Fishing Report: Fly Fishing Tips for Beginners

Southwest New Mexico Fishing Report

• Bill Evans Lake: The most recent report was received Aug. 20. At that time, fishing for bass was slow when using Crème rigged scoundrel worms.
• Bear Canyon Lake: Fishing conditions have been adversely affected in the aftermath of the Trout Fire.
• Caballo Lake: With recent water releases from Elephant Butte and Caballo lakes, water levels are changing across the lake; boaters should exercise caution in low-water areas. For more information, visit the Caballo Lake State Park webpage or call 575-743-3942.
• Elephant Butte Lake: All boat ramps are closed due to low water levels. For more information, visit the Elephant Butte State Park webpage or call 575-744-5923.
• Gila River: Streamflow near Gila on Tuesday morning was 41.2 cfs.
• Gila Waters: Streamflow near Gila Hot Springs on Tuesday morning was 40.3 cfs.
• Rio Grande: Streamflow below Elephant Butte Lake was 0 cfs.
• Young Pond: The most recent report was received Aug. 20. At that time, fishing for catfish was slow to fair when using live bait.

We received no reports for the following waterbodies over the past three weeks: Escondida Lake, Glenwood Pond, Lake Roberts, Percha Dam, Quemado Lake, Rancho Grande Ponds, Trees Lake, Snow Lake and Whitewater Creek.

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Fly Fishing Tips for Beginners

By Colleen Payne

Southwest Area Public Information Specialist

As a kid, I loved going fishing with my dad, but the long hours of sitting there with a line in the water just weren’t exciting enough for me — until I met fly fishing as an adult. My hyperfocus and attention span were able to narrow in on the water, the bugs, the knots, the cast and the presentation. 

The more time I spend outdoors, the more I discover new opportunities and techniques to try. If you’re looking for a new hobby to try out, here are some tips from a beginner to get started fly fishing: 

Find a mentor: Fly fishing is one of the most popular outdoor activities, which means there are many knowledgeable people who may be looking for a new fishing partner. Get connected with a local fishing group or organization. Mesilla Valley Fly Fishers hosts monthly meetings at the Southwest Area office in Las Cruces, and we learned some new fly-tying techniques during their recent classes. There are also many qualified and personable fishing outfitters who provide all the necessary equipment if you don’t have a setup of your own yet. 

Utilize free resources: There are hundreds, if not thousands, of fly fishing 101 videos on YouTube and social media platforms. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the styles, but think of it as building your toolkit for what works best for you. The Department also hosts various fishing workshops for you to learn about equipment, terminology, styles, and species to try across New Mexico. Visit the NMDOW website for upcoming events.

Don’t be afraid to fail: As with most things, fly fishing takes practice, and if you’re like me, LOTS of practice. I have caught more trees, grass, brush and moss with a fly rod than I have caught fish, and that’s OK. There might not be a lot of water in southern New Mexico, but we have lots of open space, which makes for great places to practice casting. Your backyard, street, local park or open field is a great place to set up a target and practice casting to get a consistent, accurate fly presentation without scaring off all the fish by slapping the water with your line. Once you understand the mechanics, you can take that skill to the water. 

From one beginner to another, I hope this helps give you a little intel on how to put your toe in the water for your next angling adventure. And the most important piece of advice: don’t forget your fishing license and stamps!