Los Rios Anglers Fly Shop & Guide Service | Taos, New Mexico
JB Donaldson | Walker Donaldson | and Steve the Flyfishing Guide
September 18, 2004
La Fonda Hotel, Taos, New Mexico
Rio Costilla
A Nipper used to cut fishing line.
The pin can be used to clean out the eye of a fish hook.
Rio Costilla, Valle Vidal, New Mexico
Carson National Forest | Valle Vidal |
New Mexico Trout Streams & Elk Herds
This pristine wilderness area is just a wonderful sought after spot for natural gas conglomerates to extract Coalbed Methane
September 2004
TAOS, N.M. (AP) - A coalition is fighting a proposal to drill for natural gas on the Valle Vidal of northern New Mexico. The Valle Vidal was added to the Carson National Forest years ago to protect its natural beauty and wildlife. A study released in July says a first round of drilling could include nearly 200 wells, one for every 160 acres. The drilling also would need hundreds of miles of roads. The Carson National Forest expects to release an environmental analysis in 2006 of potential drilling impacts on the Valle Vidal. State Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Secretary Joanna Prukop says there’s little the state can do if the Forest Service approves drilling in the area.
Coalition for the Valle Vidal
Forty thousand acres of federal wilderness land are proposed as one of the next northeast New Mexico tracts of land to be drilled for coalbed methane, but the Coalition for the Valle Vidal is hoping to end those plans put forth by the drilling company already operating on nearby private property.
The coalition is a broad-based alliance of ranchers, hunters, anglers, outfitters and guides, local businesses, concerned citizens and conservation groups vehemently against the coalbed methane drilling.
The Valle Vidal is home to the largest elk herd in New Mexico, and is also home to black bear, bald eagles, mule deer, mountain lion and native Rio Grande cutthroat trout.
Valle Vidal Coalition
| links
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Valle Vidal: http://www.vallevidal.org/
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Valle Vida Flyfishing Trout
Streams |
New Mexico/Colorado border, located northwest of Cimarron, NM. This large section of land encompasses several valleys and towering peaks rich in pristine native and wild trout waters. The two main species include Rio Grande Cutthroats (RGC) and cut-bows. Originally inhabited with just the native cutthroats, stocking of rainbows throughout the years has created the hybridization of the cutthroats. Today fly fishers can still catch some native RGC; most of the cut-bows still look like and considered to be pure RGC.
The main river in the Valle Vidal is the Rio Costilla, located in the extreme northwestern corner of the unit. The river originates high up in Colorado and flows through private ranch land before entering the Valle Vidal a couple hundred yards below the Costilla Reservoir. The river continues southwesterly for 6-8 miles before entering into private land open to the public through a lease with New Mexico Game and Fish (NMGF).
This classic high country meadow stream averages 10-20 feet wide and features one of two scenarios. Fast riffles feeding into deep bend pools with undercut banks and fast riffles feeding into long deep pools and runs. Plush grass lines most of the stream in this section. The grassy banks support a healthy grasshopper population supplying the cutthroats with a steady diet in July and August. A few tight areas exist but seldom get fished. Most of the trout are vibrantly colored averaging 7-12 inches, 12-16 inchers aren't uncommon, just wiser. Working the Rio Costilla isn't challenging. The challenge comes in setting the hook. Most of these trout are quick and eager to gulp in a dry fly. There are basically two types of strikes on the Costilla. The Costilla fastball is a strike liking that of a Nolan Ryan fastball, many never see it until its too late. The other strike is the Costilla change-up common in the slower waters. The Costilla is a small tail-water released out of Costilla Reservoir. Flows during the week can be as high as 100 cubic feet per second (cfs), but average between 65-85 cfs. On the weekends the flows are lower ranging between 15-30 cfs. When mid week flows are extremely high nymphing may be the best bet. Low flows provide delightful dry fly fishing for these lively cutthroats. Wading the swift water during the week generally isn't a challenge but always use caution. Hip waders work well during times of high and low flows.
NMGF, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife and New Mexico Trout and several private land owners are actively working together to maintain and expand the populations of native RGC in the Valle and throughout the state. In an effort to help maintain this fragile species please abide by the artificial flies with single, barbless hooks and catch-n-release regulations. The Valle Vidal is open for fishing July 1 through December 31. There is an area designated as Special Trout Waters for the Rio Costilla. Several smaller streams flow through the Valle, some hold populations of native RGC and others are extremely fragile. Please help bring back the natives by looking and watching but not fishing these tiny streams.
Getting to the Valle Vidal isn't easy. Anglers can head in from the east side; a sign marks the turnoff from US Highway 64, 4 miles north of Cimarron, NM. In past years this road has claimed many tires, the road is in better shape these days. For the west side travel north of Taos on Highway 522, turn right on Highway 196 at the town of Costilla, this eventually turns into a rough dirt road and becomes Forest Service Rd 1950/1900 that parallels Rio Costilla. There are no services once you get outside of either Cimarron or Costilla so plan accordingly.
SHUREE PONDS
Smack dab in the middle of the Valle Vidal are the
Shuree Ponds, just off of Forest Service Rd. 1950. Only two ponds hold
trout. The smaller is designated as a kids' pond for kids 12 and under
and is easily fished from the banks. The main pond is approximately 5 acres
in size with much of the shore being open. Float tubing this lake is a
great way to work the deep areas in the middle. This lake is a popular
fishing spot being minutes from the Cimarron Campground. The lake is stocked
throughout the summer with 12-16 rainbows. 16-20 inch rainbows are caught
throughout the summer.
New Mexico Fly
Fishing |
Rio Costilla NM Fly
Fishing |
The small communities along the Rio
Costilla - Garcia, Jaroso, Costilla and Amalia
Amigos Bravos: http://www.amigosbravos.org/
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Founded in 1988, Amigos Bravos is the only non-profit
river advocacy group in New Mexico dedicated to preserving both the ecological
and cultural richness of the Río Grande watershed.
In concert with a broad coalition of concerned parties,
our efforts to prevent coalbed methane drilling in the Valle Vidal.
Save the Valle
Vidal |
