10.13.07 Guided Float

[Morgan F.]

Finally got down to do a guided trip with Brian from Eleven Point Canoe Rental last weekend. Floated the Blue Ribbon Section on Saturday and caught fish from beginning to end. Fishing out of the drift boad was a real treat and a totally new fishing experience for me. Amazing how much more time your lure gets in the water with someone else paddling!! I easily caught 4x the fish on this trip than I did soloing it in my yak a coupld of weeks ago. Anyone who is looking to fish the Eleven Point should seriously consider the services provided by Brian and Ryan. They were able to put my buddy and I on fish on nearly every stretch of the river. Brian was especially patient and helpful in refining my terrible techniques and misques (I managed to tangle myself more than I thought possible...even for a clutz like me! All of which was self inflicted!)

We tied into a couple of fish that may have been 18+, but unfortunately my buddy and I lost the fish before we were able to see. I did get the pleasure of catching a vibrant colored bow that was the largest fish of the day that may have pushed the 18" mark and followed that fish up with the only wild fish we caught...both were a pleasure. Fished the standard crawdad, stonefly pattern as well as some egg patterns all day...never had a need to change.

Won't be making the fly-flinger event this weekend, but sure wish I was! Have a great weekend guys!

Morgan F.

[Thom]

Morgan:

Thanks for the report sounds like a great time.

I know what you mean about floating in a klack with an experienced guide. The last time I was on the San Jaun in New Mexico in the tailwaters we splurged and hired a guide who put on quality fish after fish. I always catch nice fish wading there but this was one of the best days fishing I have ever had. Most every fish was in the 16 to 20 range and every 3 or 4 casts saw either a hit or a fish to hand. Fishing with a guide you are usually always on fish and the flies are tied on at the right depth and size for the area. No guessing or going through ever fly in the arsenal to find the right match for the hatch.

On that one stretch only one bow over 20" can be kept and when retained the fisherman must stop fishing and leave the area. We never seen any fish kept for the whole day but there were a lot of 20 plus ones caught.

[Morgan F.]

Thom,

You are spot on in all the points you made! All of which were relevent to my trip last week...except for maybe seeing a bunch of 20"+ fish (we gave those the Professional Release!)!

The San Juan Huh?!! I investigated that a bit last year while on a ski trip to Durango CO. I was surprised that the guide cost wasn't more...I will certainly have to make that trip one of these eons!

All the best,

Morgan

[Thom]

Morgan:

We were staying in Pagosa Springs Colo and visited the Orvis shop there for advice on a guide On the San Jaun in New Mexico. The San Jaun runs through Pagosa springs but isn't much there mostly due to the low water above and the hot springs in town that flow into the stream.

Be sure to check out your guide with a recommendation from someone you trust. As with everywhere: There are guides and there are GUIDES. We were very happy with our GUIDE who took special interest in my 9 year old grandson who ... thanks to the personal attention....brought several excellent Bows to hand.

It is about a 2 hour trip from Pogosa Springs to the tailwater and probally another 1/2 hour from Durango. Beautiful drive down and well worth the time.