More data needed on San Juan

Lots of information is flying around about the San Juan below Navajo Dam these days. Unfortunately, almost none of it is grounded in hard scientific data.
Before anyone takes action on the San Juan, a science-based study needs to take place to determine what is changing about the river and what steps might be prudent to correct those problems.
I think pretty much everyone who has watched the San Juan over the last decade would agree that the river is changing. Is that change the result of oil and gas development and is it likely to degrade the fishery? Maybe, maybe not.

Sportsmen hold Candidate Forum for CD1

Monday night, the Democratic and GOP candidates for New Mexico’s First Congressional district appeared at a Sportsmen’s candidate forum hosted by a number of hunting and angling groups including Trout Unlimited. The candidates, Martin Heinrich and Darren White, answered six hunting and angling oriented questions in front of a crowd of about 90 at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque. The candidates were allowed 3 minutes for each answer. Heinrich answered first on the first three questions and White answered first on the last three questions.

You can watch a video of the entire forum at www.nmwildlife.org.
Below is the transcript of the questions and the candidates’ answers.

Candidate forum, Congressional District 1
Aug. 18, 2008 8 p.m. Indian Pueblo Cultural Center Albuquerque, NM
Moderated by Bob Gerding

Hosted by, Albuquerque Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Mule Deer Foundation, New Mexico Trout, National Wild Turkey Federation, New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Quail Unlimited, Sandia Crest Bowhunters, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife and Trout Unlimited

Candidate forum a success

The Democratic and GOP candidates for New Mexico’s First Congressional District appeared Monday night at a Sportsmen’s candidate forum hosted by a number of hunting and angling groups including Albuquerque Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Mule Deer Foundation, New Mexico Trout, National Wild Turkey Federation, New Mexico Wildlife Federation, Quail Unlimited, Sandia Crest Bowhunters, Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife and Trout Unlimited.

The candidates, Martin Heinrich and Darren White, answered six hunting and angling oriented questions in front of a crowd of about 80 at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque. The candidates were allowed three minutes for each answer. Heinrich answered first on the first three questions and White answered first on the last three questions.

The great turnout and the fact that the candidates were eager to come out and address sportsmen’s issues bodes well for wildlife and conservation in New Mexico.

Stay tuned for transcripts or video of the forum in the near future.

Is anyone getting out and braving the high flows?

The last time I got out on some New Mexico Water, it was last month and the Pecos was looking decidedly snowy. Kevin Reilly and I got out and braved the cold for a few hours and while our success rate was low, it was a fabulous day. There is just something special about being alone on the water, listening to snowflakes hit your hat with the authority of heavy spring snow.

What have your spring fishing adventures been like?

Greg McReynolds