Cochran's Cartoons

Tag: San Juan River

  • Four days on the San Juan River

    I recently joined fellow Heart Of America Fly Fishers Kevin Carril, Steve Hedgstrom and Ron Carruthers for four days of trout fishing on the famous San Juan River in northwest New Mexico. We stayed at the Soaring Eagle Lodge where we enjoyed scrumptious buffet breakfasts and mouth-watering dinners.

    After daylong guided fishing trips we lounged outside our riverside accommodations, tired but happy, sipping adult beverages, awaiting the 7PM dinner and watching the river flow past a few yards away.

    The trout, a mixture of browns and rainbows, were taken on tiny #22 and #24 nymphs and emergers. Most were 12″ to 15″ but several approached or topped the 20″ mark.

    It sounds like a commercial but it’s true. You can’t beat The Soaring Eagle for tasty food, comfortable, clean lodging, helpful, courteous employees, and knowledgeable guides.

    Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a rank beginner Heart Of America Fly Fishers has something to offer.  Check us out at http://heartofamericaflyfishers.org.

    Interested in learning more about Soaring Eagle Lodge? Take a look at their web site http://soaringeaglelodge.net .

     

  • New Mexico’s San Juan River

    If you’re a trout fisherman who enjoys catching big fish on tiny flies you should treat yourself to a few days on New Mexico’s famous San Juan tailwater below Navajo Lake. And when you go you won’t find a better base camp than Soaring Eagle Lodge. After a hard day of casting tiny flies on gossamer tippets you can sit outside your riverside unit and enjoy your favorite beverage, watch rising trout and sporadic flyovers by ducks, geese, ospreys, and the occasional eagle while working up a hearty appetite for the sumptuous evening meal. A big breakfast next morning will send you on your way to a guided float or wading trip, or if you prefer you can wade and fish on your own.

    Raleigh Eggers and I recently spent five days at Soaring Eagle. Like any fishing venue, success can vary if you measure it by numbers and size of fish. But a “bad” day on the San Juan can be better than a good day on other streams. While crowded at times, some afternoons we had areas of the river virtually all to ourselves. Floating two days with guides Jeremiah Spradley and Curtis Bailey we managed to catch and release some good fish.

    Breakfast and dinner at Soaring Eagle never varies. It’s always excellent, prepared and served by a courteous, competent staff.  Check it out at http://www.soaringeaglelodge.net.

    Photos don’t lie (OK. I’ve got long arms). But a big trout is a big trout, and catching them on #24 emergers and 6X tippet definitely ups the sphincter factor.

  • Soaring Eagle Lodge

    You don’t ALWAYS have to use #24 emergers to catch big trout on New Mexico’s San Juan River. Larry Johnson of Soaring Eagle Lodge displays a 23” rainbow caught on a streamer. Sure, he’s holding it out close to the camera, but 23” is 23” no matter how long your arms are.

    Check out the Soaring Eagle Lodge website at http://www.soaringeaglelodge.net

    or give them a call at 505-632-3721. Good fishing, excellent food, riverside accomidations.

    Typical San Juan rainbow