Fishing derby pulls in kids

by Jason Amaro

After a two-year hiatus, the Aldo Leopold Kid's Fishing Derby returned to the renovated Lake Roberts in southwestern New Mexico on June 4.  The event was supported by a large coalition of groups, including the Rio Grande Gila Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the U.S. Forest Service-Gila National Forest, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, just to name a few.

In addition to the regular stocking of hatchery rainbow trout by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, the USFW stocked plenty of native Gila trout.  In winter 2016, the USFW stocked the lake with over 5,000 6- to 12-inch Gila trout, but the real excitement focused around the retired hatchery brood stock that were released just prior to the event. The state record Gila trout, weighing 4 pounds, 8 ounces and measuring 20 inches, was caught in the Gila River in 2007.

Rumor has it that many of the retired brood stock released prior to the event would beat the current Gila trout record. While many larger Gila trout were caught at the event, the world record fish are still swimming. This is only one more reason to get on the water at Lake Roberts.    

In 2014, the event hosted 60 youth anglers, but this year, with the chance at a world-record Gila trout, the event pulled in over 140 youth anglers. There was plenty of room for everyone and most important, every youth participant received a prize for attending the derby, ranging from elk calls to a brand new fly-fishing setup given to one lucky youth who tried his hand at the TU Rio Grande Gila Chapter's fly-casting booth. See more photos of the event here. 

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The return of the Gila trout to recreational waters has been nothing short of amazing. As recently as five years ago, the USFW service was able to successfully spawn and rear only about 10,000 fish a year, but because of the hard work by many dedicated employees and the efforts of the Gila Recovery Team, the numbers are now closer to 80,000 fish a year. By no means are hatchery fish the answer, but under the right conditions, they can be part of the solution in keeping this beautiful native species on the path to recovery.  

If you are looking to catch a few Gila trout to add to your bucket fish list, the best places in New Mexico for a genetically pure fish are can found in the Gila Forks area, Willow Creek and Gilita Creek.  If you come out, make sure you are prepared for backcountry travel, as many of the fisheries are remote. The Gila Forks area can be a day trip, but Willow and Gilita Creeks will require an overnight camping trip at one of the established camping areas. 

So come out to New Mexico, wet a line and catch a Gila trout--and help support our native trout! 

Jason Amaro is TU's New Mexico Sportsmen's Coordinator.