your fly box. The deep ribs, and contrast with the thread and D-Rib create a super bold fly that attracts fish like crazy! CDC Transitional Midge (sizes 18 & 20) One seam after another, the key is to drift deep and recognize the structure before your on top of it. Works great for trout keying in on emerging midges. San Juan River Fishing This dry fly can be tied to match any mayfly. There is very little wasted effort or fruitless casting involved in his technique. I have always loved fishing buzzers for many years for trout, its just my favorite way of fly fishing except perhaps daddylonglegs. Is that why its designer named it the Manhattan Midge? Winter Fishing(December, January, February) I will say, the original that we have at our work doest have the black tag at the end, but seems to get the black ribs another way. The combination of white Zelon, and grizzly hackle imitates the clustered midges very effectively. Flows are generally easily wade able opening almost the entire river to wading fishermen. A trout hanging just inches below the surface has a very narrow field of vision, and in some instances, a fly delivered inches to one side or the other is off target. Their elusive behavior, expert camouflage and skittish personalities make bonefish the quintessential poster child for shallow water sight-fishing. Yes, youll get the best shot at catching 50-plus fish in a from a drift boat, but lots of areas are available to the wade angler. My friend and I showed Heng a trout we had spent hours trying to catch, and he promptly hooked and landed the 12-pound leviathan in three casts. A note about ants, after a rain the hatch starts. Check out our interactive map of over 30,000 of the best places to fly fish in the US. Learn to tie the Pheasant Tail Nymph with master tier Charlie Craven. How Do You Fly Fish with Emergers? Let Us Guide You It would be great if you could fix that. Small flies, clear water, and wary trout dictate the use of extremely fine tippets. Kim is either changing flies, adjusting weight, changing his leader length, or landing a fish. Through tagging and conservation efforts, the quality of many historic bonefish fisheries is improving, as is our understanding of the species' movements and patterns. Grease the leader and tippet down to within a foot of the fly, and you should be able to see the tippet on the water.