The following is a letter that we have sent to the USFS in response to their publication of a notice of intent to construct the cattle and elk fencing on the Rio Cebolla that we have planned for our May 31, 2014 volunteer project. In general, projects on Federal property that go beyond simple repairs and maintenance require an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Those documents are a big deal and frequently take a year or more to get through the process. There are exceptions for projects that fall within the general scope of a previously issued EIS, where a Forest ... Read More
April 27, 2014
Fly, Notes and Photo by Tim Barker Used by Permission From April 2014 Newsletter Thread: Gordon Griffith's 14/0, Gray or Olive, Tiemco 16/0 Gray Hook: TMC 2487 or Daiichi 1130, #16-#20 Tail: Dun Hen Hackle Barbs Abdomen: BWO or Olive Goose Biot ( I use Stalcup's)...it may be tied fringed or flat Wing: Fluffy, butt end of a Dun Hen feather, mounted convex side up and pulled over Abdomen and Bead Abdomen: Brown or Dark Tan Beaver Bead: Gun Metal Glass or Black Metal sized to hook I have done some ties for Casting For Recovery and a drawing box ... Read More
April 23, 2014
Francis Peter, Youth Director From the April 2014 newsletter Volunteers from New Mexico Trout conduct fly fishing clinics for youths (ages 8-16) and adults, allowing up to 20 participants the opportunity to fish the rivers on the Preserve. Participants spend a half day learning about equipment, tackle, knots, stream insect sampling and identification. Participants will have time to practice their casting in the morning and then head for the stream in the afternoon. Bring a lunch to enjoy along the stream and be prepared for weather. This activity is extremely popular, so sign up early. The Clinic schedule for 2014 ... Read More
April 23, 2014
Ron Loehman, Conservation Chair From the April 2014 newsletter Each season New Mexico Trout members volunteer for work on conservation projects in support of the US Forest Service and other state and federal resource management agencies. Many of the projects are on streams in the Jemez Mountains and most are on weekends.Our first project was a great success, cleaning up trash along the Rio Guadalupe on 12 April. Sixteen hardy souls tromped through the underbrush retrieving 39 large bags of trash - enough to fill a full size pickup bed and then some! Afterwards, they enjoyed a streamside lunch and ... Read More
April 23, 2014
Dave Menicucci From April 2014 newsletter A project is ongoing at the Valles Caldera to understand trout movements following wildfires. Last year we extracted, tagged and relocated 72 trout on the East Fork and 85 on the Rio San Antonio. This year we will be electroshocking both the extraction and relocation areas to determine whether the trout have remained in the relocation areas or migrated back to the extraction areas. There are two parts to this effort, both requiring volunteers. Part 1, Electroshocking I am seeking a minimum of 10 volunteers on each of two days. Among the volunteers I ... Read More
April 23, 2014
From the April 2014 Newsletter The New Mexico Game and Fish Department stocked almost 10,000 young Rio Grand cutthroat trout into the into the Rio Grande Gorge north of Taos river as part of a long-range plan to spur interest in the state fish and restore it in other streams and creeks. Like other native fish, the Rio Grande cutthroat has disappeared from much of its historic range in New Mexico and Colorado. The department began restocking the fish in the Rio Grande in 2008. Today, people can fish for cutthroat that have grown to adulthood in the gorge and ... Read More
April 23, 2014
This is a special raffle for a stay at the beautiful MW Bar Ranch on the Costilla River. The tickets are only $5.00 each and can be purchased through the PayPal link below. The winning ticket will receive 2 nights lodging at the MW Bar Ranch for 1 or 2 (a single room). Dinners are available at $20.00/person per night, but please notify the ranch in advance. No lunches are available at the ranch, but refrigerators are available to store your lunchbox materials. Ticket sales end at midnight, May 25. The winning ticket will be drawn during lunch at the New Mexico Trout ... Read More
April 13, 2014