We care! We care a lot. We're a fish-obsessed crew of guides. When we're not guiding, chances are we're on the Juan. We love this river, we care about this area, and try to show our clientele a different side of the San Juan—thinking beyond the bobber. While we love to indicator fish, we like to mix in a lot of different tactics to really show the uniqueness of the river.
Owner / Guide
James Garrettson
James Garrettson was quickly consumed by fly fishing after receiving a copy of the Curtis Creek Manifesto at age 10. At 14 years old James was the youngest employee at Orvis. About Trout is focused on creating positive experiences for all anglers. James wholeheartedly represents this philosophy. Whether it is your first time or 1001st time fly fishing, you're sure to have a great day on the water with James. James is a Douglas Fly Fishing and Fulling Mill Pro Team member.
Head Guide
Kyle McCallum
Kyle grew up fly fishing with his dad on the Arkansas, South Platte, and high mountain lakes and creeks in Colorado. He moved to New Mexico almost two decades ago and has fished the San Juan almost every free day since. Kyle lives only minutes from the river. Knowledgeable, teacher, patient, and kind are just a few of the many positive adjectives our customers have used to describe "Mr. Nice Guide."
Fly Fishing Oracle
Norm Maktima
Norman Maktima grew up in Pecos, New Mexico, fishing on the Pecos River and surrounding fisheries. In 1997, Norman qualified to be a competing team member of the Youth Fly Fishing Team USA. In 1998, Norman won the individual gold in the first World Youth Fly Fishing Championship held in Wales, UK. Since then, he continued on to compete on the Senior Fly Fishing Team USA and traveled as a competitor to 9 other World Championships held across Europe & US. As well, he has been guiding for over 20 years in the Santa Fe area. Along with guiding, he is also a Signature Fly Designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants. As of May 2023, Norman created and launched NMaktima Fly Fishing LLC, an online business that aims to connect Indigenous Fly Fishers and people of color to the sport of fly fishing. You can find him on social media, and you can follow his fly fishing tutorials on YouTube.
Guide
Dominic Valdez
Dominic was born and raised in Farmington, NM. He has always had a passion for the outdoors and fishing. Dominic has been fishing the San Juan for more than 15 years. Dominic's patience and in-depth knowledge of the San Juan makes him a joy to spend the day with.
San Juan Legend / Guide
Dave Torres
Dave Torres has been fishing the San Juan since he was old enough to hold a fly rod. Dave started guiding at age 18 and worked for Rizoutos and "Born and Raised" in the early 90s, where he became one of the most requested guides. Also known as "Super Dave", he is a grandmaster at fly fishing the San Juan and a pioneer of the small midge patterns that have shaped the guide culture of the river. Dave works hard to provide those in his boat with plenty of opportunities for the San Juan River trout. It is an honor to have Dave on the team. We often joke that he is your favorite guide's favorite guide.
The Mysterious Guide
J. Mysterio
Cutting his teeth as a kid on bass growing up in Tennessee, his family migrated to Arizona in his late teens, where he was introduced to fishing trout in the west by his Grandfather. From Arizona his family moved to New Mexico while he was away at school. At 19, he fished the Juan for the first time when coming to what was now home, for Summer break from college. He fly fished his way through school in Washington hitting every river he could in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho that his beater college car could get to. After undergrad, he took a job in Florida and became an avid fly fisherman in the plentiful waters of the inter coastal, rivers, and lakes the Sunshine State had to offer. He moved to Michigan for a brief stint in law school where he learned his passion was truly the water instead of court rooms. Fly fishing his way out of law school, he came back to what's now been home for over 20 years, minus a brief sabbatical where he spent about a year apprenticing at Genuine Bellinger in Oregon making bamboo rods, reel seats and hardware, and receiving a classic fly fishing education from master rod makers. Residing right up the street in Aztec, with his wife Mrs Mysterio, a native of North West New Mexico, he believes in fishing his days off for research, and can often be seen with their little Mysterios in the boat. If you want a day on the water learning, laughing, and getting fish in the net, look no further than the experienced yet elusive, J Mysterio.
Clean & Comfortable
Our Fleet Of Drift Boats
We guide on skiffs and low sides, two styles of drift boats that are perfectly suited for navigating the San Juan River. Our boats are meticulously maintained as we take as much pride in our tools as we do in our craft. They are comfortable and dry, with plenty of storage for gear. The coolers are always loaded with ice and ready for your drinks and snacks.
