Chama River

Chama River, not far from Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico

(Hint - Turn Your Speaker Volume Up and Enjoy The Sounds of the River Flowing By)

If you are looking for some great trout fishing, I suggest you make a visit to New Mexico. There are plenty of great spots, loaded with scrappy Brown, Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout, just waiting to meet you. If you've never been to the state, I highly recommend a visit. There is just something about this place that is absolutely magical. For me, it's the majestic mountain ranges, rivers and incredible smell of the sage brush, junipers and river reeds. I can go there and within minutes those wonderful aromas are drifting through my nostrils and I am at peace.

 

The Chama river is stocked, but, is full of native Browns that are usually in the mood to eat. The best natural baits are worms and salmon eggs. If you are more of a purest, try a number 12 or 14 Elk Hair Caddis or a streamer, such as an olive Woolly Bugger. The bait choice really depends on the time of year that you are fishing this river. There is no shame in using a worm if it's a slow fishing day! Remember, the idea is to catch fish and have a great time on the river. Sometimes, people become so focused on fly fishing they forget that rule! This river can sometimes challenge even the most experienced fisherman. In all my years of fishing the Chama, I have walked past hundreds of decked out fly guys who had empty creels. Not me :-)!

Here are a few more pictures of the area to give you an idea of just how beautiful this place is.

                          

Georgia Trout Fishing - Smithgall Woods Trout Conservation Area

Trout Fishing In Georgia

Smithgall Woods Trout Conservation Area

One of the premier catch and release areas in the state of Georgia is the Smithgall Woods Trout Conservation area. The river is located in the North Georgia mountains, not far from the town of Helen, Georgia. The stream flows through the Smithgall Woods State Park and is absolutely full of small to medium sized rainbows.

There are literally miles and miles of river frontage available to area fisherman. The park is only open to fishing 3 days each week and you must call ahead and secure an appointment. If you go during the week, you will have miles of stream to yourself.

Smithgall Woods - Dukes Creek Trout Conservation Area

Dukes Creek and all tributary streams flowing within the Dukes Creek Conservation Area are open to fishing year round, but, don't forget, this is a by reservation only fishing area. You can make a reservation by contacting the State Park facility at Smithgall Woods by calling 706-878-3087. This area is artificial bait only! You may only use lures or flys with barbless hooks. Rangers patrol the facility so do yourself a favor and leave all other types of baits at home. You literally may not even have other types of bait in your possession while fishing at Smithgall Woods, Dukes Creek and/or it's tributaries.

Any trout you catch while fishing Dukes Creek and its tributaries must be immediately released where you catch them. No trout may be in your possession while fishing the stream in the Conservation Area. If you are looking to catch some larger fish, head down stream several miles. Go past the historical covered bridge (See Photo). Continue walking down the gravel forest service travel for another mile or so and you are going to find some really great trout water.

One thing you will learn quickly when fishing in Georgia. The trees and mountain brush grows right down to the edge of our streams. This can make for some very challenging casting. I strongly recommend that you learn the art of the roll cast. The roll cast is often the only way to work your fly into the
best areas.

                   

Trout Fishing In The Smoky Mountains

Smoky Mountains Trout Fishing

Trout streams in the Smoky Mountains are much different from those found in the western United States. Here is a winter time photo of one of hundreds of beautiful, but, small streams located throughout the Appalachian Mountain range. Don't underestimate these trout streams. They are very productive and full of rainbow, brown and brook trout.

 

Fish coming from Smoky Mountain rivers are generally much smaller than you see from the big western streams of California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington State and Wyoming. While Appalachian trout are generally smaller, the challenges of catching them exceed those you encounter out west. First, the terrain in the Smokies can be extremely challenging. You must content with heavy vegetation and trees that grow right down to the waters edge. This combines for some extremely challenging hikes and overnight camping trips. In addition, fly casting is at it's most challenging given the amout of vegetation you generally must contend with. 

Check out this beautiful Appalachian Mountains trout. There are areas with much larger fish, but, generally those are private sections that require daily fees and guides.

                                

New Mexico Trout

New Mexico Produces Incredible Trout

If you haven't fished in Northern New Mexico yet, you are truly missing out. Fly fishing in the region is excellent and virtually can be enjoyed nearly year round. You may find it a tad cold in January and February, but, truth is, you can always wear more cloths to stay warm. I did some fishing in October at Coopers El Vado Ranch, just outside of Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico and the fishing was great.

More photos from the trip 

The Chama River Flows from the mountains above the town of Chama, New Mexico. The river flows through some of the most scenic mountains anywhere in the continental United States. The red rocks, contrasted against the green trees and river plants, along with the distinct river color is an awesome sight.

During the Summer and early Fall months, the river reeds, sage brush and juniper put off some of the most incredibly wonderful smells you could ever imagine. I have been blessed to enjoy that treat for more than 50 years. Hard to describe, but, absolutely wonderful. I promise you won't forget it, ever :-)

There are some monster native brown trout lurking in these waters.

            

Lein Family Reunions - New Mexico Style

New Mexico - Land Of Enchantment

Not to mention it's also the home of the Brown, Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout and the Lein Family!

The state of New Mexico holds so many great memories for the Lein family. We have been camping and fishing at Coopers El Vado Ranch for many, many years. The fishing at the ranch is always great. We routinely catch 20 inch or larger Brown and Rainbow trout.

Even better than the fishing is the opportunity to spend time around David Cooper and his family. They own the ranch and are the most incredible folks you would ever want to meet. The fish in the picture below made for a wonderful fish dinner that evening. Brown trout, fried in an iron skillet, accompanied by Mimi's skillet fried hash brown potato's and Jannie's potato soup. Everyone was able to enjoy fresh fish and wonderful company. I ask you, does it get any better than that?

One thing I dearly love about the state of New Mexico is that it offers so many beautiful scenic vistas. The mountains, rivers and lakes have inspired many an artist (Patricia Lein).

Look closely as this photo includes some of the native inhabitants of New Mexico. In the top of the photo you can see a number of large female elk. The northern New Mexico mountains are home to a rather large herd of elk.

The state also has an incredibly large population of Mule Deer as well. These deer are not the small white tails that you see in other parts of the country. Folks, these Mule Deer are some hefty critters. One mule deer can supply enough meat to feed a New Mexico family all winter. 

New Mexico Produces Trout - Coopers El Vado Ranch

Coopers El Vado Ranch

Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico

Rainbow Trout Hauled In

Janice Lein pulls in a nice Rainbow at Coopers El Vado Ranch, in Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico.

Coopers is an awesome fishing destination in the New Mexico area. The ranch is highly productive for Rainbow and native Brown Trout. Jan and Husband Mark have been fishing at Coopers for more than 30 years. The river is beautiful and the ranch owner David Cooper is absolutely the most wonderful person you could ever want to meet. Here are a few more fish photos taken while at the ranch. 

Beautiful Native Brown Trout Caught At Coopers El Vado Ranch

Yes, we did cook them up and Yes they were absolutely wonderful.

Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone National Park

Have you ever seen a more beautiful spot to do some lake fishing? The lake at Yellowstone National Park is absolutely full of Yellowstone cutthroat trout, longnose dace, redside shiners, longnose suckers, and lake chubs. The lake is thought to hold the largest inland population of cutthroat trout found anywhere in the world. Where Yellowstone Lake and Yellowstone River come together, the bottom has a nice gravel bottom. That outlet has been a major spawning area for the Yellowstone cutthroat trout for as long as the park service have been studying the cutthroat trout populations. Years of overfishing in this area had caused a significant decline in cutthroat populations, however, fishing restrictions impossed by the park service have largely corrected that problem. 

For More On The Lake Visit The Yellowstone Park Service Website Below

Link To The National Park System - Yellowstone Lake

More Photos Of Yellowstone Lake

We welcome guest articles from other fishing enthusiasts. Please send your article, photos, or youtube compatible video to flyline@bellsouth.net. Our blog team will review and post all appropriate material.

To read another great article about Yellowstone National Park, visit the link below.

(http://myflyline.blogspot.com/2010/07/early-summer-in-yellowstone-national.html)

For more incredible Wyoming nature photos visit the link below.

(http://www.flylinesearchmarketing.com/Our_Company/Wyoming%20Photo%20Gallery/)