Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Fly Fishing News for the Week of September 22, 2008

On Monday Governor Bill Richardson will announce a new State Park - the Pecos Canyon State Park. The announcement will be Monday, September 29, 2008 at 10:30am at Jamie Koch Day Use Area in Pecos Canyon. The Upper Pecos Watershed Association is asking supporters to be there for this announcement. Doug Jeffords and other UPWA members will try to be at the UPWA office by 8:30 on Monday to pull together some signs. It will take about 30 minutes to get to Jamie Koch from their office. It will be great to have a big, supportive crowd for the Governor's announcement.

If you hunt, fish, or shoot, Thank You! Through license sales and excise taxes, you help generate $100,000 every 30 minutes for fish, wildlife, and habitat programs. Join New Mexico Game and Fish this Saturday September 27, 2008 at Game and Fish headquarters in Santa Fe from 9am to 4pm to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day. This day is dedicated to recognizing and perpetuating our hunting and fishing heritage. There will be archery, fishing and shooting exhibits for our youth. Contact Marty at New Mexico Game and Fish at 505-476-8013 or Brian at 505-231-4375 for more information.

As part of National Hunting and Fishing Day, this coming Saturday, September 27, 2008 - The Bureau of Land Management, Carson National Forest, the Town of Taos Youth & Family Center, and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish are proud to bring you the Lower Gorge Sportsman's Clinic. The clinic is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m, at the Taos Junction Bridge - North Parking Area. Our goal for this event is to focus our youth on experiencing the northern New Mexico outdoors. Truchas Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be there with demonstrations on aquatic entomology, fly tying, and fly casting, as well as general info on TU and Truchas Chapter. You are invited to participate with your own children or help with the instruction. Imagine the children of our community enjoying the experience of the outdoors when they go through the clinic, instead of playing video games or watching TV. With the collaboration of our Taos community, we hope to accomplish that and more. Activities include: a fishing clinic, introduction to archery, rock climbing wall, and information on hunting, camping, wildlife conservation, trail maintenance, guided hikes, and much more. Bring the whole family to enjoy hands on activities, workshops, and exhibits about outdoor recreation. National Hunting and Fishing Day, formalized by Congress in 1971, was created by the National Shooting Sports Foundation to celebrate conservation successes of hunters and anglers. From shopping center exhibits to statewide expos, millions of citizens learned to appreciate America 's sportsman-based system of conservation funding. That system now generates more than $1.7 billion per year, benefiting all who appreciate wildlife and wild places. In addition, this event will also include the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the 100th Anniversary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service.
Take paved road NM 570 off of NM 68 from Pilar and travel along the Rio to the Taos Junction Bridge , or take NM 567 off of US 285 from the West Rim and drive down to Taos Junction Bridge.

This year's Dia del Rio celebration on the Pecos River will be held on Saturday October 11, 2008. It will kick off with a river clean up. Clean up participants are asked to meet at Beloved Gallery at 9am. There you will receive your clean up assignments. The clean up will run till 11:30. After the clean up there will be a free BBQ with booths, entertainment, a river blessing, and a raffle at Moanstery Lake starting at noon and ending at 4pm. For more information, please contact Ralph A. Vigil at 505-757-8517.

The Upper Pecos Watershed Association and the Truchas Chapter helped open the Forked Lightning Ranch unit of the Pecos National Historical Park to fishing this autumn. This pilot program will begin on September 4th and runs through November 3rd. This program is somewhat modeled after the one on Valles Caldera. The main difference is that there are only three fishing beats. Each beat is roughly one mile long and up to three anglers are allowed on each beat. One is only available on a first come first served basis. The other two can be reserved by fax or mail. Currently they do not take reservations over the internet. The FAX number is 505-757-7207. Their mailing address is Fishing Program/ Pecos NHP, PO Box 418, Pecos NM 87522.

The Truchas Chapter of Trout Unlimited has started a Rio Grande Cutthroat Restoration Fund last year. The monies in this fund are to assist governmant agencies and non-profits like the Truchas Chapter and New Mexico Trout carry out specific Rio Grande Cutthroat restoration projects. The High Desert Angler is lending support to the Truchas Chapter by carrying some great Truchas Chapter branded merchandise. These ballcaps and shirts look terrific and sport the Truchas logo. All money for merchandise sold goes into the Restoration Fund. Come into the High Desert Angler and have a look at this stuff and help the Truchas Chapter restore our native fish.

The Valles Caldera Trust has opened the East Fork to fishing on the Valles Caldera National Preserve a few weeks ago. To apply, use this link to their website at /www.vallescaldera.gov/comevisit/fish/EastFork.aspx. Otherwise access the East Fork reservation page from their home page by clicking on Come Visit. Then click on the fishing tab and select East Fork. Do be advised that the grazed cattle are now pastured along the East Fork and has had a negative effect on the fishing!

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 Juan. 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 your tippet over the bend of the hook. If the tippet catches on your "pinched" barb you may get cited.

The Department of Game and Fish is seeking individuals interested in serving as advisors for the Habitat Stamp Program. As volunteers, advisors review and prioritize habitat improvement proposals and forward their recommendations to the State Game Commission. Since 1990, all anglers, hunters and trappers who use U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management lands must purchase a Habitat Stamp. The Habitat Stamp Program then uses the $5 stamp fee for on-the-ground habitat improvements. Citizens have been involved in every aspect of the program, advising which habitats are most in need of improvement. Citizens represent sporting, environmental, or public land permittee interests and meet each spring to prioritize local habitat proposals. Citizens serve 3-year terms. "We have five regional Citizen Advisory Committees to involve citizens early on in the project-planning process," said Dale Hall, Habitat Stamp Program manager. "What separates this program from other typical government programs is its citizen participation. Currently we are looking for volunteers to assist the Department in incorporating New Mexico’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy for New Mexico into project selection and design processes.” Appointed by the State Game Commission, 14 current Citizen Advisory Committee members’ terms expire December 2008. Expiring terms include eight sportsmen and two each of environmentalists and permittees. They meet in April each year and attend field tours in summer months. To volunteer, contact Dale Hall at (505) 222-4725 or at dale.hall@state.nm.us before Oct. 15.

The Upper Pecos Watershed Association and the Truchas Chapter helped open the Forked Lightning Ranch unit of the Pecos National Historical Park to fishing this autumn. This pilot program will begin on September 4th and runs through November 3rd. This program is somewhat modeled after the one on Valles Caldera. The main difference is that there are only three fishing beats. Each beat is roughly one mile long and up to three anglers are allowed on each beat. One is only available on a first come first served basis. The other two can be reserved by fax or mail. Currently they do not take reservations over the internet. The FAX number is 505-757-7207. Their mailing address is Fishing Program/ Pecos NHP, PO Box 418, Pecos NM 87522.

The Truchas Chapter of Trout Unlimited has started a Rio Grande Cutthroat Restoration Fund last year. The monies in this fund are to assist governmant agencies and non-profits like the Truchas Chapter and New Mexico Trout carry out specific Rio Grande Cutthroat restoration projects. The High Desert Angler is lending support to the Truchas Chapter by carrying some great Truchas Chapter branded merchandise. These ballcaps and shirts look terrific and sport the Truchas logo. All money for merchandise sold goes into the Restoration Fund. Come into the High Desert Angler and have a look at this stuff and help the Truchas Chapter restore our native fish.

The Valles Caldera Trust has opened the East Fork to fishing on the Valles Caldera National Preserve. To apply, use this link to their website at /www.vallescaldera.gov/comevisit/fish/EastFork.aspx. Otherwise access the East Fork reservation page from their home page by clicking on Come Visit. Then click on the fishing tab and select East Fork. I've heard some mixed reports from anglers fishing the East Fork recently. If you would rather not fish with cattle, please voice your opinion to the Valles Caldera Trust!

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 Juan. 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 your tippet over the bend of the hook. If the tippet catches on your "pinched" barb you may get cited.

The Department of Game and Fish is seeking individuals interested in serving as advisors for the Habitat Stamp Program. As volunteers, advisors review and prioritize habitat improvement proposals and forward their recommendations to the State Game Commission. Since 1990, all anglers, hunters and trappers who use U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management lands must purchase a Habitat Stamp. The Habitat Stamp Program then uses the $5 stamp fee for on-the-ground habitat improvements. Citizens have been involved in every aspect of the program, advising which habitats are most in need of improvement. Citizens represent sporting, environmental, or public land permittee interests and meet each spring to prioritize local habitat proposals. Citizens serve 3-year terms. "We have five regional Citizen Advisory Committees to involve citizens early on in the project-planning process," said Dale Hall, Habitat Stamp Program manager. "What separates this program from other typical government programs is its citizen participation. Currently we are looking for volunteers to assist the Department in incorporating New Mexico’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy for New Mexico into project selection and design processes.” Appointed by the State Game Commission, 14 current Citizen Advisory Committee members’ terms expire December 2008. Expiring terms include eight sportsmen and two each of environmentalists and permittees. They meet in April each year and attend field tours in summer months. To volunteer, contact Dale Hall at (505) 222-4725 or at dale.hall@state.nm.us before Oct. 15.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Fly Fishing News for the Week of September 8, 2008

The Upper Pecos Watershed Association and the Truchas Chapter helped open the Forked Lightning Ranch unit of the Pecos National Historical Park to fishing this autumn. This pilot program will begin on September 4th and runs through November 3rd. This program is somewhat modeled after the one on Valles Caldera. The main difference is that there are only three fishing beats. Each beat is roughly one mile long and up to three anglers are allowed on each beat. One is only available on a first come first served basis. The other two can be reserved by fax or mail. Currently they do not take reservations over the internet. The FAX number is 505-757-7207. Their mailing address is Fishing Program/ Pecos NHP, PO Box 418, Pecos NM 87522.

The Truchas Chapter of Trout Unlimited has started a Rio Grande Cutthroat Restoration Fund last year. The monies in this fund are to assist governmant agencies and non-profits like the Truchas Chapter and New Mexico Trout carry out specific Rio Grande Cutthroat restoration projects. The High Desert Angler is lending support to the Truchas Chapter by carrying some great Truchas Chapter branded merchandise. These ballcaps and shirts look terrific and sport the Truchas logo. All money for merchandise sold goes into the Restoration Fund. Come into the High Desert Angler and have a look at this stuff and help the Truchas Chapter restore our native fish.

The Valles Caldera Trust has opened the East Fork to fishing on the Valles Caldera National Preserve a few weeks ago. To apply, use this link to their website at /www.vallescaldera.gov/comevisit/fish/EastFork.aspx. Otherwise access the East Fork reservation page from their home page by clicking on Come Visit. Then click on the fishing tab and select East Fork. I've already heard some very positive reports from anglers fishing the East Fork recently.

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 Juan. 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 your tippet over the bend of the hook. If the tippet catches on your "pinched" barb you may get cited.

The Department of Game and Fish is seeking individuals interested in serving as advisors for the Habitat Stamp Program. As volunteers, advisors review and prioritize habitat improvement proposals and forward their recommendations to the State Game Commission. Since 1990, all anglers, hunters and trappers who use U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management lands must purchase a Habitat Stamp. The Habitat Stamp Program then uses the $5 stamp fee for on-the-ground habitat improvements. Citizens have been involved in every aspect of the program, advising which habitats are most in need of improvement. Citizens represent sporting, environmental, or public land permittee interests and meet each spring to prioritize local habitat proposals. Citizens serve 3-year terms. "We have five regional Citizen Advisory Committees to involve citizens early on in the project-planning process," said Dale Hall, Habitat Stamp Program manager. "What separates this program from other typical government programs is its citizen participation. Currently we are looking for volunteers to assist the Department in incorporating New Mexico’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy for New Mexico into project selection and design processes.” Appointed by the State Game Commission, 14 current Citizen Advisory Committee members’ terms expire December 2008. Expiring terms include eight sportsmen and two each of environmentalists and permittees. They meet in April each year and attend field tours in summer months. To volunteer, contact Dale Hall at (505) 222-4725 or at dale.hall@state.nm.us before Oct. 15.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Fly Fishing News for the Week of September 1, 2008

The Upper Pecos Watershed Association and the Truchas Chapter helped open the Forked Lightning Ranch unit of the Pecos National Historical Park to fishing this autumn. This pilot program will begin on September 4th and runs through November 3rd. This program is somewhat modeled after the one on Valles Caldera. The main difference is that there are only three fishing beats. Each beat is roughly one mile long and up to three anglers are allowed on each beat. One is only available on a first come first served basis. The other two can be reserved by fax or mail. Currently they do not take reservations over the internet. The FAX number is 505-757-7207. Their mailing address is Fishing Program/ Pecos NHP, PO Box 418, Pecos NM 87522.

The Truchas Chapter of Trout Unlimited has started a Rio Grande Cutthroat Restoration Fund last year. The monies in this fund are to assist governmant agencies and non-profits like the Truchas Chapter and New Mexico Trout carry out specific Rio Grande Cutthroat restoration projects. The High Desert Angler is lending support to the Truchas Chapter by carrying some great Truchas Chapter branded merchandise. These ballcaps and shirts look terrific and sport the Truchas logo. All money for merchandise sold goes into the Restoration Fund. Come into the High Desert Angler and have a look at this stuff and help the Truchas Chapter restore our native fish.

The Valles Caldera Trust has opened the East Fork to fishing on the Valles Caldera National Preserve a few weeks ago. To apply, use this link to their website at /www.vallescaldera.gov/comevisit/fish/EastFork.aspx. Otherwise access the East Fork reservation page from their home page by clicking on Come Visit. Then click on the fishing tab and select East Fork. I've already heard some very positive reports from anglers fishing the East Fork recently.

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 Juan. 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 your tippet over the bend of the hook. If the tippet catches on your "pinched" barb you may get cited.

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is requesting your help defending our state from an invasion of alien organisms, aquatic invasive/nuisance species that threaten our water supplies, fish, wildlife and aquatic ecosystems. More than 100 aquatic invasive species already are impacting New Mexico's natural resources, and the threats of zebra mussels and quagga mussels continue to grow despite regulations prohibiting their introduction to the state. To battle these invasive species, the Department, acting on behalf of the Aquatic Invasive Species Advisory Council of New Mexico, is requesting your input on the Draft New Mexico Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan. Once established, the plan will make New Mexico eligible for federal matching funds to address activities specified in the management plan. Currently, New Mexico is not eligible for this funding because it has no plan. A final draft will be presented to the national Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force and Governor Bill Richardson for approval. Individuals, groups, organizations, NGOs, tribes and agencies are encouraged to participate in this 30-day public participation period by submitting comments on this draft plan. For more information, please visit the Department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us and click on “Public Comments,” or contact Brian Lang at (505) 476-8108 or brian.lang@state.nm.us. Additional information about aquatic invasive species is available by visiting www.protectyourwaters.net or www.fws.gov/answest.