Grand Slam!

To fish for our native Gila Trout, you must travel to the southern part of New Mexico or Arizona. The Gila Trout is one of the rarest trout in North America. And, this trout species is my first test each spring to decide if I will attempt the New Mexico Grand Slam for a given year. It's not a sure thing. Yup, I've been skunked in Gila country before....but, not this year!

Since winter fishing in my home waters was awful right from the start of 2025, I went south in April to change my luck and pursue the coveted Gila Trout. And, it was fantastic. The Gila Trout were out and hitting my dry flies like they hadn't eaten all winter. I've never caught so many Gila Trout on any trip down there. And, what a relief it was to have our state's rarest native fish checked off the wanted species list. I could now focus on the other four trout species in my quest for The Grand Slam of Trout.

Three weeks following my trip down south, I managed to fool some trout on home waters. The wild little brown trout were beginning to look up and feed. And, I was there. Some pretty Leetle Fellers landed in the bottom of my net. And, after moving to another stream on the mountain, a few stocked rainbows found that same resting spot within my net. I then had three species toward that Grand Slam pursuit for year 2025. Yup, it wasn't even June yet.

A two hour drive north of home waters is where I like to go when I'm in search for our native Rio Grande Cutthroat trout...and, that rare Brookie trout. These two species are essential for anyone interested in claiming a Grand Slam of Trout prize in New Mexico's streams and lakes. Is there a prize? Well, it's just for my own satisfaction...to accomplish something I set out to do at the beginning of the year. Any year I net a Gila trout, I'm going for my prize!

In the last week of July, I found myself free for a couple of days of fishing. So, I got into my truck, and drove up to some northern waters in search for those remaining two trout species...and, I planned to stay until I got my brook and cutthroat trout. My duffle bag was stuffed with all the necessary gear these select waters require. And, I only needed to grab it, load it, and depart before the sun projected its glow over the crest of the Sandia Mountains. Guess what? I landed my last two trout species needed for the slam today. And, it was fabulous to check off the goal I set at the beginning of the year..."The Slam" has been accomplished!

• Gila Trout - Winston WT 7' 2wt fly rod; Bauer SST3 fly reel; Winston Energy WF2F; #16 Orange Stimulator dry fly.
• Brown Trout - Winston IM6 7'6" 3wt fly rod; VRdesign fly reel; Rio LightLine WF3F; #14 Orange Stimulator dry fly.
• Rainbow Trout - Winston IM6 7'6" 3wt fly rod; VRdesign fly reel; Rio LightLine WF3F; #14 Tan Caddis dry fly.
• Brook Trout - Winston LS 8' 4wt fly rod; Ross Colorado fly reel; Winston Energy WF4F; #12 Black Flying Ant dry fly.
• Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout - Winston LS 8' 4wt fly rod; Ross Colorado fly reel; Winston Energy WF4F; #12 Black Flying Ant dry fly.

Streaming: Days Like This - by Van Morrison