Upcoming Events:
Fly Fishing for the Mind: 2008
Vermejo Ranch Park, New Mexico
Date: Arrival, evening
August 30, 2008. Seminar August 31-September 2, 2008.
Departure, September 3.
Cost: $3250, includes tips, fishing license, food, lodging, seminars, horseback riding, skeet shooting, fishing and most incidentals.
Vermejo Park is a private mountain resort and working bison ranch. Located near Raton, New Mexico, there is nothing quite like Vermejo Park Ranch. Consisting of 588,000 acres situated high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico, it ranges from high prairie grasslands at 6400' to above timberline at nearly 13,000.
Vermejo offers a diversity of ecosystems with resulting flora and fauna found almost nowhere else in the West in such pristine conditions.
This is a wildlife paradise with deer and elk, bear, bison, bobcats, pronghorn antelope, and even the shy cougars. Over 180 species of birds have been identified including migratory eagles and waterfowl in the fall. Vermejo is truly unique in the quantity of observable wildlife.
The fishing is awe-inspiring. Unique to our seminar experiences, we will be fishing remote mountain trout lakes. While fishing, you may find yourself watching a bear prowling the shoreline, deer coming to water or a beaver gliding silently across the surface.
The Uniqueness of Vermejo is that there are 21 well-stocked lakes providing impressive rainbow, brown, brook and cutthroat trout fishing. Most fish average 1-2 pounds, but annually yield numerous 3-8 pound fish. For the avid angler, the lakes provide unequaled opportunities.
For the stream fishing enthusiast, some 30 miles of small to medium sized streams traverse Vermejo. Brook, rainbow and cutthroat trout inhabit these waters with plentiful populations providing unsurpassed enjoyment for the beginner and experience angler alike.
Jason Borger (who did the casting in the movie “A River Runs Through It”) is a friend of George's and recommended this place. It is ideal for the beginners as the streams are intimate and filled with trout eager to take the fly. It is an ideal spot whether you want to "learn" to fly fish or improve your skills and just have a great time.
We will have our own dedicated "Castilla Lodge" 45 minutes from the main lodge, and our own staff to take care of us. In addition to experiencing the wildlife and beauty of the location, horseback riding and skeet shooting are also available at no additional cost. A wrangler will be assigned to us to take care of these activities. This trip, you will have many opportunities to wade the small streams or simply walk along the shores of the lakes. Boats are also provided to fish the lakes and cast to the trout.
On this trip, the cost includes nearly all of your expenses including horseback riding, skeet shooting, boat use, licenses, and tips to housekeeping and guides.
Of course, we will begin each day with Qigong and Tai Chi. Designed for beginners; these have proven to be a delightful beginning to each day. As always, we will offer our seminars in the morning and evening.
As in all of our trips, we have designed the seminars to provide adventure, fun, growth and skills to take home and improve the quality of your life...and those around you!
Contact us now for more information and updates on this very special opportunity.
We hope you can join us!
Cost
The cost of the Fly Fishing for the Mind Seminar at Vermejo Park Ranch is $3,250. The price includes all of the seminar sessions, lodging, meals, guide services, and fishing or activities. We will gladly provide advice on equipment needs and packing suggestions.
Participants will be responsible for:
1. Airfare or travel to and from the lodge. This location is a beautiful drive from Los Angeles. Once you have sent in your deposit, we will provide information to help you plan your day trip options (other than fishing).
2. Equipment: 5 or 6 wt. rods are ideal. The typical rod used is a 5 wt. Waders are optional as boats are available for the lake fishing and anglers can frequently cast from shore. The streams and small rivers can be wet waded so waders are not essential. Float tubing is available for those who have their own tubes. Your guides and the lodge will help you with suggestions for flies. If you do not have your own fly-fishing equipment, contact George Patterson (818) 506-1100 who can assist you in choosing suitable equipment. For a modest price, you can get the basics needed for this trip.
3. Flies: Ranch policy is for guides to have local flies and you pay only for those you use. If you tie, we have the patterns available that are most productive on the ranch.
Fly Fishing for the Mind will be responsible for:
1. Tips for guides and housekeeping staff
2. All seminars
3. Helping you arrange for your activities such as horseback riding, skeet shooting, hiking and of course fishing.
Incidentals:
1. There is a fly-fishing shop on the ranch for you to purchase the flies and equipment you need. Guides will also have flies with them.
2. It is best to arrive the day before in Raton, New Mexico. We have made reservations for you to spend the night at the Holiday Inn Express so that we can have our first orientation group that night (August 30) and leave early the next day for a buffet breakfast and check-in at the main lodge before going up to the Castilla.
Payment, Refund and Cancellation Policy:
A 50% deposit is needed to reserve your spot in the seminar; the balance is due no later than 30 days prior to the Seminar date. This is an exclusive seminar reservation of the entire lodge. This will guarantee our privacy, but also limits our total number of participants to 10.
We reserve the right to cancel the trip should the minimum number of participants not be able to come at this date. Sometimes we are able to accommodate last minute reservations, (or to help someone find a replacement). Please contact us if your plans make it possible for you to join us with short notice. We will try to arrange for space at the lodge in those instances.
Because we are guaranteeing and holding your place at the lodge, after the cut off date no refunds will be made. You are welcome to find a replacement.
Travel Insurance:
We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance to cover not only your financial commitment, but your health, personal belongings, and peace of mind.
Click here to learn more about the benefits of travel insurance.
