TCYEP Blog

2011-12-09T09:49:00.001-07:00

TU-Truchas Chapter Volunteers, Jim Pelner and John Wright, deliver NMDGF Hatchery trout eggs to Ms. Wallin's 3rd grade class. Around 60 students participated in the tempering and introduction of the eggs in to their trout habitat.

Students inspect the eggs before they are tempered

John and student start tempering eggs

Student comparing tank temperature to egg container temperature

Eggs are being poured into breeding basket

Students study "natural" trout foods (insects)

The Rainbow eggs will hatch within a week to become alevins
Let's look for the swim-up stage

Award winning TIC teacher

2011-12-02T17:38:00.001-07:00

Mr. Andy Cordova of 21st Century in Albuquerque was awarded Teacher of the Year by the New Mexico Coalition of Charter Schools. One of the key topics for his nomination was Trout in the Classroom. Mr. Cordova and his students take a few hundred rainbow trout eggs and over the course of a few months, the students learn about the trout life cycle and the importance of keeping their habitat safe and thriving. But they also celebrate their release by making it a family affair in which the students, their parents and siblings can participate in their success. Mr. Cordova commented "TIC and the release has become one of the high points of the 8th graders at 21st Century Public Academy".

Mr. Cordova distributing frys for his students to release in to the Pecos

Mr. Cordova discussing natural food (aquatic insects) found in the Pecos

Mr. Cordova explaining how to fish for Pecos trout

After School Fun

2011-11-17T08:53:00.001-07:00

The NMDGF held an after school program for the Valencia Middle School students. The students dissected a trout, casted a fly rod, and tied flies. TCYEP volunteers lend a hand.

K. Holladay, NMDGF Aquatic Education Director,
hands out trout to students for the dissection portion of program.

As NMDGF, Rick Castell, instructs the students;
the TU volunteers help students with their dissection.
You can do a virtual fish dissection on this site:
Dissection Game

The students tie some flies with Arnold.

Afterwards Kevin Holladay made the comment "I can truly say that at least one and very likely two of the girls there will end up in wildlife related field and maybe fisheries!"

2011-10-03T16:55:00.004-06:00

2011-2012 TIC Year has started!

The Rainbow trout eggs came from the Lisboa Springs Hatchery in Pecos, NM. Go by and see trout in different stages of their growth. NMDGF also has available to teachers a "Hatchery Tour Kit" so the entire class can visit a trout hatchery.

TU-Truchas Chapter volunteers John Wright and Jim Pelner delivered the rainbow eggs to the 3rd grade students at Georgia O'Keefe elementary.

In this photo, John is soliciting help from one the students. They are going to compare the tank and bottle (with eggs) water temperature. Then they will adjust the bottle water temperature to the tank temperature. This tempering prevents any temperature shock to the fragile eggs.

After tempering, the eggs are poured into the fish tank which gives the eggs a stream-like habitat. The students will raise the fish and then in April the fingerlings will be released at Tingly Beach in Albuquerque.

After the eggs were in their new habitat, the students read their stories about themselves being a trout egg and growing into a fish.

John attempts to answer all the students questions about trout. How do the eggs breathe? How long do they live? What do they eat? How big do they get? (Photos by Jim Pelner)

TCYEP helps with a Birthday!

2011-09-10T17:49:00.002-06:00

The Wildlife Center http://www.thewildlifecenter.org/ celebrated it's 25th Birthday on Saturday, September 10. Volunteers John Wright and Jim Pelner demonstrated fly tying, fishing knots, and casting to over 80 kids and parents.

Both kids and parents take interest in tying the "Wooly Bugger" fly (See, A Kid's Guide to Fly Fishing NM). The kids choose the colors for their flies and then watched John and Jim create their wooly bugger.

Some 25 organizations were in attendance to help celebrate TWC's Birthday; an example is the Ohkay Owingeh Community School Buffalo Dancers

Some special TWC friends also showed up at the Event!

Red Tail Hawk

Skunk

Learn about New Mexico Bald Eagles

At the end of the day, Jim and John were given some great food by local
Espanola parents. Thanks!

Pecos Students Go Fishing

2011-05-23T17:01:00.027-06:00

After seven Wednesdays of instruction in the areas of conservation, community service, and fishing; the students go fishing. Over 50 students came out to enjoy the festivities. Truchas Volunteers participated along with NMDGF Dan Williams and Kevin Holladay. Also, Shane King of the Santa Fe Forest Service was there to lend a hand. The kids enjoyed fishing, eating, and a raffle. Thank you volunteers!

A special thanks to Nakya and Emily for inviting TU-Truchas to participate in their after school program.

Fishing license in hand and ready to get started!

Truchas Volunteers getting the rods ready for the students.

Volunteers Karl and Ed making suggestions to their young fishermen.

Volunteer Mimi helping a student with his backcast.

A fish and other things were caught?

Volunteers cooked (Jerome) and served hot dogs for the students.

Boy, can they put it away!

The event finished with a drawing for a tackle box and a rod combo.

(Donated by Truchas member Jim Jones)

Photos by Truchas volunteer Jim Pelner.

Rods, Thanks Ti.

Kenny tells Capitol High students how to identify Male and Female trout

2011-05-16T17:26:00.003-06:00

Capitol High Release

2011-05-15T07:34:00.006-06:00

Students help with preparing the water and then catching their frys to place them in the ice chest. The ice chest is used as a transportation container. A bubbler has been added to ensure there is continuos oxygen for the fish.

NMDGF Kevin Holiday and TU volunteer John Wright carry frys to Mrs. Black's car.

Mrs. Black loads the fish for transportation for the release in the Pecos. Before the fish are released, teacher and students will tour the Lisboa Springs Hatchery where the eggs were obtained in January.

200 frys released into Monastery Lake.

2011-05-09T15:17:00.013-06:00

The 21st Century middle school started their release day at the Lisboa Springs Hatchery. Scott Bernard dissects a hatchery trout with the kids to explain the different parts of a trout.

Then off to Monastery Lake for Burgers and Dogs prepared by 21st Century parents.

During lunch TU-Truchas volunteers Arnold Atkins and John Wright tempered (equalized) the waters from the lake and the ice chest.

The release began as soon as the water temperature and chemistry were the same. Truchas Volunteer Jim Pelner helps the students get the very large frys into a very small cups.

More fish than students allowed the parents (Big Kids) to do their own fry release!

While the parents were releasing the last of the frys, Ti Piper of NMDGF helped the students with the aquatic invertebrate (trout food) identification. I hope he gets a good grade.

The Wildlife Center http://www.thewildlifecenter.org/

2011-05-06T16:50:00.008-06:00

Visit The Wildlife Center site for more information on how they work to conserve and restore native wildlife and their habitats.

Pecos ASP-Birds of Prey

2011-05-06T15:49:00.005-06:00

Katherine and Bonnie of the Wildlife Center introduce the students to two birds from the Center. They discussed the effects of humans on natural habitats. Most of the students enjoyed handling the bull snake and asking questions about how it is important to the bird's natural habitat.

Georgia O'Keefe-5th TIC RELEASE!

2011-05-06T14:26:00.007-06:00

Again this spring, Alane Robinson's class released their TIC juveniles into Tingley Beach Pond (Albuquerque). The Lisboa Springs Hatchery eggs were delivered in late September and hatched on October 1, 2010. At the May 2, 2011 release there were 220 fish with the largest approaching 4 inches...WOW! John Wright of TU-Truchas Chapter along with NMDGF helped with the release. Parents and students enjoyed watching their fish swim away into the deeper pond waters.

Pecos Trash Pick Up

2011-04-29T15:05:00.014-06:00

Over 36 Pecos middle school students spent an afternoon cleaning up their local Monastery Lake. USFS Shane King started with a short presentation on "Leave No Trace" and then the students collected over 20 bags of trash. USFS gave away prizes and Respect the Rio Tee shirts. Truchas raffled off a spin cast combo. Volunteers included USFS, NMGF and TU-Truchas Chapter members.

President addresses Pecos students

2011-04-23T12:46:00.003-06:00

Pecos Students Learn to Cast

2011-04-20T20:44:00.007-06:00

Trout Food and Tying at Pecos

2011-04-14T16:29:00.011-06:00

The event was started by a local commercial tyer, Mrs. Roybal. She demonstrated how to tye flies with just a vise and scissors. Her flies are designed for the Pecos watershed and are sold locally.
Some of the students took time to learn about the Pecos River trout food. They identified beatis nymphs, crane fly larvae, dark and golden stonefly nymphs.
Ti Piper of New Mexico Game and Fish demonstrates tying a pistol pete pattern to the Pecos students and Truchas volunteer Arnold Atkins. We had almost 30 students participate in "Tying with Ti."
Truchas volunteer Thom Cole assists a young Pecos tyer.
Three excited Pecos Tyers with their "Personalized " patterns.

Pecos Students get Fishing License

2011-04-13T20:54:00.005-06:00

After a presentation by Phil Howes (Pecos Game Warden), the Pecos ASP students went to Adelo's store to get their fishing license. For many students it was their first time to have a license, which caused some students to call home. Thanks to our volunteers: Phil Howes (NMDGF), Shane King (USFS-SF), Thom Cole, John Wright, Chuck Franco and to the Truchas Chapter for sponsoring the kids .

Capitol High Receives Trout Eggs

2011-03-21T21:14:00.002-06:00

Capitol High Students Filming TIC Frys

2011-03-21T21:05:00.003-06:00

TIC with Jennifer Black

2011-03-21T20:49:00.003-06:00

Mountainview Students Release their Trout

2011-03-18T17:53:00.005-06:00

Release Photos

2011-03-18T17:45:00.010-06:00

Students inspect their trout before releasing them into Tingley Pond.

The students teacher, Mrs. Laura Wallin, helps one of her students release his fry.

A Rainbow Trout that the students raised from eggs-to-fry in their classroom.

TIC RELEASE DATES

2011-03-18T17:40:00.022-06:00

Georgia O'Keefe May 2

Eldorado May

Capitol High May

Pecos May 11

21st Century May 7

SF Science & Art May

Capitol High Alevins

2011-02-06T09:10:00.010-07:00

As you can see, many of the trout eggs have hatched into their next stage of life....Alevins. The Alevins are in a breeding basket in Capitol High's fish habitat. Can you identify the yolk sac? What is the next stage of the trout's life cycle?

Georgia O'Keeffe Update

2011-01-25T20:02:00.006-07:00

Mrs. Robinson's 3rd grade class has for the past 3 months raised their eggs to the fry stage. They have been cleaning the fish habitat, changing it's water and feeding their fish. Most of the frys are now large enough to eat the pellet size food in one gulp. How much bigger will the frys get before they are released in April? Will they be fingerlings?

Eggs were delivered to Pecos and 21st Century

2011-01-25T19:00:00.009-07:00

NMDGF Officer Rick Castell discusses tempering eggs with 21st Century students. Earlier in the day, Truchas Chapter Volunteers John Wright (pictured below) and Jim Pelner picked up over 200 trout eggs from the Lisboa Springs Hatchery. The eggs were delivered to the Pecos Middle School and the 21st Century science classes. Each class received approximately 100 triploid eggs. The eggs will be raised in school's fish habitats and then the frys (small trout) will be released into the Pecos Wilderness area.

2011 Lisboa Springs Hatchery

2011-01-21T17:15:00.010-07:00

Scott Bernard of the Lisboa Springs Hatchery in Pecos is checking water temperature and then placing approximately 100 eggs in a clear container for transport to Capitol High in Santa Fe. Trout In the Classroom program (TIC) eggs were delivered to Capitol High on Friday (1/21/11). Scott asks the question, "What are the four requirements needed after the eggs become frys?" Do you know?

Why is Water, Food, Shelter, and Clean Environment so important?

Capitol High Starts TIC

2010-12-17T08:54:00.008-07:00

Volunteers John Wright and Wade Lee deliver and then help Mrs. Jennifer Black (Capitol High science teacher) set up the TIC equipment.

Mrs. Black will test run the aquarium for several weeks prior to receiving her Rainbow Trout eggs. This will ensure the eggs will have a healthy environment to grow and become frys.

Fenton Lake Outdoor Expo

2010-09-27T18:24:00.010-06:00

New Mexico local volunteers partnered up to support NMDGF and state parks for this year's Outdoor Expo at Fenton Lake. On Friday several local schools (Cuba area) had a great field day with shooting, archery, kayaking, fly tying and fly casting. As you can see in the photo, the kids were enjoying the fly tying.

2010-09-09T07:34:00.003-06:00

NMDGF 2010 ABQ Outdoor Expo

Volunteer Kady demonstrates tying a Wooly Bugger.

June 5, SFWA Festival and Fishing Derby Photos

2010-06-05T18:29:00.023-06:00

Volunteers waiting for young fishermen

Trout Food (Aquatic invertebrates) being explained

Fishing Knots being taught

Pecos ASP Fishing Day

2010-05-28T17:50:00.007-06:00

The Pecos students complete their after school program with a fishing trip to Monastery Lake and afterwards a Bar-B-Que.
Now they are looking forward to a great summer of fishing.
Don't forget that if you are 12 years or older, you are required to have a junior fishing license.

2009-2010 TIC

2010-05-25T09:50:00.007-06:00

What a great way to finish the school year. Trout In the Classroom finished the year with two excellent releases. Scott Larson of Eldorado middle school and Andy Cordova of 21st Century Charter school completed their TIC programs with releases in the Pecos River. Both educators made their releases an special Day event for their students. Their programs included a hatchery tour with Mr. Chavez, area clean up, Pecos aquatic invertebrate collection/identification, release of their fish and then fishing Monastery Lake.

Pecos National Historic Park

2010-04-28T19:40:00.011-06:00

The Pecos After School Program students visit the Pecos National Historic Park www.nps.gov/peco/to learn about fishing opportunities. Ranger Eric Valencia explains the 3 miles of quality fishing water and the Park'a catch & release policy. The Summer season begins Thursday June 24, 2010.

Pecos ASP

2010-04-20T18:09:00.019-06:00

Katherine Eagleson, the director of The Wildlife Center of New Mexico, teaches the Pecos after school program students about some of our native New Mexico birds. www.thewildlifecenter.org/

Can you identify each of these NM birds?

What are some fishing items that could poison or "tangle up" these great birds?

Email your answers to jwwtwe@gmail.com

The students easily grasped the effects of humans in a question and answer session.

New Mexico Flies

2010-04-08T14:09:00.004-06:00

Hi, my name is Marco.

I started fly tying when I was 7 years old. I have tied and fished hundreds of flies over the years in New Mexico waters. I created 2 flies that just “slay” the fish! I have also included 2 very effective flies that I have used in New Mexico.

Left side:

· Soft-hackle Beaded Pheasant Tail Variant

o Great 1 cm long May fly pattern

· The Awesomeness

o Great caddis pattern for slow or fast water

Right side:

· Stimulator

o Stonefly pattern that is very effective on the Pecos

· Euro-trash Caddis

o A dry caddis pattern for any river!

Advice on Fishing the San Juan in July

2010-04-03T08:07:00.002-06:00

Transporting TIC frys to Tingley Beach

2010-04-02T18:34:00.001-06:00

Releasing TIC frys to Tingley Beach

2010-04-02T18:31:00.002-06:00

Fingerlings Get Released!

2010-03-02T15:25:00.005-07:00

Trout in the Classroom eggs are now fingerlings and two (2) of our schools will be releasing them this spring. The first students to release their fish are from Mrs. Laura Wallin’s 3^rd grade class at Mountainview elementary. Despite the mud, everyone had a great time releasing their fish at Manzano Lake. TCYEP, NM Area Fisheries Managers, and the Lisboa hatchery have pulled together to make this happen for Ms. Wallin and her students.

T.C.Y.E.P. Teaches casting and Tying in Pecos ISD

2010-03-01T15:29:00.004-07:00

Since January T.C.Y.E.P. has participated in the Pecos after school program for the middle school (12yrs.-15yrs. old). Norm Maktima and John Wright assisted Ti Piper of NMDGF in an aquatic invertebrate study and a fly tying session. There were over 20 students and teachers that attended. Wow! The kids enjoyed themselves. The following week, Toner Mitchell presented them with a great program on Trout Anatomy and Trout Habitat.

T.C.Y.E.P. has scheduled a Fly Casting session with NMDGF presenting the students with information on junior license, where to fish, and basic fish conservation for the Pecos watershed. Other sessions will include a Monastery Lake “clean up”, a field trip to the Pecos Historic National Park, and a presentation from The Wildlife Center on natural predators of trout. Then on April 21^st,the students go on a Pecos fishing trip.

Trout in the Classroom- Spring Session

2010-03-01T15:15:00.013-07:00

TCYEP has two (2) additional spring TIC schools. Again, Mr. Scott Larson is raising trout with his 7th grade science classes in Eldorado. Mr. Andy Cordova who teaches an 8th grade science class in ABQ has received his eggs. Check out Mr. Cordova's Blog under Kid's Links. Both teachers will be releasing their fingerlings in May into the Pecos.

Lisboa Hatchery Visit and Trout In the Classroom

2009-10-02T15:56:00.018-06:00

T.C.Y.E.P. volunteers work with Mr. Chavez of the Lisboa Hatchery to obtain eggs for several local school's Trout in the Classroom program. Mr. Chavez is "scooping" up approximately 100 eggs to be transported in an ice chest filled with cold hatchery water. These eggs will arrive at the school aquarium to be raised by the students. After about 4 months the students will release the fingerlings (small trout) in to a New Mexico Game & Fish approved local stream.

For more information on a visit to a hatchery or the Trout in the Classroom program email John Wright at jwwtwe@gmail.com

Trout in the Classroom Workshop

2009-08-05T20:06:00.010-06:00

TIC educator training was held by the beautiful Pecos River on August 4. It was attended by six educators from Albuquerque to Pecos, three NM Game & Fish officers and Truchas Chapter volunteers. A few of the subjects discussed were the fish habitat (aquarium setup), egg delivery, and fingerling release dates. The workshop was held to help prepare the educators for raising trout in their classrooms for the upcoming school year.

SF Water Festival

2009-07-04T16:23:00.010-06:00

TCYEP participates in The Santa Fe River Festival. Thanks to our partner NMDGF (who put our booth on their list of required places to visit to be eligible for a rod raffle). About 75 children (plus their parents) received our instruction and introduction to conservation. Quite a few kids and adults seemed genuinely interested in our programs. Toner Mitchell and Arnold Atkins worked non-stop for about 5 hours, and it was great!

New Mexico School for the Deaf

2009-05-03T15:30:00.011-06:00

Some Kids really learn fast!

About 14 NMSD students learned to tie Rudy's Wooly Bugger taught by Rudy Rios and TCYEP volunteers.

Then the following week the students learned to Fly Cast with instructor Alvaro Lopez-Watermann and agian TCYEP volunteers.

The kids are ready for some summer fishing action!