Frank has been a guide on Elephant Butte Lake for years and he knows every nook and cranny of the lake.  I found this out right away when he put down the anchor in a little cove and said it was time to catch the bait we would use that day.  Catch bait?  Now there’s something I hadn’t heard of before … I thought you bought the bait in a store!  Nope, Frank says you have to use live fish to catch fish.  He was right!

Off we went and before long we were hauling in White Bass and looking for the elusive big Striper Bass.  Jordan and Heather from Wyoming were along with us and Jordan showed us the “biggest” fish in the lake … about three inches long.  But the second bite was one much bigger and the kind that would fit nicely into a campfire cook stove.  We, of course, caught and released.

We were all enjoying the pristine New Mexico day – lots of sunshine and beautiful surroundings – when Heather snagged a Striper!  This one was at least 15 pounds and gave Heather a nice fight before landing this “baby” in the boat.  After everyone got to take a look this great fish was also returned to its native habitat.

Frank had us on the lake for about six hours and we could have stayed longer had we not had more filming to do for Travel Guide New Mexico.  But he was quick to invite us back and we’ll take him up on that offer.

If you want to see some of the trophy fish that Frank has engineered for his charter participants check out his website and www.stripersnewmexico.com.  Now these are some fish!

Thanks, Frank, for a great day at Elephant Butte.  To see more click on our Elephant Butte video.  And remember … Elephant Butte is New Mexico’s largest lake.  In addition to fishing the boating and camping are terrific!  Enjoy …

Taylor Streit has been guiding fly fishers in Northern New Mexico for 30 years and is a “Legendary Guide” in the Freshwater Fishing Hall Fame. He has written three acclaimed fly fishing books. His son Nick runs Taos Fly Shop and was on the U.S. Junior Fly fishing team that placed second in the world competition of 1998.

The Taos, New Mexico area has many fine streams, including the famous Rio Grande, Red River, and Conejos. For the non-fisher, Taos, Chama, Santa Fe and Angel Fire offer galleries, shops, skiing, and rafting.

If you like traveling around New Mexico’s great outdoors – hiking and camping, fishing and hunting – put Charlie’s Sporting Goods at the top of your list and visit before you go.

Charlie and his team of experts are here to fit you with the right equipment for your New Mexico outdoor travel adventure, no matter what your skill level, to ensure the best possible experience on land or water.

They have everything from fishing equipment & lures to handguns and shotguns archery equipment, tents and rafts, footwear, apparel and much more!

If you haven’t been to Charlie’s, you haven’t been to New Mexico!  Charlie’s Sporting Goods 8908 Menaul in Albuquerque.  See them today!

Best Western Territorial Inn & Suites, located in Bloomfield, New Mexico is a captivating gateway to natural splendor of the Four Corners area. Relive ancient civilizations at Salmons Ruins, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Canyon De Chelly or Mesa Verde National Park. Enjoy world-class bass, trout and salmon fishing in the quality waters of the San Juan River. Navajo Lake State Park affords exceptional boating and fishing opportunities while an incredibly scenic journey awaits you on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

The Elkhorn Lodge has been host to thousands of visitors from across the world for 50 years. The country lodge is nestled on the banks of the Rio Chama where blue-ribbon trout fishing awaits. The beautiful lush grass-covered Chama Valley is located at the foot of the majestic Cumbres Mountains. The Chama area boasts some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rocky Mountains.

The Elkhorn Lodge is ideally located on the main highway leading into Chama. Our cozy log facility includes 22 spacious motel rooms all equipped with Cable TV, in-room telephones, and full baths. We also offer 11 country cabins with fully-equipped kitchens. Our cabins accommodate from two to ten people, and are excellent for small groups and families.

The Elkhorn Lodge and Cafe are independently owned and operated by the Locke & Lane families.

The Jemez Mountain Trail twists through time and terrain, contrasting vermilion desert cliffs and snowy alpine peaks, 13 th century stone dwellings and the birth of the Atomic Age in nearly the same breath. Travelers may fish canyon waters at dawn, don snowshoes for a woodland trek, explore ancient Pueblo ruins and view elk crossing an immense volcanic caldera all in the same day.

The trail begins at the junction of U.S. 550 and N.M. 4 in the pastoral village of San Ysidro, named for the patron saint of farmers. Passing a restored church of the same name, N.M. 4 slowly winds past Jemez Pueblo, home to more than 3,000 tribal members who call the village Walatowa in their native language, Towa. Jemez Pueblo sits at the gateway to the spectacular Canon de San Diego, where the road bisects reddish-orange cliffs as it enters the Red Rocks of the Jemez. The Walatowa Visitor Center (877-733-5687) is wedged in these rocks, along with roadside stands selling crafts, fry bread and red and green chile stew. Jointly operated by Jemez Pueblo and the Santa Fe National Forest, the visitor center houses a museum and gift shop and provides information about the area.

This week is another of those “WOW – I didn’t know this was here” trips.  Our first stop was the Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Spa and Resort.  Tucked away in Ojo Caliente right off Route 84 (?) this is one incredible place to spend a couple of days.  Soaking in mineral baths under the stars is a pretty awesome way to spend an evening.  The mud baths are rejuvenating and the food is excellent!  You should give it a try!

Just up the road in Abiquiu is Ghost Ranch, made famous by Georgia O’Keeffe’s New Mexico paintings.  Did you know that Ms. O’Keeffe didn’t own Ghost Ranch but lived on a few acres there?  I didn’t and also was unaware of the many things to do at Ghost Ranch … from painting and exploring to looking for dinosaur bones and taking classes on a wide variety of subjects.  Or, just spending family time there horseback riding.  Incredible things to do for folks of all ages.  I’m planning on taking my family there for a few days to relax, unwind and learn!

Chama is one of those real hidden treasures.  It’s more like the Northwest than what most of us believe New Mexico to be.  Moderate days, cool nights.  On our summer trip there was no air conditioning and the fresh air blowing through the open windows with a blanket pulled up around me put a huge smile on my face!  Big trees … lots of green all around and a truly wonderful place to spend time relaxing, fishing and just enjoying the scenery.

Speaking of scenery … when in Chama you must ride the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad.  You’ll learn a lot about the history of Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado as you wind you way through the mountains crossing back several times between the two states.  This is a great all day family adventure on an old coal fired and steam driven locomotive.  I promise this is a trip you’ll want to take more than once.

I loved my time on the Jicarilla Apache Nation in Dulce, just a few miles from Chama.  The people are wonderful … the fishing and boating pristine (I hear the hunting is exceptional) and the native baskets and beadwork art is second to none.  I bought a great purse there for Janine that is beadwork on an animal skin (deer, I think!).  She loved it and I enjoyed talking with the artist who created it.  Watching these ladies piece together the beaded pieces and making baskets is really something unique to see.  I still can’t figure out how they do what they do and I walked away with an increasing appreciation for the history and culture of these great people.  And the land they live on is something spectacular to see, too!

It’s not a long drive from Ojo Caliente to Chama and Dulce.  If you want to do this trip right then make sure you plan three or four days.  If you want to do some great fly fishing and/or hunting I’d make it a week!

Experience the extraordinary legacy of the Los Alamos region. From the centuries old Puebloan ruins of Bandelier National Monument to the world renowned scientific community that shaped the course of history, Los Alamos continues to excel in innovative technology for the 21st Century.

Enjoy our breathtaking mountain scenery, fascinating museums, wildlife, and many activities such as hiking, backpacking, road & mountain biking, rock climbing, fishing, birding, camping, swimming, golfing, hunting, cross country skiing, downhill skiing, skating and much more. Los Alamos provides a convenient and economical base for exploring the diverse cultural and sightseeing opportunities offered by North Central New Mexico.

If you want to get away, Angel Fire is a great place to play. Pack large, bring lots of gear, and don’t forget the toys.

Angel Fire is a tranquil, year-round resort smack dab in the middle of wooded wilderness and a high mountain valley. The Wheeler Peak range, New Mexico’s highest, is outside your front door. And of course, we all feel it’s one of the nicest places on the planet. Angel Fire’s #1 industry is tourism, with our tranquil mountain community attracting thousands year round. Winter brings snow sport fans to have fun skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling or sledding, while our cool summers attract golfers, fishermen (and fisherwomen), hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, 4-wheelers, and families just wanting to get away from the heat and hectic pace of city life. If you’re talking pure Angel Fire, you’re talking pure moments.

Outdoor adventure is dominant on the reservation. They offer up world-class hunting and fishing at their luxury resort, the Lodge at Chama, as well as their highly respected Horse Lake Mesa Game Park.  Four lakes and numerous ponds provide access to excellent fishing.  The Jicarillas are also actively immersed in the gaming industry running two casinos. The Jicarilla Apaches have a rich, colorful and artful story to tell, and they wish to share it with the world. Lodging and dining experiences combine to weave a memorable and multi-faceted Native American experience when you travel to the Jicarilla Apache Reservation.