The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

I've learned that there are about 6 streams that are open to fishing for the threatened Gila Trout. Some streams are C&R, others have a small creel limit.

The Gila was downlisted, I think last year, from endangered to threatened. There was more than a little consternation by TU when the species was downlisted.

Of course, I'd C&R anything I caught, but I'm wondering if there's anything I'm not considering.

Probably. If it's legal to fish for them they're probably ok with the pressure. However, you could cut the hooks off your fly and fish for the take. Give you the thrill without poking holes in them.

Yeah, but I want to SEE one. Up close. Just one, just one photo.

Hey, let me know when you plan on doing this. If the schedule works out, I'd like to tag along or meet you there. I'd catch one, with all the work they have done and all the brown and rainbow killings for the Gila, might as well take a look at one.

Scott

Well Scott, that would be a GREAT way to finally meet. I'll let you know.

Bruce

BTW, I've heard talk of reintroducing the Yaqui Trout. My club will be helping out if it ever comes to fruition.

I went out there last year just after it became legal to fish for them but did not catch one. I was too low on the stream I fished for the time of year I fished it. There were two places open then and now there are a few more. All of the locations to fish for wild Gila are very remote, very far from any pavement, and require a decent hike (some overnight). Not to mention the Aldo Leopold wilderness is pretty much 6+ hours from any major airport (Tucson, El Paso or Albequerque) so fishing for these guys is an adventure!

Here are pics and a report from when I went last year. I plan to go back for another shot...

I don't mind a little hiking for my fish.

If you ever decide you want larger Apaches, try Christmas Tree Lake. You can Google the White Mountain Apache site and get the info.

Yeah some good size fish come out of Xmas tree but I was looking for native stream born fish. I did catch a few planted hogs on the black though that sure did pull hard!

Arizona Bruce wrote:

The Gila was downlisted, I think last year, from endangered to threatened. There was more than a little consternation by TU when the species was downlisted.

Of course, I'd C&R anything I caught, but I'm wondering if there's anything I'm not considering.

Ten or 15 years after they brought the Greenback Cutthroat in Colorado back from extinction they did down listed it from the Endangered to the Threatened list. This allowed the flexibility for the DOW to do more with re-introducing the trout without as much federal beaurocratic approvals so things moved quicker. Also it helped move the public to be more interested in supporting the restoration efforts because they could catch and see it. It has done a lot to help move the program along. So now they have I think 17 locations with the trout in them.

But can you really keep any of them? For the Greenbacks they all have to be returned to the water.

Here is a picture of a Greenback Cut.



and another:



I have been wondering what a Gila trout looks like. Something similar I would presume.

Those cutts you photoed are much prettier. The Gila is kind of drab...and yes, you can keep up to 2 on about three streams.