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