Night Trout Fishing at Texas Hole, Navajo Dam

Evening Fishing at Texas Hole, Navajo Dam

Picture this: the sun's dropping behind the canyon walls, the crowds have packed up and headed home, and you're standing knee-deep in some of the most productive trout water in New Mexico. That's exactly what you get with our evening trip to the Texas Hole at Navajo Dam. This isn't your typical day-long fishing marathon – we're talking about a focused evening session when the big fish come out to play and you've got the river mostly to yourself.

What to Expect on the Water

The Texas Hole has earned its reputation as one of the top-rated trout destinations in the Southwest, and there's good reason why guides like me keep coming back here. Located just below Navajo Dam, this stretch of the San Juan River maintains cold, clear water year-round thanks to the dam's bottom release. When evening rolls around, the magic really starts to happen. The water temperature stays consistent, the light gets soft, and those wary trout that spent the day hiding in deep pools start moving into the shallows to feed. You'll be fishing prime lies that have been producing quality fish for decades – deep undercuts, boulder gardens, and those classic riffle-to-pool transitions that make your heart race every time you see them. This customer favorite trip accommodates just two anglers max, so you're not dealing with a crowd or fighting for casting room. I've got my eyes on you the whole time, ready to help with everything from fly selection to landing that fish of a lifetime.

Evening Techniques & Gear

Evening fishing is a whole different ball game compared to the bright midday sun, and that's where my years of experience on this water really pay off. We'll start with subsurface presentations – drifted nymphs work absolute magic during those twilight hours when insects are moving in the water column. I'm talking about dead-drifting size 18-22 midges and small mayfly patterns through the deeper runs where those big browns like to hang out. As the light fades, we'll switch gears to streamers, and this is where things get really exciting. Sculpin patterns, woolly buggers, and articulated streamers all produce aggressive strikes from fish that are actively hunting. If we're lucky enough to hit a hatch – and trust me, the evening emergences here can be world-class – we'll switch to dry flies and you'll experience some of the most heart-pounding surface action you've ever seen. All your gear is covered: rods, reels, flies, tippet, and everything else you need. I provide top-quality equipment that's perfectly suited for this type of fishing, plus all the safety gear to keep you comfortable as the temperature drops and visibility changes.

Species You'll Want to Hook

The rainbow trout in the San Juan River below Navajo Dam are something special – these aren't your average hatchery fish. These rainbows have adapted to the cold, nutrient-rich water and grown fat on the abundant midge and mayfly populations. You'll find fish ranging from 14 inches up to legitimate 20-inch specimens that'll test your drag system and make your arms burn. What makes evening fishing so productive for rainbows is their increased activity during low-light periods. They move out of the deep water where they've been resting all day and start actively feeding in the runs and riffles. These fish are strong, acrobatic fighters that'll jump, run, and do everything they can to throw your fly. The best part about targeting rainbows during evening hours is that they're more willing to come up for dry flies, especially during those magical last 30 minutes of daylight when the surface action can be absolutely electric.

Brown trout are the apex predators of this system, and evening is prime time for connecting with a truly memorable fish. These browns can reach impressive sizes – we're talking 18 to 24 inches and beyond – and they've earned their reputation as one of the wariest, most challenging trout species to consistently fool. During daylight hours, big browns stay tucked under banks, in deep holes, or beneath fallen timber where you can barely see them. But when that sun starts to set, their predatory instincts kick in and they become aggressive feeders. This is streamer time, folks. These fish will chase down a well-presented woolly bugger or sculpin pattern with authority that'll surprise you. What really gets your adrenaline pumping is that brown trout strikes often come without warning – one second you're stripping line through what looks like empty water, the next second your rod is doubled over and line is screaming off your reel. The combination of their size, intelligence, and fighting ability makes evening brown trout fishing an experience that keeps anglers coming back year after year.

Time to Book Your Spot

Here's the bottom line: if you want to experience some of the best trout fishing New Mexico has to offer, this evening trip to the Texas Hole delivers everything you're looking for. The combination of renowned water, prime fishing conditions, expert guidance, and that special evening atmosphere creates something you won't find anywhere else. With space for just two anglers, you get personalized attention and instruction that'll make you a better angler, whether you're new to fly fishing or you've been at it for decades. The rate is per person, and honestly, when you consider the quality of the experience, the gear provided, and the knowledge you'll gain, it's one of the best values in guided fishing. Don't wait around – evening slots fill up fast, especially during peak season when word gets out about how good the fishing has been. Give me a call and let's get you on the water for an evening you'll be talking about for years to come.