San Juan River

The San Juan River, flowing below Navajo Dam in northwestern New Mexico, is one of the most celebrated tailwaters in the country—and for good reason. Cold, clear, and meticulously regulated, this stretch of river is defined by consistency: steady flows, stable temperatures, and an incredibly dense aquatic insect population that fuels world-class trout growth. Here, long glassy runs and subtle seams replace brute force, rewarding precision over power. The San Juan is a thinking angler’s river, where light tippet, accurate drifts, and patience matter as much as fly choice. Midges dominate much of the year, punctuated by seasonal mayfly hatches that can turn calm water into a lesson in humility—or perfection. Below the dam, the desert landscape fades into the background as the river commands full attention, offering a rare blend of technical challenge and unmatched productivity that keeps anglers coming back, season after season.