STUNNING REMOTE CANYON
The upper San Juan flows down from the Continental Divide near Wolf Creek Pass through Pagosa Springs and then works its way south eventually dumping into Navajo Reservoir. This river is truly a gem of a trout stream that offers the fly fisher numerous opportunities to cast dries, streamers and nymphs to some amazing trout.
The River
The Upper Juan is a large-ish river with the first 20 miles with a relatively quick gradient making numerous rapids and varied fish habitat. Boulder fields, riffles, pockets, runs and short pools make for no shortage of places to cast a fly. The river eventually slows as it flows into an open valley, offering waters that are more on the mellow side. We fish the Upper in decked out fly fishing specific rafts.
Mesa Canyon float trips cover about 12 river miles through an impressive canyon that has been coined by one client as "a mini Green River". The float is mostly through private land (that we 100% respect) and has not been developed, so it has a very real and wild feel.
The lower section is a long float with a mix of Ute Land and private. Limited take-outs and varied conditions make this a tricky section to access.
The Trout
Browns and rainbows are the primary species that live in the upper Juan. Fish average 15 to 17 inches and they fight like they're twice that size. 20 plus inch fish are often hooked and with a bit of patience, skill and a lot of luck sometimes we can get 'em in the net. There have even been a few monsters (6-10 Lbs!) that we have been lucky enough to see. Occasionally we'll even tie into a monster carp or two 6 to 15 pound carp...on the fly!
Our Guide Program
We offer guided floats on nearly 35 miles of the Upper San Juan. Guide days are long on the Upper and you really feel like you earned that end of the day beer (or Dr Pepper).
Where to stay?
Many of our fishing guests will stay in or around Durango, Pagosa or Southfork. Some will drive from other locations too. Southfork or Durango are perfect because there is backup fishing on the Rio or San Juan below Navajo if the river is blown out or too low to float.
The Day
Most guide days meet around 7:30 to 9 AM depending on meet location. Typically guests will help with shuttle. There is no shuttle service on the Upper Juan. We drop boats and meets guests "empty" (with out our boats). We then run the shuttle down to the take-out and leave the guide's rig. Then zip back up to the put-in. Depending on when we launch we fish all day finishing up around 4, 5 or 6 in the evening.
The Season
The window of float opportunity for this section is fairly narrow with prime time being the last couple weeks of May through the first couple weeks of June. The main hatch to catch during early June is the salmon fly. We do float it earlier, but it just depends on the snow pack. Windows in March and April are hard to forecast, but if you can hit it right, the fishing can be surprisingly good. Book early for this incredible float trip.
Getting There
Pagosa is 60 minutes east of Durango with shorter drives from Bayfield, Southfork. Bit longer from Creede and Farmington.
BookingsThis is a great fishery and we have limited availability for this trip. Especially with the varied conditions and tricky timing to "hit the window". Just call if you have questions. The nice thing with back up fisheries near by we will always have fun fishing for you.
