That's a beautiful spot to fish. I admire the fact you don't edit out mishaps or fails like some channels and give a true representation of fishing. Keep up the good work.
Thanks man! Yeah, I want this to be a full REALITY series. Not reality like you see on TV though where its all scripted and fake... HAHA True reality, true stories about my fishing adventures. I am not doing this for fame of being "the best fisherman" or anything. We all have bad days, sometimes (in my case) a few in a row. However, my next video will have me actually landing 2 fish in it. So stay tuned man! I went 2 days ago, and am still editing it. I will have it uploaded 2 thursdays from now (takes a while to do the editing and uploading). I agree, the San Juan is one of the prettiest places. Its a different kinda beauty though. One that you have to be there to fully admire. The dramatic cliffs and wild life you see is stunning. A few months back I was fishing the river (I wasn't filming at that time) and a doe, and two of her fawns came out of the bushes about 10 feet from me. They started drinking from the river like directly right behind me. I watched them for 2 minutes or so, and they watched me back. It was quite a feeling of peacefulness having animals there not scared of you. Knowing you aren't there for anything other then fishing. They just walked off after getting their drink and disappeared back into the thick brush. This next video will have some footage of an otter (I think it was an otter) maybe a beaver... It was hard to see. But pretty cool. It looked like it had caught a small fish, and was struggling with it in the water. God made some amazing wonders, you just have to stop and admire the beauty.
Seriously huh? Its such a great feeling to finally net a fish. Now, start tying your own flies, and that feeling will intensify by 10 fold when you net a fish on a fly you tied. HAHA
Hello, I have been sitting in front of my PC having the best laugh I have had for ages! I have watched both your videos on the San Juan and they are brilliant. You get to see what all the pros miss out on and that is real life disasters. Thank you so much for the entertainment, I know you can fish, what I do not know is if you are serious about the art of fly fishing to catch the big one. It does not matter I loved what you do, keep them coming and the word will spread. Great stuff !! Alistair Scotland
Glad I could give you some enjoyment and laughter. See you get my video's. They are not just about me doing the normal (fish for a few days then piece all the best footage together) its about the daily struggle (sometimes victory, sometimes failure) of each time I go fishing. Glad you liked them, check out my next one this coming Thursday as I actually land a fish on that one. In fact I land 2!
That’s why we call it fishing and not catching! I love your honesty in your videos, I figure a lot of guys would edit the losses and certainly the getting hooked in the back out. Great job and thanks for sharing
You bet! I love to hate it :D I appreciate the reality of your videos. Very pleasing to see that I am not the only one fumbling around on the river like a fool :) Still smiling when i have a bad day fishing.
What is the old adage? The worst day fishing is better then the best day working? Yeah, well.... Mostly true. And no one has an awesome day fishing every time they go out. But no one comes home from fishing thinking that they had the worst day they ever had either. Sorry this video ended kinda sad... But I just was trying to portray how I actually felt that day, like most of the videos I will produce. I want to show exactly the emotion I was feeling. Whether it be happy, silly, or even sad. I was a bit bummed that day, but it wasn't the worst day I have ever had either... So there is that.. HAHA
I really appreciate your style, humor, and passion. Heading up to the SJ next week for the first time and I can't wait. Been tossing flies a long time, but we just moved to NM.
+Curtis Bayer thanks! Welcome to NM! Good luck man! Hope you do well, the conditions just aren't as good as the summer, but still decent. If you can go in the late spring/summer you will get 20+ bites in a few hours, it's incredible!
McFly Angler Fortunately, I'll be going with my neighbor, who grew up in Farmington and guided the Juan for several years. So, at the least, it'll be a learning session for the next time. If you get down to ABQ, hit me up. I'm walking distance to 6 craft breweries and don't mind buying a pint when swapping fly stories.
sweet, thanks man! Well either way, good luck! Im sure you will catch. Like I said though, its a bit better fishing in the summer, but its still really good right now.
Great and entertaining video. I just recently began fly fishing and when I netted my first, a small 10" brown, I was so excited! I am hooked on it now. But I don't tie my own flies, but I do enjoy painting replicas. I just love doing that. Holding a nice trout and then releasing it feels great. And when I am asked to paint a replica, it is almost like holding one again! Really enjoyed the videos.
My first fish on the fly was (like most people) a bluegill and I felt like a professional at the time. HAHA Now I feel like a full amateur for sure. lol
Great video. I appreciate your passion. May I ask what flies you were using? Your patterns were productive. If you don’t mind, I suggest try setting the hook in a downstream motion. If the fish has some weight to it, get the fish on the reel instead of stripping the fish in. This will let the rod do some of the work for you. I can relate to the frustration of losing fish, we all have, consider it a learning experience. On a positive note, you are using the right patterns! That is half the battle. Good luck and tight lines. Your hard work is appreciated.
I enjoyed the videos. I have been fishing on the San Juan for a while but not with the same success you have shown here. Hope to see you out there sometime and maybe you could offer some advise about what I may be missing.
Im glad you liked the video's! :) So im not sure if you call that trip a "success" since I didnt land any fish, however if you are talking about me hooking many, I can do my best to help. Check out my 3rd video in the series (I land some fish) But I also talk about my rig and how I set it up. Also, make sure you make your flies reallllly small. I notice they just watch size 24 float right by usually. If the water is a bit dirty/cloudy then you can get away with size 24 flies, however I find that the most part they want size 28-32. The smaller your midge the better. Also, try to get away from the crowds. Go on a week day, you will have a better time and probably hook more fish. Also move to spots that aren't as popular. I see lots of people fishing kiddie hole, or stack side by side in the braids. When I fish, I will keep walking till I feel a bit secluded. I don't want people right up on me because generally they are making noise and the fish know that flies are gonna be floating by. I basically fish a midge the entire time. I will start the day off with some midge pattern (zebra midge, black beauty, etc...) on the bottom, then put an emerger pattern (KF emerger, RS2, etc...) above or on the dropper. Whenever I get a hit on either one, I will usually throw two of that type on. But also the midges change form all day long, and one hour the regular midge patterns will work when an hour later they could want an emerger. So keep that in mind. I would love to go out and fish with ya man. Im always looking for new fishing buddies. Especially since I am new to this area and don't know many people who fish. PM me with your email address and we can maybe setup a trip to go fish together if you are interested.
Yes, that is the most common problem I find when people aren't hooking into fish on that river. I just explained this to a guy on a forum a few days ago when he told me that I lost fish because I was fishing a size 28 midge and that I should up the midge to a 22 or 20 and I will land fish. I tried to tell him that this river is fished every day by 100's of people. The fish become accustom to seeing people, so they aren't really afraid of people and will come up and nip your waders. However they also are accustom to the regular flies people fish. Flies like a "san juan worm" are so over fished on that river that I rarely use them (except as maybe an attractor). But they really won't touch any fly under 26, and some days even 28 might be too large. However 2 weeks ago the lake turned over and the water kinda clowded up a bit. I found they were starting to hit the larger flies since they couldn't see the smaller ones. But thats rare, and I'm not sure if thats the case anymore. Ever fish the Animas? I just fished there last week. Its size 18 baetis patterns, so a bit easier to hook (and keep) larger fish. You don't have to go size 28 there.
Mc. I saw that you were thinking of going to a 3 wt, but I don't that is the problem, if there is one. I have fished in many of the spots you were in, and what I found works, (and is suggested by a guide friend of mine) is a 4 or 5 wt, 10 ft, with a soft tip, and reel with a very consistent drag. Just some thoughts. With the 6x and 20+ barbless hook, it is very easy (as you know) to break them off. lots of patience is a must.I really enjoyed your videos, perhaps I will see you there one day
+Nick Shadow nice yeah please say hi if you see me! Thanks for the info. I have a subscriber sending me a 10' 4wt as a trial rod, I will try that and see how it works. Thanks again!
I'm really enjoy your videos man! I liked the part where we were able to see the strike indicator, and see what happens while using them. It gives me a better thought on how to use them properly. Keep up the good stuff bud.
I checked out those reels . Dude they are way nice , especially for the price. Awesome video by the way, don't worry I've had plenty of those days losing all those fish.
+Rudy Gurule yeah they are pretty cool. Honestly I think once I save up a little bit of money for my next rod set up that will be my real for it. I want to get a 10 foot 3wt rod with a medium action. It will help me actually land these larger fish and protect the fine tippit and small flies
Nice vid as always . I miss living up there but a guy has to earn a living . It looks to me like you are hooking them in the side of the mouth where it's very fleshy and pulling the hook . Try setting the hook with an upward motion toward the fish , hopefully this will drive the hook into the roof where its tougher . Ron
Yeah a lot of people do use the yarn/wool strike indicators on this river. However I am not having trouble getting bites, just keeping them pegged with the small midges. I need the large split shot to stay deep where they are in the fast moving water. I actually switched up my rig a bit for my last trip, and landed 2 of them. You will see the rig on the next video. It is a large split shot still, but the way I rigged it, it can keep them from seeing it as much. Its a dropper rig rather then a direct tie to the 1st midge. If that makes sense? That kinda helped when upping my leader size and midge size for some reason.
The reason why you cannot in certain states (CA for instance) is because they are protecting against salmon snagging, and it keeps you from doing that. It is fully legal to salmon snag on the Navajo Lake (the lake that the San Juan is the tailwater for). New Mexico doesn't have a law against it and I don't believe it applies to the tail water either. The only laws in this tailwater that I am aware of are that you have to de-barb your fly, and you cannot use bait (at least in the quality water section). However, I wasn't drop shooting... If you have a fly below the weight (even if a fly is above a weight) then it is still not considered drop shooting technically... At least that is my understanding. I never fished this way though when I lived in CA, I would just fish a weighted fly at the bottom to keep it down below the 1st fly. Then no need for a shot. Also, didnt want to break any laws you know? I don't even fish this way all the time here, just the last week we had really mucky water, and I needed to separate the flies a bit and keep them at different depths. One needed to be almost near the bottom, and the other a foot or so up. This is the way I did this, whether its the right method or not, I don't know... Im not an expert by any means. However it did land me 2 fish. HAHA
BTW, when I say a dropper rig, I mean making a dropper loop, then cutting off one side to make 2 tag ends basically that two flies tie to. i.e. option 2 on this website... theflyfishingbasics.com/two-fly-setup/ Just I put a split shot on the top of both flies, then another above the fly that is the longest tag end. Usually its a midge larvae on the bottom/longer, then an emerger on the top/shorter...
find out if drop shoting is legal if it is it allows for a more controlled presentation as the bottom fly should be 6-8inchs above you shot, then the top fly 16-18 inch's above the shot, making snagging the bottem not as expensive as only shot is lost. drop shoting is my preferred nymphing if I have to use shot. Kelly galloup has two good videos on the subject on the slide inn's TH-cam channel
Very nice video and I'm looking forward to more. You're upload time is crazy. I assume you are living a little off the grid. I use the same rod with a Cabela's RLS reel. Though I have 4 decent combos to choose from I used this setup most often this past year.
Yeah its not off grid, its just off the beaten path. Sucks. HAHA But what is nice is I have turkey, deer, and duck within viewing distance of my front door. Got a turkey this last thanksgiving actually by just walking a few feet from my front door with a shotgun. HAHA. But I am hooked up to water, and electricity. Im not off grid by any means.
Nymphs and midges most of the time work there, never had a problem with catching fish. But they probably would work given the right circumstances. Wet flies however generally mimic caddis coming up, which they come up quickly. Hence swinging wet flies. There really aren't many caddis this far up in the river, in fact I don't think there are any at all. They are around further down, where it warms up.
It was a rod I built my self. I got the blank from "the hook and the hackle" which sells rod building stuff. Its their Xi series rod. 9' 5wt. It is a great rod honestly, and throws streamers like crazy! I actually come from more of a streamer style fishing, so its what I used for large trout in Northern CA to throw heavy streamers. I really am just learning the nymphing thing because I rarely did it before. I moved to northern NM about 9 months ago, so I'm still learning this "fines" type fishing. Check out the last video, I show that rod in the video at the beginning of me setting up for the river.
I change my drag when it’s running and i don’t see anything wrong with that. Your adjusting your drag for the size of fish on your reel. Maybe I’m wrong I don’t see anything wrong with it. Seems like a lot of fly fishing is all preference.
+Robert Plewnarz lol thanks! Honestly I've caught quite a few good size fish out of that river just somehow filming made it difficult. I just found earlier this week though and landed to fish. One was 16- inches, and the other was about 18 to 19 inches. Nothing huge, and certainly not the largest I've caught out of that River, but finally got them On camera... I appreciate your viewership man, it's what keeps me doing this. It's really not easy to film and fish. And editing just takes forever which Zapps a lot of my time. But knowing that People were there watching and enjoying my Videos keeps me going back for more
Another great Video. I'm not sure but I think you should probably just back off that drag. Don't be afraid to let the big fish run. That way you can play them out a little bit. then when they are tired you can turn them.
Thanks! I know it seems like I have the drag setting on like way high, but seriously its on setting 1.... If I go any lower the reel will freespool and tangle up the line. It seems like I'm putting a lot of pressure on them I know, but seriously its like no pressure at all. Maybe I just need a new reel that gives a more smooth drag then that one I have. I always thought it was good though until fishing these tiny midges. I used to use it for trout up in Northern CA just fine (5x tippet and size 6-16 nymphs). I also used it for small bass on the lake, and even some stripper. It did just fine as a 6wt back there. But man, I need to get a 3wt I think with a smoother drag.
Its getting better now, still hurts on certain movements, but I am able to be back fishing (but have to favor it a lot). Funny thing is, I turned over in the middle of the night while sleeping and felt (and heard) a pop. I got up, took an advil, and went back to bed. When I woke up the next morning (the day I was going fishing) I couldn't even lift my arm over my head without intense pain. I went fishing anyway and well that was a bad idea. The troubles of getting old..... The doc said it probably would have healed just fine if I didn't put it through the grind all day right after injuring it. But yeah, it still pops and grinds while rotating it, and I can't really reach up and back. But, I can get it over my shoulder now and therefor was able to fish 2 days ago. I actually finally hooked and landed 2 good size trout. One about 16-17" and one 18-19". That video will come out in 2 Thursdays from now. Thank you for asking, I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Stupid senseless injuries is just what you have to deal with when getting old and out of shape. HAHA
Try setting your hook with a straight up motion. You keep setting to your right side, down river. I was told by a guide on the san juan to not do that because you lose fish. Set straight up. Great video!
+MrLeothecat thanks, I will try. You have like everyone saying set down stream, and well, it's obviously not working so I will try straight up for sure thanks!
You need to learn to set the hook DOWNSTREAM works better! :-) Enjoy the vids I might see you down there some day I live about an hour and forty five away.
Lets go fishing man! Im always up for meeting a new fishing friend. So was I not setting down stream? I thought I was. However I am known to be wrong a lot.
It looked like some were downstream in the last part of the video. Heck, maybe I cant tell downstream from upstream ;-) I usually try to hit the Juan around Feb early Mar. before it gets too crazy.
Seems like when you lost that fish your drag was too tight. So I’m gonna have to disagree with the not adjusting your drag while the fish is on LET EM RUNNNN!
I hope you got your shoulder looked at bud. I've had shoulder issues from an accident. Get some resistance bands and download some exercises from an the academy of orthopedic surgeons. Those exercises saved me a shoulder surgery.
+Kenneth Ewald it's starting to feel better now, took about a month! This was filmed about 2 weeks before it was uploaded. My arm still hurts with certain movements however I do have a wider range of motion now, thank God! Haha
If it being torn by bone spurs then you will never stop having pain and it will get worse. Could loose total mobility in the shoulder. My son had the surgery when he was about 45 and he had bone spurs, so it could be for you.
Nymph fishing nearly always works. Check what's on the underside of rocks and match the insect. Trout eat 90% of their diet underwater. Or so I've heard!
Where I come from you ALWAYS pick up your spent cartridges - we hunters have enough antagonism from the metro flakes - leaving trash really doesn’t help our case. Okay - rant over, you didn’t do it 👍. Great video - thank you. JC 🇨🇦🇬🇧
+Kenneth Ewald sweet, I cannot say whether or not they are good as I have never used one, but the quality seemed excellent when he let me hold it. Please tell him when you order that you saw his reel on my video.
Cool, well let me know what you think about them when you get it. I have a few things that are taking my spending money away right now so I cannot pick one up for a while. But I would love to hear other people's take on the reel. It sure did look really nice! I think its probably a really good reel.
you know why you lost the last two fish? Because you have no idea how to land a fish. Why are you dragging it upstream through running water? There's calm water below and behind you. It is so much easier to angle it downstream and towards the shore into clam water! Not only will it yield fewer fish, it's way worse for the fish because they get much more tired.
That's a beautiful spot to fish. I admire the fact you don't edit out mishaps or fails like some channels and give a true representation of fishing. Keep up the good work.
Thanks man! Yeah, I want this to be a full REALITY series. Not reality like you see on TV though where its all scripted and fake... HAHA True reality, true stories about my fishing adventures. I am not doing this for fame of being "the best fisherman" or anything. We all have bad days, sometimes (in my case) a few in a row. However, my next video will have me actually landing 2 fish in it. So stay tuned man! I went 2 days ago, and am still editing it. I will have it uploaded 2 thursdays from now (takes a while to do the editing and uploading).
I agree, the San Juan is one of the prettiest places. Its a different kinda beauty though. One that you have to be there to fully admire. The dramatic cliffs and wild life you see is stunning. A few months back I was fishing the river (I wasn't filming at that time) and a doe, and two of her fawns came out of the bushes about 10 feet from me. They started drinking from the river like directly right behind me. I watched them for 2 minutes or so, and they watched me back. It was quite a feeling of peacefulness having animals there not scared of you. Knowing you aren't there for anything other then fishing. They just walked off after getting their drink and disappeared back into the thick brush.
This next video will have some footage of an otter (I think it was an otter) maybe a beaver... It was hard to see. But pretty cool. It looked like it had caught a small fish, and was struggling with it in the water. God made some amazing wonders, you just have to stop and admire the beauty.
I'm totally new to fly fishing but when I caught my first fish it felt like winning the Super Bowl and I wonder why more people aren't doing it.
abe frohman that is so true
Seriously huh? Its such a great feeling to finally net a fish. Now, start tying your own flies, and that feeling will intensify by 10 fold when you net a fish on a fly you tied. HAHA
That's the plan as well as looking to relocate to a area with more trout fishing options.
Hello, I have been sitting in front of my PC having the best laugh I have had for ages! I have watched both your videos on the San Juan and they are brilliant. You get to see what all the pros miss out on and that is real life disasters. Thank you so much for the entertainment, I know you can fish, what I do not know is if you are serious about the art of fly fishing to catch the big one. It does not matter I loved what you do, keep them coming and the word will spread. Great stuff !!
Alistair
Scotland
Glad I could give you some enjoyment and laughter. See you get my video's. They are not just about me doing the normal (fish for a few days then piece all the best footage together) its about the daily struggle (sometimes victory, sometimes failure) of each time I go fishing. Glad you liked them, check out my next one this coming Thursday as I actually land a fish on that one. In fact I land 2!
That’s why we call it fishing and not catching! I love your honesty in your videos, I figure a lot of guys would edit the losses and certainly the getting hooked in the back out. Great job and thanks for sharing
Lol thanks! Have you seen my more recent videos?
Hahaha I thoroughly enjoyed the everyday struggles of a fisherman. Thanks for the laugh, nice video.
Thanks! Yeah fishing isn't always fun and games, however its always enjoyable huh?
You bet! I love to hate it :D I appreciate the reality of your videos. Very pleasing to see that I am not the only one fumbling around on the river like a fool :) Still smiling when i have a bad day fishing.
What is the old adage? The worst day fishing is better then the best day working? Yeah, well.... Mostly true. And no one has an awesome day fishing every time they go out. But no one comes home from fishing thinking that they had the worst day they ever had either. Sorry this video ended kinda sad... But I just was trying to portray how I actually felt that day, like most of the videos I will produce. I want to show exactly the emotion I was feeling. Whether it be happy, silly, or even sad. I was a bit bummed that day, but it wasn't the worst day I have ever had either... So there is that.. HAHA
I really appreciate your style, humor, and passion. Heading up to the SJ next week for the first time and I can't wait. Been tossing flies a long time, but we just moved to NM.
+Curtis Bayer thanks! Welcome to NM! Good luck man! Hope you do well, the conditions just aren't as good as the summer, but still decent. If you can go in the late spring/summer you will get 20+ bites in a few hours, it's incredible!
McFly Angler Fortunately, I'll be going with my neighbor, who grew up in Farmington and guided the Juan for several years. So, at the least, it'll be a learning session for the next time. If you get down to ABQ, hit me up. I'm walking distance to 6 craft breweries and don't mind buying a pint when swapping fly stories.
sweet, thanks man! Well either way, good luck! Im sure you will catch. Like I said though, its a bit better fishing in the summer, but its still really good right now.
Great and entertaining video. I just recently began fly fishing and when I netted my first, a small 10" brown, I was so excited! I am hooked on it now. But I don't tie my own flies, but I do enjoy painting replicas. I just love doing that. Holding a nice trout and then releasing it feels great. And when I am asked to paint a replica, it is almost like holding one again! Really enjoyed the videos.
My first fish on the fly was (like most people) a bluegill and I felt like a professional at the time. HAHA Now I feel like a full amateur for sure. lol
Enjoyed watching!
I live in Albuquerque. I started fly fishing last year and I am hooked. I love fishing up there at the San Juan.
Message me next time your up fishing this river, and ill see if I can come out and fish with you! Always looking for new people to fish with. :)
That would be awesome! I appreciate the offer. I will message you for sure!
Great video. I appreciate your passion. May I ask what flies you were using? Your patterns were productive. If you don’t mind, I suggest try setting the hook in a downstream motion. If the fish has some weight to it, get the fish on the reel instead of stripping the fish in. This will let the rod do some of the work for you. I can relate to the frustration of losing fish, we all have, consider it a learning experience. On a positive note, you are using the right patterns! That is half the battle. Good luck and tight lines. Your hard work is appreciated.
Glad you like the video bro.
New subscriber. You're my new best fishing vlogger ever!
Oh thank you Buskak! Thats nice of you to say! :)
Greetings all the way from Sri Lanka , presently touring through Kentucky , love your videos, JW
+Janaka WICKRAMASURENDRA glad you like them! Do you fish over there? If so, how is it?
Great channel man!!
Appreciate it!
I enjoyed the videos. I have been fishing on the San Juan for a while but not with the same success you have shown here. Hope to see you out there sometime and maybe you could offer some advise about what I may be missing.
Im glad you liked the video's! :)
So im not sure if you call that trip a "success" since I didnt land any fish, however if you are talking about me hooking many, I can do my best to help. Check out my 3rd video in the series (I land some fish) But I also talk about my rig and how I set it up. Also, make sure you make your flies reallllly small. I notice they just watch size 24 float right by usually. If the water is a bit dirty/cloudy then you can get away with size 24 flies, however I find that the most part they want size 28-32. The smaller your midge the better.
Also, try to get away from the crowds. Go on a week day, you will have a better time and probably hook more fish. Also move to spots that aren't as popular. I see lots of people fishing kiddie hole, or stack side by side in the braids. When I fish, I will keep walking till I feel a bit secluded. I don't want people right up on me because generally they are making noise and the fish know that flies are gonna be floating by.
I basically fish a midge the entire time. I will start the day off with some midge pattern (zebra midge, black beauty, etc...) on the bottom, then put an emerger pattern (KF emerger, RS2, etc...) above or on the dropper. Whenever I get a hit on either one, I will usually throw two of that type on. But also the midges change form all day long, and one hour the regular midge patterns will work when an hour later they could want an emerger. So keep that in mind.
I would love to go out and fish with ya man. Im always looking for new fishing buddies. Especially since I am new to this area and don't know many people who fish. PM me with your email address and we can maybe setup a trip to go fish together if you are interested.
I think the biggest problem I have been having is not fishing small enough flies.
Yes, that is the most common problem I find when people aren't hooking into fish on that river. I just explained this to a guy on a forum a few days ago when he told me that I lost fish because I was fishing a size 28 midge and that I should up the midge to a 22 or 20 and I will land fish. I tried to tell him that this river is fished every day by 100's of people. The fish become accustom to seeing people, so they aren't really afraid of people and will come up and nip your waders. However they also are accustom to the regular flies people fish. Flies like a "san juan worm" are so over fished on that river that I rarely use them (except as maybe an attractor). But they really won't touch any fly under 26, and some days even 28 might be too large. However 2 weeks ago the lake turned over and the water kinda clowded up a bit. I found they were starting to hit the larger flies since they couldn't see the smaller ones. But thats rare, and I'm not sure if thats the case anymore.
Ever fish the Animas? I just fished there last week. Its size 18 baetis patterns, so a bit easier to hook (and keep) larger fish. You don't have to go size 28 there.
Mc. I saw that you were thinking of going to a 3 wt, but I don't that is the problem, if there is one. I have fished in many of the spots you were in, and what I found works, (and is suggested by a guide friend of mine) is a 4 or 5 wt, 10 ft, with a soft tip, and reel with a very consistent drag. Just some thoughts. With the 6x and 20+ barbless hook, it is very easy (as you know) to break them off. lots of patience is a must.I really enjoyed your videos, perhaps I will see you there one day
+Nick Shadow nice yeah please say hi if you see me! Thanks for the info. I have a subscriber sending me a 10' 4wt as a trial rod, I will try that and see how it works. Thanks again!
I'm really enjoy your videos man! I liked the part where we were able to see the strike indicator, and see what happens while using them. It gives me a better thought on how to use them properly. Keep up the good stuff bud.
+Tanon Mein glad you like the vids! Check out the one coming 2 Thursday's from now
I checked out those reels . Dude they are way nice , especially for the price. Awesome video by the way, don't worry I've had plenty of those days losing all those fish.
+Rudy Gurule yeah they are pretty cool. Honestly I think once I save up a little bit of money for my next rod set up that will be my real for it. I want to get a 10 foot 3wt rod with a medium action. It will help me actually land these larger fish and protect the fine tippit and small flies
LOL. Nice journey, Love the kids. Greetings from the catskills.
The kids? Are you talking about the cheering when I hook a fish then the booing when I see its small? HAHA
Yes great attention to your editing. Good stuff.
Oh thanks! :)
Lol! can't tell you how many times I've caught my back Too!
+Eugene Walk we all have done it
Dope Video! Sending blessing your way, Keep inspiring!🎒🙌🏻
Nice vid as always . I miss living up there but a guy has to earn a living . It looks to me like you are hooking them in the side of the mouth where it's very fleshy and pulling the hook . Try setting the hook with an upward motion toward the fish , hopefully this will drive the hook into the roof where its tougher . Ron
Glad you like the video.
Love these videos... Please post more vids of you fishing... I subscribed
+Steelhead fishing glad you like it, thanks I will! I'm actually up in Durango fishing the animus today with no luck :(. But it's a beautiful place!
A535 for your shoulder will help. Kind of a good pain though LOL. Love your videos, keep making them!
What is A535? Glad you like the videos.
on those pressured fish it maybe worth while swapping to smaller spilt shot and yarn/wool strike indicators
Yeah a lot of people do use the yarn/wool strike indicators on this river. However I am not having trouble getting bites, just keeping them pegged with the small midges. I need the large split shot to stay deep where they are in the fast moving water. I actually switched up my rig a bit for my last trip, and landed 2 of them. You will see the rig on the next video. It is a large split shot still, but the way I rigged it, it can keep them from seeing it as much. Its a dropper rig rather then a direct tie to the 1st midge. If that makes sense? That kinda helped when upping my leader size and midge size for some reason.
can you drop shot? ie shot below flies
The reason why you cannot in certain states (CA for instance) is because they are protecting against salmon snagging, and it keeps you from doing that. It is fully legal to salmon snag on the Navajo Lake (the lake that the San Juan is the tailwater for). New Mexico doesn't have a law against it and I don't believe it applies to the tail water either. The only laws in this tailwater that I am aware of are that you have to de-barb your fly, and you cannot use bait (at least in the quality water section).
However, I wasn't drop shooting... If you have a fly below the weight (even if a fly is above a weight) then it is still not considered drop shooting technically... At least that is my understanding. I never fished this way though when I lived in CA, I would just fish a weighted fly at the bottom to keep it down below the 1st fly. Then no need for a shot. Also, didnt want to break any laws you know?
I don't even fish this way all the time here, just the last week we had really mucky water, and I needed to separate the flies a bit and keep them at different depths. One needed to be almost near the bottom, and the other a foot or so up. This is the way I did this, whether its the right method or not, I don't know... Im not an expert by any means. However it did land me 2 fish. HAHA
BTW, when I say a dropper rig, I mean making a dropper loop, then cutting off one side to make 2 tag ends basically that two flies tie to. i.e. option 2 on this website... theflyfishingbasics.com/two-fly-setup/ Just I put a split shot on the top of both flies, then another above the fly that is the longest tag end. Usually its a midge larvae on the bottom/longer, then an emerger on the top/shorter...
find out if drop shoting is legal if it is it allows for a more controlled presentation as the bottom fly should be 6-8inchs above you shot, then the top fly 16-18 inch's above the shot, making snagging the bottem not as expensive as only shot is lost. drop shoting is my preferred nymphing if I have to use shot. Kelly galloup has two good videos on the subject on the slide inn's TH-cam channel
Very nice video and I'm looking forward to more. You're upload time is crazy. I assume you are living a little off the grid. I use the same rod with a Cabela's RLS reel. Though I have 4 decent combos to choose from I used this setup most often this past year.
Yeah its not off grid, its just off the beaten path. Sucks. HAHA But what is nice is I have turkey, deer, and duck within viewing distance of my front door. Got a turkey this last thanksgiving actually by just walking a few feet from my front door with a shotgun. HAHA. But I am hooked up to water, and electricity. Im not off grid by any means.
Nice vid. You ever try wet flies?
Nymphs and midges most of the time work there, never had a problem with catching fish. But they probably would work given the right circumstances. Wet flies however generally mimic caddis coming up, which they come up quickly. Hence swinging wet flies. There really aren't many caddis this far up in the river, in fact I don't think there are any at all. They are around further down, where it warms up.
hey man I live in Farmington new mexico and fly fish as well. we should hit some water some time!
Yeah Im down! PM me for my phone number, and we can discuss some good times to go..
What rod were u using last time
It was a rod I built my self. I got the blank from "the hook and the hackle" which sells rod building stuff. Its their Xi series rod. 9' 5wt. It is a great rod honestly, and throws streamers like crazy! I actually come from more of a streamer style fishing, so its what I used for large trout in Northern CA to throw heavy streamers. I really am just learning the nymphing thing because I rarely did it before. I moved to northern NM about 9 months ago, so I'm still learning this "fines" type fishing. Check out the last video, I show that rod in the video at the beginning of me setting up for the river.
I change my drag when it’s running and i don’t see anything wrong with that. Your adjusting your drag for the size of fish on your reel. Maybe I’m wrong I don’t see anything wrong with it. Seems like a lot of fly fishing is all preference.
That is true
did you end up looking at that reel?
Yeah, they look quite nice actually. Here is the guys website. www.qualiflyproducts.com/store/the-maverick-semi-frame-fly-reel
sweet will take a look
I am probably going to order one sent him a message about extra spool would be nice to have two
Please tell him you found out about him from my video...
Don't give up! There's a big one in there somewhere and the subs are in your corner.
+Robert Plewnarz lol thanks! Honestly I've caught quite a few good size fish out of that river just somehow filming made it difficult. I just found earlier this week though and landed to fish. One was 16- inches, and the other was about 18 to 19 inches. Nothing huge, and certainly not the largest I've caught out of that River, but finally got them On camera...
I appreciate your viewership man, it's what keeps me doing this. It's really not easy to film and fish. And editing just takes forever which Zapps a lot of my time. But knowing that People were there watching and enjoying my Videos keeps me going back for more
Please post a link to those reels.
Ok here it is... www.qualiflyproducts.com/store/the-maverick-semi-frame-fly-reel
Another great Video. I'm not sure but I think you should probably just back off that drag. Don't be afraid to let the big fish run. That way you can play them out a little bit. then when they are tired you can turn them.
Thanks! I know it seems like I have the drag setting on like way high, but seriously its on setting 1.... If I go any lower the reel will freespool and tangle up the line. It seems like I'm putting a lot of pressure on them I know, but seriously its like no pressure at all. Maybe I just need a new reel that gives a more smooth drag then that one I have. I always thought it was good though until fishing these tiny midges. I used to use it for trout up in Northern CA just fine (5x tippet and size 6-16 nymphs). I also used it for small bass on the lake, and even some stripper. It did just fine as a 6wt back there. But man, I need to get a 3wt I think with a smoother drag.
Great video . Hope the shoulders ok
Its getting better now, still hurts on certain movements, but I am able to be back fishing (but have to favor it a lot). Funny thing is, I turned over in the middle of the night while sleeping and felt (and heard) a pop. I got up, took an advil, and went back to bed. When I woke up the next morning (the day I was going fishing) I couldn't even lift my arm over my head without intense pain. I went fishing anyway and well that was a bad idea. The troubles of getting old.....
The doc said it probably would have healed just fine if I didn't put it through the grind all day right after injuring it. But yeah, it still pops and grinds while rotating it, and I can't really reach up and back. But, I can get it over my shoulder now and therefor was able to fish 2 days ago. I actually finally hooked and landed 2 good size trout. One about 16-17" and one 18-19". That video will come out in 2 Thursdays from now.
Thank you for asking, I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Stupid senseless injuries is just what you have to deal with when getting old and out of shape. HAHA
Try setting your hook with a straight up motion. You keep setting to your right side, down river. I was told by a guide on the san juan to not do that because you lose fish. Set straight up. Great video!
+MrLeothecat thanks, I will try. You have like everyone saying set down stream, and well, it's obviously not working so I will try straight up for sure thanks!
Set low and down stream when nymphing.
But it was worth it, right?! Enjoyed the video
Always is! Thanks, glad you liked it.
You need to learn to set the hook DOWNSTREAM works better! :-) Enjoy the vids I might see you down there some day I live about an hour and forty five away.
Lets go fishing man! Im always up for meeting a new fishing friend. So was I not setting down stream? I thought I was. However I am known to be wrong a lot.
I will say that I know I set it too hard. I come from a saltwater fishing game... Need a hard set there. Just habits die hard. I am learning.
It looked like some were downstream in the last part of the video. Heck, maybe I cant tell downstream from upstream ;-) I usually try to hit the Juan around Feb early Mar. before it gets too crazy.
I could try to hook up with you some time.
Yeah let me know...
Pick up a tube of Sort Creme will help your shoulder a bunch. John K
Thanks! Yeah its feeling much better now, thank you though! :)
Seems like when you lost that fish your drag was too tight. So I’m gonna have to disagree with the not adjusting your drag while the fish is on LET EM RUNNNN!
Maybe….
That was SPORT CREME about $6.00
👍👍🍻
+Fernando Miron 😀
I hope you got your shoulder looked at bud. I've had shoulder issues from an accident. Get some resistance bands and download some exercises from an the academy of orthopedic surgeons. Those exercises saved me a shoulder surgery.
Oh thanks, yeah this was many years ago. I’m in physical therapy for many different things, mostly my back though.
Go see an orthopedic surgeon that does shoulders. You might have a torn rotator cuff. If so the fix is painful, but necessary.
+Kenneth Ewald it's starting to feel better now, took about a month! This was filmed about 2 weeks before it was uploaded. My arm still hurts with certain movements however I do have a wider range of motion now, thank God! Haha
Did you have surgery? I'm presently recovering from surgery on my right shoulder for the same problem.
+Kenneth Ewald no, im not a huge fan of doctors... haha
If it being torn by bone spurs then you will never stop having pain and it will get worse. Could loose total mobility in the shoulder. My son had the surgery when he was about 45 and he had bone spurs, so it could be for you.
well I'm 33, but I have been hard on my body over the years. So maybe. Anyway, thanks for the help.
Nymph fishing nearly always works. Check what's on the underside of rocks and match the insect. Trout eat 90% of their diet underwater. Or so I've heard!
+Kenneth Ewald yep, that's what I was doing...
great video 👍 from me. I have some trout fishing on wilderness junkies if you care to check it out. but great video I will keep watching your videos
+Wilderness Junkies great I will try and check them out. I'm glad you like mine!
Where I come from you ALWAYS pick up your spent cartridges - we hunters have enough antagonism from the metro flakes - leaving trash really doesn’t help our case. Okay - rant over, you didn’t do it 👍.
Great video - thank you.
JC 🇨🇦🇬🇧
It happens. I went back and picked them up that day on my way back to my car. I usually try to pick up trash when out on the river.
I'm going to ask my wife to get me a Maverick for my birthday in March. My old 7 wt. has a very old clicker type reel.
+Kenneth Ewald sweet, I cannot say whether or not they are good as I have never used one, but the quality seemed excellent when he let me hold it. Please tell him when you order that you saw his reel on my video.
I did - then I told him what I want in March.
Cool, well let me know what you think about them when you get it. I have a few things that are taking my spending money away right now so I cannot pick one up for a while. But I would love to hear other people's take on the reel. It sure did look really nice! I think its probably a really good reel.
you know why you lost the last two fish? Because you have no idea how to land a fish. Why are you dragging it upstream through running water? There's calm water below and behind you. It is so much easier to angle it downstream and towards the shore into clam water! Not only will it yield fewer fish, it's way worse for the fish because they get much more tired.
Ok thank you for the info...