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VALLE VIDAL
So what exactly is the Valle Vidal? Translated "The Valley
of Life, " and named after a very impressive valley that splits
the 100,000-acre unit of the Carson National Forest like a seam,
the park was a gift to the public by the Pennzoil Company. Formerly,
a part of the Vermejo Park, this donation was the single largest
and most valuable donation of private land ever transferred to
the Forest Service.
Today, the Valle Vidal has become a sanctuary for outdoor recreation,
hunting and fishing enthusiasts. It is special place, cherished
by the locals and entrusted by all. Each year more than 3,000 Boy
Scouts find high adventure in the alpine mountains.
The Valle Vidal
is home to many Game species, including Rocky Mountain elk, mule
deer, black bear, and game fish, which include
rainbow trout, brown trout, Rio Grande cutthroat trout and rainbow
hybridization, known as the “cut-bow.”
| RIO GRANDE CUTTHROAT TROUT |
Rio
Grande cutthroat are vibrantly colored averaging 7-12 inches.
They
are called cutthroats because they have blood red slashes
below their head. They are native to Costilla Creek and
a true fly-fisherman’s challenge to catch. The Rio Grande
cutthroat trout is New Mexico’s official state fish. |
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CAMPING
Your best option is to stay at the McCrystal Creek campground located
off Forest Rd. 1950, 30 miles south of Amalia. The 60-site campground
is set at an elevation of 8,100 feet, and is the model Forest
Service campground. The views are spectacular, overlooking 9,000
foot peaks and a pine outlined meadows. Campsites have fire rings,
picnic tables and lots of space. Campers often have their horses
tied to surrounding trees as they rest from long treks through
the mountains and valleys.
The second option is to stay in the Cimarron
campground, which
has 32 sites, located via Forest Rd. 1950 to Forest Rd. 1910, which
ends in camp.
Reservations
are not required, but may be made by contacting the Questa Ranger
District, (505) 586-0520.
| WHERE
TO FISH |
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Shuree
Ponds: Located off Forest Rd. 1950, Shuree Ponds
are located right in the middle of the Valle Vidal. The
two ponds are the only bodies of water that hold “catch-able” game
fish. Fishermen are limited to 2 trout, at least 15 inches
long and must also obey the artificial flies or lures
with single, barbless hooks regulation that is enforced
throughout the Valle Vidal. The New Mexico Department
of Game and Fish stocks 12-16 inch rainbows regularly
during the summer. Of the two ponds, the smaller one
is reserved for kids age 12 and under and can be easily
fished from the banks. The second pond is much larger,
approximately 5 acres, and is more commonly fished using
a float tube.
Costilla
Creek: With Rio Grande Cutthroats averaging
8-12 inches, this river is the main fishery and winds
through wide mountain meadows. Cast dry flies upstream
to the heads and tails of pools. Try flipping your fly
beneath the edges of the bank and allow you fly to float
downstream.
Comanche
Creek: One of the branches off Costilla Creek,
fishing techniques are similar to those used in Costilla
Creek. Try casting 5 to 10 yard off the bank into the
far bank and look for shaded still pools.
Ponil
Creek: The creek feeds and relives the Shuree
Ponds. Trout frequently hang out in the water both above
and below the ponds.
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REGULATIONS
The
Valle Vidal is open for fishing July 1 through December 31.
Spring Closure in the west side of the Valle Vidal Unit is from
May
1, - June 30, Winter Closure on the East side of Valle Vidal
is from January 1, - March 31st. Beginning 2.4 miles downstream
at Latir Creek, and throughout the Valle Vidal Unit, all
streams and ponds are subject to special fishing regulations.
In other
words, it's catch and release using artificial flies or lures
with single, barbless hooks.
VALLE
VIDAL
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RCCLA
WATERS - www.riocostillapark.com
Rio Costilla from the Valle Vidal boundary (2.4 miles downstream to Latir Creek)
BAIT: Artificial flies or lures with single, barbless hooks
BAG: Catch and release only, no trout in possession
SPEICES OF GAME FISH: Rio Grande Cutthroats and hybrid Rio Grande Cutthroats/Rainbows
called cut-bows
FEES: Less than $10 per day, per person
CONTACT: (800) 746-7275 |
All Streams
BAIT: Artificial
flies or lures with single, barbless hooks
BAG: Catch and release only, no trout
in possession
SPEICES OF GAME FISH: Rio Grande Cutthroats
and hybrid Rio Grande Cutthroats/Rainbows called cut-bows |
Shuree
Ponds
BAIT: Artificial
flies or lures with single, barbless hooks.
BAG: 2 trout, at least 15 inches long
SPEICES OF GAME FISH: Rainbows
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HATCHES: Mayflies,
caddis, stoneflies are predominant throughout the summer months.
Grasshoppers and other terrestrials are rich on the tail of
summer through early fall.
| THE
FLY BOX |
| The
most common patterns used on Costilla Creek are bright, stimulators
trailed by colorful
elk hair caddis. The best choice in droppers is Hare’s
ears, Copper Johns, Prince Nymphs and Pheasant tails 18” below
a simple adhesive strike indicator. Flies you’ll find
in the pros box include: |
· Parachute
Adams (14-18)
· Elk-hair Caddis (12-18)
· Royal Wulff, (12-18)
· Gray Wulff (12-18)
· Yellow stimulator (12-16)
· Yellow Sallies (16-20)
· PMD (16-18)
· Royal Trude (14-16)
· Rio Grande King (12-16)
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· Dave's
Hopper, green, (10)
· Generic Nymphs (14-18)
· Hare's Ear (14-18)
· Prince Nymph (14-18)
· Pheasant Tail (14-18)
· Zug Bug (14-18)
· Stonefly Nymphs (14-18)
· Copper Johns (14-20)
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ONE-DAY
GEAR LIST
- Current NM Fishing License with Habitat Stamp & Habitat
Management - - - Access Validation
- Fly-Rod (5-6)
- Artificial flies or lures with single, barbless hooks
- Leader (5X - 7X) 7.5’-9’
- Tippet (5X - 7X)
- Clippers/Nippers
- Micro Pliers
- Rain Gear
- Waders (Optional)
- Water
- Food
- Sunscreen
- Hat
GUIDE
SERVICES
Streit Fly Fishing – Taylor Streit is a Fishing Hall of Fame
guide, inducted in 2001, he has caught more than his fair share
of cutthroats, browns and rainbows in the area.
P.O. Box 2759, Taos, New Mexico 87571
Phone: (505) 741-0202
Email: guides@ streitflyfishing.com
www.streitflyfishing.com
Los
Rios Anglers – Offering
guiding services for more than 20 years, Los Rios Anglers offers
the opportunity to fish with
IGFA Fly Fishing World Record holder, John Rainey.
126 W. Plaza Dr., Taos, New Mexico, 87571
Phone: (505) 758-2798 or (800) 748-1707
Email: fish@losrios.com
www.losrios.com
LOCAL
FLY SHOPS
Taos Fly Shop – A full service shop, offering rods, reels,
waders, flies, instructional books, clothing, accessories and more.
308 B. Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos, New Mexico, 87571
Phone: (505) 751-1312
www.taosflyship.com
Los
Rios Anglers – A
full service shop, offering rods, reels, waders, flies, instructional
books, clothing, accessories and more.126
W. Plaza Dr., Taos, New Mexico, 87571
Phone: (505) 758-2798 or (800) 748-1707
www.losrios.com
GETTING
THERE
Directions: Take
highway 522 north to Costilla to highway 196 along Costilla
Creek to the Valle Vidal. See map, www.fs.fed.us/r3/carson/recreation/travel_mgmt/maps/d7.pdf
INFORMATION
Visit the Carson National Forest website, www.fs.fed.us/r3/carson,
or visit the Coalition for New Mexico's Valle Vidal, www.vallevidal.org.
[Devotional]
[Lance's Story] [About
The Valle Vidal]
[Map - html]
[Map - PDF]
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