FARMINGTON — State Game Commissioners on Thursday adopted a new rule limiting anglers to the use of just two flies while fishing in the "quality waters" of the San Juan River.

"We're thrilled," said Larry Johnson of the San Juan Guides Association and owner of Soaring Eagle Lodge. "Anything we can do to protect the economic impact of the river is important.''

Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the new rule limiting anglers fishing in the quality waters — the upper four miles of the San Juan River just below Navajo Dam — to the use of two flies.

Advocates for the change hope it will limit the number of trout inadvertently injured or killed from foul hooking by multiple hooks and entrapment in broken off lines.

Previously, there had been no rule limiting the number of flies an angler could use on the quality waters, where an estimated 70,000 trout reside.

In seeking the rule, the San Juan Guides Association claimed some guides were arming clients with multiple-fly rigs to improve their catch rate.

Opponents to the rule argued the use of multiple-fly rigs, when used properly, is an accepted practice that has not been scientifically proven to be harmful to fish.

A local fisherman and one San Juan outfitter spoke against the new rule at the meeting at San Juan College in Farmington, but were outnumbered by numerous guides and businessmen who turned out to support the change. "A lot of the problem is barbed hooks," said outfitter Art Martinez. "We need to better educate the public about that."

A supporter of the new rule, Tim Chavez of Born and Raised Guides and Abe's Motel and Fly Shop, told commissioners the issue was a "no-brainer." "It's a matter of sportsmanship and ethics," he said.

Johnson said the San Juan River's trophy-class-fishing status has contributed $25 million to the state's economy, according to a recent study by New Mexico State University.

Representatives of New Mexico Trout, an angling organization that initially opposed the change when if was first brought before the commissioners in February, were not present at Thursday's meeting.

Commissioner Jim McClintic, a member of New Mexico Trout, said the group decided to support the rule so long as it was limited to just the quality waters of the San Juan River.

The rule change was unanimously approved, with Commissioner Alfredo Montoya absent.

"It's a positive move," said Arron Carithers of Anasazi Anglers. "Anything we can do to protect the resource is positive."

Marc Wethington, a fisheries biologist for the state Department of Game and Fish, said he expects anglers and guides to police themselves on the new rule.

Noticeably absent from the hearing was independent San Juan fishing guide Jude Duran, an outspoken opponent of the rule change. Duran remains in federal custody in Denver following his indictment on a single charge of bank robbery stemming from the May 13 holdup of a Montrose, Colo., bank.

Contact Karl Moffatt through his blog at www.outdoorsnewmexico.com">www.outdoorsnewmexico.com.