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Fishing Reports
Northern NM
October 16, 2003
Posted by www.orvis.com
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Current Report
The 8 or so hour drive from Norman, OK to the enchanted Carson National Forest in NM is quite a mind bending change in landscape. I went from the flattest praries to massive snow capped peaks, fall colors in full swing, and of course, wild trout. I took advantage of a three day weekend from school this past weekend and fished various streams in the N.F. Friday I fished the Red River, starting at the hatchery and downstream through the canyon. The fishing was slow and I was told by some locals on the stream that the water was lower than normal. I caught four browns in the 10" range using a #18 P.W.O. parachute and a #16 tan caddis. The locals I talked to were having a little more success than I with a small (#20 or 22) parachute adams. Saturday morning I fished Costilla creek despite the very low flows because the main goal of my trip was to behold a Rio Grande Cutthroat in its native setting. I started in the Valle Vidal unit of C.N.F. above the confluence with Comanche Creek with no success. The fish were so spooked that at one point I very slowly walked behind a tree about 15 feet from a pool and as soon as I peeked around to have a look I saw about 4 fish dart for cover. However, I did land three fish in the pools of the canyon in the RCCLA section of Costilla Creek using a small black ant. One rainbow, one cuttbow and one beautiful Rio Grande Cutt (success!), although I suspect that it had a little tiny bit rainbow in it. Satisfied, that evening I fished a few pools on the Rio Pueblo along highway 75. I caught 4 browns around 10" using a foam beetle imitation. I spotted a brown in one of the deep pools that was at least 18", but couldn't tempt it to take my fly. If I could take this trip over again, I would have fished the Rio Grande on Friday instead of the Red, but it was still a great weekend and the Valle Vidal is absolutely beautiful. I plan to fish there again when the season opens in the summer. Happy fishing and tight lines-Daniel
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