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Got back yesterday from my annual holiday get-together with my bros and nephew. We always go someplace interesting for the boy (Petrified Forest Ntl. Park and Grand Canyon this year), then my non-fishing brother, Steve, and nephew head back to Denver (What a waste! HE lives in trout country and hates fishing...I live in the freakin' desert.) My novice fly fishing brother, Warren, and I wet some lines together once Steve goes home.
This year, we hit the San Juan River in northern NM for 2 hours on Friday, all day Saturday and part of Sunday.
We'd heard that the lake above the tailwater river had inverted before we arrived, and that catching was a bit "off", but it was still the best game in town. The lake always turns this time of year.
The water was the color of slightly watered-down pea soup. I have no idea how those bows saw my size 24 chocolate foam wing emergers or the red chironomids of the same size, but I landed fish on those small nymphs.
We had most of our success in a reasonably shallow area called the Kiddie Pool just above the famous Texas Hole. In the spring and summer when the water is gin clear, the bottom of that pool is blanketed with fish, usually 40-80. That doesn't always mean they feel like grabbing a fly, but it's a no-brainer for at least hooking into SOMETHING. Most of the fish are 15"-17" with the occasional 18"+ and 14"- rainbow.
Warren's casting has improved, although most fish on the Juan are caught 10'-20' from the fisherman. He managed to land a few and lost a few more. It's tough subduing a 17" bow on a #24 hook.
The Pacific coast storm hit us Saturday morning; I think it was your first storm moving through. We had good rainwhere but at times it was difficult to see the small indicators needed to detect the extremely soft takes. I decided to go steelheading.
Swinging a #12 bead head olive bugger did the trick. The grabs were sometimes violent and not having to stare at a bobicator, I could occasionally admire the snow-covered sandstone canyon carved by the river.
I didn't hit double digits either day, but it isn't always about numbers is it? You're damned right it is...but I got to fish with my little brother.
Next stop, steelheading in NorCal in February.
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