Stream Report for January 1, 2006

Stream Report fo January 2, 2006

Attention All Anglers!
One of New Mexico's most colorful trout, 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 cutbows are
successful during their spawn.

San Juan River
Flows are currently at 489 cfs out of Navajo Dam.
The lake has turned over and visibility is less than a foot, however
fishing has been good for some anglers. Red and orange worms, red
midges, crystal antron worms, streamers and bigger fly choices are
working in this off colored water.

The Rio Grande
Flows are currently 312 cfs at Cerro and 515 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 223 cfs out of El Vado Dam and 187 cfs out of
Abiquiu Dam. The water below both dams is murky as the lakes have
turned over. 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. 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