Autumn Newsletter, 2005.

Fin & Feather

P.O. Box 12526

Albuquerque, NM 87195

(505) 452 9322

The weather is probably the biggest news for this newsletter - we have already had snow in the higher peaks. The monsoons were good enough this past summer and to see everything nice and green made my heart soar. All the rivers in New Mexico had benefited from the moisture this past winter - it was nice to see every thing running nicely well into the summer. Hopefully, this precipitation will last all winter. All rivers are starting to slow down, mostly due to accessibility and low water flows. The San Juan will taking center stage for most anglers, but, for something different - give the Rio Grande a consideration; nice browns, some Smallmouth Bass (yes, I said correctly) and an occasional pike.

I always enjoy the opportunity to go up to the Rio Conejos in the San Juan Mountains in southern Colorado. This past summer I had the chance to go up there more than once and had a blast catching some nice fish. I usually stay at the little town of Platoro and fish the tailwater and try to venture out to fish other places. If you every have the time to go up and fish, you can encounter everything from tailwater to spring creeks to freestone streams and fish for Brown Trout, Cutthroats and Rainbows. It is far enough away to keep crowds down and the fishing is superb (don’t let the secret out). For information for a possible trip in 2006, give Platoro Valley Lodge and Cabins a call at (877) 752 8676.

The season will be opening up all over by the end of this month. I look forward to hunting my new pup “Tizona” this year. Lately, I have been seeing a nice number of ducks fly back and forth over the Rio Grande - Can’t wait to get out after them. Many of the refuges in the state are having special hunts, look at the proclamation to get the exact details. On a related note; I recently received a new goose call - a Browning Hammerdown Acrylic, the T-Bone. My first impression was WOW and I am still impressed with it, nice sound and again, WOW. If you are in the market for a new goose call, take a look at http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/accessories/category.asp?value=011J.

Duck season opened, Oct. 26, 2005. Central Flyway, south.

Pheasant opens, Nov. 8 2005, all except Valencia Country. Check your proclamation for exact details.

Pheasant in Valencia County, Nov. 10, 2005. Check proclamation for exact details.

Quail opens, Nov. 15, 2005. Check proclamation..

Ebay. I will be offering a couple of fy fishing trips (for 2006) next month on eBay, if you want to be notified of auction, email me [email protected].

Don’t put away your fly rod yet. Consider a winter trip. My wife used to spend News Years on the San Juan (before kids, mind you). The fishing is always good and the winters aren’t too bad. The San Juan is close enough to lodging, restaurants and makes for a enjoyable winter trip.

Support our troops.

Thomas Peña

P.O Box 12526

Albuquerque, NM 87195

(50) 452 9322

[email protected]