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Rules for Fishing Club Waters

  1. All adults fishing any of the club waters must have a Fishing Access Permit and be a Club member or a one-time quest of a member. Club members are restricted to one guest per day. Children under 18 years of age do not need a permit but must be accompanied by an adult member at all times

  2. Club members must wear their MVFF identification badges and display a parking tag on the dashboard of their vehicle.

  3. All fishermen will put their completed permit in the drop box at the upstream parking site. This must be done prior to fishing. They should keep the permit stub while fishing.

  4. The Fishing Access Permit grants permission to fish only the Runyan section of water.

  5. The Fishing Access Permit is valid for only one calendar day, i.e. may not be used for the afternoon of one day and the morning of the next day.

  6. The landowner retains the right to refuse entrance to any person for just cause.

  7. The Mesilla Valley Flyfishers, Inc., and the landowner are not responsible for any injuries to the angler or damage to his/her property when he/she accepts and uses the Fishing Access Permit.

  8. All Fishermen must have a valid New Mexico fishing license, agree to abide by the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish regulations, the landowners requests, and the rules listed in the Mesilla Valley Flyfishers, Inc. Fishing Plan.

  9. Parking will be in designated parking areas only. Parking signs are located at each of the designated parking areas. Club installed access gates along the river should be closed and chained after use. Parking tags should be displayed on the dashboard of vehicles.

  10. Fishermen will stay out of the way of ranch activities.

  11. No weapons will be allowed while access is obtained through the use of the Fishing Access Permit.

  12. No pets will be allowed while access is obtained through the use of the Fishing Access Permit.

  13. Flyfishing only is allowed using a flyrod and artificial flies with a single barbless hook. Dropper flies are allowed.

  14. Fishing is limited to catch and release only. All fish are to be expeditiously returned to the river unharmed.

  15. Fishermen will carry out all of their own trash from the ranch and, in the interest of good landowner relations, remove trash left by others.

  16. No camping is allowed on the property without prior permission of the Ranch Manager.

  17. Violation of these rules may result in the loss of fishing privileges.

Catch and Release Tips

Note: The following tips are adapted from the NM Dept. of Game & Fish fishing proclamation.

  1. Land the fish quickly; don't play it to exhaustion.

  2. Use a landing net whenever possible.

  3. Keep the fish in the water.

  4. Do not squeeze or grab any part of the fish. Wet your hands first if you must handle the fish.

  5. Gently remove the hook.

  6. If the hook is deeply swallowed, cut the leader. A fish's body fluids will dissolve the hook in days.

  7. Let a tired fish recover. Hold it by the tail in the water with one hand and use the other hand to gently support it from below and just behind the head until it swims away.

  8. Never toss a fish back into the water.

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