Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Announcements for the Week of April 16 2007

Announcements for the Week of April 16, 2007

All anglers are reminded that the new fishing license year begins April 1, 2007. We now have the new licenses available for sale.

Spring time releases out of Navajo Dam begin later this month. In anticipation of a potential early spring runoff, the peak release will occur earlier than in previous years. The current plan calls for Reclamation to begin ramping up the release on Monday, April 30, 2007. The release will be increased gradually over four days until the maximum release rate of 5,000 cfs is reached on Thursday, May 3rd. This release rate will remain at 5,000 cfs through Wednesday, May 16th. Then on Thursday, May 17th, the release will begin to be gradually decreased until it reaches 500 cfs on May 23rd. A more detailed schedule showing daily release rates throughout the spring peak release period is currently being developed and will be provided to the public soon.

Santa Fe River Named “Most Endangered River” in America
Today, the Santa Fe River was designated as the “most endangered river” in the country by American Rivers, a Washington, DC-based advocacy group that announces an annual 10-most endangered list. The Santa Fe Watershed Association nominated the Santa Fe River for this designation. Each year since 1986, American Rivers and dozens of partners in the river movement have released the America’s Most Endangered Rivers report to spotlight those rivers across the country facing critical and near-term threats. The report is not a list of the nation’s “worst” or most polluted rivers, but rather it highlights ten rivers confronted by decisions in the coming year that could determine their future. The criteria considered in these rankings include the magnitude of the threat to the river, a major decision point in the coming year, and the regional and national significance of the river. “Our river is at the top of the list this year because it is in a critical state, but also because there is a window of opportunity to restore it,” said David Groenfeldt, Santa Fe Watershed Association Executive Director. For more information, see recent articles in the Santa Fe New Mexican http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/60288.html or http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/60199.html and the Journal North http://www.abqjournal.com/north/555351north_news04-17-07.htm.

The next fly tying class will be announced soon. Please get on our e-newletter mailing list for announcements of our next classes or keep visiting our Announcements Page. We are also interested in starting a Fly tying club that would meet week nights. It would be a great way to get anglers together, make a fishing buddy, and learn some new patterns. Please e-mail us and let us know if there is a demand for classes for people who can't or won't do a Saturday class or if a tying club is something you be interested in.

Fly Tying seminar at the High Desert Angler on Saturday April 21, 2007. Learn to tie a variety of trout patterns that are effective throughout the West. Spend a full day with Jack Schlotter, Umpqua Feather Merchant's signature fly designer and Whiting Pro Team member. Jack will lead you through a number of his signature patterns, as well as some others that will broaden and improve your fly tying and fishing expertise. Class runs from 10am till 5pm. Cost of the class is $75.00 which includes materials and lunch. This is for intermediate tyers and above. Advance registration and payment are required. Please contact the fly shop at 505-988-7688 for more details.

The annual Pecos River Cleanup will be on Saturday June 2, 2007. The newly formed Upper Pecos Watershed Association and the Truchas Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be leading a cleanup of what is arguably the most "loved to death" river in our state. Please save the date to give a few hours to the cause of better fishing and a healthier river. We will post more information as it becomes available.

Santa Fe River Festival June 2nd, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Frenchy’s Field Park. The first annual Santa Fe River Festival will be held on June 2nd from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Frenchy’s Field Park and we need your help. The Festival will be a celebration of the river with art activities, naturalist walks, science investigations, music, food, and educational booths, preceded by an all-river clean-up. If you would like to participate in this community event, please contact Pamela at pamelad@santafewatershed.org. Committees are forming for art, food/music, and volunteer coordination. The River Festival 2007 is sponsored by The Santa Fe Watershed Association, the City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County.

Saturday June 2nd is also National Fishing Day. All anglers regardless of residency, can fish this day with out a license, however all bag and possesion limits must be respected and Game and Fish will be out there to enforce bag limits.

High Desert Angler's senior guide Norman Maktima is hosting a fly fishing trip to the Wind River in Wyoming and a day float on the Bighorn River in Wyoming July 3rd through July 7th 2007. Experience one of the last wild fisheries in the U.S. without the trek into the wilderness. Float down the Wind River for two days and cast big dries to huge browns, rainbows, and cutthroats, then fish the trico hatches on the Bighorn near Thermopolis. The cost is $1250 per person double occupancy (extra charge applies for singles). This includes two days of guided float fishing on the Wind River and one day's guided float on the Bighorn River, plus four nights lodging at the Holiday Inn of the Waters and Spa. The cost does not include Wyoming state fishing licenses, tackle, meals, or transportation to Thermopolis, Wyoming. Lunch will be provided on the fishing days. A presentaion by Norman Maktima will be given at the High Desert Angler at 6 pm on Friday March 16th. For more information call Norman at 505-470-0405.