"Will, how are things looking this season?" Well...

Here is the snow report released March 1st for the southwest. Looks like we are below average, but March and April can be our wettest months. Regardless, we are all looking forward to what has already been a fantastic season!

SAN MIGUEL, DOLORES, ANIMAS, AND SAN JUAN RIVER BASINS as of March 1, 2013 Snow accumulation for the San Miguel, Dolores, Animas, and San Juan basins came in below normal, at just 79 percent of the median, for the month of February. This is somewhat disappointing coming on the heels of above normal accumulation in both December and January. As a result the total snowpack percentage for these basins declined 5 percentage points from last month, with a report of 83 percent of median as of March 1. Even with the decline this remains the highest snowpack percentage reported across the state. Precipitation recorded at the SNOTEL sites in these basins during February was only 67 percent of average. The year to date total decreased slightly from last month to 73 percent of average reported on March 1. The total volume of water stored in the reservoirs in these basins increased slightly from last month's reports. At the end of February the reservoirs were storing 258,000 acre-feet of water which is 67 percent of average storage for this time of year and 64 percent of what was stored last year at this time. This month's below normal precipitation and snow accumulation are directly reflected in this month's forecasts. Forecasts across the basin have declined significantly from those issued last month. April to July streamflow volumes are now expected to range from 58 percent of average for the Inflow to McPhee Reservoir to 73 percent of average for the Inflow to Vallecito Reservoir.

BWOs-the old blue wing olive

Spring and the mighty (small) blue wing olive. Catch a cloudy day on many of our western rivers and you just might see a thick hatch of these sexy little mayflies. The San Juan, Animas, Dolores, Rio, Pine and others will offer the fly angler a shot at nice fish on baetis nymphs, emergers and dries. The season is officially on!

Winter on the Juan-no crowds lots of fish

The San Juan below Navajo Dam is fishing well. Micro midge pupa, larva, eggs and leeches under a bobber are taking fish in the deep runs. Some fish can be found sipping adult midges and micro BWOs on the surface. Fun challenge for sure.

Sorry folks parks closed. Moose out front shoulda told ya.

The San Juan River (Navajo Lake State Park) will be closed on designated dates through the winter and spring of the 2010 season. Click for the dates and more info...gottrout.com

Easter Eggs, Taxes, Small Flies and BIG TROUT

Spring is in the air...images: Last week Tony Lockwood took a break from the slopes and grabbed his son Trenton for a day of fishing with Animas Valley Anglers guide Chris Meyer. It was a great day on the water, but this monster brown was the cherry. Trenton did a great job landing this beast on light tippet and a small fly. The San Juan is starting to get the reputation of having hard to catch fish. Biologists say the Juan now has a split population between rainbows and browns. It is no secret that brown trout are harder to catch than bows. The second image is a big late winter Animas cutbow. The last image is an Animas bow Kispa has her eye on.

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year!

San Juan Fishing Report: 3000 CFS and Solid Fly Fishing

The San Juan River in northern New Mexico, located below Navajo Dam is a fantastic year-round fishery. River flows are at 3000 cfs and the fishing is steady. One of the best times of the year to fish the Juan is in the winter and spring, especially with the increase in flows. Do not let the higher flows turn you off from the Juan because float fishing is one of the best ways to see and learn this tricky river. Looking for good fishing, little to no crowds and plenty of trophy trout on the fly? Well, you're in the right place. Book a fly fishing trip with Animas Valley Anglers today 970.259.0484

images: Last season high water on the Juan. 1) Jan, Will's mom hooked up 2) grip and grin with mom 3) Mom checkin' out the bow 4) Mom pretty stoked about all the trout she caught 5) Will in your face with a San Juan bow