New Mexico Game and Fish is seeking volunteers to stock brown trout fry into the upper Rio Grande on Thursday February 7th. Interested persons should dress for the weather, wear sturdy footwear, and bring a comfortable but sizable backpack. Game and Fish usually has some spare packs if you need one. Volunteers are asked to hike down into the gorge with a backpack holding a waterproof container and approximately 3000 inch long fry weighing approximately 20 - 30 pounds. Officials from Game and Fish, US Forest Service, and the BLM will direct their efforts. Meet at the La Junta Pavilion in the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic Rivers Area at 10 am. Volunteers that bring your own gear, are welcome to stay in the gorge after the stocking and fish. There is good trout fishing on the lower Red River and places to explore for pike on the Rio, especially at Little Aresenic Springs. A contingent of us at the fly shop are going up and will leave the fly shop at 7:30 am. If you'd like to join us, meet at the fly shop before 7:30 or at the La Junta Pavilion at 10:00 am. For more information, contact us at the store (505-988-7688) or Eric Frey of Game and Fish at 505-445-2311.
Love Your River "Clean-up" Day, Saturday February 9th. Join the Santa Fe Watershed Association on Saturday February 9th at 10am to clean up the river and have a good time! When the work is done, participants will gather at Frenchy's Field Barn for hot drinks and snacks. The river clean up is being organized by the Santa Fe Watershed Association and the Adopt-the-River Stewards. Please call Marty Peale at the Watershed Association (820-1696) for details about which stretch of the river needs the most help, and what you will need to bring, etc. They will also give further instructions on their website for last-minute volunteers so you can just show up un-announced and join in the work (and fun)! We hope to see you there!
High Desert Angler's senior guide, Norman Maktima, will be giving a presentation on his Wind River, Wyoming trip on February 16th at the High Desert Angler at 5:30 pm. He has scheduled two trips this year due to the demand. The first trip arrives in Thermoplis, Wyoming on June 29 and departs July 3rd. The second trip arrives in Thermoplis on July 3rd and departs the 7th. It includes 3 guided days of float fishing on the Wind River and upper Bighorn River, and 4 nights lodging in Thermoplis. The cost of the trip is $1,325 double occupancy, extra for singles, and does not include transportation to Thermoplis. There are some opening in both trips left. Please contact Norman Maktima at 505-988-7688 for the details.
The New Mexico Game and Fish is seeking public comment on a fishing regulation proposal that would limit fly fishing anglers to two flies per rod. This new regulation is being proposed due to concerns from anglers in the San Juan River. The concern is that multiple fly rigs may cause damage to trout and other wildlife. It stems from anglers using three or more fly rigs and a fish taking the bottom fly then breaking the line taking all the top flies. The fish will then get snag into root wads and brush piles. The State Game Commission will take action on the proposed change during its February meeting. Unfortunately, as usual, the period for public comment is very short and hasn't been very well publicized. For more information call Rick Castell in Albuquerque, 222-4700; Joey Vega in Las Cruces, 532-2100; Eric Frey in Raton, 445-2311, or Shawn Denny in Roswell, 624-6135. Or submit your comments online at the Department’s web site, www.wildlife.state.nm.us/. Use the "Public Comment" page to file an e-mail.
The High Desert Angler is a member of the Santa Fe Alliance and is also a participating member of Locals-Care. With Locals-Care, card holders earn and redeem points at many local merchants and also earn money for a local non-profit of your choice. Sign up for a Locals-Care card at the High Desert Angler and start earning points today!
Closeout and discontinued merchandise sale! Sage Manufacturing and Scott Fly Rods have both announced discontinuations of their SLT line and S3 and S3s lines respectively. We have two 9 foot 5 weight Scott S3s rods and one 8 foot 3 weight S3 left, and one 9 foot, five piece, 8 weight Sage SLT. We are offering them at 30 percent off of 2007 retail prices. Simms and Cloudveil have also announced discontinuations in their Gore-Tex wader lines and will be discounted at 30% off of 2007 retail prices or buy any one wader at regular price and get one free. Please call the shop for details at 505-988-7688.
The Truchas Chapter of Trout Unlimited is seeking individuals willing to serve on their local Board of Directors. Many of the current board members are nearing the end of their terms and some are feeling a bit stretched. The only requirement is a desire to contibute ideas, opinions, expertise, and a certain amount of time. Many current conservation projects underway and need new blood with vigor and enthusiasm. Contact Arnold Atkins, the Truchas Chapter president for more details at oldrzif@yahoo.com.
Please save the date of March 1, 2008 for the Truchas Chapter of Trout Unlimited annual banqet. It will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Santa Fe. Cocktails start at 6 pm and dinner at 7 pm. The featured speaker is Dr. Robert J. Behnke. He is a professor emeritus of Colorado State University and one of the world's foremost experts on trout and salmon. He provided the scientific underpinnings offor the work of last year's speaker, James Prosek, artist and author of several well regarded books. Dr. Behnke also writes the column "About Trout" in Trout Unlimited's national journal "Trout". We are please to have Dr. Behnke at the High Desert Angler for a signing of his latest book "About Trout" on Saturday March 1st at 3pm. Copies of "About Trout" and "Trout and Salmon of North America" are available now at the High Desert Angler.
Learn to fish from a pro for free! Casting a line and catchin' fish - the basics of angling -offer fun for entire families in New Mexico's enchanting outdoors. For those who have never fished or are a little rusty, yet eager to get started, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish's Fishing Skills Program offers FREE clinics with all the equipment you need for learning from experienced, professional trainers. Students of all ages learn basic skills of assembling tackle, knot tying, identifying fish and good fish habitat, casting, fish handling, New Mexico's fishing rules and regulations, angling ethics, aquatic food webs, and outdoor safety and fishing safety. To schedule a fishing clinic at your community or school, contact Ti Piper, Fishing Skills contractor, at (505) 250-9994 or (505) 281-5647. Watch for New Mexico Free Fishing Day events on the first Saturday in June each year and local community fishing events in your area. 2008 Free Fishing Day is set for Saturday, June 7th.
