The Pecos is formed by several smaller creeks, nearly all of which have trout in them. Some of these forks, such as Jack's Creek, have native Rio Grande cutthroats, others wild browns or brookies. Backpacking is the best way to arrive at the most productive waters and find solitude.

Increased moisture has arrived just in time for the Cimarron River and Valle Vidal waters such as the Rio Costilla. Both of these fertile rivers depend on upstream water release from private lakes (Eagle Nest and Costilla lakes), and more water assures these trophy trout waters will continue to receive inflows and remain productive. Another worthwhile Valle Vidal cutthroat stream includes Comanche Creek, with Shuree Ponds good for the occasional trophy rainbow.

SOUTHEAST
Trout fishing is limited in the southeast, especially compared to northern areas in the state. The Rio Penasco and Rio Ruidoso stand as the area's best running trout waters.

Nearly all of the Rio Penasco flows through private lands, with trespass rights gained through fly shops in Albuquerque. This small spring creek produces browns and rainbows out of proportion to its small size, but fishing is not cheap.

The Rio Ruidoso runs through most of Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs, allowing fly-fishing only. It is stocked heavily. Higher waters allow more fish and make it easier to fish without spooking trout so easily. Attractor dries should be especially productive, as the small river supports many reliable hatches.

The tiny upper Rio Bonito offers limited brook trout fishing and wilderness water where it is easy to get away from crowds with a short hike. This small creek feeds Bonito Lake, a popular weekend destination in the Ruidoso area that is stocked heavily during spring and summer months.

Grindstone Lake has developed a reputation as a trophy brown trout fishery. Recent Game & Fish Department shock surveys have confirmed many browns in the 10-pound-plus class. These fish are difficult to catch, but many anglers specialize in it, casting big portions for big mouths.

Silver and Mescalero lakes, on the Mescalero Apache Reservation, offer reasonably priced day fishing, and can often provide better angling than other area public waters.

Winter trout stocking programs continue in many southeastern area city park lakes. November-through-March stocking dates allow catfish waters to become trout waters in locations as unlikely as Hobbs, Jal and Carlsbad. Some of these waters are within walking distance of downtown centers.

SOUTHWEST
The Gila region has been hit especially hard by recent drought and many once-productive trout waters have been nearly lost or have disappeared. Many of these creeks have proven resilient, and increased moisture will help bring those trout back to productive status.

The three wilderness forks of the Gila River -- the West, Middle and East -- have remained fairly productive during recent drought periods, and should do especially well with higher flow rates. Some spillover occurs on the main Gila River where the three forks merge, but smallmouth bass prove more abundant than anything else in these waters.

Lower Black Canyon, the Mimbres River in the Black Range, Mineral Whitewater and Turkey creeks near Mogollon and Glenwood should come on strong with increased moisture and stocking from the nearby Glenwood State Fish Hatchery.

The best angling on any Gila Wilderness stream or river is discovered by strapping on a backpack and investing no less than five miles. The farther from a trailhead you travel, the better the fishing will be.

Area stillwaters have dwindled alarmingly, but recent moisture is filling them quickly. Look to Snow and Wall lakes, and Lake Roberts for reliable trout fishing in 2005. The southwest also has a good number of winter trout waters, with trucked-in rainbows appearing in November and stocked through March. Some of the best include Bill Evans Lake near Silver City, Bear Canyon Lake near Mimbres, and the San Francisco River near Glenwood.

The tailwaters of the Rio Grande below Elephant Butte Lake continue to provide decent trout fishing in the desert surroundings of Truth or Consequences. Angling success depends on water flows. Winter and early spring months prove easiest to fish during low-flow periods, and access to larger pools is often restricted as water flows increase to above 5,000 cfs. A rich food base means trout in the 18-inch class are common, with occasional monsters showing. The biggest trout are normally landed by those casting spinners, spoons or small plugs resembling the river's abundant shad.

The drought may not be over, as Mother Nature can be extremely fickle in these parts, but for the time being trout fishing will be better. With a few more years like this one, with increased winter snows and summer rains, trout fishing could return to the glory days of the 1980s. Until then we can only wait, and pray.