Char of New Mexico
On the search for Brook Trout in New Mexico
I had just finished my trip in Colorado for my Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout segment of the Western Native Trout Challenge and was now heading towards New Mexico to pursue the elusive Gila Trout. While purchasing my New Mexico fishing license, I came across New Mexico’s very own trout challenge, known as New Mexico Trout Challenge. Always eager for a unique and personal accomplishment, I firmly dug in my heels and committed myself to the task. Upon reading that Brook trout (Char) was included on the list, I quickly discovered these fish are regarded as some of the hardest to find due to the very specific environmental requirements they need to survive. On the brighter side, I happened to be within their natural range of waters, specifically around Questa, New Mexico. I immediately began my due diligence by conducting thorough research, starting with the TroutRoutes app Pro. I found that Cabresto Lake and Lake Fork Creek which feeds into the lake, were excellent places to locate Brook Trout. Next, I opened the OnX App to find detailed maps of roads and trails that could guide me safely to Cabresto Lake. Finally, because it was late fall, I used Windyapp to monitor weather patterns and lunar tables, ensuring the best possible conditions for my fishing expedition.
After a restful night’s sleep, I woke up at 4 AM to begin my early morning trek up to Cabresto Lake. The road was steep, rocky, and full of deep ruts, forcing me to carefully maneuver using my off-road lights to navigate slowly and avoid any mishaps. Feeling the full weight of my kayak and all the other gear I keep packed in my Nissan Xterra, I was relieved to find the shocks held up well on the rough terrain. About 45 minutes later, I finally caught sight of the lake shimmering in the early dawn light, and my nerves began to settle. Initially, I had planned to use my Backpacking Float Tube, but after double-checking the weather forecast—which predicted windy conditions and a chance of snow—I decided to change my plans. So, I gathered my gear, put on my jacket, pulled out the fly rod, and began the trek with renewed focus and determination.
The trail along the lake is fairly easy to navigate; however, getting down to the water’s edge requires the sure footing and agility of a Mountain Goat. After hiking for a few minutes, I could finally see the inlet clearly. From a distance, it appeared easily accessible, but as I drew closer, I discovered it was marshy and densely overgrown with vegetation. Wearing only my wading socks, I decided to stick to the trail and follow the creek for several miles instead. The creek was narrow, and the tree canopy hung very low, making casting a real challenge. Spotting pools tucked within the pocket water, I carefully belly-crawled my way closer so as not to spook the fish. I was grateful that I had applied bug spray earlier, as I could only imagine the number of bites I might have gotten without it. Despite working my way upstream for nearly three hours, I hadn’t seen a single fish. I questioned everything—fly patterns, fly size, tippet size, perhaps the water temperature was too high or maybe there had been a recent fish kill. What was I missing? Then it dawned on me: it was late October, and the brook trout might be spawning.
I headed back towards the lake’s inlet, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. It’s amazing how a completely different perspective unfolds when you reverse your path, revealing details you might have missed before. Along the way, I noticed fishermen scattered here and there, and game trails winding their way down to the creek and the lake’s inlet. As I peered down into the water, I could see fish schooling by the dozen, their silvery bodies moving in unison beneath the surface. Yes! I had finally found the elusive Brook Trout I’d been searching for. Carefully, I side-stepped my way down the steep hill, managing to get within about 10 yards of the creek’s edge. There I watched the vibrant-colored brook trout dart swiftly throughout the crystal-clear water of the creek, their bright markings contrasting beautifully with the rocky riverbed. Observing their behavior closely, I could see them feeding eagerly on nymphs and the occasional Caddis fly drifting by. After tying on a delicate size 18 Pheasant Tail fly, I gingerly made my way toward the creek, hiding behind a tree to camouflage my movements and avoid casting any shadows that might spook the fish. After dealing with a few frustrating tangles in the branches, I finally found my casting rhythm and delivered the tiny fly delicately about a foot above a small school of brookies. With a quick hookset, a fish was on the line. Cast after cast, as I steadily moved towards the creek’s entrance to the lake inlet, I managed to land over 20 beautiful fish. Then, quite suddenly, the weather shifted — freezing rain mixed with light snow began to fall. The bite abruptly halted, and no matter what I tried, nothing would hit. Although I felt discouraged at first, I quickly shifted my attitude, reminding myself that this was just another part of the unpredictable wilderness experience.
Instead of sulking over not being able to land more fish, it suddenly dawned on me that I should be truly grateful for the blessing of experiencing such a gloriously beautiful day—an opportunity that many people may never have the chance to enjoy. I sat there, completely mesmerized, watching nature unfold at its absolute finest. At one point, I had the unique opportunity to carefully drop my action camera into the water and capture footage of the Brook trout schooling up beneath the surface. After meditating quietly for some time, I felt the gentle snow begin to settle softly on the back of my neck, and I knew it was time to slowly make my way back to the truck.
Upon arriving back at the Xterra, I carefully secured my gear to the homemade rack system and quickly changed out of my wet clothes. Just then, some side-by-side riders pulled up nearby. They asked me how the fishing was and shared that late spring fishing is their favorite time to fish the lake. During this season, the weather is warmer, bugs are more plentiful, and the fish tend to be more active than other times of the year. Additionally, because the lake fills with water in late spring, they can easily launch small kayaks right from the shore, giving them access to fish along the east side of Cabresto Lake. Meanwhile, the clouds were growing thicker overhead and the air was cooling rapidly, so I mentioned that I needed to find a suitable camp spot for the night. They recommended the Rio Grande BLM site just northwest of Questa as a great option. After thanking them for the friendly chat, we parted ways and I began my descent down the mountain.
Fishing Cabresto Creek presented its challenges both physically and mentally, with tough fishing conditions, unpredictable weather, and the constant effort of locating where the elusive Brook trout were holding in the creek. Despite these obstacles, I was ultimately successful in catching Brook trout, allowing me to check off one of the five species of trout required for the New Mexico Trout Challenge. After enjoying a well-deserved, restful night’s sleep, I set out early the next morning, eager and determined to continue the pursuit of the next species of trout in the Challenge. May you have Wet Boots and Tight Loops!
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog about the Char or Brook Trout in New Mexico and Cabresto Lake and Lake Fork Creek. To complement the article, I have also included an accompanying YouTube video for you to enjoy.
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Also, I’ve put together a comprehensive guide to the area, along with a selection of useful products that could enhance your experience and help you make the most of your own adventures in the Questa and Northern region of New Mexico.
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CAST BOLDLY and CARRY A BIG NET!
