Favorite fly fishing waters?

[honyock]

I'm headed out on Thursday for a long weekend at my favorite fly fishing spot and one of my favorite places in the world, the San Juan River in northern New Mexico. I'm missing the first few days of training camp, but I'll be checking in on CZ when I get the chance through the weekend and hoping for no "out for the season" posts.

That river is special to me partly because it's where I learned to fly fish (back in 1994 in the off week between the conference championship game and the second Cowboys-Bills Super Bowl.) And partly because the San Juan has probably more trout per square mile in the three+ mile quality water section under Navajo Dam than anywhere in the country. It's a pretty special experience, catching trophy trout on size #24 and #26 flies that I need a hat-mounted magnifying glass just to get tied on, all while trout are visibly swimming at your feet.

So for you fly fishermen out there, what are your favorite trout streams or locales? I'm always on the lookout for the next spot to seek out.

 

[Tabascocat]

I don't do much fly fishing but when I do, always enjoy the Florida Keys Flats for bonefish or an occasional tarpon.

 

[jobberone]

I'm headed out on Thursday for a long weekend at my favorite fly fishing spot and one of my favorite places in the world, the San Juan River in northern New Mexico. I'm missing the first few days of training camp, but I'll be checking in on CZ when I get the chance through the weekend and hoping for no "out for the season" posts.

That river is special to me partly because it's where I learned to fly fish (back in 1994 in the off week between the conference championship game and the second Cowboys-Bills Super Bowl.) And partly because the San Juan has probably more trout per square mile in the three+ mile quality water section under Navajo Dam than anywhere in the country. It's a pretty special experience, catching trophy trout on size #24 and #26 flies that I need a hat-mounted magnifying glass just to get tied on, all while trout are visibly swimming at your feet.

So for you fly fishermen out there, what are your favorite trout streams or locales? I'm always on the lookout for the next spot to seek out.

Sounds like heaven to me although I haven't fresh water fished or fly fished in a long time. We occasionally will throw a fly at flotsam trying to hook up with a dolphin. I've wanted to go to Alaska, Canada or a few other areas to fly fish but haven't made it yet.

Have fun and it never happened without pics. I'd like to see a few nice ones.

 

[honyock]

Sounds like heaven to me although I haven't fresh water fished or fly fished in a long time. We occasionally will throw a fly at flotsam trying to hook up with a dolphin. I've wanted to go to Alaska, Canada or a few other areas to fly fish but haven't made it yet.

Have fun and it never happened without pics. I'd like to see a few nice ones.

I'l document it the best I can and send you the evidence.

A trip to Alaska for salmon fishing has been on my list for awhile. I'd love to go bone fishing, just haven't had the chance yet. I've got a buddy who spent two weeks on Christmas Island fly fishing for bonefish. He said they're crazy fun on a fly rod...take the fly and just head the other direction like a freight train and wear your shoulder out.

 

[JIMMYBUFFETT]

I grew up in West Texas and fished New Mexico and Colorado most of my life. I've fished the San Juan multiple times including in and around Navajo Lake SP and it is about as good as it gets other than their heavy restrictions. In Colorado I've done a lot of fishing in Blue Mesa Reservoir, Yampa River SP, and Ruedi Reservoir near Basalt. These days I fish Idaho almost exclusively since my brother in law is a white water rafting guide and fishing guide there. Hell's Canyon is probably my favorite place to fish in the world but I also spend some time on Silver Creek and the Salmon. As far as sheer beauty goes the Payette near McCall Idaho can't be beat.

My last trip to the San Juan was back in 2009, but I remember slaying with blue winged olives and midge pupa. Good luck.

 

[jobberone]

I'l document it the best I can and send you the evidence.

A trip to Alaska for salmon fishing has been on my list for awhile. I'd love to go bone fishing, just haven't had the chance yet. I've got a buddy who spent two weeks on Christmas Island fly fishing for bonefish. He said they're crazy fun on a fly rod...take the fly and just head the other direction like a freight train and wear your shoulder out.

Yeah, I'd love to go bone fishing myself. FL is not the place anymore at least on the Gulf side. I don't know about the Keys or Bahamas. Christmas Island is quite a trip! I'd like to go to NZ with my friend from there and fish there. Finland is another great place. Russia is but I haven't read too much about it. Mongolia is supposed to be great but my info there is very spotty. Do you know anything about Mongolia fishing? I can get into Mongolia easily. Maybe we can plan a trip. I do know the elk hunting there is great although I haven't looked at that in a long time. It's probably expensive now but wasn't awhile back.

 

[honyock]

Yeah, I'd love to go bone fishing myself. FL is not the place anymore at least on the Gulf side. I don't know about the Keys or Bahamas. Christmas Island is quite a trip! I'd like to go to NZ with my friend from there and fish there. Finland is another great place. Russia is but I haven't read too much about it. Mongolia is supposed to be great but my info there is very spotty. Do you know anything about Mongolia fishing? I can get into Mongolia easily. Maybe we can plan a trip. I do know the elk hunting there is great although I haven't looked at that in a long time. It's probably expensive now but wasn't awhile back.

That's funny you mention Mongolia. I've never heard anything about fishing in Mongolia. But I've been to Nepal a couple of times the last five years, trekking up in the Himalayas. A couple of years ago I read about Outside Magazine's "Trek of the Year", which was a walking/horseback trek through the remote mountains in Mongolia, and I've had it on my mind ever since. The article didn't mention trout streams, but if they'd recommended to bring a flyrod, I'd be packing right now.

Also have always wanted to do a New Zealand trip. Argentina as well. On a more local note, Yellowstone is amazing. So many varieties of water to fish.

 

[honyock]

I grew up in West Texas and fished New Mexico and Colorado most of my life. I've fished the San Juan multiple times including in and around Navajo Lake SP and it is about as good as it gets other than their heavy restrictions. In Colorado I've done a lot of fishing in Blue Mesa Reservoir, Yampa River SP, and Ruedi Reservoir near Basalt. These days I fish Idaho almost exclusively since my brother in law is a white water rafting guide and fishing guide there. Hell's Canyon is probably my favorite place to fish in the world but I also spend some time on Silver Creek and the Salmon. As far as sheer beauty goes the Payette near McCall Idaho can't be beat.

My last trip to the San Juan was back in 2009, but I remember slaying with blue winged olives and midge pupa. Good luck.

Yeah, it' basically catch and release in that stretch below navajo Dam, where I'll be fishing all three days. You can keep one a day if it's over 20" but have to quit fishing when you keep it. The guides discourage even doing that, since the river gets a lot of fishing pressure. So I'll just thank'em and let'em go.

Idaho sounds great. I'd love to go spend a month or so in western Wyoming, Montana and Idaho one of these days. I had a couple of great days fishing the Henrys Fork a few years ago.

I've been tying #22-26 midges in preparation for the trip. A challenge for 56 year old eyes.

 

[jobberone]

That's funny you mention Mongolia. I've never heard anything about fishing in Mongolia. But I've been to Nepal a couple of times the last five years, trekking up in the Himalayas. A couple of years ago I read about Outside Magazine's "Trek of the Year", which was a walking/horseback trek through the remote mountains in Mongolia, and I've had it on my mind ever since. The article didn't mention trout streams, but if they'd recommended to bring a flyrod, I'd be packing right now.

Also have always wanted to do a New Zealand trip. Argentina as well. On a more local note, Yellowstone is amazing. So many varieties of water to fish.

I can dig around about Mongolia and ask my friend about NZ. Now is a good time to go to Finland and/or Iceland. Hadn't given Argentina much thought but that makes since as does southern Chile.

 

[Rockport]

The bays along the South Texas coast. Mainly around Rockport, TX. Speckled Trout and Redfish. I go about twice a month.

 

[jobberone]

Yeah, it' basically catch and release in that stretch below navajo Dam, where I'll be fishing all three days. You can keep one a day if it's over 20" but have to quit fishing when you keep it. The guides discourage even doing that, since the river gets a lot of fishing pressure. So I'll just thank'em and let'em go.

Idaho sounds great. I'd love to go spend a month or so in western Wyoming, Montana and Idaho one of these days. I had a couple of great days fishing the Henrys Fork a few years ago.

I've been tying #22-26 midges in preparation for the trip. A challenge for 56 year old eyes.

I love that area of western Wyoming. I didn't fish there but bagged an elk in Jim Bridger. Beautiful area.

 

[jobberone]

The bays along the South Texas coast. Mainly around Rockport, TX. Speckled Trout and Redfish. I go about twice a month.

More my territory although I generally go offshore now. Redfish are a trip.

 

[CowboyWay]

I've fished the San Juan dozens of times but gave up on it 10 years ago or so. Just too many fools out there. Too many people. Few of which even know what they are doing. Are the trout big? Sure. But most have been caught multiple times and some don't even fight that hard anymore. They know the drill.

I've always enjoyed the jemez river. Nice and scenic. Quiet.
The conejos is great too. As pretty a place as you'll find.

 

[DallasCowpoke]

I don't do much fly fishing but when I do, always enjoy the Florida Keys Flats for bonefish or an occasional tarpon.

You beat me to it! I was stationed in Key West off and on for 3 1/2 years while in the Corps. I got introduced to "The Grey Ghosts" on the grass and sand flats up and down the lower Keys. Tarpons are great too. I probably enjoyed "The Silver Kings" more than Bonefish because of the power those things hit a target with. Plus, you always had the chance of latching into an 80-pounder or greater. The teeth on those things could give you nightmares!

 

[yimyammer]

I'm headed out on Thursday for a long weekend at my favorite fly fishing spot and one of my favorite places in the world, the San Juan River in northern New Mexico. I'm missing the first few days of training camp, but I'll be checking in on CZ when I get the chance through the weekend and hoping for no "out for the season" posts.

That river is special to me partly because it's where I learned to fly fish (back in 1994 in the off week between the conference championship game and the second Cowboys-Bills Super Bowl.) And partly because the San Juan has probably more trout per square mile in the three+ mile quality water section under Navajo Dam than anywhere in the country. It's a pretty special experience, catching trophy trout on size #24 and #26 flies that I need a hat-mounted magnifying glass just to get tied on, all while trout are visibly swimming at your feet.

So for you fly fishermen out there, what are your favorite trout streams or locales? I'm always on the lookout for the next spot to seek out.

I was going to suggest the Quality waters at the base of the damn east of Durango, is that where your going?

Outside of there, Montana is my favorite, even if the fish aren't biting, the scenery is outstanding.

The boundary waters on the border of Canada and Minnesota are also excellent if you get dropped off deep into country and work you way back from lake to lake.

I've found the more effort you spend getting to a fishing spot the better the fishing (with the exception of the quality waters where its catch and release and the trout are the size of footballs.

My next trip is going to be Alaska

 

[honyock]

I've fished the San Juan dozens of times but gave up on it 10 years ago or so. Just too many fools out there. Too many people. Few of which even know what they are doing. Are the trout big? Sure. But most have been caught multiple times and some don't even fight that hard anymore. They know the drill.

I've always enjoyed the jemez river. Nice and scenic. Quiet.
The conejos is great too. As pretty a place as you'll find.

That's the downside of the San Juan, it's really crowded. Especially on a sumer weekend, which means I'll have plenty of company. I've always been able to find stretches that aren't too overrun, but it's a challenge sometimes. And yeah, I've noticed the fishing etiquette breaks down there too often.

I had the chance to visit the Conejos Valley and fish the river last fall for the first time. I agree, that valley is beautiful. I saw in a fishing magazine they're describing the valley and river as the last best secret out there.

 

[honyock]

I was going to suggest the Quality waters at the base of the damn east of Durango, is that where your going?

Outside of there, Montana is my favorite, even if the fish aren't biting, the scenery is outstanding.

The boundary waters on the border of Canada and Minnesota are also excellent if you get dropped off deep into country and work you way back from lake to lake.

I've found the more effort you spend getting to a fishing spot the better the fishing (with the exception of the quality waters where its catch and release and the trout are the size of footballs.

My next trip is going to be Alaska

Yes, we'll be in the quality waters for the first 3 1/2 miles below the dam.
Enjoy Alaska. Sounds great.

 

[rynochop]

The bays along the South Texas coast. Mainly around Rockport, TX. Speckled Trout and Redfish. I go about twice a month.

What do you use? i found a brand new fly reel my dad had..been wanting to try it out in the surf sometime. im in the beaumont area, no boat.

 

[CowboyWay]

You should try the south platte too. Can be heavily fished too but you can always find a nice stretch of river to yourself though. The Taylor is nice too. Where do you live?

 

[cody_04l]

I'm headed out on Thursday for a long weekend at my favorite fly fishing spot and one of my favorite places in the world, the San Juan River in northern New Mexico. I'm missing the first few days of training camp, but I'll be checking in on CZ when I get the chance through the weekend and hoping for no "out for the season" posts.

That river is special to me partly because it's where I learned to fly fish (back in 1994 in the off week between the conference championship game and the second Cowboys-Bills Super Bowl.) And partly because the San Juan has probably more trout per square mile in the three+ mile quality water section under Navajo Dam than anywhere in the country. It's a pretty special experience, catching trophy trout on size #24 and #26 flies that I need a hat-mounted magnifying glass just to get tied on, all while trout are visibly swimming at your feet.

So for you fly fishermen out there, what are your favorite trout streams or locales? I'm always on the lookout for the next spot to seek out.

I'm from a TINY town in New Mexico called Jemez Springs. I grew up fishing, it's what I did after school, on the weekends, anytime really. The San Juan is a great place.