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Fishing
FISHING ON THE VALLES CALDERA
The source waters for two major streams in the Jemez Mountains can be found in the heart of the Preserve?the San Antonio Creek and the East Fork of the Jemez River. Both streams are formed by cool water that naturally percolates to the surface through a series of ancient springs. As these rivers meander through lush meadows, numerous bows and pools have become home to thousands of trout.
The San Antonio Creek [Map], which resides in the San Antonio Valley in the northern part of the preserve, runs in a westerly direction. Replete with Brown Trout of various sizes ranging up to 14?, the stream offers a variety of fishing challenges. The flowing water is generally clear, and there are few trees and shrubs to offer cover for a fly fisher. At the upper end, the river is narrow, in some areas only two feet wide. Precise casting and stealthy approaches are needed. At the lower end the river widens, with long stretches of shallow water rippling over gravely beds.
East Fork [Map] flows southwesterly from its headwaters in the eastern end of the Valle Grande, the big valley found on much of the southern third of the Preserve. Similar in character to the San Antonio Creek, this stream contains a combination of Brown and Rainbow trout in sizes up to 18?, especially on the eastern end. A variety of fishing experiences awaits anglers, including many bows that deeply undercut the bank, inviting a precise placement of a fly to draw some of the bigger trout from their lairs. Several miles downstream from the source water, a narrow feeder,Jaramillo Creek, enters the East Fork. The confluence of these waters provides a natural feeding area for trout. The Jaramillo itself, although narrow, contains many large trout that await a lure that has successfully traversed the overhanging grass and lands gracefully on the crystal-clear water. Further downstream, the East Fork of the Jemez River flows across the main entrance road (VC01) to the Preserve and into a secluded valley as it makes its exit from the property. In this area the river widens, deepens, and slows, creating large bows and pools, home to a few large trout.
Fishing Programs
The Preserve now offers a varied program to accommodate public access to these wonderful streams. The program has been designed to provide maximum flexibility for varied personal needs and to protect the unique and outstanding fishing resources for the future. The State bag limit applies to the San Antonio Creek, while the East Fork of the Jemez River and the Rio Jaramillo are both catch and release.
All fishing is done with single, barbless hooks and artificial lures only. Live bait is not allowed. Also, to minimize the possibility of Whirling Disease, a virulent virus that can quickly devastate a trout population, waders and privately owned nets are not allowed. Nets will be loaned to anglers upon request. Generally these restrictions do not significantly impact fishing as the streams have many narrow areas that allow easy crossing and most of the fish can be landed without a net?even the bigger ones?if the angler is careful.
Reservations and information
Stewardship
STEWARDSHIP ACTION PROPOSALS
Stewardship Action Proposals are actions being proposed by the Valles Caldera Trust. These actions are directly associated with our stewardship of the Valles Caldera National Preserve. The stewardship of the Valles Caldera Trust is documented in our Stewardship Action Record System (StARS).
The first phase of any Stewardship Action is the conceptual presentation of the proposed action to the Board of Trustees. The Board then provides authorization for the Trust to pursue the planning and implementation of the proposed action. Following authorization by the Board, the Stewardship Action Proposal is posted on our Web site to encourage public feedback regarding the proposed action. Stewardship Action Proposals also may be presented at public meetings in concurrence with the presentation to the Board.
The decision to proceed with the implementation of any Stewardship Action is documented in a Stewardship Register. The Stewardship Register will also contain any documentation required by the National Environmental Policy Act. The Stewardship Action Proposal, Stewardship Register as well as associated implementing and monitoring documents all become part of the StARS for any stewardship action.
To provide us with your feedback regarding any of our Stewardship Action Proposals electronically, select the appropriate feedback link on the Proposals page. To send you feedback through the mail address your feedback to;
Natural Resource Coordinator
Valles Caldera Trust
PO Box 359
Jemez Springs, NM 87025
Thank you for your interest and participation!
Public Meetings
PUBLIC MEETINGS OVERVIEW
The Valles Caldera Trust is committed to involving the public in the “…management, use, and enjoyment of the Preserve” and in informing them about the “[m]onitoring and evaluation of stewardship actions, research, and detailed studies…” on the Preserve (Valles Caldera Preservation Act of 2000). To that end, the Trust offers an opportunity to the public to comment on management actions and issues at several types of public meetings.
- Public meetings of the Board of Trustees – the Valles Caldera Preservation Act of 2000 requires that the Board to “…meet in sessions open to the public at least three times per year in New Mexico.” The public is encouraged to attend the public meetings and make their views known to the Board.
- Planning meetings – the Trust is committed to informing and involving the public in planning and decision-making for management of the Preserve. The Trust holds public meetings for proposed stewardship actions, including scoping and environmental document review meetings.