San Juan River Fly Fishing Report - January 1/18/2026
SAN JUAN RIVER FLY FISHING REPORT
Below Navajo Dam — New Mexico Tailwater
Report Date: January 18, 2026 | Next Update: January 25, 2026
Current River Conditions
Winter tailwater fishing is on. Navajo Dam releases keep the San Juan fishable through the cold months — expect excellent opportunities for subsurface rigs and focused streamer work. Crowds are sparse; take advantage of space and deep water holds.
Flow & Release
Location: Below Navajo Dam (San Juan River, NM)
Typical winter release range (current): ~250–350 cfs (tailwater-controlled)
Note: Flows are stable from dam releases; check US Bureau of Reclamation/NMDGF before you go for any short-notice changes.
Location: Below Navajo Dam (San Juan River, NM)
Typical winter release range (current): ~250–350 cfs (tailwater-controlled)
Note: Flows are stable from dam releases; check US Bureau of Reclamation/NMDGF before you go for any short-notice changes.
Water Temperature
Current (mid-January): low 40s °F (around 40–44°F)
Trend: cool and steady — fish holding deep and slow.
Current (mid-January): low 40s °F (around 40–44°F)
Trend: cool and steady — fish holding deep and slow.
Clarity & Visibility
Water: Slightly off-color in places after recent inflows to Navajo Lake — but generally fishable.
Effect: Off-color water favors attractors, bright eggs, and tungsten jigs.
Water: Slightly off-color in places after recent inflows to Navajo Lake — but generally fishable.
Effect: Off-color water favors attractors, bright eggs, and tungsten jigs.
Weather & Access
Forecast: Cool days, cold mornings (daytime highs in the 40s), calm to light winds.
Access: Most banks and boat ramps open; parking sparse at popular access points — arrive early.
Forecast: Cool days, cold mornings (daytime highs in the 40s), calm to light winds.
Access: Most banks and boat ramps open; parking sparse at popular access points — arrive early.
What the Fish Are Keying On (January)
| Food | Where to Find It | How Fish Are Feeding |
|---|---|---|
| Midges / Zebra midges | Slow tails, tailouts, deep seams | Suspended and sipping just off the bottom; indicator and Euro rigs win |
| Eggs & San Juan worms | Slow riffles, near-shelf drop-offs, current seams | Bright, high-contrast egg imitations and worms trigger grabs in off-color water |
| Small nymphs / baetis | Deep runs and pocket water | Down-and-across presentations, weighted jigs, and micro-perdigons on a dropper |
| Leeches / small streamers | Deeper runs, lateral seams, structure | Slow strips and short swings; big wary fish can be taken with subtle profiles |
Recommended Flies
Below are patterns chosen to match winter San Juan behavior. Each recommendation links to the pattern so you can inspect sizes and order what you need.
Nymphs (primary tactics right now)
- Egan's Poacher — Olive — excellent anchor/nymph for euro or indicator rigs; gets down fast.
- Egan's Poacher — Black — a go-to dark micro-nymph that reads the current well.
- Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig — Olive — tungsten jig that fishes tight to the bottom and fishes well under indicators.
- Tungsten Dart — Red — compact, dense, and perfect as an attractor/point fly in a two- or three-nymph rig.
Dry Flies & Surface Options (limited but useful on bright days)
- Bionic Ant 2.0 — Black — terrestrial attractor for wind-driven banks or if you see ants blown in.
- Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) — Tan — realistic caddis profile for rare evening or calm midday activity.
- Parachute — Blue Wing Olive — versatile parachute that covers baetis and small mayfly pauses.
- Stealth Link Mercer — PMD — good emergent/dun imitation for the occasional soft hatch or selective fish.
Streamers & Large Profiles (for aggressive or larger trout)
- Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow — Sculpin — classic sculpin profile; deadly in structure and deep runs.
- Joe's Mini Crayfish Jig — smaller crawfish profile for slow stripping along edges.
- Sculpzilla — Olive — articulated streamer that fishes well in deeper tails and eddies.
- Coffey's Articulated Sparkle Minnow — Sculpin #4 — larger, jointed sculpin for big trout on low-light retrieves.
Eggs, Worms & Dirty Flies (very productive in winter)
- Slush Egg — Apricot — high-visibility egg that fish key on in winter; great as a dropper.
- Sunny Side Up — Fluorescent Orange — an attractor egg/dirty fly for murky tailwater water.
- EZ Egg — Flesh (barbless) — compact egg imitation for droppers on deep rigs.
- Olsen's DNA Worm — Brown & Red (barbless) — realistic San Juan worm profile for slow retrieves and dead-drift presentations.
Midges & Zebra Midges (key winter food)
- Black Zebra Midge (TBH) — small and effective under an indicator or on a dropper.
- Zebra Jig Thin — Black/Silver — jigged zebra for tight, precise deep presentations.
- Black Mirage Zebra Midge — another winter midge staple, fishes well as the point fly.
- Olive Zebra Midge (TBH) — olive variants pick up attention in slightly stained water.
Leeches & Buggers (swing & strip options)
- Balanced Leech — Black — great for swinging or dead-drifting along seams.
- Balanced Leech — Bruised — darker, high-contrast option for low-visibility water.
- Pyramid Beach Leech — a balanced leech for stillwater-style presentations in tailwater pools.
- Mini Jig Leech — Black — compact jigged leech for under-indicator or slow strips.
Tactics & Tips for January
Quick game plan
- Morning: Start with indicator rigs or short euro setups fished deep. Use tungsten jigs or heavy poachers to get small nymphs and midges into the strike zone.
- Midday: If water clears and the sun pops, try emerger/parachute patterns in slow seams. Otherwise continue systematic deep nymphing.
- Afternoon/low light: Swing leeches or slow-strip streamers through deep runs and along structure — you may find the bigger winter fish.
- Rigging: Two-nymph rigs with a heavier point (tungsten jig or poacher) and a smaller dropper (zebra midge or PT) are a reliable go-to. For euro, short droppers and tight contact win. Use 4X–6X fluorocarbon tippets depending on water clarity.
- Indicators: Use a small, low-profile indicator or a bead/rubber setup — keep it subtle in clear water, brighter in off-color conditions.
- Depth: Think deep — 6–12 feet in many runs; attach split shots or use tungsten to hold bottom without dragging.
- Morning: Start with indicator rigs or short euro setups fished deep. Use tungsten jigs or heavy poachers to get small nymphs and midges into the strike zone.
- Midday: If water clears and the sun pops, try emerger/parachute patterns in slow seams. Otherwise continue systematic deep nymphing.
- Afternoon/low light: Swing leeches or slow-strip streamers through deep runs and along structure — you may find the bigger winter fish.
- Rigging: Two-nymph rigs with a heavier point (tungsten jig or poacher) and a smaller dropper (zebra midge or PT) are a reliable go-to. For euro, short droppers and tight contact win. Use 4X–6X fluorocarbon tippets depending on water clarity.
- Indicators: Use a small, low-profile indicator or a bead/rubber setup — keep it subtle in clear water, brighter in off-color conditions.
- Depth: Think deep — 6–12 feet in many runs; attach split shots or use tungsten to hold bottom without dragging.
Where to Focus
- Deep tailouts and the first 1/4 mile below Navajo Dam — temperature and current concentration make these classic winter lies.
- Inside seams and slower eddies off the main current (where eggs and worms accumulate).
- Long, slow runs with structure—strip streamers along the bottom edge of current seams.
- Work both banks methodically; fish will move along seams but often rest tight to structure.
Local Notes & Resources
Regulations
This fishery is managed by New Mexico Game & Fish with specific tailwater rules below Navajo Dam. Always check current regs (season, limits, gear restrictions) on NMDGF's website before fishing.
This fishery is managed by New Mexico Game & Fish with specific tailwater rules below Navajo Dam. Always check current regs (season, limits, gear restrictions) on NMDGF's website before fishing.
Guides & Lodging
Local outfitters are operating through winter — if you want a focused day, book a guide. Popular options around the river operate year-round (search "San Juan River guides" for availability).
Local outfitters are operating through winter — if you want a focused day, book a guide. Popular options around the river operate year-round (search "San Juan River guides" for availability).
Quick Checklist
- Rod: 4–6 wt for nymphs; 6–8 wt for streamers.
- Line: Floating with tungsten jigs or sink-tip options for streamers.
- Tippet: 4X–6X fluorocarbon (match clarity and flies).
- Pocket flies (pack these): a tungsten jig, two poachers, a bright egg, two zebra midges, a sculpin streamer, a small leech.
- Clothing: Layer up — mornings are cold, afternoons mild in sun; hip/waist waders recommended.
