Durango semi-weekly herald., 1902-02-24
FISHING
ON THE
BRAZZOS

aid scribe engaged In a conversation
with Mayor Robert X Wright, Jr..
concerning the fishing resorts of the
state. conversation turning to the
Chama and BrMExoB rivers. In which
Dcnvers mayor related an exciting
experience he had. In company with
others. in exploring the canon Of the
Brazxos In 1898. In the party was
C. NJ. Hobbs, purchasing agent OF the
Denver a. Rio Grande. Col. W. u.
Broad OF ChRma and two or three 9th
ers At the time Mr.. Hobbs wrote an
account of the trip which appeared in
the Great Divide, a publication started
by Stanley Woods. As the descrip-
tion of the canon and scenery In very
good and many have asked the writer
TO describe the same after fishing ex.
cursions. we produce Mr.. Hobbs en-.
tire article. az follows:
The popular idea OF New Mexico is
OF u large territory abounding In san.
dy plains of wide extent, mostly bar
rem or producing only scanty growth
wild grass and sagebruab. and iphab.
ltcd only by the prairie dog, the jack
Interesting Mexican or "greaser. g
From Typographical standpoint In.
deed. much OF the territory is exceed.
ingly nninterestIng. Parts of II, how.
ever, are aA attractive to the eye and
present as varied scenery as do any
portions OF our mountainous westorG
staics. The western and northwest
crn portion OF the territory Ia broken
by spurs from the main range OF the
Rockies. and lofty and rugged moDnt
aims. siopIng hills and verdant valleys
combine To present many scenic Df-
iccts which are uncacelled for rIgged
grandeur and quiet beauty.
In the northern portion of tn. terri.
tory. midway between the eastern and
western boundary lines. and extending
into the adjoining state Of Colorado, IL
" tract known M the TERRA Amarillo
yellow Lsnd) drsnt. comprising bDi.
600 acres OF land This grant was
originally made In the year 1898, by
the Government OF Old Mexico. to
Francisco Martinez. and was confirm.
cd by the United States government In
1860. The title 10 Il now rests In the
Hon. Thomas II. Catron. OF Santa Fo.
New Mexico. This tract OF land In IL
self presents Nm varied and beautiful
physical features An can be found any.
where In An equal area, Lofty. snow.
capped peaks rise In majestic gran
demr far above the timber line. Slop
Ing hills and rolling plains are covered
with the finest growth OF timber found
between Oregon and Texas. and rich
la..4. II. 4. a. t.t -
producing abundant crops of wheat
oats. potatoes and other farm prod.
nets. Large herds OF sheep pasture
on nil but the cultivated portions OF
the grant. Not the least beautiful and
Interesting feature OF this tract OF
land are the numerous mountain
streams which drop down the mount.
tain sides or rush out from the
mountain gorkes and make their way
through valleys between banks lined
with pines. willows and wild grasses
For several years past these streams
have been the resort Of few favored
sportsmen who have had access 10
them and who could afford the tim.
necessary 10 reach them, The tive
largest Of these streams, and. there
fore. the most ireQuented by sports
men, are the rivers Chama and Braxc
tArm.) the former dropping down tn,
mountain sides Ia southern Colorado
and the latter breaking through q
precipitous canon from the east. botl
uniting In one stream about twent,
miles south from the Colorado New
Mexico line. During the last two ol
three years. the easily accessible por
tions OF these streams have beer
fshcd In over-much. 80 that they hav,
lost much interest to those VIII,
knew them In their virgin seclusion
The upper portion Of the Braxo. how
ever. has remained undisturbed b,
even the most sealous fishermen whe
have whipped Its lower waters. Thes,
have penetrated for = little ways int,
the forbidding mouth OF the canon
and. after brief spell OF climbing
rocks and wsding pools and rapids
have turned back TO more agreeabl,
waters. Until the experience which
! am about to relate no one. so far nj
known had ever passed through tn,
canon from head To mouth. A small
party OF Denver gentlemen, all but on,
Of whom had. In previous years. cas
many ny on the lower waters of lh'
BraSo. and been Interested and at
trActed by the grandeur OF the csnoI
into whose darkness they had peered
formed an expedition for the purpos.
OF entering the canon At some accessi
BILE point near Its head and exploring
II with rod AMI line to its mouth. TT,
party consisted OF Mr.. r. II. Wright
Mr.. J. II. Parker. Mr.. G. X. Shurtlef
and the writer.
Leaving Denver in the evening. b,
the Denver 4 Rio Grande railroad. nj
noon Of the following day we reachet
Chama, New Mexico. 3l3 miles from
Denver. where We descended from the
train and found awaiting us Mr.. w
e. Broad. the manager Of the grant oi
which ] have spoken. who was to take
charge of our expedition. Mr.. Broad.