Go Fishing!
Whether it's lake or river fishing in the summer or ice fishing in the winter, we've got it all up here!
The Cimarron River, part of Cimarron Canyon State Park, is a beautiful and challenging stream fed by Eagle Nest Lake. Located about 15 miles northeast of the park, the Cimarron snakes through a dramatic, picturesque canyon for several miles in the Colin Neblett Wildlife Area. This river is a fly fisherman's dream, home to German Brown trout in abundance and a fair population of Rainbow trout. Fish range 7" to 20" in length, averaging 10". Don't be fooled by this river's size. It's loaded with fish. Use short, lightweight rods. Ideal is an 8' 4wt, but many use 7'9" 2wt's. Rods longer than 8' are very difficult to handle in the tight, brushy confines. Use 7'5" leaders in the 4x to 6x range, depending on water level and clarity.
Monte Verde Lake at Angel Fire Resort offers fine lake fishing and some very good catches! The lake is complete with picnic tables and barbeque grills. There are also rowboats and paddleboats for rent. (No power boats or outboards allowed.)
Eagle Nest Lake State Park At 8,300 feet in elevation, the park offers a cool retreat from the summer heat for fisherman, boaters and wildlife enthusiasts. An abundance of animals—elk, bear, mule deer, eagles, turkeys and other birds—inhabit the area, making Eagle Nest Lake an ideal location for wildlife viewing. In the winter, ice fishing and snowmobiling are popular sports when ice thickness permits. Snowmobiling is limited to the lake surface.
Carson National Forest offers hundreds of miles of cold water streams and numerous lakes, home to rainbow, brown and native Rio Grande cutthroat trout. Some of the best pond and lake fishing is in Valle Vidal, a special unit of Carson National Forest. There is even a pond there set aside specifically for children to fish in.
Here are some nice links:
Los Rios Anglers: Complete fly fishing supplies and guide (Taos)
High Mountain Angler Custom Rods and Fly Fishing Guide Service
Dos Amigos Anglers: Complete supplies, fly-tying materials and classes, guided trips, local fishing tips. Eagle Nest, Hwy 64, (575) 377-6226.
(575) 377-3404
MonteVerdeRV@yahoo.com
