I was the first person to catch a Pecos Pupfish on hook and line, a feat for which I’m respected by about 17 people.

Species: Pecos Pupfish (Cyprinodon pecosensis)
Location: Roswell, New Mexico
Date: August 10, 2018

Alien. That’s exactly what you expect Roswell, New Mexico to be. And honestly, it is alien. The large town is surrounded by some of the strangest landscape I’ve ever seen with a mixture of sweeping sand dunes, sage flats, scab rock, muddy rivers, crystal-clear streams, foul-smelling alkaline sinkholes, and of course, completely alien fish.

The Pecos River system, which flows through the region, is one of the most unique in the country.

It serves as the westernmost barrier for many fishes we typically consider to be eastern species. It demarcates the extreme native range of Bluegill, Green Sunfish, Flathead Catfish, and Largemouth Bass. There are also a ton of native species found in the system (24) compared to most other systems in the American West.

For this reason, I was enamored with it.

Despite my infatuation, my planning was virtually nonexistent, and I didn’t do as well in the Pecos as I should have. Still, I managed to find water, add a new (if low-hanging) species in the Red Shiner, and I still had a few hours to kill. So, I found myself at a location that I felt had to hold something. It was an alkaline sinkhole that I could smell long before I got to it, but I was confident I could catch fish.

I walked up to the water’s edge carefully, through thick, acrid gray mud that stole my flip flops. Thousands of fish were up against the shoreline, and I quickly recognized them as pupfish of some kind. Knowing Pecos Pupfish were present, I was stoked. I unburied my legs, shed my flip flops, returned to the car for my rod and micro gear, and made it back through the sucking mud in about two minutes.

Tentatively, I snuck up to the water’s edge to find dozens of dead pupfish strewn along the water’s edge and floating in the shallows. These cyclical die-offs are common with pupfish, but it was still disturbing to see so many dead fish. It was more disturbing to smell on top of the sulfur that permeated the air and assaulted my nostrils with every calculated step.

These were the early days of Luke as a Microfisherman, and I was wholly unprepared. I was using a short ultralight Ugly Stik with a micro hook tied to the end. I now use a telescoping tenkara rod with a 15-foot reach, but this little guy was just four feet long. Since the pupfish were skittish, this made it difficult to reach them. Whenever I’d get within reach, the fish would bolt. I just needed another five feet or so. Normally, casting and slowly retrieving would solve the problem, but after maybe 6-12 inches of shallow shelf at the water’s edge, the bottom plummeted far too deep to fish.

Further complicating the matter was the fact that there were thick weed mats at the shoreline, which made actually getting a bait in the face of the pupfish nearly impossible in my unfortunate situation. It took me several hours of trudging through the thick mud around the lakeshore to finally find a spot I could cast. I was scraped up from all the rocks and the cracked crust that formed on top of the sun-baked, sulfuric soil. Mud was almost waist-high in places, and I was getting dirtier than a politician at a strip club.

Ugh.

I was miserable and not having any success. I’ve since caught dozens of pupfish and learned they only feed when the bait is on the bottom. Considering the bottom was upwards of 10 feet down just inches from the bank, this was really tough.

Eventually, I did catch a nearly dead pupfish that had shriveled and distorted (likely after releasing its spawn) and was on death’s door.

At first, I was excited with the development until realizing I’d snagged it on the head. SMH.

This misshapen creature was unfortunate enough to swim into my tiny hook.

The blue spawning coloration was pretty, but nothing else about this fish was even remotely aesthetic. I cringed as I released it and began to calculate how much driving I’d have to do that night to make it to Abilene, Texas where I was staying with my friend Casey Torres that night. It was about five hours away.

I was soaked in mud that smelled like the Grim Reaper’s diarrhea, so I also had to solve the problem of where and how to clean up before driving so far.

Exasperated sigh.

I vowed to try one more spot before giving up.

Fortunately, there was a slightly larger ledge and by casting way past it, reeling it up quickly, and allowing my bait to rest on the bottom, I was able to get a real, honest-to-goodness, hooked-in-the-mouth Pecos Pupfish. I snapped a picture and proceeded to wash as much mud as I could off using my hands and a gallon of water. It took off most of the chunks but didn’t begin to touch the smell.

Weighing my options out there, more than an hour from Roswell, I looked for a truck stop, gym, brothel where I could grab a quick shower. Several unfruitful calls later, I was headed to an RV park that offered me a shower for $10. Roughly 30 minutes later, I confirmed it was the best $10 I’d ever spent, and I was on my way to Abilene.

Please consider subscribing to my weekly column and access my past columns for as low as $1 per month by clicking “Become a Patron” below.

Become a Patron!

#SpeciesQuest // #CaughtOvgard

Read the next entry in #SpeciesQuest here: Species #185 — Inland Silverside.

81 Replies

  1. The next time I read a blog, I hope that it does not disappoint me as much as this particular one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read, nonetheless I truly thought you would probably have something helpful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.

  2. May I simply say what a comfort to discover somebody who genuinely knows what they are talking about over the internet. You actually understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people ought to check this out and understand this side of the story. I cant believe you arent more popular because you surely possess the gift.

  3. Hi I am so happy I found your site, I really found you by error, while I was searching on Google for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just
    like to say cheers for a remarkable post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love
    the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the minute but I have saved it and also added in your RSS feeds, so
    when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up
    the fantastic b.

  4. That is a very good tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere.
    Short but very accurate information… Thanks for sharing this one.
    A must read article!

  5. What i don’t realize is in truth how you’re now not actually much more
    neatly-liked than you may be right now. You’re very
    intelligent. You already know thus considerably in the case of this
    topic, produced me in my view consider it from a lot of numerous angles.
    Its like men and women are not fascinated except it’s something to do with Girl gaga!
    Your personal stuffs great. At all times deal with it up!

  6. An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment.
    There’s no doubt that that you should publish more on this topic, it may not be a taboo matter but generally people do not speak about such issues.
    To the next! Kind regards!!

  7. Hi I am so excited I found your blog, I really found
    you by error, while I was researching on Askjeeve for something else, Anyways I am
    here now and would just like to say kudos for a tremendous post and a all round interesting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the moment
    but I have book-marked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have
    time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the excellent work.

  8. A fascinating discussion is definitely worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you
    need to write more on this subject matter, it might not be a taboo matter but usually
    folks don’t discuss these subjects. To the next! Kind regards!!

  9. Wow that was strange. I just wrote an really long comment
    but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up.
    Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say
    excellent blog!

  10. Hi there! I simply would like to offer you a huge thumbs up for
    the great information you have here on this post.
    I’ll be coming back to your website for more soon.

  11. Пролистывая ленту в Instagram, я наткнулся на рекламу сайта wikzaim. Заманчивое предложение о займах под 0% мгновенно привлекло мое внимание. Я перешел на сайт, где обнаружил весь список МФО, предоставляющих займы без процентов. Без лишних заморочек я получил 5000 рублей.

  12. Финансовые трудности могут застать врасплох. В такой момент я воспользовался Yandex, который указал мне на сайт wikzaim, где я мгновенно нашел подходящее МФО 2023 года и получил займ, решив свои проблемы.

  13. Забудьте о заботах и стрессе, выбирая отель для отдыха в Туапсе вместе с нами. Наша миссия – сделать ваш отпуск максимально комфортным и наслаждаться каждым моментом пребывания на Черноморском побережье.

    Мы тщательно изучаем каждый отель, его инфраструктуру, уровень сервиса и качество предоставляемых услуг. Ваш комфорт – наша главная забота, и мы гарантируем, что каждый отель, рекомендованный нами, отвечает самым высоким стандартам.

    Туапсе – город, где сливаются море и горы, создавая удивительные пейзажи. Выбирая отель с нами, вы выбираете не просто место для проживания, но и возможность насладиться всем богатством и разнообразием этого удивительного региона.

  14. Мой Volkswagen уже достаточно старая, и я хотел быстро продать эту тачку. На автофоруме нашел ссылку на skupkavto.ru. Оценку сделали по цене рынка, приехали и забрали машину в тот же день.

  15. Замок на даче сломался в самый неподходящий момент. К счастью, я знал о newzamok.ru, и они быстро все починили.

  16. Искал в Яндексе казино на деньги и сразу же наткнулся на caso-slots.com. Сайт предлагает обширный выбор казино с игровыми автоматами, бонусы на депозит и статьи с советами по игре, что помогает мне разобраться, как увеличить свои шансы на выигрыш.

  17. Время — деньги, и cntbank.ru это понимает лучше всего. Онлайн займ на карту теперь можно получить быстрее, чем когда-либо. Простое и понятное оформление займа, мгновенное зачисление средств и минимальные проценты — все это ждет вас на cntbank.ru

  18. С cntbank.ru вы можете забыть о долгих ожиданиях и бумажной волоките. Онлайн займ на карту осуществляется в минимальные сроки, что позволяет вам решить свои финансовые вопросы без лишних задержек. Специальные условия для каждого клиента делают процесс еще более удобным и выгодным!

  19. Улучшите свои медицинские знания с maps-edu.ru! Наш сайт предлагает профессиональные курсы для медработников дистанционно. Получите аккредитацию и поднимите квалификацию без отрыва от работы.

  20. Профессиональное развитие медиков теперь доступно онлайн с maps-edu.ru. Откройте для себя удобный формат обучения и аккредитации в различных медицинских областях.

  21. Maps-edu.ru открывает двери в мир медицинского образования. Наши курсы помогут вам оставаться в курсе последних трендов и технологий в медицине. Зарегистрируйтесь сегодня!

  22. Hi there, I discovered your website by means
    of Google while looking for a related subject,
    your site came up, it appears good. I have bookmarked
    it in my google bookmarks.
    Hello there, just became alert to your blog
    through Google, and found that it is truly informative.
    I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you
    continue this in future. Numerous people might be benefited from your
    writing. Cheers!

  23. I don’t know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everyone else experiencing
    problems with your website. It appears as if some of the text on your posts are running off the screen. Can somebody
    else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them as well?
    This may be a problem with my browser because I’ve had this happen before.
    Cheers

  24. Когда у меня возникла неотложная финансовая потребность, я начал искать способы получения займа. Через поисковики Яндекс и Google я наткнулся на сайт МИР-ЗАЙМОВ.РФ, где были представлены различные МФО. Один из главных критериев для меня был займ без отказа, и этот сайт предоставил мне множество вариантов. Я выбрал подходящее предложение и смог решить свои финансовые проблемы.

  25. Мы понимаем, что каждый человек имеет свои финансовые потребности. На МИР-ЗАЙМОВ.РФ вы найдете разнообразные предложения займов, которые доступны студентам, работающим, предпринимателям и даже пенсионерам. Все возрастные группы могут получить необходимую финансовую поддержку.

  26. Портал МИР-ЗАЙМОВ.РФ предоставляет уникальную возможность найти лучшие МФК, где вы можете получить займ без процентов на 30 дней. Это идеальное решение для тех, кто хочет воспользоваться краткосрочным финансовым поддержкой без лишних расходов.

  27. Awesome things here. I am very satisfied to peer your article.

    Thank you a lot and I am having a look forward to contact
    you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?

  28. I truly love your site.. Very nice colors &
    theme. Did you develop this website yourself?
    Please reply back as I’m looking to create my own site and want to find out where you got this from
    or what the theme is named. Cheers!

  29. Hi! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before
    but after looking at many of the articles I realized it’s new to me.
    Anyways, I’m definitely pleased I stumbled upon it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking
    back often!

  30. I’m really loving the theme/design of your site. Do you ever run into any web browser compatibility problems?
    A few of my blog readers have complained about my blog not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari.
    Do you have any tips to help fix this issue?

  31. That is really attention-grabbing, You are a very professional blogger.

    I have joined your rss feed and look forward to in search
    of more of your wonderful post. Also, I have shared your
    site in my social networks

  32. Usually I don’t learn article on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very
    pressured me to check out and do it! Your writing taste has been surprised me.
    Thank you, very nice post.

  33. Excellent post however I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this subject?
    I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further.

    Thank you!

  34. Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the web the easiest
    thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while
    people consider worries that they just do not know
    about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top
    as well as defined out the whole thing without having side effect ,
    people can take a signal. Will probably be back to get more.
    Thanks

  35. I’ve been surfing online more than 4 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It’s pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all web
    owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be much more useful than ever before.

  36. I’m extremely impressed along with your writing talents as smartly as with the layout in your weblog. Is that this a paid subject or did you modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it’s uncommon to see a nice blog like this one today..

  37. Thank you a lot for sharing this with all people you really realize what you’re talking approximately!
    Bookmarked. Kindly additionally seek advice from my web site =).
    We can have a link exchange contract between us

  38. Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids. I found a
    sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She
    put the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
    She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is totally off
    topic but I had to tell someone!

  39. Wow, fantastic weblog format! How long have you ever been running a blog for?
    you make running a blog look easy. The entire glance of your website is magnificent, let alone the content!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *