The Upper Pecos Watershed Association, the Truchas Chapter of Trout Unlimited, New Mexico Game and Fish, and the Pecos Community Foundation sponsored this years annual Pecos River Cleanup on Saturday June 7, 2008. Many thanks to the few volunteers as well as the U.S. Forest Service and New Mexico Game and Fish for their support. Doug Jeffords of the Upper Pecos Watershed Association has been the main organizer of the Pecos River Cleanup for the past 5 or 6 years and deserves credit for getting it accomplished. Game and Fish and the Forest Service has made an incredibly noticeable effort in keeping the campgrounds and day use areas clean this year. For those of you who have shunned the Pecos because of the trash, get out there and see the difference this year.
The New Mexico State Game Commission has enacted a two fly only rule for the quality waters of the San Juan. This rule will go into effect on July 1st. As a result, Game and Fish officers are starting to make their appearance on the San Jaun. They are informing fly fishers of the "two fly" rule, but also checking licenses and for barbed flies. They recommend that you completely file the barb down or risk a citation. They check for a barb by running you tippet over the bend of the hook. If the tippet catches on your "pinched" barb you may get cited.
The release schedule for Navajo Dam into the San Juan River has been changed! The release is scheduled to be temporarily reduced on Tuesday June 10th in order to accommodate required inspections of the outlet works. Releases will continue at the present rate of 5000 cubic feet per second (cfs) through Thurdsay June 19th. Beginning on Thursday, June 19th, the release will begin to be gradually decreased until it reaches 500 cfs on Wednesday, July 2nd. Reclamation will provide updates to the release schedule if any changes occur. If you have any questions, please contact Pat Page at (970) 385-6560 or e-mail him at ppage@uc.usbr.gov.
New Mexico Trout is seeking volunteers for some summer projects in their homewaters; the streams of the Jemez Mountains. These projects are all related to improving fish habitat, and are also located near good fishing. Pick a date, pack your fishing gear, and give back to our resources. Below is a list of projects, dates, and contacts. For more information contact Amanda Webb (505) 829-3535 of the Jemez Ranger District.
>June 21-22nd, 2008: Mushroom Basin Fencing Project.
Contact: Derek Padilla, USFS (505-829-3535)
>July 12-13th, 2008: Rio de las Vacas stream restoration and exclosure project.
Contact: Julie Walker, NMENV (505-476-3069)
>July 26th, 2008: 18th Annual Kid’s Fishing Day at the Seven Springs Fish Hatchery.
Contact: Kimberly DeVall USFS (505-829-3535)
>August 2-3rd, 2008: Rio de las Vacas stream restoration and exclosure project.
Contact: Julie Walker, NMENV (505-476-3069)
>September 27th, 2008: Oat Canyon Erosion Control and Stabilization.
Contact: Jo Wargo USFS (505-829-3535)
Cloudveil, makers of Gore-Tex waders and other fine angling apparel, is asking all anglers to “Take the Pledge”. Invasive species are impacting fisheries and recreational opportunities around the world. Anglers are inadvertently spreading invaders to new waters because they fail to properly clean their equipment. Don’t be part of the problem. Take these simple actions: Inspect your wading AND fishing gear for plants or dirt and remove, clean your gear with fresh water, dry your gear between outings. We encourage responsible wading. Support the clean angling pledge. For more information on invasive species, go to www.cleanangling.com.
