Fires were too close | Hunting rarest trout | Fly Fishing New Mexico | Solo Gila National Forest

The Gila Wilderness is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before in my life. Two full days of exploring and learning made this trip worth it on so many levels. Despite this feeling, my heart aches in a way, because two days was not nearly enough time. I was only able to see a fraction of what the landscape has to offer. The unforgiving nature of the desert and mountains collide to create a craggy maze of canyons seldom seen by the general public. In these canyons swims one of the worlds rarest trout species. The "Gila Trout".. I’m sure a lot of anglers like myself have read articles and seen pictures but have never actually been lucky enough to chase them.
Being able to backpack my way in and camp streamside was a dream come true. I was the only person in the canyon and had the entire stream to myself. How often does that ever happen?
The Gila National Forest is vast and sparsely populated landscape that spans from SW New Mexico to Arizona. So even getting in and out of a place like this is no walk in the park. Forest fires, rock slides, bears, and snakes also have a way of deterring the “average angler” from the treasures that swim in the crystal clear water.
After spending two days in the belly of the beast.. I will say, this is not for the faint of heart. You need to be in great shape and have a back up plan for every scenario. This is the kind of land that is unforgiving in such a beautiful way. If the daytime heat doesn't bake you alive, then the night time chill will make your teeth chatter. Bring as much water as you can folks.. because once you leave the comfort of the canyon bottom, it is bone dry.
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[@joeindependent8518]

Thanks. good report !

[@FLYALLSZN]

You bet!

[@chrishaberl5780]

Gila Trout........the movie! Better than the Hollywood trash shown at the local theatre!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Tell Spielberg I’m coming!! Haha thank you so much!!

[@benjaminmcmillan1446]

Bro you are Fantastic! Such passion for the fish themselves and the wilderness, everything fly fishing should be , big love from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@FLYALLSZN]

You have to be kidding me! South Africa! That is fantastic! Thank you so much for the support. Catching trout in Africa is on my bucket list.

[@brandondruckenmiller5508]

Mountain house biscuits and gravy are the bomb dude

[@FLYALLSZN]

I will have to give them a try one of these times!

[@brandondruckenmiller5508]

After you try one they will be in your food bag all the time ps I seen the video of you and your dad fishing the Porky's up in DA UP Michigan very cool

[@travismiller9841]

Awesome!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you!!

[@raywhitehead730]

Your. doing great, live the dream

[@WesternFly]

Whitewater is a great creek! The Gila is definitely a hidden gem! Great video!

[@thatoneguy4412]

Heck yeah bro, love the Gila. That is some mean country.👍👊

[@FLYALLSZN]

Mean country is right! She about chewed me up haha

[@wildbillsadventuresoutdoor9276]

Awesome Adventure's! Nice trick shot with fishing net 👌

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!

[@wildbillsadventuresoutdoor9276]

@@FLYALLSZN your welcome!!!

[@medtech1a]

I’m truly learning a lot from you and your videos. I’m in NM and work at the hospital in Artesia NM and I’m always crunch for time when going out to fly fish.

[@adventurfly879]

Editing skills are showing with every new vid!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much! It is a work in progress!

[@ronlee2606]

Great video. I just love your enthusiasm for the fish and the sport. Beautiful trout and stream!

[@robperry9065]

Geela, Heela, it’s all horgeous! Great story telling as usual Mike. Keep on keepin’ on and tight lines!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!! People get really upset about pronunciations 😅

[@wulgar9648]

Wow, what an adventure. Fantastic video. Love the backcountry, hike in, camping and of course, fishing. What a beautiful trout. Well done! Can’t wait to see what you have planned next!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!! It is seriously so much fun! I am still so new to it all but I can already feel my approach getting sharper!

[@GLWhitt]

Thoroughly enjoy your vids. Very inspirational.

[@606OnTheFly]

I know I heard dance Gavin dance. It made me love it more. Great video

[@FLYALLSZN]

DGD is the real deal!

[@stephenbrody2717]

Definitely a different gig than the driftless. Especially the vertical in and out. Liked seeing you read the water. 7’ Ft 3wt. Perfect even with a hopper dropper. I have used a 7’6 3wt in AZ and NM for 25 yrs. Nymph rigs can be a bit difficult especially with fast water plunge pockets. Have to throw some weight around with the scrub oaks and brush poking out everywhere.. I have lost flies and blown up leaders in places i could not predict. Good to see you making the transition just fine. High expectations after this video. Taylor Streits guide to fly fishing NM will help. Great maps of most of the water in NM used it for yrs. great reference.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Holy cow thank you so much!! Those are my favorite kinds of waters to fish! I love being in those tight quarters! I have read that puppy front to back! It is a great starting point to most of my adventures!

[@brookiebob]

Props to you brother for adapting to your new environment. What makes this expedition extraordinary is the rarity of the Gila species and the back country mountain remoteness. Thank you for taking us along to experience the many beautiful gems brought to hand. On another note, how bad do you miss the Drift? I haven't had any time off to get back out there since late May and it's killing me. I caught 323 in May in the Driftless and only 10 up here in Northeastern Wisco. It has been more difficult this year to find fish up here because of the water conditions. I definitely can relate to your misfortunes and difficulties we face as Trout hunters, but we keep on going. Most would just give up but it's all part of the whole experience. Overcoming the obstacles and all of the challenges is what makes it so rewarding. Just getting to the unique habitats of where trout live is a reward all in it's own. Keep up the great content.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!! Oh man I really do! It was my home waters for almost two years! I was just starting to get dialed in... You are exactly right! Just have to keep that pedal down.

[@ctenterprises9440]

The gila trout isn't so rare actually. Not anymore, anyways. They only naturally occured in a handful of small, hard to access streams, not on the west side. These trout are hatchery raised and stocked. The fishing in whitewater, south fork, and mineral creek was far superior before they loaded the watershed with poison 3 separate times. Happy they were at least the smaller natural genetics, and not the 18" GMO breed stock they had in there. The original plan he had would've been awesome- you can catch bows, browns, gilas, monster small mouth, and 20lb plus catfish all night long. It heels. New Mexicans everywhere are going nuts haha good vid of a special place.

[@Jbcustoms56]

I don’t know how you film all that by yourself. Excellent job! I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@FLYALLSZN]

It can be a grind but it is well worth it!!

[@Jbcustoms56]

@@FLYALLSZN yeah it is. You keep me wanting to grab my rod and get out there.

[@emmanul700]

Good stuff brotha, I live in Santa Fe and have been wanting to head south for the Gila for some time and this videos really makes me want to get at it.

[@driftstone]

Man I'm jealous, I haven't been able to do any backpacking yet this season. Well done man!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!! Snow pack still too heavy or timing not right?

[@driftstone]

@@FLYALLSZN oh just super busy. This is a super dry year, could have gotten started early, there's plenty of time left to get after it. Need to make dinner plans

[@ChristelloNervio]

Awesome Vid!! Thanks for sharing dude!!! It's pronounce Zeella.. btw... JK!! hahaha Cheers!

[@HOLYdEYEver]

where do i find a lime green rod like that? The Gila Trout story is very similar to the brook trout story out east. Love the video.

[@FLYALLSZN]

That is from ANT! I always have their info linked in the description!

[@silveradokid88]

What wt reel and brand do you use on the ant leaf cutter fly rod? Great and awesome videos!!

[@noahsandvig745]

I'm planning a spring trip to New Mexico...how's the fishing in March compared to April/May?

[@medtech1a]

What length 3 wt rod do you use at the gila.

[@Ac-st7nw]

Back trail CREDS!!!

[@russellogden8071]

What's that drink you make for energy ?

[@johnkava7135]

Wonderful video, but you are in a designated Wilderness and you stocked rocks? Part of wilderness is untrammeled, leave no trace. You have a venue to promote smart Wilderness practices.

[@o-redbeard-o1036]

Lol @ the Danaher JRE episode. Dudes a jiu-jitsu mastermind but his voice is a sleeping pill 💊

[@MrGrizzlyclaw]

Looks like a collared lizard.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Could have been!