Over the past few weeks we’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Nick Streit of the Taos Fly Shop and The Reel Life in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
She Who Must Be Obeyed and I have a special place in our hearts for Northern New Mexico, both having spent many weeks backpacking, skiing and fly fishing the region growing up; we even spent part of our honeymoon there years ago.
Our bias has long been that New Mexico hosts some lands and water ways that are among the most underappreciated in the entire West; Nick has some thoughts to share along those lines as well.
Growing up in a fly fishing family (your father Taylor is something of a New Mexico fly fishing icon) can be special for a youngster, what are your first and most formative memories leaning to fly fish around home?
When I learned to fly fish, I was much too young to take it seriously. I could care less what kind of dry fly I was using or what was hatching. We fished a lot of high mountain streams. I loved finding big deep pools because after we caught the fish from them, it meant I could jump in them. My dad spent a lot of time teaching me the difference between wading and swimming.
Please tell us a bit about the Taos Fly Shop / Reel Life and the waters you guys guide and fish?
My dad started the Taos Fly shop in 1980, the year I was born. He had to close it in 87, but my wife Chrissy and I re-opened it 2004. We started the shop with 3,000 bucks, flies I tied myself, and a few folding tables with misc. tackle on them.
We just moved into a new location on the main drag in Taos. At almost 3,ooo sq ft., it has become a much bigger fly shop than I ever thought it could be. We have a great staff and some of the best guides in the Rockies. I couldn’t be happier with it. Three years ago, we took another leap of faith and purchased The Reel Life of Santa Fe. A once thriving fly shop, it had fallen on some hard times. I partnered with a guide named Ivan Valdez (now manager) and we got the shop back on its feet.
Between the two locations we guide just about every stream, river and lake in northern NM and plenty in southern Co as well.
I’m biased having spent a fair amount of time in my youth wandering in Northern New Mexico, but I’ve always thought that the area is an under-appreciated treasure in the Rockies. What do you like most about the region?
That it is underappreciated. Or under –visited, to be specific. There is something special about being alone on the water. Solitude is hard to find in the more well-known fly fishing destinations. We still have it.
Without giving away too much, what waters in your mind best capture the charm and uniqueness of fly fishing New Mexico?
Any high mountains stream or lake where you can catch a native Rio Grande Cutt. They’re more colorful then most trout, even other cutts. Colorful is what we do best in Taos!
What do you consider your home water and what about it keeps you coming back time after time?
Nothing sums up our area better than the Rio Grande Gorge. It’s steep and rugged, hard to fish and incredibly beautiful. Very few people make it down there, and the scenery is iconic NM. Trout grow big and wild in the canyon, but can be hard to find. The challenge is the best part.
Part 2 of Nick’s interview to post tomorrow morning. All images are Nick’s by the way.
