Hi there! I am looking to plan a trip to paddle by canoe or packraft within a National Forest in AZ or NM in the next year. Ideally, we would be able to fly fish at some point(s) along the way. 3-7 days on water preferred. My hope would be to do some filming so anything scenic is a bonus.
Does anyone have any route/ location recommendations?
You have few choices. A few sections of the Rio Grande River are canoeable in NM. It involves some lining and portaging. The Verde River in AZ in some sections. I have paddled about 75 miles of the lower Colorado River. The Salt River ais raftable a few weeks a year.
I’m looking for similar info - but lake paddling, day trips, in March. (I’m from Vermont, I’d rather be too cool than too hot). Is it worth dreaming about? I do see some boat rental places open all winter, especially around Phoenix.
There a are few larger reservoirs. They are obvious on any map. Lake Roosevelt near Phoenix as an example. Elephant Butte, NM.
I lived in Arizona for a few years. The best river paddling is the Colorado lower section. It can be very hot and there are lots of obnoxious power boats. Lots of choices of where you want to put in and take out are reviewed on the internet. Black Canyon, Top Cock Gorge and below Parker Dam get my vote. The Verde, Salt, and Gila rivers have small sections that are runable. It all depends on water levels. The Verde has the most consistent sections. I’ve seen people fishing on the Colorado (Huge catfish and something that looks like sturgeon) and Verde, not my idea of fishing though.
Two places I have paddled in New Mexico are The Brazos and Rio Grande near Albequerue, I believe the Rio Brazos has good fly fishing. I don’t recall these spots being in a National Forest, but likely they are. Only a small section of the river is OK for lower level paddlers.