jackshoe Report post Posted May 3, 2009 TJ hunt 2, two of my nephews and me got away to do a little trout fishing on the San Juan April 23rd thru the 25th. I used to fish the Juan several times a year, but the last few years it's been one or two trips a year. I don't seem to travel as well as I used to. Tom had been to the San Juan with me once before a couple of years ago, and this was the first trip for my two nephews. Tom and I left early on the morning of April 22nd for the eight hour drive to the river. We met the nephews and got our camps set up at Cottonwood campground, got our licenses bought and our gear ready for a day of fishing on the 23rd. We all had a good day on the river on the 23rd, with both nephews landing the biggest fish either had ever caught on a fly rod. The hot set up in the morning was a small cream colored egg pattern with various midge patterns or a red hot fished under it. In the afternoon, the bite switched to small mayfly nymphs. It got pretty windy about 4 o'clock and we all headed for camp for some cold brews, food, and story swapping. On the 24th we decided to try our luck in the section of the river known as the upper flats-I had heard that it had been fishing well. We got away from camp a little late, and the river was crowded when we got there. Everyone picked up a few fish, but we never really got it dialed in where we were catching them consistently. We went back to the truck for lunch and decided to spend the rest of the day fishing around the Texas hole and the Kiddie hole. Again everyone picked up a fish or two, but none of us were knocking em out of the tub. Everyone but TJ had called it a day and headed for the truck. When I left Tom at the Kiddie hole, he and another angler were fishing not to far apart. A little later we saw Tom come walking up to the parking area with te other angler who was very wet and cold. The guy was and older guy and pretty large-really large-lots larger than me even. He had lost his footing down in the Kiddie hole, fell down and couldn't get up. TJ got ahold of the guy and helped him get up. Tom hurt his back while he was lifting on the guy, but could have been real bad for the other angler if Tom had come to the truck when the rest of us did. The morning of the 25th we got out a lots earlier and headed for a back chanel off the main river on the advise of my friend Rick Hooley who is a guide on the river. We fished may fly emerger patterns all day and were into fish all day. Thanks again for the tip Rick. The wind came up really bad about 3 o'clock and we packed it in for the day. We went to the Sportsman's bar for one of their famous green chile cheeseburgers and some cold ones for supper. Ran onto some friends that I hadn't seen for awhile and had a nice evening. Sunday morning found us all tearing down camp and getting ready for the long drive home. I hope it's not another year before I get to go again. Oh yeah, if you go and stay in Cottonwood campground, lock your grub and stuff up real good at night-they have some coons living there that have phd's in getting into icechests and stuff. But that's another story. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CouesWhitetail Report post Posted May 3, 2009 Beautiful! I have some friends that fish the San Juan often and it always looks like fun. nice job saving that guy TJ, hope your back didn't get hurt too bad! Amanda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted May 3, 2009 Great pics. Glad you guy's had a great time on "The Juan". I like fishing up there, but I never seem to get up that way as often as I would like. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted May 4, 2009 Beautiful! I have some friends that fish the San Juan often and it always looks like fun. nice job saving that guy TJ, hope your back didn't get hurt too bad! Amanda The back is fine. I was just glad that I was able to help this person. We had a great trip and if any of you ever get the chance to fish the San Juan you will be in for a treat of a lifetime. It is absolutely beautiful and full of big trout. The only problem I had was trying to tie on those #22 flies. My fly fishing skills aren't the greatest and I lost some really big fish. Here are a few more pictures. I hope they don't turn out to big. Computer skills aren't good. Ted(Jackshoe) netting one of many fish. Cousin Jeff in action. Rick Hooley, our guide, me, Jeff, Ted, and Mike Not a big fish but the last one I caught. All fish were released unharmed for another day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azcouesandelk Report post Posted May 4, 2009 Very nice guys! I havent been to the san juan in about 3 years! Something special about catching 24 inch trout on size 22 midges! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamaro Report post Posted May 4, 2009 Great job.. i miss that river.... I spent 8 years guiding on it... J Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tjhunt2 Report post Posted May 5, 2009 Great job.. i miss that river.... I spent 8 years guiding on it... J What made you quit guiding on such a beautifull river? Do you still fish it? Just wondering! TJ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamaro Report post Posted May 5, 2009 Basically I got a real job... Being a Fly Fishing Guide is a ROUGH life.... Hard work, no benefits, and I looked like a saddle bag with eyes... Usually, I only fish it in the Winter because of the crowds... BUT we did float this spring... People just don't understand the quality of that fishery. I will admit that I just picked up the fly rod on a cameo... I was pretty burnt out towards the end.... Once Again Congrats... J Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazyaboutcoues Report post Posted May 6, 2009 It's been about 5 years that Jamaro promised to take me to the San Juan...Still waiting. I believe my end of the bargin has been fulfilled.... I guess J- is a big celebrity now and he doesn't have time for us pee-ons Before I die I need to make a trip up there...maybe Vini can help a fellow out. Those are some sweet trout, around here they don't grow them that big.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vinihunt Report post Posted May 8, 2009 just tell me when and I ll take you to my honeyhole where u can catch over 20" ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jamaro Report post Posted May 8, 2009 Look at all those dang people.. THAT is exactly why I don't fish that river very much.... Only in the winter... Tommy- i believe you were in San Carlos that weekend... But next time I will see if it is okay with you if I go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted May 8, 2009 That photo reminds me of Buffalo Ford on the Yellowstone in the Park. Yikes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snapshot Report post Posted May 8, 2009 That photo reminds me of Buffalo Ford on the Yellowstone in the Park. Yikes. I waded across the river near Buffalo Ford one time and almost got carried down river. I will never do that again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Rabbit Report post Posted May 8, 2009 There was a certain line we would take to the bottom of the island at the picnic area, and then walk to the head to get to the bar above the island. A guy from PA with nicely woven nymps in his flybox took 2 swims in one day trying to get to the island. Saw another get carried down below the island before shallower water allowed him to regain his footing. Gary Borger was filming a segment of his nymph fishing video there one day back in 1985 or so. Was interesting to watch. Doug~RR Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rio Report post Posted May 8, 2009 Jamaro, did you have your own guide outfit or did you guide for one of the shops up there? I haven't been to the San Jaun for a couple of years, but used to make it up there quite a bit, only used a guide couple of times to see what it was like floating down it, sure helped with the dead drifts, pointed out how much work we needed to do on our mending in general. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
