Fly Fishing the San Juan River
Below Navajo Dam

• Texas Hole (Quality Water) 
  Texas Hole is the premier boat ramp and access point to the quality waters of the San Juan River, making it the most popular destination for anglers. This prime location offers excellent opportunities for both floating and wade fishing along its accessible banks, where anglers can target an abundance of trophy-sized fish. Whether you’re casting upstream or downstream, Texas Hole provides a versatile fishing experience with easy wade access above the ramp, ensuring that every fishing expedition is both productive and unforgettable.

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• B.O.R. (Quality Water)
  Located closest to the dam, B.O.R. is renowned for producing some of the largest fish on the San Juan River. With its steep, challenging approach, this access point rewards anglers with impressive trophy opportunities and a dynamic fishing experience. The waters here boast a bounty of smaller aquatic insects and larvae—including midges, San Juan worms, leeches, and scuds—making it a prime spot for finesse fly presentations. Navigating the tricky, slippery wade zones adds an extra level of adventure, while anglers can choose to venture all the way to Cable Hole—the furthest, and most exhilarating run—or stay in the cooler water closer to the dam for a different challenge.

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• Munoz (Quality Water)
  Home to the renowned “Baetis Bend” run, Munoz is a summer favorite for dry fly fishing on the San Juan River. This popular spot features energetic riffles that produce mayflies and blue-wing olives, while the calm stretches with slow ledges and drop-offs create the perfect setting for delicate dry fly presentations using midges in the morning. In winter, the area transforms into highly productive leech water, offering a different, yet equally rewarding, fishing challenge. With a well-maintained parking lot and vaulted toilets available, Munoz is as convenient as it is scenic, making it a must-visit access point for anglers year-round.

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• Simon Canyon ((Quality Water) Recreation Area – BLM)
  Situated on the west side of the river outside the state park, Simon Canyon offers free access through a small recreation area managed by the BLM. This quieter alternative features dispersed camping available on a first-come, first-served basis, as well as scenic hikes throughout the area. Anglers can enjoy excellent riffle fishing, with afternoons bringing an abundance of blue wings and other aquatic insects that enhance the fishing experience on the San Juan River.

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• Simon Pointe (Quality Water)
  Simon Pointe is a premier wade-only access point located across from Simon Canyon, offering anglers a more secluded experience than the busier Texas Hole or B.O.R. With its consistently moving water, this spot is renowned for its healthy population of brown trout that favor feeding on baetis and midges—especially during the fast-flowing afternoons. The area features vaulted toilets for added convenience, making it not only a great fishing destination but also a comfortable one. Whether you're wading along the banks or standing in the water, Simon Pointe provides an ideal blend of quality water conditions, reliable trout action, and a less crowded environment for a more relaxed fishing experience.

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• Crusher Hole (Baitwater)
  Crusher Hole functions as the transition point between quality water and bait-water. Serving as the takeout for quality waters and a put-in for floating into the bait-water, this access point is unique. Anglers can enjoy wade fishing along the shoreline—although note that fishing isn’t permitted from the boat ramp here. While the fish caught in this section are generally smaller than those found in the quality waters, typically in the 12–14 inch range, they’re still a solid catch with the occasional big brown making an appearance. Also, be prepared for plenty of bait fishermen around this area, as it’s a popular spot for anglers targeting the bait-water.

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• Pumphouse (Baitwater)
  Located in the bait-water section of the San Juan, the Pumphouse offers a convenient wade-access area complete with vaulted toilets. This spot is characterized by a mix of rocky riffles and a couple of deeper runs, providing varied fishing conditions that appeal to a range of techniques. Although the fish here tend to be smaller than those in the quality waters, typically 12–14 inches, they are abundant—making this a fantastic destination for dinner fishing. Plus, it’s generally less busy than Crusher Hole, offering a more relaxed atmosphere while still delivering plenty of action on the water.
   

• Lower River 
  The lower section of the San Juan River offers a unique fishing experience with both the put-in and take-out located on BLM land. Unlike the tailwater below the dam, this section doesn’t follow the same fishing patterns and instead features seasonal flows with a minimum of around 500 cfs. Anglers come here for the chance to target hoppers and streamers, as well as to enjoy the presence of brown trout, making it a distinct and rewarding stretch of water.