Announcements
Cowles Ponds in the upper Pecos Canyon 20 miles north of Pecos are open to the public again, featuring a ramp and path designed for people who use wheelchairs. The ponds were closed The ponds were closed for improvements, which included draining and dredging to improve fish habitat. The project cost more than $380,000 and was paid for with funding from the state Habitat Stamp program, federal money and local donations. The ponds are periodically stocked with rainbow trout by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. One 12-foot-deep pond was built for children under age 11 and people with disabilities. The other pool is 8 ... Read More
Governor Susana Martinez is soliciting proposals for river restoration projects around the state. Under the New Mexico River Stewardship Program, the Legislature approved $2.3 million in capital outlay funds to spend on projects protecting the health of rivers and watersheds, which would include lowering riverbanks, replanting native vegetation, clearing out invasive plants and restoring wetlands. Municipalities, counties, irrigation districts and community groups can apply for the funds, and winning applicants will be announced in September. Link to website - http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/swqb/RiverStewards/ ... Read More
"I finally won something!" That was the comment from Steve Slick after Pat Mileshosky called to tell him that he had won the MW Bar Ranch raffle. The drawing was held on Saturday as promised, just not at the NM Trout conservation/BBQ picnic which was cancelled. Thanks to Mary Ann Walz and the good folks at the MW Bar Ranch for donating the 2-night stay. They have been a long time supporter of NM Trout and it is greatly appreciated! Also thanks to all the folks who purchased tickets for the raffle ... Read More
The following is a letter that we have sent to the USFS in response to their publication of a notice of intent to construct the cattle and elk fencing on the Rio Cebolla that we have planned for our May 31, 2014 volunteer project. In general, projects on Federal property that go beyond simple repairs and maintenance require an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Those documents are a big deal and frequently take a year or more to get through the process. There are exceptions for projects that fall within the general scope of a previously issued EIS, where a Forest ... Read More
Francis Peter, Youth Director From the April 2014 newsletter Volunteers from New Mexico Trout conduct fly fishing clinics for youths (ages 8-16) and adults, allowing up to 20 participants the opportunity to fish the rivers on the Preserve. Participants spend a half day learning about equipment, tackle, knots, stream insect sampling and identification. Participants will have time to practice their casting in the morning and then head for the stream in the afternoon. Bring a lunch to enjoy along the stream and be prepared for weather. This activity is extremely popular, so sign up early. The Clinic schedule for 2014 ... Read More
Dave Menicucci From April 2014 newsletter A project is ongoing at the Valles Caldera to understand trout movements following wildfires. Last year we extracted, tagged and relocated 72 trout on the East Fork and 85 on the Rio San Antonio. This year we will be electroshocking both the extraction and relocation areas to determine whether the trout have remained in the relocation areas or migrated back to the extraction areas. There are two parts to this effort, both requiring volunteers. Part 1, Electroshocking I am seeking a minimum of 10 volunteers on each of two days. Among the volunteers I ... Read More
This is a special raffle for a stay at the beautiful MW Bar Ranch on the Costilla River. The tickets are only $5.00 each and can be purchased through the PayPal link below. The winning ticket will receive 2 nights lodging at the MW Bar Ranch for 1 or 2 (a single room). Dinners are available at $20.00/person per night, but please notify the ranch in advance. No lunches are available at the ranch, but refrigerators are available to store your lunchbox materials. Ticket sales end at midnight, May 25. The winning ticket will be drawn during lunch at the New Mexico Trout ... Read More
New Mexico Trout has a tradition of welcoming the Spring opening of FR 376 between the Gilman Tunnels and Porter's Landing with a volunteer trash pickup. That Forest Service road provides access to our Rio Guadalupe home water and it accumulates a lot of roadside trash over a season's heavy use by the many people who visit that corridor. Doing these annual cleanups is one way we can express our thanks for the wonderful trout fishing opportunities the Rio Guadalupe affords while we help maintain it in a state that we like to visit. We will meet at 9:00AM at ... Read More
