Back in the saddle again! Join Pat as he returns to Casa Codorniz above Lake Mohave, fires up his Yamaha Rhino, and explores Old Wagon Trail Mine in Arizona’s Black Mountains. Discover abandoned mining history, spectacular Colorado River views, desert wildlife, OHV trail safety, camping, lodging, and the timeless pleasure of exploring the American Southwest.

Discover Ute Lake New Mexico, a scenic Canadian River reservoir near Logan and Tucumcari. Explore largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie and walleye fishing, seasonal techniques, spinning tackle, camping, wildlife, boat access and nearby lodging.

Ute Lake in northeastern New Mexico offers outstanding opportunities to pursue largemouth and smallmouth bass among rocky points, submerged channels and sandstone shorelines. Discover seasonal fishing patterns, productive water temperatures, baitcasting and spinning tackle, public boat access, camping, lodging and the remarkable state-record smallmouth caught at Ute Lake.

Ute Lake in northeastern New Mexico offers rewarding walleye fishing among rocky points, submerged channels and broad open-water structure. Discover seasonal fishing patterns, productive water temperatures, spinning rods and reels, jigging techniques, public boat access, camping and lodging near Logan and Tucumcari.

Conchas Lake in northeastern New Mexico offers exciting walleye fishing among rocky points, submerged channels and sandstone cliffs. Explore productive water temperatures, spinning rods and reels, jigging techniques, seasonal fishing patterns, public access, camping and lodging near Tucumcari.

From rocky smallmouth points to sheltered largemouth coves, Conchas Lake offers outstanding warmwater fishing opportunities in northeastern New Mexico. Explore seasonal bass patterns, baitcasting and spinning tackle, productive water temperatures, boat access, camping and lodging near historic Tucumcari.

Explore Conchas Lake New Mexico, a warmwater fishing destination near historic Tucumcari. Learn where and how to catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie and walleye, along with tackle recommendations, public access, camping, lodging and travel information.

Discover Conchas Lake State Park, one of northeastern New Mexico’s great warmwater fishing destinations. From rocky smallmouth points to sheltered largemouth coves, crappie schools and walleye structure, this guide covers fishing techniques, seasonal patterns, tackle, public access, camping and travel.

At the southern end of the Moreno Valley lies Black Lake, New Mexico, a quiet natural lake where Paulette and I watched for elk, waterfowl, wild turkeys and black bears. It also became Montana for portions of the classic Lonesome Dove miniseries.

I headed north with an old chainsaw for my son and cameras for myself. What followed was a rainy September journey through the Rio Grande Gorge, Taos Canyon and Angel Fire, where autumn aspens and a remarkably calm flock of wild turkeys turned an ordinary errand into a very special day.