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The Valles Caldera National Preserve has reopened to fishing 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 officially resumed on the preserve 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) , 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) July 22, Aug 19, and Sept 23. The fees for adults is $75/person. For more information go to http://www.vallescaldera.gov/
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.
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.
Reel Recovery is having their New Mexcico Fly Fishing Retreat for Men with Cancer at beautiful Cow Creek Ranch. The retreat starts on September 12th at 4:00 pm and runs through the 14th at 2:00 pm. Reel Recovery is a national organization that conducts fly fishing retreats for men recovering from cancer. Their mission is to help men in the recovery process by sharing the healing powers of the sport. Retreats are offered at absolutley no cost to the participants and are led by professional facilitators and expert fly fishing instructors. Reel Recovery provides all of the meals, lodging, fly fishing equipment. No previous fly fishing experience is required. To aplly or for more info, contact Reel Recovery at info@reelrecovery.org or call 800-699-4490.
