Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Learn more at 100thmeridian.org.
Governor Richardson announced that all New Mexico State Parks will remain open during the remainder of state employee furlough days. Governor Richardson announced the change after receiving dozens of requests from New Mexico residents, local municipalities and businesses asking to keep parks open because of concerns about the negative economic impact closures could have on local economies. Listening to constituent concerns, Governor Richardson worked with State Parks and the State Personnel Office to come up with the plan that will still require State Park employees to take three remaining furlough days. Those employees who are needed to work to keep parks open on designated furlough days, will be required to take alternate furlough days. The bottom line is that Navajo Lake State Park and the San Juan River and locally, the Pecos River at Villanueva State Park will not close as scheduled and fly fishers can enjoy the resource at will.
Yes it's back and only in Santa Fe! We are offering Tai Chi Fly Fishing classes this spring. Each class lasts an hour and the first one is on March 6th at 2:00 pm. There will be a class each Saturday in March. A repeat of the first four session will be held in April. Each class stands alone, but will build on skills learned in the earlier classes. You will be able to apply the techniques learned in theses indoor classes on the water in a half-day class in May or June. Dates to be determined by spring run-off. Each indoor session costs $20.00 and the on the water cost has yet to be determined. It wiil cost more to include private water use fees, lunch, and a half-day's guide fee. For more infomation or any questions, please contact Doug Brown at 505-660-9906.
The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is accepting entries in a contest to design a logo for the state's new bass fishing license plate. Artists of all ages are invited to enter their original works in the contest. The grand prize winning entry will be reproduced on the state's bass fishing license plate, which will support bass habitat management in waters statewide. The grand prize winner will receive $500. Two $50 prizes will be awarded to winners in the youth division for artists whose 18th birthday is before March 1, 2010. The New Mexico B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and the Department of Game and Fish are each paying half the prize money. A bill passed by the 2009 state Legislature authorized the Motor Vehicle Division to issue the special bass fishing plate for any private motor vehicle except a motorcycle. Motorists can buy a plate for a one-time fee of $25 and an annual fee of $10 in addition to the regular registration fees. All but $10 of those fees will go to the Bass Habitat Management Program of the state Game Protection Fund. The deadline for artwork submissions to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish for the contest is March 1, 2010. Any two-dimensional media, including but not limited to prints, oils, pastels, acrylics, water media, pen and ink, graphite, photography, digital and mixed media will be considered. Entries must be received by 5 p.m. March 1, 2010, in the Public Information and Outreach Division, Department of Game and Fish, 1 Wildlife Way, P.O. Box 25112, Santa Fe, NM 87504. Entries will be returned only if accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope, or may be picked up at the Department office in Santa Fe after March 15. Artists should submit 35mm slides, prints, high-resolution digital images or original work. Artwork must include the artist's name, address, phone or e-mail and entry category. For more information about the contest, please call (505) 476-8004.
2010 Big Horn Dates: June 5-13!!!! I have been going to FT. Smith MT to fish the Big Horn River below the Yellow Tail Reservoir since June of 2000. I really like this time of year on the ‘Horn, first off the crowds are minimal, and our local rivers are still in run-off. This makes this trip the perfect primer for the up coming Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado season. Not to mention The Big Horn is quite possibly one of the top 5 tail waters on the planet. Out of 24 spots over the 8 days I will be there I know I only have one boat for two persons available. This is the kind of trip you want to do again and again and most of the returning anglers have been going with me since my second or third trip. So give a call for details and to sign up. The price stays the same, $1600 per person for four nights and three days of guided fishing. All meals, lodging and flies are included, you must get a MT fishing license and you have to get yourself there and back.
The Truchas Chapter of Trout Unlimited has announced the date for their annual banquet. It'll be at the Inn at Loretto on Saturday April 10th. The Guest Speaker will be Brian O'Keefe. If you've seen cover photos on Field & Stream; Outdoor Life; Fly Fisherman; Fly, Rod and Reel; Fly Fishing Salt Waters; Fly and Fish Magazine; Outside Magazine and Mens Journal, then you've probably seen some of Brian O'Keefe's work. A fly fisher from a very early age, Brian has traveled the world in search of good fish and for the past twenty years, great photos. He is a master level certified fly casting instructor (FFF), dynamic speaker, and a tackle rep for Scientific Anglers in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. We are very pleased he will be visitng from his home territory in Oregon to be speaker at our annual Banquet. Expect great raffle and silent auction prizes, good food and excellent company. Stay tuned: We'll have more on Banquet plans as they develop.
