Our Guides
Owner – Ivan Valdez is the proud owner of The Reel Life and has been fly fishing for over 40 years. He’s spent the last 20+ years guiding across New Mexico and Colorado, with his favorite spots being the Rio Chama, Rio Grande, and Conejos Rivers. Ivan’s also fished in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, and even cast to Tarpon, Bonefish, and Permit off the coast of Cuba.
Ivan loves sharing his passion for fly fishing with people from all over, especially in the diverse communities of Northern New Mexico. He’s known for his laid-back style, deep knowledge of the rivers, and making every trip a fun, memorable experience. Definitely a client favorite!
Dan is a true New Mexico local who’s been fishing the state’s waters his entire life. With 24 years of experience on some of the best rivers and reservoirs around, he brings deep knowledge and passion to every trip. Dan has been guiding with The Reel Life for the past 6 years and is now our head guide. He loves working with people and is all about creating great experiences on the water.
Ruben grew up in southern Colorado near Durango, where he first learned to fish the reservoirs and small streams of the San Juan Mountains. By his early teens, he was exploring the Pecos River and developing a passion for fly fishing that has stayed with him ever since .For the past five years, Ruben has been part of The Reel Life team, where his favorite water remains the Rio Grande. In his free time, he enjoys chasing wild browns on small tributaries with dry flies. An avid fly tier, Ruben is known for putting his own creative twist on classic guide patterns.
Robert is one of TRL’s newest members and has been fishing New Mexico waters for a while where he developed a lifelong passion for fly fishing. With years of guiding experience, he enjoys sharing his knowledge of local waters and helping anglers of all levels find success on the river. When he’s not guiding, Robert can usually be found tying flies or chasing trout on his favorite stretches of the Pecos.
Eliseo aka “Easy” is a Northern New Mexican and Native American. His blood is from Kapho Owingeh and Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, which has always fueled his love for Mother Nature and all she has to offer. Eliseo has been fishing since he was a kid, and became obsessed with fly fishing the lakes and rivers of Northern NM. Some of his favorite spots are Trout Lakes, Rio Grande, and Los Pinos. Since you have read thus far, you might as well book a trip, so you all can share some laughs and stories!
James caught his first trout on a fly rod on a Wisconsin spring creek, back in 2010. He guided his trip five years later on
Maryland’s Gunpowder River. Since then James have caught 18 species of trout, salmon, char and grayling across 21 US states and beyond.
James first fished the Rio Grande in 2012, and immediately fell in love with the rugged beauty of New Mexico. He then moved here to guide and to start Truchas, a fly fishing apparel company inspired by our rivers and landscapes.
He loves chasing wild fish in remote waters, from float planes in Alaska to hidden NM creeks. Learning the natural rhythms of wild fish, what they eat, when, and how is one of his favorite parts of fly fishing.
As a former teacher, guiding is about more than catching fish, it’s helping anglers learn skills that land the trout they never thought possible.
