1791 Hwy. 173 - Navajo Dam, NM 87419
(Mapquest wants to send you to THE DAM, not the town of Navajo Dam.
If you will use the address above you will be in our town and close
to the motel and stores.)
From Farmington, NM: (50 minutes) There is
two ways to get to Navajo Dam from Farmington. Through
Bloomfield or through Aztec that's Hwy. 64 (Blmfld) or Hwy
505 (Aztec). Both ways are about the same mileage from Farmington, it is just
which side of Farmington you are on. If you come from Aztec
(commercial side of Farmington) you
will use Hwy.173 to get to Navajo Dam and if you com through Bloomfield
(motel side of Farmington)
you will come in on 511.
From Albuquerque, NM: (3 to 3 1/2 hours)
Leave Albuquerque on I-25 north to Bernalillo, exit to 550 west,
through Cuba, NM. Hiway 550 ends in Bloomfield turn right,
or east for about 10 miles on Hwy. 64 through the town of Blanco,
over the San Juan River, 1 mile to Junction hwy.511. Turn left for 8
miles. Navajo Dam is at Hwy. 511 and Hwy. 173.
From Durango, CO: (1 hour) Leaving Durango on
Hwy. 550 to Aztec, NM. At the edge of Aztec you need to turn
East on Hwy. 173 for eighteen miles. This turn is hard to
see, there is a small sign that says
Navajo Dam State Park Hwy. 173 ends in Navajo
Dam.
From Durango Airport: (1 hour) Leave the La Plata
airport going south on Hwy. 171 through Ignacio, CO about 55 miles
to San Juan River. When you get to the fork in the road on
top of the dam, go right, down to the river. Navajo Dam is 5
miles from the dam, down Hw. 511 at the Junction of 173.
From Denver: Estimated Time: 6.0 hours 50
minutes Estimated Distance: 379.79 miles
From Phoenix: Estimated Time: 7.0 hours 33
minutes Estimated Distance: 481.30 miles
The guides of Blue
Sky Flyfishing Co. are all enthusiastic and energetic
professionals. With over 40 years of combined guide experience
on the San Juan, our guides know where the fish are, and how to put
you on them. Our
guides are avid fly fisherman that have a practical working
knowledge and possess excellent fly-fishing skills. They are
very professional, patient and sociable, allowing them to
interact with clients in a positive manner making your day
very relaxed and enjoyable. They have a personable way of
passing on knowledge and sharing in your successes without
disturbing your concentration or imposing on your solitude.
1.
For the San Juan River please
bring along a four weight fly rod if
you have one and if not a five
or six weight rod will work especially in
windy conditions. This area is known
for its windy conditions during
midday accuracy and line control are
essential for drag free floats.
These types of rods will allow crisp
casts that will ensure accuracy and
better line control. so if you own
both a three or four weight and a
five weight bring all these rods
along.
2.
For the Navajo Reservoir lake and
for pike, bass and Carp fishing a
six or seven weight outfit with both
sinking and floating lines.
3.
A reel with a smooth drag and rim
control with room for at least fifty
yards of backing is a minimum
requirement for the San Juan River.
4.Bring
along breathable waders
and fleece underpants or some warm capilene
moisture wicking long underwear.
During hot days breathable waders really
come into their own because they
take up very little room when stored
in the boat and they can be quickly
and efficiently put on. They will
also keep the angler dry, warm and
comfortable allowing them to
concentrate on fishing. The
San Juan River is consistently about
40 degrees, be prepared for cold
water wading.
5.
Also, bring along warm dry clothing
for changing environmental
conditions good choices would be a
warm coat or sweater and a rain
jacket or two.
6.
A hat with a good brim on it and a
good pair of polarized glasses are a necessity.
7.
If you are going to be on a float
trip we suggest you either start
your trip wearing a long sleeve
shirt and long pants that are of the
quick dry variety. However if you
are determined to wear a
short-sleeved shirt and shorts on a
sunny warm day to start the trip.
May we suggest you bring along an
extra quick dry long sleeve shirt
and quick dry long pants. So we can
place them right in the drift boat
so they can be accessed quickly when
required. These precautions will
prevent horrible sunburns especially
if your fair skinned and are prone
to burning. The bugs that the trout
eat can be thick at times and long
sleeves will help keep them off.
8.
Insect repellant and sun block SPF.
45 or better is necessary for this
area.
9.
Bring along a camera to record the
special memories of your trip.
10.
Finally, make sure you don’t forget
your medication, allergy medicine,
sunglasses, fishing hat, fishing
license, leaders and tippet
material, or your flies overlooking
these items can affect your trip in
a very dramatic way.
Any Month....Any Day....Any Time.... is a great time to fish on the San Juan
River. This is my usual come back to this question. This is a tail
water fishery and fishes pretty consistent most of the year, but
there are some subtle differences. Like spring run-off may not be
the time to come if your planning on wading the river, but fishing
from the drift boats fishing is outrageous
It would be best to check on water flow in the spring and
checking my fishing report page would be a good place to start.