Stream Report for December 21, 2005

Stream Report fo December 21, 2005

Attention All Anglers!
New Mexico's most plentiful trout, brown trout, and their cousins,
cutbows, are into their spawn
right now. Please do not damage their spawning beds known as redds by
careless wading. A redd is an area of clean gravel usually located at
the tail of a pool. Sometimes the spawing pair is seen over their redd.
Please do not try to catch these fish as they clearly have something
more important to do. With the drought, forest fires, and rampant
overharvesting here in our state, we should all ensure that browns are
successful during their spawn.

San Juan River
Flows are currently at 495 cfs out of Navajo Dam. Fishing has been good
on the Juan with good baetis hatches mid-day. Best reports have been
from the lower flats and
baetis bend. Fly choices are red and black midge larvae, brown UFO's,
small pheasant tails, rs2's. and baetis dries, parachute adams, and
Griffith's gnats.

The Rio Grande
Flows are currently 250 cfs at Cerro and 422 cfs at Taos Junction. The
river has about 3-4 feet of visibility. Lots of midges hatching during
the sunny part of the day with the occasional baetis hatch. Fishing has
slowed some on the Rio. Best fishing has been late in the afternoon til
dusk. A few people have been catching some pike.

The Chama River
Releases are currntly 365 cfs out of El Vado Dam and 110 cfs out of
Abiquiu Dam. I've had a few good reports below El Vado, mostly from
anglers stripping streamers. Other fly choices would be #10-14 hares
ears, #8-12 double hackle peacocks under an indicator. The water is
quite clear on the Abiquiu stretch. Flies working there include crane
fly larva, black midges, small pheasant tails, baetis nymphs, woolly
buggers, and parachute adams, and Griffith's gnats. The area below
Abiquiu Dam is designated as a Special Trout Water with a reduced bag
limit. Please report violators to New Mexico Game and Fish at
1-800-432-4263. There is a serious overharvesting problem here and
better fishing will not happen through complacency.

Pecos River
The water is quite low, clear, and cold. Fishing above the village of
Pecos has slowed dramatically. Villanueva State Park was stocked on
December 15th. I haven't had any reports from there yet.

Jemez River
The water is low, clear, and cold over much of the Jemez streams.
Exceptions would be the East Fork below McCauley hot springs or the San
Antonio below San Antonio hot springs. Both require a bit of a hike
especailly San Antonio. Small dry fly dropper rigs work best. The main
stem Jemez from Jemez Springs to Jemez Pueblo was stocked on the 14th.

Elephant Butte Lake
Hard to fish here with out a boat except for the dirt dam area. It can
be sheltered here depending on wind direction. I've had a few reports
of striped bass being caught from shore based anglers fishing the dirt
dam. It's a great way to make use of some of your saltwater gear and
catch fish measured in pounds rather than inches.

High Desert Angler
435 S. Guadalupe
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505 988 7688
www.highdesertangler.com
Fall/Winter hours: 10am-6pm Mon-Sat 12pm-5pm Sun