San Juan River

Each spring, say late in February or early in March, OPTU offers its members a fine opportunity to shake the winter induced “TTs” (“Trout Tremors”). Members and their guests can sign up to go on a 4-5 night group trip to the famous San Juan River in northern New Mexico, about thirty miles east of Farmington. The first four miles of the river below Navajo Dam are famous for superb rainbow and brown trout fishing. The fish average 16’- 18’ in size and it is not uncommon to hang one 20’ plus. This is managed quality water with special regulations such as barb-less hooks and no bait. The outing is designed to avoid summer crowds so take heed that it is no wet-wading, sunscreen-sloshing jaunt, although the weather can also be nice. Those that go each year have learned to bring their whole winter fishing regalia with them, fleece, raingear, gloves and plenty of grit.

See pictures from previous trips.