Experience the fly fishing trip of a lifetime
on New Mexico's San Juan River.

San Juan River Orvis Guides

Experience the fly fishing trip of a lifetime on New Mexico's San Juan River.

San Juan River Orvis Guides
Hero slice
New mexico fly fishing

Fisheads San Juan River Lodge

Fisheads is a full service lodge and the only Orvis-endorsed outfitter on the San Juan river. We’re pretty laid back, but we take some things seriously, including fishing and food. 

Fisheads guides understand every tiny detail of the fish, flies and water. We’re on the San Juan river every day, so we know the water like the back of our hand. 

Our chef sources local ingredients for our four-course dinners and serves breakfasts that you’ll want the recipe for.

From your first cast of the day to an evening in the lodge, our fish-obsessed guides and friendly staff will give you the trip of a lifetime.

New Mexico Fly Fishing Fly on Reel

The Fishing

The San Juan River tailwaters are renowned for year-round fly fishing, holding 12,000 to 15,000 trout per mile—massive rainbows and browns feeding in crystal-clear waters. It’s a fly angler’s dream, where every cast could connect with a trophy.

San Juan River New Mexico Sunset

The River

Tucked beneath sandstone cliffs and cottonwood canopies, the San Juan River flows  through New Mexico’s Land of Enchantment—where solitude, beauty, and world-class waters converge in a dreamscape for the soul.

Big Rainbow Trout Fly Fishing San Juan RIver

The Experience

After a full day on the water, gather with fellow anglers for great food, cold drinks, and plenty of fish stories. Fisheads Lodge serves up hearty meals and laid-back camaraderie, with clean, comfortable rooms just steps away.

What’s a Fishead?

A Fishead is someone who is constantly thinking about, dreaming about or in the pursuit of fish. (Want to hear the full story? Be sure to ask our owner, Chris.)

We live and breathe fishing. Every night, our guides coordinate with each other in preparation for the next day: Weather conditions, what flies they’re going to use, what depth they’ll be at. We prepare the way we do so you catch the most—and the biggest—fish on the river.

When you come to Fisheads, you don’t  just get an incredible time on the water, you get an experience that only comes from someone who’s a Fishead.

San Juan River Fly Fishing Trips

The San Juan River

The San Juan river is one of the most sought-after tailwaters in the U.S. Several times a year, Fisheads guides will help a customer land a trout over 30 inches.

The river has 12,000–15,000 fish per mile, and the trophy-sized trout that swim its waters eat such small flies that they have to open their mouths to eat 3,000–5,000 times per day. That’s a lot of fish with open mouths and a lot of opportunities for you to make a catch worth bragging about.

All-Inclusive Fishing Trips

You know what makes a great fishing trip even better? A full service lodge and a four-course meal while you’re trading stories with other anglers.

Our all-inclusive packages include a day of guided fishing, three meals a day and lodging. We’re typically the first outfit on the river, so along with a full day of top-notch fishing, you get to experience the serenity of the San Juan river before everyone else.

The Fisheads Back Cast Cafe serves breakfasts and dinners made from scratch, and we provide lunch on the river.

San Juan River Guides
Group Fly Fishing Trips

Group Trips

Group trips at Fisheads San Juan River Lodge offer the perfect mix of camaraderie, comfort, and adventure. Whether you're planning a corporate retreat, family reunion, or friends' getaway, Fisheads has you covered. Lodging options like the spacious four-bedroom "Chuck's House" can comfortably host up to ten guests, making it an ideal base for memorable days on the water.

San juan riverfly fishing kids

All Skill Levels Welcome

The San Juan River is ideal for fly fishers of all skill levels. Its steady, clear flows and dense trout population—up to 15,000 per mile—make it beginner-friendly, while offering technical challenges that keep seasoned anglers engaged. With wide, accessible waters and expert guides to tailor the experience, it’s a welcoming spot for both men and women to enjoy world-class fly fishing year-round.

San Juan River Lower River trips

Lower River Trips

Lower river trips on the San Juan tailwaters offer a more secluded and scenic fly fishing experience. As you float downstream, you'll find fewer anglers, wild trout in less-pressured waters, and a mix of riffles, pools, and undercut banks. Guided by Fisheads experts, these trips are ideal for anglers looking to explore new water and enjoy the quieter side of the river.

YOU TO CAN BE A FISHEADS

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.

  • THE BEST FLY FISHING

    Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere.

  • AFFORDABLE PACKAGES

    Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere.

  • AMAZING FOOD

    Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere.

Fly Fishing The San Juan River
  • THE BEST GUIDES

    Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere.

  • ROOM FOR LARGE GROUPS

    Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere.

  • 17 MILES OF RIVER TO FISH

    Vestibulum ante ipsum primis in faucibus orci luctus et ultrices posuere.

SAN JUAN RIVER FLY FISHING REPORTS

Check out our latest San Juan River New Mexico fly fishing report for up-to-date conditions, hatch info, and expert tips to help you make the most of your time on the water.

You can also read the Fisheads weekly San Juan River fishing report on orvis.com

Spring in December

By Chris Taylor - Head Fly Guide Chris Taylor - Head Fly Guide | December 3, 2012

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby: Fisheads of the San Juan Water flow: 350cfs Visibility: 60 inches Water temperature at mid-day: 42 Degrees F Water condition: Stained Best time of day to fish: All day long, best dry fly fishing from 1:00pm to 5:00pm Best stretch: The whole quality water section is fishing well! Try out the braids…

November 28, 2012

By Chris Taylor - Head Fly Guide Chris Taylor - Head Fly Guide | November 28, 2012

    Fishing is great, there are midges everywhere and they are hatching up and down the whole quality water section. The fall BWO hatch is also coming on strong. Start looking for them around noon. Fishing the midge hatch in the morning with olive, gray or black midges is very good. . The afternoon…

Gobble Gobble Trout

By Chris Taylor - Head Fly Guide Chris Taylor - Head Fly Guide | November 20, 2012

San Juan River Fishing is great, there are midges everywhere and they are hatching up and down the whole quality water section. The fall BWO hatch is also coming on strong. Start looking for them around noon. Fishing the midge hatch in the morning with olive, gray or black midges is very good. . The…

LODGE HOURS

Everyday600AM - 09:00PM

CONTACT US

flyshop@fisheadsofthesanjuan.com
(505) 634-0463

FIND US

Fisheads San Juan River Lodge
PO Box 6427
Navajo Dam, NM 87419

Navajo Dam, NM | Directions / Map

Driving Directions
Fisheads Lodge Map (view map)
Quality Waters Inn Map (view map)