Southwest Quest: Fly fishing for Gila and Apache Trout

Recently I took a couple days to fulfill a childhood dream and pursue wild Gila and Apache Trout in their native drainages. The country was rouged and rough but the rewards were great. Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoy the video!
I'm a full time fly fishing guided based in New Mexico's Chama Valley. About Trout guides the waters of the Chama River, San Juan, and the Conejos. I also offer competitive ribbon dance coaching for $500 an hour.
Website: www.abouttrout.com
IG: about.trout
Gear:
Rod, Echo Carbon XL 273: amzn.to/2WQ8sp1
Reel, Redington Zero 2/3: amzn.to/2Agfb3Q
Pack: Fishpond Black Canyon, No Longer Made
Net: amzn.to/3btOHsF
Boots: amzn.to/3buNMYS
Filming Equipment
Camera: amzn.to/2SZifYy
Underwater Housing for 50/50 Shots: amzn.to/2YZ2WDk
Camping Stuff
Bag: amzn.to/2zBVAe0
Stove: amzn.to/2zvOmID
Coffe Press: amzn.to/2YX0InV
Water Filter: amzn.to/2T2pJKF
Water Bottle: amzn.to/2SZgB9n
Pocket Knife: amzn.to/35RBGYP

[@jameswright4540]

This is my favorite video of yours! Thanks for sharing.

[@AboutTrout]

My favorite as well

[@jamesottmer947]

Awesome vid! Thanks!

[@jasonshinesavestheday4642]

Right on man!

[@britainwhitlock7219]

Thank you for the mental vacation as I sit here at my desk. Beautiful

[@AboutTrout]

If you ever get the chance you gotta go!

[@britainwhitlock7219]

@@AboutTrout I also like the idea of checking off all the trout's as you net them. I thought of doing this with all salmonoids... Or maybe a trout from every state would be cool.

[@frozendawg9300]

...I'm right there with you on the small creeks...it's how I grew up fishing in northern Cal. and southern Or. and miss it a lot...picked up a 7'6" 3wt. and can't wait to use it...thanks for being one of the few that covers the small stuff...a really over looked fishery but just as much fun if not more that the big water...👍

[@AboutTrout]

Thanks for watching! I love the small water stuff, hopefully I’ll be able to do more if it post run off.

[@williamcourtney8593]

I'm here for the ribbon dancing video lol. It's funny you mentioned that because, when I first learned how to do a snake roll cast, that's exactly what it felt like I was doing.

[@williamcourtney8593]

Also, being an avid backpacker and camper, I'm ashamed to say that I've never thought of sticking the wipes in the sleeping bag. Taking a "shower" with cold wipes in the winter is one of the worst feelings in the world. Though, it does help speed up the waking up process. Awesome video, man! Congrats on the Gila.

[@AboutTrout]

Baby wipe showers are a game changer !

[@chrismason6796]

Ooohhh deer....enjoy your editing man.

[@HugeFlyFisherman]

You will take me there.

[@jarrettlandreth285]

Huge Fly Fisherman me too! 😂

[@azwhitemountainsangling8417]

Ben, If you want on some pure wild apaches get in contact with me. I live up here full time and fish them very often.

[@Nakai2024]

good video buddy, I am happy to see you out there appreciating my land and fish. I am surprised not more people follow your videos.

[@AboutTrout]

Really appreciate that! I’ve been terrible with consistent uploads as the guide season peaks but so far this year we’ve released more content. Thanks again for checking out the channel.

[@mackieredd5503]

Hey James, love the video. This is in my hood. I'm planning a trip here soon.. Thanks agin for the video. See ya on the water.

[@AboutTrout]

Can’t wait to see you up here.

[@mattlittle3330]

Still one of my favorite vids for fly fishing. Reminds me of catching fish when I was younger in tiny creeks that most ignore.

[@michaeltichonuk2176]

Gila AND Apache!!??? The non stop smile says so much! Meeting my brother near Alpine for a guided trip. Bet I'll have one too!! Thanks for posting!!! Well done!

[@AboutTrout]

Good luck ! It’s a beautiful place .

[@rileyezzo657]

Nice video James. Love seeing the dedication and positive attitude to the outing despite the flat tire and first spot skunk. What fly line(s) do you like using on the 2 weight rod? I notice a lot of fly lines don't go smaller than 3 weight and I'm considering a 2 weight rod purchase for high elevation brook trout streams. Thanks, Riley

[@wesleywillard]

That was awesome. 🤙🏼

[@KevinHospodar]

Good stuff! 12yr old me and late 30s me are both jealous and inspired

[@AboutTrout]

It’s an awesome trip if you get the chance .

[@TOTjaybin]

Thank you for this video! My and friend and fly fish NM and Southern CO. We were looking to try Gilla. Can i ask you just some general locations to try? Mogollon Creek?

[@AboutTrout]

Shoot me an email. [e-mail]

[@ctenterprises9440]

Mineral creek, whitewater creek, lake Roberts, Mogollon, willow creek, iron creek- the list is looooong since they started stocking the heck out of them everywhere. They took in very few spots, so they are stockers for the most part. Stick to the west side for the purest genetics. They goofed it a few times trying to get monster breeding stock going, but got it pretty close now. Anytime you catch one over around 12", they are GMO stockers from Mora, NM.

[@terp53]

The trials and struggles of trout fishing is what makes fly fishing so satisfying. Thanks for sharing your adventure 👍🏼.

[@AidanQuigleyknowsbaseball]

It’s great to see normal dudes fishing on KZbin

[@AboutTrout]

Glad you liked it! Appreciate you

[@swmplvr]

he isn't a normal guy.. he is James, he is a Huge fly fishing Guide

[@AboutTrout]

You forgot ribbon dancer

[@swmplvr]

@@AboutTrout lol... and you ribbon dance?? Did you help train Will Ferrell ??

[@zachdekker7247]

Born with a voice for a podcast

[@lanekejr3209]

Heck ya! Firickin awesome!!

[@sethallyn7712]

Congratulations! Looking forward to seeing more bucket list adventures

[@AboutTrout]

Thanks for following along . Hope you got the stickers !

[@southernrockiesselfreliance]

Duuuuude. Any more vids like this you wanna put out are greatly appreciated.

[@AboutTrout]

Thanks for the support ! Hope to do some more this summer .

[@williamklein6749]

Looks like you're wet wading. What do you do about hiking boots? Do you use the same boots to wet wade and then walk out with wet feet? Bring another pair of boots/shoes? I'm going to be hiking the Wind River range this summer on a Golden trout quest and I'm trying to come to terms with footwear.

[@AboutTrout]

If I’m wet wading I just wear my Simms G3’s and hike in with them . If I’m doing high alpine lake stuff where I’m not getting into the water I use my hunting boots . I hike a lot in my wading boots , highly recommend the neoprene socks with the holes cut into them .

[@AboutTrout]

Simms G3 wading boots ***

[@richardsandoval5310]

Yoooo local New Mexican in Bernalillo

[@benjaminhand338]

Solid video man. Probably my favorite video that I've seen of yours. Keep em coming

[@AboutTrout]

Really appreciate that! Definitely a dream trip!

[@patches152]

i love blue lining in the backcountry, that's where it's at, my friend. i still bring my euro rod and throw dries on it since my only other rod is a big hefty 5wt and i my next rod is gonna be for striper. i'm a man with a budget AND a plan! very nice trip, this is the kind of stuff i do all over Cali, doing the California Heritage Trout Challenge and chasing down the little wild troots is what keeps me going. Be safe and stay HUGE! wait, wrong channel.

[@gilbertamthor5098]

Amazing. Video. Would love to hire u for a weekend of exploring the waters of the white mountains

[@AboutTrout]

Thank you. I don’t guide the Gila but I can recommend someone who does .

[@reese924]

Muy bueno el vídeo james

[@Troutslayer_]

Wow, that appache was beutiful

[@AboutTrout]

Such a beautiful golden color

[@lagunariooutdoors5005]

Love these videos. Thanks for dropping some steezy knowledge and pointers the other day.

[@AboutTrout]

Happy to help!

[@misterchristopher8857]

Thank you for the beautiful exposure to NE Arizona and NM. Hey, flat tires happen, don't let it get you down. That's why the manufacturer's provide a spare and jack. Love the support of catch and release which more fly fisher's have caught on to over the past decades. The grey wolves aren't interested in crossing paths with humans.

[@SigmaWolfOutdoors]

When's the best time of year for weather /water ..in arizona.???

[@AboutTrout]

I fished there in May. It was my only time there so I’m not sure how qualified I am to answer that.

[@SigmaWolfOutdoors]

How about new Mexico ...same time of year?? Merrytroutmas

[@AboutTrout]

Yes but run off. Juan is always good

[@luismenchaca4421]

Did you fish WC?

[@AboutTrout]

Yep popped a tire on the way in

[@luismenchaca4421]

Pretty common both ways on that road! If you are ever in southern NM and want to fish for some Brookies in the eastern part of the state or you are back in the Gila let me know!

[@AboutTrout]

That would be awesome, hope I can make it down again soon.

[@harleyjune1233]

nice little fish - - i guess it is on purpose you did not share size and type of fly? - if you forgot please share - thank s

[@AboutTrout]

There is a shot of my fly box with the dry flies I used. For creeks it is more about placement and where to fish rather than exact fly. All the fish were on dries. I think I was fishing flies sized 12-16

[@harleyjune1233]

@@AboutTrout i missed that - re watching - thanks. can you help e with vid time spot - watched again and did not see it.. i appreciate the time thanks

[@claytonheath]

Nice video! I started fly fishing in Appalachia for brookies and am now in Texas. Planning a trip to NM for next summer and would love to find some fish like this!

[@AboutTrout]

The Gila is a special place . There are lots of excellent small stream opportunities in the Northern part of the state that will remind you of the East . I’m from Va originally and brookies will always hold a special place for me . We have brookies here too in a few creeks .

[@claytonheath]

@@AboutTrout Awesome! I'll have to check out the rest of your videos and start my research for my trip.

[@coreytohme9861]

I've never thought about carrying a plug kit with me for those back roads. Thanks for that.

[@AboutTrout]

Life saver .... I usually have a compressor/jump starter but it recently died. Just ordered a new one, and a tire plug kit !

[@camopotato]

Dope. Rad vid man. Thanks for putting in the hard yards and sharing your mission.

[@jarrettlandreth285]

Any flyfishing done with a 2wt is an automatic 👍🏼 from me, but also catching two of the rarest trout species in America?? Such a cool video!

[@AboutTrout]

Love creek fishing , it’s been too long . I plan I’m doing some more 2wt stuff on the channel .

[@jarrettlandreth285]

AboutTrout can’t wait!

[@TroutMadeAnglerCo]

Pretty Rad! Awesome knowing conservation works! Great content brotha! SUBBED looking forward to more! STOKE!

[@nickvargasfishinfool9612]

What a badass couple days. Really hoping to do the same around CO this summer.

[@AboutTrout]

It was a great trip! Felt good to creek fish again with a 2wt.

[@CsCarlton1973]

What line are you using on the 2wt?

[@AboutTrout]

It’s an Airflo wf 2wt. I like WF lines for small stream stuff because I rarely have more than 10ft of fly line out .

[@CarlosGarcia-507]

Awesome vid! Can’t wait to get out to the gila!

[@garyhannah756]

That was fun. Those are tough little fish. At least you have room to cast. Dropping into East Hawksbill or Hogcamp for the brooks is down right tough casting.

[@dominicdygert5410]

way to go man its awsome to see others people that you look up to in fly fishing, going out there and catching their dream fish.

[@AboutTrout]

Thanks for watching ! Felt good to catch some bucket list trout .

[@3amigosriding]

So glad to hear you’ve been staying thiqqqq during quarantine. That dad bod has got to look great in your ribbon dancing outfit!! Great video!

[@fishmagnet2593]

Just wondering, what kind of 2 weight do you use? I've been wanting to get a 1 at or 2 wt for stocker bashing. Thanks!

[@AboutTrout]

No problem ! I’m fishing an echo carbon xl 7ft 3” 2wt. My go to small creek/fish rod. Feels more like a 1wt.

[@christyg1908]

Wow your wife must be the BEST!!!!!!!!

[@AboutTrout]

She is

[@trevorkerber3914]

So cool to see you check something off your bucketlist. I’ve been after the Apache trout before but couldn’t get one :( I need to go back to that area

[@reese924]

Where did you get the poster James?

[@AboutTrout]

It was a gift, but it’s “Trout of North America 2” by Jospeh Tomerlli

[@justinguaderrama3731]

Sick video dude. I grew up backpacking middle fork in the Gila and this brings me back. Do you have an email or website? I live in Durango and would like to eventually look into a guided trip. Thanks!

[@AboutTrout]

Appreciate the kind words . I do! www.abouttrout.com

[@bradythayer8726]

Another awesome video. It amazes me the sheer number of little different types of trout in the west there are, you could spend a lifetime just chasing a hook set in all of them. As always looking forward to your next video.

[@johnkinsfather64]

Would make your video more interesting if you would talk about your rig and the flies you used, that’s what people want to know.

[@AboutTrout]

That video is coming , stay tuned. I fished a single dry the entire time, the creek trout aren’t too picky.

[@smg5052]

Congratulations on fulfilling a childhood dream.

[@billyhendricks6150]

Shout out SNP brookies!

[@AboutTrout]

Jeremys run was my jam

[@drewc8065]

“He stares at me majestically”. Someday. Someday. 🐺

[@sirslippage]

5:41 sweet trout! love the videos man, the 4k quality is something I love! sub from me. Tight lines!

[@skiracer2356]

Can't leave that Stacey material out in the open bruh!

[@AboutTrout]

The Stacey! Loose lips sink ships hahah

[@williamklein6749]

Only way better is if you had a good dog.

[@kevinbrowne5764]

That was really awesome. Could you please text me the GPS coordinates? :)

[@AboutTrout]

Haha the wild gilas are only in a couple streams , I was on the west side

[@coreytohme9861]

Fine work my man. Canyons can be tough. Are golden trout on the list?

[@AboutTrout]

Goldens are definitely on that list . I don’t think I’ll be able to make it back to California this year though .

[@coreytohme9861]

@@AboutTrout I've caught a couple, but I would love to one day catch one in its native range. That elevation is kinda tough for a guy from sea level.

[@thereallevel27]

I'm gonna throw up.... Some stats lol

[@AboutTrout]

I though 1.67 miles , childs play . Until I realized it was 1100ft down ...

[@thereallevel27]

@@AboutTrout Google Earth got me yesterday. Only 1.5 miles. The last 1000 ft was mud and dense dead willows. Best fishing spot of the year tho