Though it's a long drive, my favorite drivable trout destination is the San Juan at Navajo Dam. Open year round, a non-resident license is $24 for 5 days (plus an annual $5 conservation fee), and fish bigger than your arm swimming at your feet. I'm just surprised it isn't talked here. For me, it does require tying and fishing midges and using light tippet (although streamers work too), but I doubt that alone would scare many people away. Is it just so well known there's nothing to discuss? Please enlighten me if you have an idea why it isn't brought up, and I did search across the forums before posting. Thanks.

ssshhhh!

(Oh ok, it's our secret). Correction: why doesn't anyone talk about fishing in San Juan, Puerto Rico? Is it because the power is still out?

I used to fish up there a lot. Haven't been in close to 20 years though. The fishing was always good. Didn't matter what the weather or the season, you could always find nice fish. 24 inch rainbows on size 22 midge emergers was a lot of fun. Rising trout on #20 blue wing olives during a snowstorm was memorable, too.

Maybe my kids will grow up and move out and I can go back one day.

Was there in October, and it seemed the majority fishing were in drift boats, but I prefer to wade. Around 500 cps is nice. I was told releases got up to 5000 in the summer! The NM Fish and Game has an app that gives me fishing reports and flows. I feel the San Juan is operated differently than other tail waters with respect to releases since there is no power generation at the damn. That makes it more predictable. I've fished the South Holston in TN a few times, and you have to expect the flows to fluctuate daily, so wading can be impossible on short notice. I don't think the Juan works that way. So if you too prefer wading, it's important to watch the flows across the seasons. Driving rather than flying allows you to go when you know the flows will be kept lower. Flights are usually the thing you have to book in advance for a reasonable price. Amarillo is a good stop over to split the drive from DFW, though I haven't found a hotel yet I like. I have driven straight through, and I've decided that's crazy. I do pick-up a fishing buddy in Albuquerque, and that's real easy for him.

The NAFFF( happens to be down at the time of this post) usually has some folks that go there and post about it, but I haven�t paid a lot of attention to the details.

Have you stopped at Santa Fe to break up the trip? The Santa Fe Plaza area is a great place to have a good dinner and unwind after hours on the road. No shortage of nice hotels either.

Actually, planning next year to do a loop North to the Chama then West to the San Juan then back to Albuquerque. Not sure yet if I can get good flows on both rivers in the same time frame. I have been to the Santa FeF area on the way to the Conejos, and will pass through it from Albuquerque to Chama. It is very nice.

My preferred method of getting to the San Juan isn't to drive from East Texas...its to jump on a cheap(free for me) Southwest flight from Houston Hobby to Albuquerque and rent a car to take to the San Juan dam area. Its a terrific drive up from Albuquerque...but not so terrific all the way from East Texas.

Why isn't it brought up here? Good question. I have no idea...except for myself, I'm posting a lot less re trips these days due to a perceived lack of interest.

You're right on many counts, and maybe a flight from Love is the best option. The drive to the dam is very easy as you say. I'll think hard on it next trip. There's a very nice AirBnB house we stay at, so hardly a need to haul much. I have been driving mostly to haul a one man pontoon for my friend to use, but he hasn't even set it up the last two times. He's always concerned about wading, but if the flows are around 500, it's more hassle than its worth. I always prefer wade fishing. Posted pics of fish are nice, but to me it's a hassle and I want to release as quickly as possible. Maybe without pics, there isn't much to discuss.

Couldn't agree more.

lmao now that�s funny!!!! Yes trout pics are touchy that�s why i wear my camera with it turned on and ready to go. I can get a quick shot after wetting my hands even with barbless hooks. Even when fishing at night i have lights set up right at water level facing away and camera on with 5 second timer set. Really makes it quick and painless(to the fish and the angler).

I think Meadowlark nailed it. Trip reports posted on message boards seem to be losing popularity. FB groups seem to have more activity these days than message boards, but I don't see a lot of trip reports posted there either. I don't think it has anything to do with the San Juan, people don't seem to be discussing any locations as much as they used to.

I have fished all over NM since I have lived here since first grade. I have fished the San Juan a few times. Back in the day I could catch a 16" or 18" trout in the Jemez every trip. Sometimes bigger. I did not like the long drive and camping is okay but not great at The San Juan. Now I drive 14-15 hrs from ABQ to my lake house on Sam Rayburn, straight thru. Strange for sure.

I would think for Texas boys a trip to the Gila is closer and has some great fishing, more hiking though. Early spring break time frame. If you just want lunker fish San Juan is the place.

Robert, I really enjoy your posts because of the fish pics, and it's great you do the prep so well so you can share them without compromising the fish. But honestly, you'd think some technology would make this easier. I think we need a net with pic and video buttons on the handle, with a well positioned lens and lights. Oh, and one of those GPS "find me" apps run from your cell.