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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 has been suspended due to fire danger. The park has closed the fishing program and access to the Pecos River due to fire danger back on July 3rd. I know, you like me are probably baffled by this move as the surrounding state and National Forest lands have lifted their fire restrictions since then. I wholeheartedly support the efforts of the individuals involved in getting access to the Pecos River. There is however some non-sensical rules governing the program. Number one, is this closure. When is it going to be lifted, and why isn't there consensus with other federal fire manager's decisions to rescind fire restrictions and closure? Why is the fishing program suspended for the better part of June, when the water flows were well below the 200 cfs level when the fishing program would be suspended due to safety concerns? Why didn't the fishing program start earlier in the summer when the cooler water is much more conducive to catch and release fishing than it is in late July? Please, very nicely and respectively let the Fishing Program manager that there should be some changes to be made for the better of the fish and fishers. I hope the fire closure gets lifted soon as the Program will automatically be closed as of August 6th and on into early September. To take part in the fishing program once the closure is lifted, 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.
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, and fly fishing equipment. No previous fly fishing experience is required. To apply or for more info, contact Reel Recovery at info@reelrecovery.org or call 800-699-4490.
