John Tavenner
Fly Fisher/Guide/Fly Tier/Writer
John Tavenner has been fly-fishing and fly tying for over 30 years. He's made his mark in the industry as a guide, fly designer, author and lecturer. John grew up in Lakeview, Oregon he began fly-fishing at the age of eleven, chasing Redband Rainbows and Lahontan Cutthroats. John sold his first flies to his neighbors before he was in high school. He moved to New Mexico in 1983.
Listen to John Tavenner's Show...
Fly Fishing the San Juan River
John Tavenner a professional guide on the San Juan River in New Mexico knows every inch of this trophy producing tailwater. Listen in while he tells his secrets of fly fishing for big trout with little bugs.
John began his guiding career as a ski instructor and a white water rafting guide, which he continued for eight years. He began guiding fly fishers with Los Rios Anglers in Taos NM in 1985. He guided on the Rio Grande, the Cimarron, Costilla creek, and numerous private ranches, Including the Forbes Trinchera Ranch in Colorado
He first fished the San Juan River in 1985 and fell in love with it. He guided his first trip on the San Juan in 1987. John moved to Aztec in 1991 and began guiding full time on the San Juan for Rizuto’s fly-shop. He than became head guide of Soaring Eagle lodge in 1996. He and his wife, Monica, started Sandstone Anglers, Inc. in 1999. The Aztec Chamber of Commerce named Sandstone Anglers, Inc. “New Business of the Year”.
John is a featured tier with Pacific Fly Group, and has developed many fly patterns now popular with experienced San Juan fisherman. He wrote the section on the San Juan River for the book, “A Fly fisher’s Guide to New Mexico”, by Van Beacham. John has also appeared in Wal-Mart’s Great Outdoors with Jack Youngblood and Fly-Fish TV with Terry Gunn.