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The Valles Caldera National Preserve will reopen to fishing this Saturday, June 23rd! The fish are back and so is the fishing! Less than a year after the Las Conchas fire and floods devastated the streams on the Valles Caldera National Preserve the fish are making a comeback. A series of scientific field surveys conducted since the first of the year indicate a gradual resurgence of the fish population. Numbers have improved to the point to support a fishing program. Fishing will officially resume on the preserve this Saturday, June 23rd and run through the end of the season. The program will be open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. In order to provide a quality experience, daily access will be limited to 14 anglers spread among the reaches of the San Antonio creek and eight anglers along the East Fork of the Jemez River. Anglers will be able to drive to their assigned reaches of the San Antonio where “catch and release” rules will be in effect. The East Fork will feature a two fish bag limit. For more information on reservations, fishing guidelines and requirements, go to http://www.vallescaldera.gov/comevisit/fish/index.aspx. Reservations can be made on line or by calling 866-382-5537. Walkups to the Valle Grande Staging Area may also sign up for unreserved fishing areas on a first come, first served basis.
The Valles Caldera National Preserve will hold Fly Fishing Clinics this summer. Volunteers from New Mexico Trout will conduct fly fishing clinics for youths and adults. The Preserve will allow 20 participants the opportunity to spend a half day learning about equipment, tackle, knots, stream insect sampling and identification. In the afternoon, participants fish the headwaters of the East Fork of the Jemez River. Lunch is not included, so bring a sack lunch. The Youth Clinics dates are Saturday(s) June 23, July 21, Aug 18, and Sept 22. The fees for youths (8-16 yrs old) are $15/person. The Adult Clinics dates are Sunday(s) June 24, July 22, Aug 19, and Sept 23. The fees for adults is $75/person.
The Fishing Program at Pecos National Historical Park opened June 21st. The summer season runs from June 21st through August 6th. You can make reservations for the summer season starting May 21st. To take part in the fishing program, you can make advanced reservations for the two beats available per day (six anglers total) either by emailing the park at peco_visitor_information@nps.gov or by calling the reservation line at 505-757-7272. If those spots are filled for the day you seek, you can try showing up at the Visitor Center to see if there are spaces available on the third beat, which has three spots and is always reserved for walk-ins. In order to get a fishing permit at the Park, you must possess a valid New Mexico Department of Game and Fish fishing license and Habitat Management and Access Validation.
High Desert Angler's Norman Maktima was in Slovenia with the rest of Team USA, representing the United States in World Fly Fishing Championships. Norman finished 6th in the world as an individual and the team took 11th. A big special congratulations to Norman Maktima and Team USA members Rob Kolanda, Devin Olsen, Lance Egan and Anthony Naranja for a fine showing. This is Norman's fifth time to make Team USA. Norman is our most senior guide, and has been with the shop since the mid-nineties when he was still in high school. He continues to perfect his craft to the point he was ranked twelfth in the world after last year's championship in Italy. He frequently shares his techniques of European Style Nymphing in classes and clinics.
On Sunday, July 15th Upper Pecos Watershed Association will be holding its 3rd annual Water, Wildflowers and Trout fundraising event at beautiful Brush Ranch! This year, the event is being catered by Hawkins Chuck Wagon and dinner will be served in the Brush Ranch Dance Hall. UPWA is in need of donations for both the live and silent auctions. They will be posting photos of the auction items (along with the donor names) on their website. For more information, or to make a charitable donation, please call the UPWA office at 505) 757-3600, or upwa@pecoswatershed.org.
