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For fly anglers, the San Juan's most productive segment is the Special Trout Water, a 3 1/2-mile stretch of pools and riffles beginning a few hundred feet below Navajo Dam, 25 miles east of Farmington. Anglers who fish this section ar restricted to artificial flies and lures (with barbless hooks), and, while the daily keeper limit is small--one trout, 20-inch minimum--you can catch all the fish you want as long as they're released back into the river unharmed.

The San Juan is open for fishing year-round, with some of the best action comin in autumn as the weather cools. Navajo Lake is about a 3 1/2-hour drive north o Albuquerque.

Locals say San Juan "worms" (pink or orange chenille bits), egg-flies, and small, dark midges--all available from local tackle shops--are the best artificial flies to use in the special waters. Lure fishermen should do well using Panther Martin or Mepps spinners (be sure to pinch the barb closed on you hook). In the nonrestricted waters downstream, corn kernels, cheese, salmon eggs, and earthworms are the best baits for rainbows, while large spinners and spoons catch browns. The keeper limit in nonrestricted waters is six trout per day.

For a special day of angling enjoyment, you can float-fish the San Juan in a McKenzie River drift boat, accompanied by a local guide. Rental tackle is available. It's not unheard-of for each angler to catch and release 20 or more large trout during the 3-mile float. Cost for a half-day trip (two anglers per boat) is $135; a full-day trip costs $225, including lunch.

Northeast of Blanco, State Highway 511 parallels the river, and angler-access points are well marked. State-operated campgrounds can be found along the strea (and at Navajo Lake); motel accommodations are available in nearby Aztec and at Abe's Motel and Fly Shop, 5 miles below Navajo Dam.

For up-to-date fishing information, or to make reservations for drift boat or guided wade fishing, call Born 'N' Raised On The San Juan River, Inc., guide service at (505) 632-2194.

San Juan anglers need to carry a New Mexico fishing license and trout stamp. An annual resident license with trout stamp is $. A five-day nonresident license with trout stamp is $.