Chama, NM 87520(Rio Arriba County)

Spanning over 4000 acres of the finest mountain habitat in northern New Mexico, Brazos River Lodge is a fishing and hunting property almost too good to imagine. The centerpiece of this one-of-a-kind property is nearly two miles of the fabled Brazos River, a fly anglers dream stretch of meadow stream that holds trout known for remarkable size and tippet-busting fight. If thats not enough, add in trophy elk hunting, unmatched privacy, and a client-spoiling lodge, and the result is a turn-key fishing and hunting property well suited to impress even the most seasoned fly fisher or veteran big game hunter.

Situated at roughly 10,000 feet, the ranch spreads across thousands of acres of rolling terrain covered dark spruce, fir, and aspen, along with grassy meadows that are sprinkled with wildflowers in the summer. The winter snowfall here is the source of plentiful water that appears in springs, small creeks, ponds, and the two primary forks of the Brazos River that converge just above the ranch. The abundant water is key to maintaining populations of elk, mule deer, black bear, mountain lion and pronghorn, and of course, to one of the best trout streams in all of New Mexico.

On the Brazos River Lodge property, the river is 20- to 30-feet wide, and includes an enticing variety of runs, riffles, pools and cutbanks, in truth, all the features a dry fly fisher dreams about. Trout thrive here, primarily fat rainbows in the 16- to 22-inch class, but also an occasional chunky brook trout or even a brown that ventures up from well downstream. Dry fly fishing with wide-open casting is superb, with fishing rising to mayfly, caddis and terrestrial patterns throughout the summer. Two small tributaries up to 4 feet wide support smaller brook trout, and could be enhanced with larger pools for larger fish. Stillwater anglers can also find plenty of action on two trout-filled lakes, the larger of which is about 10 acres.

Big game hunting supplements the fishing in the fall. With no public access through the ranch, the property is surrounded by a combination of the Carson National Forest and Chama Land & Cattle Property. Brazos River Lodge defines privacy! Elk herds are constantly seen here in the summer and fall, attracted to the many water sources. Currently, Brazos River Lodge receives 23 bull tags and 11 cow tags annually. In the winter, the solitude and blue skies here have to be experienced to be believed, and snowmobiling or snowshoeing will access areas that very few humans ever get to see.

Long operated as a high-end fishing and hunting property, Brazos Lodge is already set up to cater to the most discerning of clients. A newly constructed lodge boasts eight suites, a large kitchen, and a very comfortable dining room and great room with fireplace. The lodge is complemented by several individual guest cabins as well. Other improvements include a ranch managers residence, a new shop and a network of 4WD and ATV roads to reach the far corners of this large property.

Located just south of the Colorado border, the ranch is approximately a 2-hour drive from historic Taos and its unsurpassed downhill skiing at Taos Valley. Taos offers a jet capable airport, as does Alamosa, Colorado, only a bit further away. If so inclined, a helicopter ride from either airport would be only about 15 minutes.

In short, there is no place else in New Mexico like Brazos River Lodge. In fact, there are very few places like it anywhere in the West. If youre looking for a true wilderness property with a first-class trout river running through the middle of it, look no further. Brazos Lodge may well be the quality fly fishing and hunting retreat that you thought had disappeared long ago.