Anyone familiar with the Cimarron River in NM?

[dtrkyman]

I enjoy jabbing the fly guys about fishing for invasive species and man made fish.

Finding truly wild fish is a challenge or maybe impossible in this state. Browns are prolific and do well, have out competed natives everywhere they exist.

They all exist in some beautiful places so I like to focus on that.

 

[Ferrulewax]

I dont think the term “wild” as its being used in this thread is accurate. Brown trout in the US aren’t wild, they are “feral”. They originate from domestic hatchery stock.

I would break this down into wild vs native. Natives are supposed to be there, wild fish are any fish that were born in the stream (not stocked)

 

[displacedtexan]

It was a pretty low bar IQ test but I'm happy you passed.

To be fair, fly fishermen are worse hotspotters than western hunters...

 

[displacedtexan]

I would break this down into wild vs native. Natives are supposed to be there, wild fish are any fish that were born in the stream (not stocked)

So hogs in the SE and horses in the SW and cats all over are wild?

 

[Ferrulewax]

So hogs in the SE and horses in the SW and cats all over are wild?

Yes. Thats why they are often referred to as wild horses and wild hogs. I would say that wild and feral are pretty much synonymous.

Wild distinguishes them as born in the wild/not domestic or pets, IMO.

Native distinguishes them as naturally occurring, hence phrases like “Native range”. Native is synonymous with indigenous in my lexicon.

 

[displacedtexan]

Yes. Thats why they are often referred to as wild horses and wild hogs. I would say that wild and feral are pretty much synonymous.

Wild distinguishes them as born in the wild/not domestic or pets, IMO.

Native distinguishes them as naturally occurring, hence phrases like “Native range”. Native is synonymous with indigenous in my lexicon.

Maybe you should buy a dictionary.

 

[dieselchessy]

I would break this down into wild vs native. Natives are supposed to be there, wild fish are any fish that were born in the stream (not stocked)

That kind of logic is why we have legislation to protect feral (wild) horses and burrows.
By that logic any species would only be feral for a single generation.
Using the term “wild” to describe the offspring of hatchery fish that are not native to a watershed seems like its been proven out as a bad idea.

Im of the opinion feral critters cannot breed themselves out of being feral.

If folks want to do a “put and take” trout fishery, cool. But please don't call them wild.

 

[SDHNTR]

This thread was never about Wild vs native. How did we end up here? This is about wild vs stocked. Big difference.

 

[Ferrulewax]

This thread was never about Wild vs native. How did we end up here? This is about wild vs stocked. Big difference.

Wild vs stocked? Or feral vs stocked?

Sorry, I had to.

 

[displacedtexan]

This thread was never about Wild vs native. How did we end up here? This is about wild vs stocked. Big difference.

Welcome to the internet.

Would you have preferred being skewered for being unable to find the kind of water you want to fish?

 

[SDHNTR]

Welcome to the internet.

Would you have preferred being skewered for being unable to find the kind of water you want to fish?

Nope, but being “unable” is incorrect. My mistake was in assuming “red chili” C&R meant wild trout, like it does in most other western streams.

I’m perfectly able to find what I like to fish.

 

[displacedtexan]

Nope, but being “unable” is incorrect. My mistake was in assuming “red chili” C&R meant wild trout, like it does in most other western streams.

I’m perfectly able to find what I like to fish.

There's c&r areas, or aggressive slot limits in areas with hatchery fish all over the west.

 

[SDHNTR]

I

There's c&r areas, or aggressive slot limits in areas with hatchery fish all over the west.

Perhaps that’s your experience, it’s certainly not mine. And I’ve fished many of the West’s most storied rivers and streams. C&R = predominantly wild fish.

 

[displacedtexan]

Yeah, predominately.

Far from only.

Especially in NM.

 

[oldskool67]

This needs to be merged with the heated mustache straightener thread

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I got a huge rainbow trout in Washington some years back with my dad, apparently it was some sort of stocked fish that couldn’t reproduce.

When I learned what it was several years later I was no longer impressed. I do t even consider it my biggest trout.

 

[Reburn]

I got a huge rainbow trout in Washington some years back with my dad, apparently it was some sort of stocked fish that couldn’t reproduce.

When I learned what it was several years later I was no longer impressed. I do t even consider it my biggest trout.

Man yall guys look for any reason to gripe and be unhappy.

Learn to love the experience not the trophy.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Man yall guys look for any reason to gripe and be unhappy.

Learn to love the experience not the trophy.

I fished for experiences for facades, now I’m after trophy quality. Same with hunting, I’m ok passing on things that don’t get me excited.

Fishing is harder to do that though as there are lots of situations where you get what bites.

Also, I’m not griping or being unhappy, just saying that in my list of fish I’ve caught a stocked rainbow triploid isn’t the coolest fish I’ve caught. I did catch a few wahoo on a fly rod, some double digit bonefish, several teaspoon varying sizes (but next time I chase tarpon, I’ll be looking for a big one). When I go to the rivers with friends, I’m cool if they want to nail char/Dollie’s all day but I’d rather keep looking for a rainbow that will take a mouse. We all have our preferences, I don’t really want to spin fish much anymore even though I used to love it.

If you do something enough, you may eventually want to get more specific with the pursuits.

 

[Reburn]

you may eventually want to get more specific with the pursuits.

I got more specific WHO I pursue with and less hung up with the what.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I got more specific WHO I pursue with and less hung up with the what.

As do I, over the past few years I’ve focused on getting out with my dad more. It’s great when I can catch amazing fish with him. I also have a lot of fun going with my wife, I was there when she caught her first bonefish and she’s going with me to Los locos in Baja this fall to fish for striped marlin and rooster fish (flyrod only of course).