Diamond M Bar Ranch- San Juan River- Pagosa Springs, CO
Location
Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Group Size
Max 3 people
Duration
12 hours
Location
Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Group Size
Max 3 people
Duration
12 hours
When people think of the San Juan river, they usually think of the hugely popular stretch below Navajo Dam. Either that or the fun pocket water that runs through Pagosa Springs. Well between those two locations lies miles of rarely fished water that flows through private and tribal land. This is where the Diamond M Bar Ranch is located. This working family ranch has a wonderful and unique stretch of the San Juan that holds fish year round and serves as a wildlife corridor through the private ranches in the area.
For generations, the owner’s family have lived here and worked the land. In fact, they owned this ranch before Colorado was even a state! They enjoy fishing the river on occasion, but it’s a resource that is grossly underutilized. Big browns are found luring in deep holes in this freestone section, but rainbows can be found as well. Rolling hills surround the green pastures of the ranch that is bisected by the sparkling blue ribbon of water. Beautiful cottonwoods line the river where the leaves rustle in the breeze. Between the views and the fish, you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic day!
This segment of the San Juan begins to heat up in late April and early May, before runoff brings higher flows and turbid waters through June. Once the water clears, you may catch a stonefly hatch or two. As the stones disappear, they make way for caddis and mayflies that dominate the mid-summer hatches. As the weather cools and the leaves turn, BWO hatches come off the water and the big fish start to aggressively chase streamers. Come get some fun fall action as the big boys start to bulk up for the long winter ahead.
