Every self respecting trout angler needs to experience the San Juan at some point.
September 19th - 24th, 2025
with host Paul Johnson
We have been hosting trips with Jeff Massey and crew at the Soaring Eagle Lodge in Blanco, New Mexico for well over 15 years now and for good reason. Great lodging right on the river. Gourmet meals just steps from your room....and......the San Juan! One of the most legendary trout streams on the planet.
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Right on the banks of the San Juan River sits the Soaring Eagle Lodge
What a set-up! Right on the banks of the San Juan River in New Mexico sits the Soaring Eagle Lodge. The accommodations are "Angler Friendly." Set up with the fly fisherman in mind. Each guesthouse (or cabin) is equipped with rod racks and wader racks both indoors and outdoors for your convenience.
The guesthouses have Flat Screen Satellite T.V., telephone, a full size refrigerator, kitchenette with a microwave, utensils, linens, dishes, lounge chairs, and redwood patio furniture. For our guests convenience, they do offer a 3rd party Wi-Fi service for a minimal fee. The guesthouses are set up for condo-type living with extreme comfort and exceptional views. The San Juan’s only lodge, with its riverfront location and private river access, are exclusive to Soaring Eagle Lodge and their guests.
Soaring Eagle Lodge also has the famous “Crow's Foot” restaurant on the premises and this is for guests only or pre-arranged groups. With not only one but two culinary trained Chefs on staff, our guests rave about the fine dining and breakfast service. All meals are provided on this trip including dinner upon arrival and breakfast on departure and will be served in the dining room of " Crow's Foot".
Soaring Eagle Lodge is proud to offer one of the most knowledgeable and seasoned guide staffs in the Southwest. When conditions, hatches, and effective fly patterns change as they do on the San Juan, a great guide is essential to your fishing success. Our guides not only intimately know the river, but are patient and thorough teachers as well. From casting, to reading the water, beginner or expert, these guys will teach you step-by-step the best techniques for fooling those wily San Juan trout. All guides are, of course, CPR and First-Aid certified and have a minimum of 7 plus years fishing experience on the San Juan.
Your fishing experience can be customized to include public wade fishing trips, float trips, lower river floats or a day or two on the private Eagle Ranch Lands, a pristine piece of land surrounding our lodge that is exclusive to Soaring Eagle Lodge guides and guests only. Full day guide trips include a great lunch, tons water and a minimum of 8 hours of fishing and instruction.
Join Mad River Outfitters at the Soaring Eagle Lodge!
Fly fishing the legendary San Juan River
The San Juan River in Northern New Mexico is highly regarded as one of the single best trout fisheries in the world! One section deserves special mention for its fly fishing allure: the 4.25 miles (6.84 km) just below Navajo Dam in northwest New Mexico, near the small town of Aztec. This stretch is among the most hallowed trout fishing waters in North America.
The water released from the bottom of the dam is clear and cold, rich in nutrients, and flows are relatively stable. The rich waters spawn abundant flora, which in turn creates a fine environment for insect proliferation, which in turn supports one of the most prolific trout populations in any large river, both in terms of quantity and average fish size.
The world-famous Quality Waters of the San Juan River extend 3.75 miles from the base of Navajo Dam. In addition to the private Eagle Ranch Lands river access, Soaring Eagle Lodge provides guide service (float or wade) for these highly productive public waters. The San Juan River flows right through the Eagle Ranch Lands just downstream from the Quality Waters. The Lodge is located on the ranch and provides private access to the river and great fishing without the crowds.
Thirty yards from the river’s edge, your cabin sits with a great view of a very productive fly fishing stretch of the river known as the Crow’s Foot.
Your day begins with an early breakfast at Crow’s Foot restaurant. After breakfast you may choose to return to your cabin to begin making preparations for the day. Guides will arrive shortly after breakfast to help you choose the proper gear for your day fly fishing.
Itinerary:
You should plan on arriving in Albuquerque, New Mexico on the morning or afternoon of September 19th. You will there need to rent a car and drive to the Soaring Eagle Lodge. A map can be found on their website at www.soaringeagleloge.net. We will also provide you all with a listing of clients in the event that you might carpool down. The drive to the lodge is under 3 hours from the airport. Dinner is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at the lodge.
We will then fish with guides out of drift boats on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Departure will be Wednesday morning after breakfast and you will drive back to the Albuquerque airport.
Flight Information:
Albuquerque, New Mexico is the closest and recommended airport. Flights can be obtained through a variety of carriers. You should arrange your flights so as to allow the approximate 3 hour drive to and from the airport.
What to Expect:
Soaring Eagle Lodge is nestled on the banks of the San Juan River in Northwestern New Mexico. The river is world-renowned for year-round fly fishing at it’s finest. The San Juan River flows right through the Eagle Ranch Lands just downstream from the quality waters. The lodge is located on the ranch and provides private access to the river and great fishing without the crowds.
Our group of 12 anglers will have breakfast and dinner in the lodge dining room. Saturday morning we will head out 2 anglers to a guide to fish the day from drift boats. Lunch will be on the river.
Evenings we have exclusive use of the lodge game room which includes as stereo system, television, comfortable couches and a pool table.
Included in the trips:
• 5 Nights at the Lodge
• All inclusive meals (including dinner and breakfast when you arrive and leave).
• Fully guided fishing / float trips with our trip host and Soaring Eagle guides.
• Exclusive Hospitality Suite access to MRO Members only.
• Flies
Not Included in the trips:
• Travel costs to and from the lodge.
• New Mexico fishing license
• Guide Tips
* Tips for restauarant staff, lodge staff and housekeeping
• Basic tackle
• Alcoholic Beverages
Can't make our Hosted Trip dates? Mad River Outfitters serves as a full booking agent and outfitter for The Soaring Eagle Lodge. Let us put together a trip for you!
Mad River Outfitters
Soaring Eagle Lodge
San Juan River, New Mexico
hosted by Paul Johnson
September 19th - 24th, 2025
$2,595.00
*includes lodge rate + hospitality room fee and 6.6875% taxes
Included in this Trip: 5 nights lodging, 4 days guided float fishing, use of hospitality room exclusive for our group and all meals