Philmont

Im going There with my scout troop this summer and was wondering if any of ya'll have gone and what flies you used. Heard they have some streams and im not much of a flyfisherman so just wonderin what yall thought.

Did a "search" on Philmont, not much came up. Sounds like a scout ranch in Cimmaraon, NM where the scouts get to fish a creek and/or river. No help on what to use, but if you are chasing trout with flies on a river that gets hammered by tons of scouts all year, then small well tied flies that resemble whatever is native to the area would be best.

One word of advise on searching/fishing new flowing waters: Terrestrials (ants, beetles, etc) as the top fly with a small (#20) pheasant tail, beadhead pheasant tail or hares ear nymph about 14-18 inches behind will produce fish in almost any trout stream. Just my $.00002

Best of luck, catch some fish, and let us know how it turns out

BHR

I haven't been there but I hear the Red River near Cimarron, NM is well known for trout fly fishing. I would check it out if I were you.
Try this link:
http://www.edadamsflyfishing.com/red.php3

Never fished out there so I can't help with that. I do want to suggest you check out the T-Rex tracks on the ranch. With T-Rex showing up everywhere from Godzilla to Toy Story, I was surprised to learn the few tracks on the ranch are the only ones ever found in the world.

I made two trips to Philmont, but that was over 25 years ago and before I was a fly fisher. Mr. Philips, the man who donated the ranch to the Scouts, was a fly fisher. He had a fishing cabin built on the ranch, I think the scouts call it "fish camp" or something like that. When I was there, they had a program where the scouts could learn to tie a fly. If your trip includes this camp site, you definately need to have a fly rod with you.

My trips to Philmont were long before I started fly fishing, so I have no clue what the best flies are. If I went back, I'd take some general purpose flies such as wolly buggers, some bead head nymphs, maybe some Y2K's, etc. Also, there are fly shops in Taos and Sante Fe. You might try calling one of them and see if they have any recommendations. Just remember that you will have to carry everything with with you, so pack light.

If I were to go back, I would definately take a fly rod with me. There is a lot of "fishy" water there. But depending on which route your group goes on, you may only have one or two days where you will actually be in an area where you will be able to fish. But it is a great place to go.

Have fun,
Rex

Never fished inside Philmont, but have fished the Cimarron nearby. I think you've received good input. Buggers are always good. Hopper/Dropper with #14-16 Elk Hair Caddis, Stimulator, or similar with a similar sized Hare's Ear, Pheasant Tail, or Caddis Larva are good bets. If you are getting refusals in likely water get smaller as BHR mentioned. Beautiful country! Hope you have a great time. And slow down in Cimarron. I forfeited a fly rod's worth there a couple of years ago. :-(
Dale

Scuds worked well in the cimarron this past summer- I'd try those under a stimulator.

les

if you havent picked a trek yet try to go to fish camp,

we caught a lot of small brooks and bows and a brown i think on a little stream we didnt get to go to fishcamp

but even if you dont get to fish, philmont has been one of my most memorable trips i have taken in BSA