FISHING LINE
A MESSAGE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF GAME & FISH
This fishing report, provided by Dustin Berg of Go Unlimited (supporting disabled anglers) and the Department of Game and Fish, has been generated from the best information available from area officers and anglers. Conditions encountered after the report is compiled may differ, as stream, lake and weather conditions alter fish and angler activities.
Get your 2020-2021 New Mexico fishing license, valid April 1 to March 31.
IN THIS WEEK’S REPORT
Berg talks about grandparents taking their grandchildren fishing.
One of the many neat things about fishing is, it is often a tradition passed down from one generation to the next. The tradition is not merely the act of fishing, but instead has much more to offer in terms of experience and lessons learned that are useful throughout one’s life.
In addition to tricks of the trade, such as how to make homemade bait or a grandparent’s secret fishing hole, there are many traits and skills that are developed: ingenuity, perseverance, resilience, appreciation, respect, creativity, patience and dedication, just to name a few.
To become a successful angler, a person is served well to show dedication and use patience. When the conditions are tough, perseverance is required, resilience and creative ingenuity to overcome and find success. Through these experiences you learn to appreciate and respect things such as your parents, nature, the great outdoors and the opportunities around you.
We can all work to better ourselves, and what better catalyst than a day fishing with a grandparent?
David Lopez grew up fishing with his grandfather in Las Vegas, N.M., in the early 1970s. Lopez shares with us some of what he remembers about fishing with Grandpa:
My grandfather’s name was Antonio “Tony” Lopez. After family, there were a few things Grandpa loved: fishing, hunting, working, reading and going to the library. If my Grandpa was not fishing, he was either at work or Carnegie Library. He always believed that being on time to work was being there a ½ hour before your scheduled start time; that is how he operated. Grandpa taught us the importance of hard work, patience and to always be prepared.
Most Saturday mornings, bright and early, he would come pick up my brother and I so we could all go fishing. He always had his small aluminum boat with oars ready to go. Just as soon as we got into the vehicle, he would hand us a small carton of raisins, and he would always have the radio tuned to the AM radio station KOMA.
Our favorite lakes to go to were McAllister, Storrie and Morphy. McAllister always produced large football-shaped trout with the distinctive, delicious pink meat. During the week before our fishing trip, he would prepare his secret dough bait. The bait consisted of bread, garlic and sardine juice. Grandpa kept his secret bait secret. I never got the whole recipe, but those were the main ingredients, and I assure you that it worked. Back then, everyone used to make their fishing bait.
Grandpa had an even better secret bait that was his favorite: hellgrammites. Hellgrammites are the larval stage of the dobsonfly. The hellgrammite is a downright ugly critter, and guess who had the privilege of gathering those creatures? Yep, my brother and I. The trout loved them.
My Grandpa always wore his waders and always had his pouch of Red Man tobacco. He would pack us a lunch and we would set off for an enjoyable day fishing. I learned a lot from Grandpa’s actions without him having to say too much. We just enjoyed each other’s company and being out in nature. He would teach me all the knots he knew, but most of all, he taught me the virtue of patience, the importance of being organized and how to enjoy the moment. Thanks, Grandpa Antonio, for those memories. They will never be forgotten!
Any anglers willing to share their experiences, techniques or tackle, please contribute by emailing Berg at funfishingnm@gmail.com.
CLOSURE INFORMATION
The department reminds anglers it is their responsibility to be aware of closures and contact land managers for properties of interest when restrictions are lifted.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
U.S. Forest Service (USFS)
New Mexico State Lands
New Mexico State Parks
New Mexico Open Gate Properties
New Mexico Wildlife Management Areas
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Consult local government websites for information regarding specific city and town fishing access.