This July, Truchas Chapter of Trout Unlimited will be represented at the 2nd Annual Vermejo Park Flyathlon, a conservation-minded race that combines three excellent things: trail running, fly-fishing, and supporting native trout.
Our chapter runner, Patrick Iverson, will be competing on behalf of Truchas in this year’s event. And yes, “competing” matters here. The Vermejo Park Flyathlon is not just a race. It is also a fundraiser, and this year several Trout Unlimited runners from across New Mexico are going head-to-head to see who can raise the most money for Rio Grande cutthroat trout conservation.
In other words: Truchas has a chance to win this thing.
The Flyathlon format is simple, strange, and brilliant. Racers run roughly 10 miles through Vermejo Park Ranch, catch and release a Rio Grande cutthroat trout, and then make their way to the finish line. The size of the fish can even affect a runner’s time, which means this is one of the few races where a strong cast may matter as much as strong legs.
But the real purpose of the event is much bigger than trail times or bragging rights.
The Vermejo Park Flyathlon raises money for coldwater conservation work benefiting Rio Grande cutthroat trout in New Mexico. These fish are part of the ecological and cultural identity of our region. They belong in cold, clean, connected headwater streams, and their presence tells us something important about the health of our watersheds.
Like so many native trout across the West, Rio Grande cutthroat trout face pressure from habitat fragmentation, warming waters, degraded stream corridors, and competition from non-native species. Protecting and restoring their habitat requires sustained, practical conservation work: improving stream function, reconnecting habitat, restoring riparian areas, and supporting projects that help native trout persist in the places they belong.
That is where this fundraiser comes in.
The Vermejo Park Flyathlon is hosted by Running Rivers, a nonprofit that uses trail-running and fly-fishing events to raise money for native fish conservation. The idea is refreshingly direct: get people outside, connect them with the waters and species they care about, and convert that energy into real funding for on-the-ground restoration.
This year’s race also gives the New Mexico TU community a chance to rally around a shared goal. Runners representing different chapters are each raising money, and the friendly competition has already begun. Truchas is backing Patrick, and we want to help him bring in as much support as possible.
The stakes are admittedly mixed.
On one hand, this is about native trout, healthy watersheds, and the future of coldwater conservation in New Mexico.
On the other hand, it is also about making sure Patrick has full bragging rights over the other TU runners after the race.
Both are worthy causes.
One more personal note: the race also happens to fall on Patrick’s birthday weekend. Apparently, this is how he is choosing to celebrate: running through Vermejo Park, trying to catch a Rio Grande cutthroat trout, and raising money for native trout conservation.
So, in lieu of birthday gifts, Patrick is asking friends, family, fellow Truchas members, and anyone who cares about New Mexico waters to donate to the fundraiser. A contribution of any size helps. Less stuff, more trout, healthier streams, and a stronger showing for Truchas.
A donation of any size helps. Whether you contribute $25, $50, $100, or more, your support will help fund conservation work benefiting Rio Grande cutthroat trout in New Mexico. It will also send a clear message that Truchas Chapter shows up for native fish, coldwater habitat, and slightly absurd conservation races.
Please consider donating to Patrick’s Vermejo Park Flyathlon fundraiser and helping Truchas win the fundraising competition.
Then, when the race is over, we can all say we helped put more dollars on the water.
Donate here or use the embedded form below:
Learn more about the Vermejo Park Flyathlon: https://www.coloradogives.org/event/VermejoParkFlyathlon
