From the December 2014 Newsletter The US Senate cleared a large defense spending bill that included transferring control of the Valles Caldera National Preserve to the National Park Service. Since 2000, the 89,000-acre Valles Caldera has been managed by a board of trustees with the goal of financial self sufficiency by this year. Instead, the caldera is expected to generate just $800,000 this expenditures of about $3.4 million. Among other changes authorized by the bill, the Valles Caldera's management will no longer have to ask Congress for a new budget each year. Instead, the Caldera will be a part ... Read More
December 14, 2014
by Mark Kalin Wayne Thurber, flyshop owner and guide, journeyed to Albuquerque from his northern New Mexico home to present an update an fishing conditions in the waters of the Enchanted Circle area. He operates Dos Amigos Anglers flyshops and guide services in Taos, Red River, and Eagle Nest, and lives near Angel Fire. To drive the Enchanted Circle is to make scenic trip through some of northern New Mexico's high country that can include Taos, Questa, Red River, Eagle Nest, and Angel Fire. Wayne made informative observations specific to individual streams as well as lakes in this part of ... Read More
December 14, 2014
by Mark Kalin from the December 2014 Newsletter Seen at the New Mexico Trout Fly Tying Symposium on Saturday, 15 November 2014: Two ladies tying nice flies without using bobbins (shades of Helen Shaw) Margaret Roybal and her daughter Ramona Lopez were tying very nice flies without using bobbins. Rather they each were controlling the tying thread with their fingers. For a pictorial portrayal of the technique, check out the 1979 book Fly-Tying by Fly Fishing Hall of Fame member Helen Shaw. Of course, Margaret and Ramona also whip finish their flies by hand. I was among a number of individuals with whom ... Read More
December 14, 2014
by Jerry Burton, NMT President from the December 2014 Newsletter The Vivegash fire in 2000 burned approximately 38,000 acres in the headwaters of Cow Creek. While some of the headwaters tributaries were not devastated by the fire, it did wipe out most of Cow Creeks' trout population. After a few years the stream slowly was repopulated with Rio Grande cutthroats, cut-bows, rainbows, and brook trout that had managed to survive the fire in a few small headwater streams. None of these small headwater streams contained brown trout. I started to guide at the Cow Creek Ranch in April of 2004, ... Read More
December 14, 2014
by Mike Maes From the December 2014 Newsletter Thanks to all who came out to join NM Trout at our Fall 2014 Fly Tying Symposium and Gear Swap. Both Project Healing Waters and NM Trout wish to thank all donors and all of you who bought items from the gear swap. I haven't heard what the final tally was, but I know both PHW and NMT Youth Programs' added to the coffers and will turn those funds around for the respective programs.
I personally want to thank our fly tyers, Bill Frangos, Tad Tucker, Bob Pelzl, Doc Minter, Deb Duran and the mother-daughter ... Read More
I personally want to thank our fly tyers, Bill Frangos, Tad Tucker, Bob Pelzl, Doc Minter, Deb Duran and the mother-daughter ... Read More
December 14, 2014
by Jerry Burton, NMT President From the October/November 2014 Newsletter Ever wonder how trout in a small high elevation stream survive when in the winter temperatures are below zero for weeks at a time and three feet of snow cover the stream? Some don't. Those that do have found a deep spot where the ice cannot reach the bottom. Winter can be tough on trout in small high elevation streams. If the flow is not strong enough, the stream may freeze to the bottom and if the trout have not found a deep hole they die. While the water continues ... Read More
November 19, 2014
This wild rodent, favored for its fur and at one time reviled for its destructive habits in riparian areas, has received new respect from environmentalists. These creatures are being welcomed into the landscape as a defense against the withering effects of a warmer and drier climate. Recent studies have shown that beaver dams have beneficial effects by raising the water table alongside a stream, aiding the growth of trees and plants that stabilize the banks and prevent erosion. They improve fish and wildlife habitat and promote new, rich soil. And perhaps most important in the the arid Southwest, is that ... Read More
November 19, 2014
Ron Loehman, Conservation Chairman From the October/November Newsletter For the past several years Noah Parker has been working to have the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMG&F) designate parts of the Rio Chama as a catch and release fishery. He has received support from most, if not all, of the people who guide on the Chama, as well as a number of the local residents and many of the anglers he meets on the river. However, Noah has not received any encouragement from the responsible staff at NMG&F. Noah convinced me that catch and release would significantly improve ... Read More
November 19, 2014