New Mexico Trout’s Annual Conclave was held on 7 February and was a great success. Our two exceptional guests, Rick Hafele and Norman Maktima, provided entertaining and educational presentations about local and regional waters, fishing techniques, and fly patterns.
Rick’s talk provided an overview of emergers and trout feeding habits, and how to avoid common fly fishing mistakes. Rick has an encyclopedic knowledge of aquatic insects and provided numerous illustrations, pictures and videos of these favorite trout foods, and how to choose the right fly and presentation to catch more fish. Rick also provided a treatise on how to avoid the five mistakes that cause ninety percent of anglers to catch only ten percent of the fish. More information is at his website http://www.rickhafele.com/Home.html.
Norman’s presentation was replete with stunning pictures of local trout fishing, and included excellent tips and techniques for fishing our local waters. Norm’s provided enthusiastic and exciting descriptions of the Rio Grande and Chama rivers, and secrets for ‘unlocking’ these rivers. He also had some handy and unique tips for fishing the single nymph rig. More information is at his website http://www.nmaktima.com/.
As a complement to our featured presentations, Bill Frangos also gave an excellent hands-on tutorial on knot tying. Bill Frangos and Pete Gordinier provided an entertaining and educational tutorial on fly tying, that provided excellent tips for the beginner and expert alike. Jerry Burton, Francis Peter and Tad Tucker and other NMT Board members provided a hands-on casting clinic. Noah Parker with Land of Enchantment Guides had a kiosk explaining his push to get NMGFD to make sections of the Rio Chama catch and release / Quality fisheries, which he also discussed at the NMT January General Meeting.
This event has always been enjoyed by members as a chance to hear from renowned fly fishers, guides and fly tyers. It is also a great time for meeting and greeting fellow members, sharing stories and adventures. This year, lunch was catered by Jason’s Deli and offered excellent vegetarian and non-vegetarian entrees, salads, vegetables, rolls and deserts. A highlight for many attendees was the raffle, a chance to win fabulous prizes for the cost of a single ticket! This year’s donations from our sponsors and vendors were highly sought after, and included fly rods, reels, waders, boots, nets, books, guided fishing trips, and handmade quilts. If you get a chance, please thank our sponsors for their generous support. Without their generosity New Mexico Trout would surely not be able to put on the programs that it does.
2015 Individual Donors
Kevin Angevine Brian Beaudoin Fred & Trisha Breslin
Jim Buckmelter Jerry Burton David Dietzel
John Johnson Lance Leach Pete McDaniel
Allan Moorhead Mike Parisi Cindy Sawyer
Hank Westrich
2015 Business Donors
An Anglers Bookcase Angler’s Book Supply
Blue Yonder Fly Fishing Charlies Sporting Goods
Chota Outdoor Gear Custom Fly Rod Crafters
Dos Amigos Anglers Far Bank Enterprises
Fly Rod and Reel Magazine JiffyLube
Land of Enchantment Guides Los Pinos Fly & Tackle Shop
Mag Eyes Inc Mountain State Guide Service
Project Healing Waters Qualifly Products
Royal Wulff Products The Solitary Angler
Weck’s Restaurants
Thanks to all the folks who put a lot of time and effort into making the 2015 Conclave a reality: Pat Mileshosky, Briam Beaudoin, Ron Loehman, Lance Leach, Bob and Lee Widgren, Bill Frangos, Pete Gordinier, Jena Godly, Francis Peter, Mark Kalin, Bob Day, Richard Sommerville, Lornzo Maldonado. I am sure that we are forgetting others who helped in one way or other and for that we are sorry. Needless to say our hats are off to those helpful folks also.