New Mexico Fly Fishing | San Juan River Fly Fishing
Much has happened since the last Fisheads Newsletter! We had a great fishing season right into late fall, and then started up again in February. It’s always good to see our old friends along with the new Fisheads anglers! We have had a very good spring with great fishing and lots of wind ….UGH! The fishing has been great, but the wind has been incredible! Thankfully it is starting to cut back now, as our arms can’t take too much more of it.
Now for the Fisheads news! We have recently purchased the Rizuto location and have renamed it “Fisheads San Juan River Lodge.” Our plans for the 
lodge are already in progress with lots of long hours being put in refurbishing the place. New flat screen TV’s are being installed in all of the rooms as soon as we repaint and upgrade the rooms with some new furniture and WI-FI access. In addition, your cell phones should work much better as we are installing a signal booster so you don’t have to drive up the road to make a phone call. All of these improvements are being spearheaded by Eric Mesker who has much experience in construction and improvements of property.
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We currently have accommodations for 18 people. However, within a month, we will be adding a three-bedroom house to the accommodation facilities that will house groups of up to 8 people who want to stay together while fishing on the river.
By sometime in July we expect to have our restaurant, called “The Back Cast Cafe” up and running. Our Chef is Josh Mesker, Eric’s brother, who graduated from Johnson Wales Culinary School in Denver. At this point, we are purchasing the equipment necessary, and getting the plumbing and electrical done to be able to install it. There once was a kitchen at the lodge, but it has been defunct for many years. With Josh running the restaurant, we are confident that we will be offering the best food in the area with a varied menu that should appeal to, and please everyone. Along the same vein, we will be applying for a beer and wine license so you can enjoy your favorite beverage while staying at the lodge. Also, there will be a screened in patio where you can dine, or relax and swap stories with your favorite beverage at the end of a day of fishing on our great river.
To enhance your fishing experience, we have opened an ORVIS Endorsed Fly Shop. All of the equipment you need, from tippet and streamside gadgets to rods and reels can now be purchased at the lodge. The shop, run by Thaddeus Cano will be open from 6:00 AM to almost dark, with hours adjusted throughout the year as fishing hours change by the season. Any order you place with our fly shop, for ORVIS equipment or supplies, with a minimum of $30.00, will be shipped to you at no cost for the shipping. That’s right! Free shipping of any ORVIS products with a $50.00 minimum order. You can now get your fishing equipment from the same people you fish with. Thad assures you that the selection of flies will be second to none, with many flies not available anywhere else. We will have midge patterns in the shop tied specifically for the San Juan River. No more searching for patterns that guides have, but are not available for you to purchase. We have the patterns that work on the river.
The river is clearing up nicely from the the spring turnover of the lake, with the fish eating well on midges in the morning and baetis and midges in the afternoon. The fish are in great condition this year with even the smaller fish being strong and fat from eating well. According to the authorities, there will be no high water this year, as they lowered the lake way down this past winter to take care of the spring runoff from the mountains. Therefore, the river will be in prime condition for a great year of fishing.
We look forward to seeing you all this year, and showing you our new endeavor with the lodge. We have the same great guides you have enjoyed fishing with in the past. With the new lodge, fly shop and restaurant and the fishing being great, we continue to push ourselves to make your experience on the San Juan the best it can possibly be.
Thank you all for your continued support over the years! Because of you, Fisheads has truely become the Premier Guide Service on the San Juan River. We enjoy fishing with you all and look forward to many more adventures you will never forget.
Your guide and friend, Chris
FISHEADS/ Chris Taylor
1-505-634-0463
email; chris@fisheadsofthesanjuan.com
web site; www.fisheadsofthesanjuan.com