The Rio Peñasco is one of those oddities that
we stumble across every now- and-then in Mother Nature.
The Peñasco is a spring creek with 9+ miles of
trout water teeming with wild browns and rainbows. This
slice of paradise is oddly located in the deserts of
southeastern New Mexico about 45 minutes east of the
mountain resort town of Cloudcroft. The shallow desert
terrain often reaches temperatures in the low 100's throughout
the summer. A number of springs bubble up along the Peñasco.
These springs help maintain a water temperature of 52-60
degrees year round. Making this quit the fishery all
year long. Most of the wild browns and rainbows average
10-14 inches with realistic odds of trout reaching 20
inches. The constant water temperatures and tremendous
aquatic insect population allow the trout to grow year
round.
The Peñasco averages 10-20 feet wide but don't
let the width fool you. There are a number of pools 8-10
feet deep and one nearly 30 feet deep. Watercress lines
most of the river and often reaches heights up to three
feet. Sneaky fly-fishers should use the watercress as
cover, casting and dabbing flies to skittish trout. Sinuous
like moss grows freely throughout, channeling the water.
Bigger trout often seek shelter within this moss and
in the bottom depths of the deep pools.
A lot of insects and hatches occur during the year; the
most productive hatches include Blue Winged Olives (Baetis),
Tricos (Tricorythodes) and Caddisflies (Tricoptera).
Terrestrials include hoppers and beetles. Both the Blue
Winged Olives (#18-20) and Tricos (#22) hatch throughout
the year except during the heat of the summer. Look for
Caddis (#12-18) action in late February until early May
and again from September through November. Hopper and
beetle activity starts in late May and can last into
October. Hopper patterns twitched along the moss beds
often result in ferocious strikes. Nymphs and streamers
are most effective in the deep pools and channels.
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The entire length of the Peñasco is privately
owned; fortunately a good portion of its 9 miles is open
to the public for nominal daily fees. Mel and Jennifer
Foley (505-687-2221) operate a 2-mile section known as
The Rio Peñasco Fishing Company. The Foley's offer
day trips and overnight camping in comfortable tent-cabins
with a full bathhouse. The Mesilla Valley Flyfishers
have a two-mile public access lease on the Cleve Ranch.
A $10 daily permit is available at the well-posted parking
areas along US Highway 82 or by calling the Anglers Nook
in Las Cruces, NM (505-522-3810). Five miles of the Peñasco
on the Mulcock Ranch (505-687-3352) is available for
day fishing with a nominal rod fee. The Mulcock Ranch
currently features a bunkhouse available for camping.
The closest commercial airport is in El Paso, a little
over 3 hours away. There is also a small airport in Alamogordo,
just an hour from the river.
If your driving, US Highway 82 parallels the Peñasco.
The nearest town is the tiny community of Mayhill. This
is the closest place to buy basic groceries.
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