It's Hard to Go Back to School...

I'm a teacher and at about this time every year I start to feel a sense of urgency.  I must get in more fishing before the school year starts.  I need to get to that new location that I've never been to... I should get in another backpacking trip or two.   There just isn't enough time left.  

I guess I should be thankful that (1) I get a summer break, (2)  that this sense of urgency makes me feel very alive, and (3) fall fishing is great and the rivers will be less crowded.  

Anyway, the fishing report.  Fishing on the Pecos is "combat fishing" right now, even during the week.  If the fish aren't biting, it's because someone already fished your location recently.  I'm not sure how long the fish stay down after being fished, but it's safe to say just move on to other water.   

The Valles Caldera is amazing, as usual.  I think I forgot just how spooky these fish are and my first half hour on the stream was slow because I kept trying to get as close as I would to Pecos trout.  Nope, these trout won't put up with a clumsy angler.  Use the curves of the stream to your advantage.  I like to cast around the curves and listen for a tell-tale splash that indicates a strike.  If it's a straight away stretch (as straight away as this winding stream gets), stay way back and make some longer casts.  DON'T FALSE CAST.  I can't say that enough to folks who are unused to the small streams of New Mexico.  You'll scare the fish before you even put a fly on the water if you're more focused on casting than fishing.  ; )  

I'm getting up to the Chama above El Vado this week, and I'll let you know how it goes.  

Tight lines!