I've enjoyed professional guides on many great rivers in the western US and Canada, and John is among the best! On our San Juan trips over the past two years, he’s proven to be a patient and effective coach. He always puts us on fish and is fun to be around -- and his lunches are good too!! I look forward to my next trip with John when my grandson joins us for his first guided trip.
Gene

We don't get to fish the San Juan very often. But when we do, we always go with John Tavenner. He is the most knowledgeable and professional guide on the river. Whether it's a float or a wade, a day on the San Juan with John is always fantastic. His uncanny ability with nymphs or flies is unmatched and his teaching skills are excellent. John knows the San Juan.
Joe Gamble, Corrales and Trey Madrid, Albuquerque.

John was recommended to me more than 12 years ago by an angler-friend before my first trip to the San Juan, and I have fished with John ever since. We have become good friends. John is recognized as one of the top guides on the river, especially amongst his peers. I have fished in many areas in the Western US and Canada with many guides, and I feel that John possesses all of the essential attributes that a top guide has: he can work with a seasoned, expert angler to the novice; John’s ability to fish spots away from the crowd with great success has always impressed me; his knowledge of not only the river itself, but the surrounding area in history and wildlife is second to none. These are the things that make the trips a full experience for me. His enthusiasm is addicting, so combine all of that with some great fun and it’s hard to beat.
Kris

I have had no better fishing experience than being guided on the San Juan River by John Tavenner. I have been an avid fly fisherman for the past 5 years working hard to learn the sport and think like a trout. During that period I have been fortunate enough to have John as my guide on 4 trips. My experience with John therefore spans my experience as a fly fisherman, ranging from a near novice on my first trip to the San Juan to my current vastly improved but still mediocre level. I have had many other guides in many places over the same period but I continue to return to the San Juan for the phenomenal fishing, and equally for the pleasure of being guided by John. I can honestly say that he has been an integral part of my evolution as a fly fisherman and that I can attribute much of what I’ve learned about fly fishing to John.
Alan Flake

We fished with John years ago when we lived back east and were just learning how to flyfish. When we moved to the Southwest we went back to him and have continued to do so, three or more times a year. He was a great guide for beginners, and is even better now that we sort of know what we’re doing. No one knows the river better, or how to put you on fish, but he makes sure it’s your job to catch them.
George and Janet Piskurich, Authors of “A Guide to Flyfishing Guides.”