western NM - August 2004

The western portion of the Carson National Forest is a beautiful area with less altitude than the eastern portion and many meadows alongside the road where various wildflowers were blooming. It was a delightful drive. I stopped at Hopewell Lake and paid the day fee for a little fishing in the meadow stream below the lake but soon realized the water was too low and the wind too high.


I then stopped in Los Ojos to shop at Tierra Wools. Sheepherding, wool growing, and weaving has been a way of life in this community since the ancestors came to the valley almost 200 years ago seeking pastures for their sheep. What excellent woolen products they have!


Not far away I located Heron Lake SP where I would spend the night. After finding my spot I went back 10 miles to a bridge and fished the Rio Chama. The stream was small but what a fun hour! I quit at dusk after catching probably 20 in an hour, kept four, and cooked two for supper. Heron Lake is a spacious campground in a semi arid region with a nice hot shower.


On Wednesday I drove 12 miles north to Chama, NM, a cute very touristy town with scenic train rides that last all day. I opted to not spend my day on the train although I think it would be most enjoyable. I went to the library and then had a leisurely drive west through mesas to the Navajo Lake Dam and eventually found Cottonwood Campground at the Navajo Lake State Park. It was two miles down the dustiest dirt road I ever saw. But it was worth it to fish the San Juan River.


I drove over to fish the braids at the Texas Hole since the water was a little high and fast in the area of Cottonwood campground. What a great place to be, meandering among the fish while I fished. I can now see why the claim to fame of this river. I couldn't resist going back on Thursday for my 5th day of fly fishing in New Mexico before heading north to Colorado.