Ron Loehman, Conservation Chairman Our conservation projects on public lands require permission from and collaboration with the responsible land management agency. Consequently, project schedules and locations sometimes change because of changing agency priorities or other constraints. Most of our projects are on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF). Typically, we work with them early in the year to decide on a list of mutually-acceptable projects and dates. Most of the time the projects are held as scheduled. When there are changes we will notify the membership through Constant Contact e-mailings and with notices posted on our website. There are ... Read More
March 4, 2016
Ron Loehman, Conservation Chair In January 2016, the Santa Fe National Forest issued a draft Environmental Analysis for the New Mexico Jumping Mouse Critical Habitat Protection Project. The closure addresses the endangered species listing for the NM Meadow Jumping Mouse (NMMJM). This closure applies to all users, including anglers and birdwatchers. Critical habitat for the jumping mouse includes what once was the best brown trout fishery in the state. The stream has made a remarkable recovery since cattle were excluded in mid-2014. Complete closure penalizes anglers and other non-consumptive users for damage caused by cattle New Mexico Trout's analysis of ... Read More
March 4, 2016
Due to the response to the special women's program at this year's conclave, New Mexico Trout is pleased to announce the formation of New Mexico Trout's Women's group. The women's group will form and run under the bylaws of New Mexico Trout thus being able to take advantage of the existing Board of Director's and its support. The only requirement will be that at least one person from the group fill an at large Board of Director's position in the club ... Read More
March 4, 2016
Ron Loehman, Conservation Chairman Last May, NMT volunteers participated in a riparian restoration workshop conducted by Bill Zeedyk on private land along the Rio Cebolla about two miles downstream from Fenton Lake. Bill is famous for his Induced Meandering technique that has been successfully applied on many stream restoration projects. Bill identified two degraded sections along the stream that were candidates for demonstrating several of his restoration techniques. One spot was a meander that had a high bank being eroded into the stream, accompanied by the deposit of a large amount of sediment. Bill and the team installed a ... Read More
March 4, 2016
Brian Beaudoin Conclave Chair New Mexico Trout's Annual Conclave was held on 6 February and was a great success with over 200 attendees, including many women fly fishers. Our three exceptional guests, Skip Morris, Van Beacham and Karen Denison, provided entertaining and educational presentations about local and regional waters, fishing techniques, and fly patterns. Skip Morris, a well-known author of eighteen fly-fishing and fly-tying books, gave informative tips for beginning and seasoned fly fishers with three presentations on fishing with dry flies / emergers, with nymphs, and in creeks. His presentations featured Skip's beautiful photography and that of his wife, ... Read More
March 4, 2016
New Mexico Trout is pleased to offer some fabulous and informative books to its members. After the Conclave, Skip Morris provided a collection of titles that you can purchase below. These books are signed by Skip, and Trout Flies for Rivers is signed by both Skip and Carol Morris. All of these books are available on a 'First Come First Served' basis ... Read More
March 1, 2016
On February 10, 2016, New Mexico Trout submitted a comment on the Santa Fe National Forest's proposal to protect endangered New Mexico Jumping Mouse habitat on the Rio Cebolla in the Jemez mountains. While agreeing with most of the findings and plans, the comments address two areas of disaccord:
- There is no science-based reason to exclude non-consumptive, dispersed recreational users from the site, when cattle are responsible for the habitat degradation.
- The proposed quarter-mile gap between two exclosures (to allow cattle access to the Rio Cebolla) will result in habitat fragmentation and adversely affect stream quality and downstream recreation uses.
February 11, 2016
In January 2016, the Santa Fe National Forest issued Environmental Analysis for the New Mexico Jumping Mouse Critical Habitat Protection Project. The closure addresses the endangered species listing for the NM Meadow Jumping Mouse (NMMJM). This closure applies to all uses – grazing, fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, birdwatching. New Mexico Trout's analysis of the plan is summarized below:
- The NMMJM is endangered because cattle grazing in riparian areas has destroyed its habitat.
- Recreational uses – such as angling, birdwatching and nature photography – have not caused this habitat loss.
- The is no scientific justification for locking out non-consumptive recreational users.
February 5, 2016