Hosted by Chris and Karin Guikema, owners of Rainbow Lodge and Resolution Guide Service, we will be fly-fishing for Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Cutthroat Trout over 6 miles of the quality waters of the San Juan River just below Navajo Dam. The trout here average 17” to 18” and can weigh in at between 2 to 4 pounds -- they are hearty eaters and put up a strong fight! A trout on the San Juan River can grow up to 15 inches in a single year! We will be on the river for 8 hours of guided fishing per day, for four straight days. Our guides are all full-time guides (fishing 200+ days a year on these waters) and possess a wealth of angling knowledge. The lodge is one of the newest in the area (renovated in 2002-03) and is situated right on the banks of the San Juan River. We will spend a good amount of our trip wade fishing and will also float the river in drift boats designed to carry two fishermen plus your guide. This river offers excellent opportunities to sight fish for large trout! Get ready to rig up the famous San Juan Worm and a small (size 26) midge dropper. Click here for a map showing the river. All trout are Catch and Release only. Besides the public quality waters just below the dam, our guides hold permits to over 22 miles of private waters that can be fished from driftboats. Additionally, Resolution Guide Service provides opportunities for additional guided fly-fishing daytrips on several rivers in southwestern Colorado, including the Animas River.

Lodging
We have the entire lodge to ourselves for this trip! The lodge contains three well-equipped riverside suites -- all suites comfortably sleep four adults in two bedrooms with two twin beds each. Your suite is carpeted, has both heating and air conditioning, and plenty of storage for fishing gear and personal items. Each suite has a private bath with shower. There is a small refrigerator, satellite TV and telephone in each room, as well as a fly tying bench for that killer pattern you've been dying to try out. There is plenty of room in the entry of each suite for storage of waders and fly rods.

Food
All your meals are included in this trip, beginning with dinner the day of your arrival, and culminating with a hearty send-off breakfast the morning of departure. Breakfasts are hot and dinners are served plate style in the spacious dining room of the lodge -- you will be raving about the gourmet food (Chris is a professional chef) almost as much as the fish you catch! The cozy outside fire pit and picnic area are a perfect setting to recount the day's highlights and formulate tomorrow's plan of attack. Each evening our hosts will carefully prepare your lunch order for the following day -- usually including a deli-style sandwich with all the toppings, and an assortment of chips, water and/or soft drinks.

Travel
Transfers to/from Albuquerque, New Mexico or the major airports in Colorado Springs or Denver, Colorado to the lodge will be arranged with the trip host and/or lodge staff. It is approximately a 3 to 4 1/2-hour drive each way. Please note that airfare to/from the major destination airport you select is not included in the price of your trip. Contact us if you would like assistance with air transportation. Click here to review the trip cancellation policy. Travel insurance is highly recommended.

Cost
This 4-day / 5-night trip is priced well below what you would pay if you contacted the lodge directly. The cost for this trip is still being negotiated and dates and cost will be posted soon. You will need to purchase a 5-day fishing license (available at a nearby fly shop) for $17. Additionally, gratuities for your guide are not included in this cost. We strongly believe tips are not guaranteed or expected, but rather earned -- $20-$40 per day of fishing is common. Click here to review the payment schedule.

Fishing Gear
Your trip cost includes the use of all top quality gear, including rods, reels, flies and neoprene waders (breathable waders are available for rent). You are welcome to bring your own equipment -- waders can be either breathable or neoprene; fly rods should be 9-foot, 5wt or 6wt. Plan to dress for a wide range of temperatures and always have rain gear available. Here are some other items to consider packing: camera, polarized sunglasses, hat and/or hooded jacket, binoculars, travel alarm, and sunscreen/chapstick.

Non-fishing Activities
Local attractions include the Four Corners Monument, Aztec Ruins National Monument, Durango-Silverton narrow-gauge railroad, Mesa Verde National Park, and the historic mining towns of Durango, Silverton and Telluride, Colorado. Transportation to these attractions may be at additional cost.

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