rains and cooler temps = BETTER FISHING
<p>Two weeks ago, we were wondering if the rivers were going to dry up! Now after 5 days of much needed rain, conditions are looking good for the rest of the summer. We are in the start of the monsoon season, which gives us good chances of afternoon rains in the high country and even showers in town. The San Juan in Pagosa went from 50 cfs 2 weeks ago to 140 cfs today, and because of improved conditions the lower San Juan was lowered 200 cfs to 825 cfs. Fishing conditions after some of the big storms will leave several of the drainages muddy, most of the time we drive around and find clear water on the N side of 160, and sometimes it is on the S side. It all depends on where the big storm cells were. It is very rare that all the streams in our area are blown out. If they are, we can always go down to the lower San Juan and fish the tailwater. By the way the ants fell last week, and there are still fish looking up for them.
At Sunset Ranch the fishing has been great in between blown out days. Last week Jeff and I had a family out there with visibility in the 8 – 10 inch range. That can scare some anglers away, but we got into a bunch of fish. We were throwing some of Pop's special San Juan worms,egg patterns, and the copper and hare. A lot of the fish were hooked one rod length away. Normally the ranch fish will not let you get anywhere near that close. Often times in dirty stained water we will catch more fish with beginners than when the water is gin clear. The clearer it is the spookier they are, and that means your presentation is more important.
Scott Taylor
http://highcountrycharters.com
970-946-5229
While you are in town make sure that you visit the following businesses!
Need Fly Fishing gear? See Pop's
Let it Fly
Located on Put hill, just West of Downtown Pagosa Springs.
970-264-3189
http://www.flyfishpagosa.com
Hungry for Adventure?
Pagosa Outside Adventures - Rafting, Biking, Kayaking, Tubing
Downtown Pagosa Springs
970-264-4202
http://www.pagosaoutside.com
nice bow in the high country
Brown trout caught on a float tripl
About The Author: Captain Scott Taylor
Company: High Country Fishing Charters
Area Reporting: South West Colorado
Bio: Scott Taylor has been guiding fishermen since he was 20 yrs old. His experience led him to start his own guide service in Vail, CO for 12 years before becoming a Charter Captain on the Gulf Coast of Florida. With 6 years experience on the saltwater flats of Pine Island Sound, Scott specialized in sight fishing for Redfish, Snook and Tarpon! Now in the summer time Scott runs the only charter service out of Colorado on Navajo Lake - High Country Fishing Charters! In the winter Scott is the Training Coordinator and Ski Instructor at Wolf Creek Ski Area, just outside of Pagosa Springs. Scott is Full Cert. instructor with 16 years experience at the Vail Ski School. Scott has appeared 2 times on ESPN, and once on High Country Outdoors. For information on guided fishing trips, or for Private Ski Lessons at Wolf Creek with Scott, please send an Email. The main style of fishing offered on Navajo Lake is fly fishing and light tackle (spinning & bait casting) with artificial lures and fly's. On the quality waters of the San Juan River trips are fly fishing only, instruction being the specialty. Teaching how to cast, when to cast, how to work the fly or lure, and when and where to fish. I am a very patient instructor / guide, and enjoy teaching new anglers to fish with either spinning gear or a fly rod. For the more experienced angler, I also teach techniques to improve accuracy and increase casting distance.
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