2018 Conclave

Schedule | Purchase tickets | Map

New Mexico Trout will hold its 34th Annual Conclave and primary fundraiser on Saturday, March 24, 2018 from 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM at Sandia Preparatory School, 532 Osuna Rd., NE in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Conclave addresses all aspects of fly-fishing and is open to the public.

The featured speakers are Dave Whitlock, the renowned fly-fishing author, artist, and lecturer, his wife, Emily Whitlock, and Bob Widgren, an expert New Mexico angler and custom fly rod builder.

Each will give a series of talks throughout the day. Emily Whitlock’s presentation will focus on topics of particular interest to women. The Conclave will also include clinics on beginning and advanced fly-casting (weather permitting), a New Mexico Game and Fish Department exhibit on fish and aquatic insects, fly tying demonstrations, and split bamboo fly rod building.

The Conclave will feature an extremely popular raffle of donated gear such as rods, reels, flies, fishing clothing, and other gear, as well as guided fishing trips.

Tickets are $25 for NM Trout members and $35 for non-members. Admission is free for attendees 15 and under. Tickets can be purchased on-line or at Los Pinos Fly and Tackle Shop and Charlie’s Sporting Goods in Albuquerque. Tickets purchased by March 19, 2018 include a catered lunch.

Dave Whitlock

Emily Whitlock

Bob Widgren

New Mexico Trout is an all-volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that is dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of trout fishing in New Mexico’s waters. The Club does this through hands-on restoration of riparian habitats and by formal and informal education of the public about trout fishing and the value of trout habitats. NM Trout raises operating funds for its conservation projects from the annual Conclave, as well as from member dues and donations.

New Mexico Trout partners with State, Federal, and private agencies to accomplish its mission and to introduces people to the benefits of fly fishing in order to recruit more participants to the sport. NM Trout provides volunteer labor and donates money to purchase supplies to complete worthy projects. Some of its past projects include:

Teaching introductory fly tying and casting at events at New Mexico’s Fenton Lake, Seven Springs Hatchery, and Valles Caldera National Monument.
Supporting Project Healing Waters by working with the Albuquerque Veteran’s Administration to teach local veterans fly tying, casting, and fishing skills.
Working with the Santa Fe National Forest to build vehicle barriers to prevent degradation and to restore riparian habitat on trout streams in northern New Mexico.

Ron Loehman and Lance Leach,
2018 Conclave co-chairmen