Unlocking the San Juan River: 5 Tips to Catch More Trout

with: about.trout

We recently caught up with James, the owner and guide behind About Trout Guide Service, to chat about the legendary San Juan River. James shared some expert tips to help you get the most out of your time on this dynamic water, from slowing down to fish smarter to choosing the right rig for a productive day. Whether you're new to the sport or an experienced angler, this interview will give you the insight you need to make your trip to San Juan unforgettable.

What five tips would you give to anglers looking to have a successful day fishing the San Juan River?

The San Juan River is an incredibly dynamic fishery. Everyday anglers have the ability to float or wade and the opportunity to fish dry flies, nymphs, streamers, or euro nymphs. 

For those coming to the San Juan River here are 5 tips to help you while you're here. 

1) Slow down.

We are all guilty of getting to a river and immediately rushing into the water without taking the time to fish with our eyes first. What are you seeing? 

I can't tell you on Wade trips how many times I see people walk past huge pods of risers because they're racing to a "honey hole". Slowing down you'll be able to see many things from fish behavior to

sneaky holes, seams, and even fish in spots you may have walked past. 

2) Think big

The San Juan is notorious for being a small fly river, San Juan trout are primarily midge and small mayfly eaters. While small flies are absolutely a huge part of what we do,  you would be shocked at what these fish will eat. Don't be afraid to fish something bold on your rig like a big egg, leech, worm, mop, ect. Fishing a "junk" fly in combination with one of your classic midge patterns can be deadly

here. I have seen everything go right and the fish refuse and I have also seen everything go wrong and the fish eat. If the fishing goes cold on you while fishing small bug rigs, don't be afraid to swing for the 

fence and fish something bold. 

3) Depth and Weight 

While the San Juan guides may have differing opinions on a lot of things, one thing that is universal amongst the guide community is that your depth and weight combination is paramount.

When comparing. notes with guide buddies our distance from our indicator to our split shot and our size of split shot is paramount. A guide once told me "the fish are where the fish are" it is our job as

anglers to get our offerings to them. Because the San Juan tail water has an insane amount of bugs, the fish do not have to move very far to eat. Our trout frequently get "column locked" and won't budge from their feeding lies. They don't have to. Before changing flies, try playing with your depth, then weight. I can't tell you how many days out there have changed because I shallowed my rig 2ft. When in doubt go shallower and lighter, trout look up to eat. 

4) So much more than indicator nymphing 

Indicator nymphing is a staple on the San Juan but the river is so much more than that. Euro nymphing has become an incredibly popular way to fish the river and we are honored to work with former Team USA member and the 2018 National Champion, Norm Maktima. The San Juan is also an excellent dry fly fishery with opportunities to catch fish on dries everyday of the year. We get some great blue wing olive hatches in the spring and peak season for the dry fly fishing is usually June-October.  The San Juan doesn't really have a true forage fish, the trout here really like to eat each other. The San Juan is one of the most slept on streamer rivers in the US. Don't be afraid to huck some meat the next time you're out here. 

5) Feeding Fish

Fish feeding can sometimes be cyclical on the river. Fishing with your eyes and paying attention to fish that are actively feeding vs sulking can greatly improve your day on the river. 

Whether they're eating bugs off the surface, pupae and emergers below the film, or intercepting bugs through the lower and middle column, feeding fish can be caught. Focusing your efforts on

actively feeding trout can greatly up your odds during your day of fishing. 

James, what inspired you to start your own fly fishing guiding business, and how did you get your outfitting operation off the ground?

When I was 10 years old I was handed a copy of the Curtis Creek Manifesto at a Northern Virginia Trout Unlimited Event. That Christmas I got a fly rod and the LL Bean fly fishing hand book written by Dave Whitlock. I must have read those books cover to cover a few hundred times. At 11 I was gifted a vise and at 12 a VHS of Mel Kriegers, "An essence of fly casting".Since I was 14 years old I always knew I was going to be a fishing guide. I worked at an Orvis retail store in Tysons Corner, Virginia before I could drive and would thumb through the magazines  and books on my lunch breaks. Growing up outside of Washington, DC I never had a lot of interaction with full time guides until I went on a couple salt water trips in Florida. I went out with Captain Bill Faulkner out in the Everglades and after that day I really knew guiding was something I wanted to pursue, specifically in the trout world. It's been 15 years since I've been out with Captain Bill and I'm excited to see him again this Spring, this time though I'll be returning to Florida as an Outfitter. Coming from the East Coast I was constantly told guiding wasn't a good career path, I wouldn't make it, ect ect. That really lit a fire inside of me. I'm a guide because I want to be here, I love guiding, and I want to work with anglers. No one in my family fly fishes. My Dads side of the family is from New York and my Moms parents immigrated here from Jordan and Mexico, I am a self taught caster and tier, for better or worse. Having to do things on my own and learning how to take advice from mentors prepared me for starting a guide service. 

Having various jobs in fly fishing and with a degree in Media arts and Design (JMU) prepared me to help digitally market our business and guide team. In the past, books, trade shows, and the good ole boys club was the way. With the rise of the information age and peer to peer marketing, it has become a lot easier to break into the world of guiding and outfitting. You can market all you want but at the end of the day you and your team need to be serious about fishing and creating a positive experience for those who have booked you for the day. You can fake a lot of things online but what you can't fake is authenticity, time on the water, and a willingness to serve those who booked you.  About Trout is here because we are a crew of trout obsessed anglers who love sharing a passion of fly fishing with anglers of all skill levels. I am blessed to be able to do what I do and I truly believe that anyone who wants to become a guide should have that opportunity. 

How do you cater your trips to different skill levels, and what makes the San Juan River such a special place to guide?

The San Juan river is a year round fishery with lots of fish, we're pretty spoiled in our little corner of New Mexico. The ability to match our trips to first time "never-evers" or seasoned anglers keeps the San Juan fun and fresh. There is always something new to do on the river and we have different sections to float and wade which keeps the days exciting. The lower part of the state park has a large population of smaller brown trout stocked rainbows, these fish are very user friendly and perfect for first time anglers and kids.

What's great is that we can usually run the lower river and end our day back up in the Quality water giving new anglers some practice before they try their hand at some larger fish on light tippet. Because of the diversity of fishing options we can cater to the demands of the most discerning anglers. You only want to fish dry flies to specific heads? Come see us in July/August. You want to throw streamers all day? Meet us very early in the morning.

You want to introduce a family member into the sport of fly fishing? We'll start in the lower river and end the day back up top to try and find some larger fish after getting some practice. No matter what you're looking for in the trout world, you can find it here on the San Juan. This is why I love this river and fish it as many days as I can on my days off. The magic of the San Juan is that you can make it whatever you want it to be

Looking back on your experience as both a guide and a business owner, what advice would you give to someone looking to start their own fly fishing outfit?

Don't. I'm kidding.  The hardest part about getting a start in guiding is that no one wants to hire you if you don't have experience and the only way to get guiding experience is to get hired to guide. Vicious cycle. When applying for gigs as a first time, mention to the Outfitter how you can grow together and present a two way street solution. Breaking into guiding is tough and your first season you're going to be at the bottom of the list. Generating request trips though the shop is a great way to keep you busy. If you don't know why someone should book you, others won't either. Every guide is a unique individual and the things that make you who you are usually reason enough for someone to spend a day with you. Guiding is part entertainment and part technical fishing. Anyone can be a guide when the fishing is easy, it's when the fishing sucks and you have clients depending on you is what separates the good from the great. Ask any veteran guide and they'll tell you about amazing 1 fish days they've had with their clients or a day where they caught a bunch of fish and it was difficult. A good day is a state of mind. All you can do as a guide is give it your all and let the pieces fall where they may. Building yourself up as the "numbers guide" or "big fish guide" will hurt you in the long run. When people book you for you, that's when you know you've made it. 

With the proliferation of guides and the social media era, it is important to respect the profession. Clients know when you're not trying or if you haven't done your due diligence learning a river that you guide. It is your responsibility as a guide to show your people a great day on the water. Listening and learning from older guides and shop owners really helped me on my journey and there are countless people to thank who have helped me along the way like Richie Farino, Chris Taylor, Bill Faulkner, Ted Watson, ect. 

It's difficult to see the man behind the curtain but it is worth mentioning. Making the phone ring is one of the hardest parts about being an Outfitter. Studying business books and learning how to tastefully market your brand and guide service is crucial for your future. The other thing is you will get a lot of love, but there will also be naysayers and a lot of opinions thrown your way. You better have thick skin. A quote that has helped me navigate through the nonsense is, "I don't take criticism from those I would never ask advice from." I am blessed to have positive mentors in my guiding life who help me through all the nonsense. It's really easy to tear someone down, it's really hard to build something and work towards your goals everyday. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you don't belong. Remember why you're doing this, fly fishing is awesome, the people, the places, all of it. Go out there, try your hardest and remember it's supposed to be FUN.