Jul 18 2008
New Mexico: Seeing Past Dark Water
I just recently returned from the lovely state of New Mexico where I had the opportunity to spend a few weeks on the Dine’, or more commonly, the Navajo, Reservation. While there, I was able to travel to a number of different streams and rivers, in search of a native that could give me the rundown on fly fishing in those unfamiliar waters. During my visit to the res, it was clear that most of the fishing there was ‘dark-water,’ a term used to describe the overwhelming lack of visiblity into the water. This darkening of the water is primarily caused by an increase in material in the water, such as mud or other fine debris. When speaking with a local Navajo fisherman, I learned that, prior to my arrival on the res, it had rained for a number of days, causing the rivers to rise, and become darkened as a result of the incoming mud from the banks. Although a New England, clearwater fisherman might find these conditions insuffent for fishing, the Navajo man looked forward each year to this time, and for good reason.
Due to the rise is the water levels, as a result of the rainy season, the banks of the rivers become submerged, as do the homes of inumerable mud worms, such as the Tubiflew worm, an aquatic worm that closely resembles the common earthworm, although red in color. The rising water forces these worms from their homes, resulting in a buffet for local trout. Fly fishermen capitalize on this natural occurance using patterns that mimick these worms, such as the San Jaun Worm, discussed earlier on the website.
From speaking with other fishermen along the Rio Grande, I learned that many New Mexican fishermen prefer darkwater fishing due to the fact that the murky waters, coupled with the loud rushing water, make it almost impossible for the trout to see or sense the danger of approaching fishermen, giving the fisherman the upperhand when trying to land ‘the big one.’
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