Stream Report for Thursday September 27, 2007
Stream Report for Thursday September 27, 2007 at 11:00 am MDT
San Juan River 1000 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
The San Juan is quite clear and fishing is very good. Wade fishing has been awesome with the better spots being the upper flats toward the cable, baetis bend and below Simon Canyon. There have been some very good midge hatches, although fall is baetis time on the Juan. Typically they emerge around 1 in the afternoon and most abundant below Texas Hole. Flies for the San Juan include red disco midges, olive johnny flash, olive RS2's, UV flash midge emergers, hatching midges, griffith's gnats, dead chickens, parachute baetis, CDC BWO comparaduns, and black or olive bunny leeches.
Rio Grande 405 cfs at Pilar; Fair for pike, Fair for trout, Fair for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande is still a little murked up, but clearing and is at a decent flow for wading. Fishing for smallmouth bass has been fair. Some of the bigger eddies around Pilar do hold smallies. Fish for them on sinking or better yet sink tip lines with crayfish patterns. There is cooler water and better trout fishing in the gorge upstream of the Red River confluence. Over a a month ago, landslides inundated the Red River resulting in a fish kill on the lower Red. The debris eventually made it's way to the Rio Grande. It seems that the iron that deoxygenated the Red has also affected the Rio below the Red confluence. Other flies for the Rio Grande are parachute baetis, CDC blue winged olive comparadun, olive RS2's, softhackle pheasant tail, black, brown or olive woolly buggers, autumn splendors, zoo cougars, conehead madonna’s, double hackle peacocks, poundmeisters, and caddis nymphs. I've got a few reliable reports now of people catching pike on the Rio.
Pecos River 39 cfs below Terrero; Good
The Pecos is fishing well. Dry fly dropper rigs are the most productive in the mornings but, dry fly fishing in the evenings has been awesome. The water is clear and low making the fish quite spooky. Use longer leaders, finer tippets, and make longer casts to fool these fish that have seen everything. The stocked rainbows are less selective. Egg patterns, red or green copper higgins, and prince nymphs generally work on them. Flies for the Pecos include baetis emergers, small stimulators, Barr's PMD emerger, bivisibles, red quills, fluttering caddis, spent partridge caddis, and large adams. The river adjacent to Monastery Lake and all the way up to and behind the fish hatchery is private. Please respect all of the landowners along the Pecos and stay out of all posted private waters. The FIRST PUBLIC access is Dalton Day Use. Dalton is approximately 6 miles upstream of the village of Pecos. Please report anyone over harvesting fish or poaching to New Mexico Game and Fish at 1-800-432-4263.
Monastery Lake is fishing incredibly well. Bank casting small streamers, nymphing under an indicator, or throwing dries has all been working. Mak's Rubberlegged Double Tungsten Conehead Krystal Pistol Pete seems to pick up the larger fish. Other fly choices are pink prop worms and mobile home and lots.
Rio del Pueblo and Rio Santa Barbara are both fishing well. The better fishing is during daylight hours on the Pueblo and afternoons the Santa Barbara. Dry fly dropper rigs work best on the Pueblo and high riding easy to see dry flies are the way to go for the Santa Barbara. The better fishing on the Pueblo tends to be the areas between the campgrounds. Lots of wild browns, stocked rainbows and the occasional cutthroat make this river one of the places you can catch a grand slam. The Santa Barbara also has good numbers of wild browns and lots of stocked rainbows up to the campgrounds. Early morning fishing is a little slow on the Santa Barbara because of the gradients, abundant stream cover, and northerly aspect. The unfortunate thing is that you have to hike a ways above Santa Barbara campground to find cutthroats, but the fall colors are just starting.
Cimarron River 14 cfs at Cimarron; Good
The Cimarron River is dam controlled for the most part by Eagle Nest dam. Releases out of the dam are at 13 cfs. The remaining water comes from a few small tributaries like Tolby Creek and Clear Creek so there is more water than the releases would have you believe. Another area water, the Red River has had a fish kill below Fawn Lakes campground after two landslides dumped debris in the river several weeks ago. Please consider another fishery besides the Lower Red River. The lower Red is an important spawning tributary to the Rio Grande. Brown trout are nearing their spawn and would be a lot more successful if left alone! The Red River above Fawn Lakes to it's headwaters is fishing well. Flies for the Cimarron and Red are yellow stimulators, little yellow sallies, parachute adams, copper higgins, pheasant tails, and HDA favorites.
The Rio Costilla 24 cfs below Costilla Reservoir; Fair
The Rio Costilla is currently flowing quite low with releases out of Costilla Reservoir at 24 cfs. At these flows, fishing is a little tough because of the lack of cover for these fish. The Costilla fishes best between 30 to 60 cfs. Flies like house and lots, stimulators, madam x's, dennis hoppers, and yellow sallies were some of the favorites. It's one of the few places to reliably catch a Rio Grande cutthroat trout. High floating dry flies cast tight to the banks are usually the best producers. Shuree Ponds are also fishing very good and is one place for a chance at hooking a rainbow over 20 inches. Flies for Shuree include double hackle peacocks, snails, small prince nymphs, and diving caddis.
Jemez Mountain Streams 26 cfs on main stem Jemez above Jemez Pueblo; Good
The Jemez streams are fishing well especially on dry flies in the evenings. Hatches of little yellow sallies, small caddis, and large mayflies have been bring most fish to the surface. Forest Road 376 to the upper San Antonio is open. Drive 376 at your own risk. It's usually passable in dry weather in a high clearance vehicle like a two wheel drive pickup, but if it rains, a four wheel drive or alternate access is required. Dry flies over the shallower runs or dead drifting a small nymph on a dropper in the deeper pools will pick up most of the fish. Fly choices are yellow stimulators, yellow sallies, red quills, adams, spent partridge caddis, red legged hoppers, dennis hoppers, caddis pupa, BLM's, and HDA favorites.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Good: 53 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Fair: 69 cfs below El Vado Dam; Fair: and 87 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Fair
The fishing is generally fair below El Vado using big nymphs with flash and sparkle or streamers but, make sure to check out the flows as releases out of both dams have been fluctuating every couple of days. The Chama below Abiquiu Dam is aslo likey to be fishing fair as long as the releases keep fluctuating wildly. The Chama flowing into El Vado is fishing fair. The Chama River above the village of Chama has nice water and is fishing well and the fall colors arew coming out. The nearby Brazos River is also fishing very well. Streamers are the general fly choices below both dams. The flies for the upper Chama and Brazos are spent partridge caddis, Furimsky's fluttering foam caddis, bivisbles, adams, and red quills. The Chama River above El Vado and below Abiquiu are Special Trout Waters with reduced bag limits. The density of fish is very low there and is not stocked. Please report anyone over harvesting here to New Mexico Game and Fish at 1-800-432-4263.
Stone Lake on the Jicarilla Nation is currently fishing fair. Float tubes or other small watercraft is the best way to fish Stone Lake. Mundo Lake is currently fishing the best of all Jicarilla Nation lakes. There are largemouth bass in Mundo as well and evening fishing for them has been good. Flies for Jicarilla Nation Lakes are bass poppers, hellgramites, woolly buggers, and damsel nymphs. The High Desert Angler is an official Jicarilla Nation fishing permit vendor.
MacAllister Lake has had a fish kill. Unfortunately all of the trout were affected and hopefully all the mirror carp as well. Currently there are no plans to restock the lake till next year.
Limited angling opportunities for Gila trout began July 1, 2007, in select streams in southwestern New Mexico that have been closed to fishing since 1966. Everyone who fishes for Gila Trout must have a Gila Trout Permit along with a valid New Mexico fishing license. Permits are free and will be available June 1 on the "Buy licenses online" feature of the Department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
In Southern Colorado:
The Conejos River 197 cfs at Magote; Good
The Conejos River is fishing very well. The river immediately below Platoro Resevoir is currently flowing at 104 cfs. Releases over 180 cfs make wading the Pinnacles dangerous to downright impossible. Caddis, hoppers and BWO's have been bringing some good fish up to the surface, although nymph fishing on a heavily weighted leader is also very productive. Try dry fly dropper rigs and nymphing the edges. The lower river is currently fishing very well. Stop by Conejos River Anglers on your way to the river and talk to John or Devon for the latest info on the Conejos. At a few hours drive from Santa Fe, it's within the same driving distance to the San Juan. Fall is coming fast to the Conejos so fish it now before it slows way down.
Arkansas River; Good
The Arkansas River is fishing incredibly well especially above Salida and should be at it's best fishing of the season. Releases out of Clear Creek Reservoir and Twin Lakes are way down and the summer rafting season is at it's end. Nymph fishing between Buena Vista and Granite is on fire at these flows. The river above Lake Creek to Hayden Meadows is clear and the fish are feeding. Flows at Granite are 247 cfs. The Ark is about four hours from Santa Fe and another river worth exploring just over the border.
Rio Grande 102 cfs at Thirty Mile Bridge; Good
The upper Rio Grande is being micro managed with releases coming out of Rio Grande Reservoir. What comes into the reservoirs as surface runoff (rain), is immediately released below the dams. The releases have been fluctuating every few days it seems, fortunately they are at a wadeable level at the moment. Fishing had been good on the upper Rio, just adjust your tactics to the conditions. Nymphing and streamer fishing will be most productive if the river is murky. Consider fishing the South Fork for easier wading or clearer water. There are some hatching blue winged olives and of caddis. Caddis and BWO's, and their nymphs are the flies for the upper Rio.
The San Juan River 198 cfs at Pagosa Springs; Good; Piedra River 220 at Arboles; Good
The east and west forks of the San Juan and Piedra rivers are fishing very well. Some recent rains have raised the rivers, but should clear and fish well soon. The good news is usually only one or two streams get hit hard by rain leaving somewhere to fish like the tributaries to the Piedra or Williams Creek below the dam. Afternoons may offer the best fishing and warmer water. This area provides some awesome fishing within a few hours drive of Santa Fe.
Animas River 1040cfs at Durango; Good
The Animas River near Durango is high from some recent rains that fell in the San Juan Mountains. The river will be clearing soon and fishing well. The Delores River below McPhee Reservoir is flowing at 40 cfs. This is a little low for the Delores. Fishing will be tougher and the fish spookier. The better fishing at the moment is in the Pagosa area.
Water and fishing condtitions are changing daily! Please CALL the fly shop for the latest in stream flows and water conditions.
Please see our announcements page for more news and upcoming events!
Call us at the shop for conditions on waters not listed here. 888-988-7688 out of Santa Fe or 988-7688 in Santa Fe.
For the latest in stream flows, see our links page and click on New Mexico Stream Flows.
San Juan River 1000 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
The San Juan is quite clear and fishing is very good. Wade fishing has been awesome with the better spots being the upper flats toward the cable, baetis bend and below Simon Canyon. There have been some very good midge hatches, although fall is baetis time on the Juan. Typically they emerge around 1 in the afternoon and most abundant below Texas Hole. Flies for the San Juan include red disco midges, olive johnny flash, olive RS2's, UV flash midge emergers, hatching midges, griffith's gnats, dead chickens, parachute baetis, CDC BWO comparaduns, and black or olive bunny leeches.
Rio Grande 405 cfs at Pilar; Fair for pike, Fair for trout, Fair for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande is still a little murked up, but clearing and is at a decent flow for wading. Fishing for smallmouth bass has been fair. Some of the bigger eddies around Pilar do hold smallies. Fish for them on sinking or better yet sink tip lines with crayfish patterns. There is cooler water and better trout fishing in the gorge upstream of the Red River confluence. Over a a month ago, landslides inundated the Red River resulting in a fish kill on the lower Red. The debris eventually made it's way to the Rio Grande. It seems that the iron that deoxygenated the Red has also affected the Rio below the Red confluence. Other flies for the Rio Grande are parachute baetis, CDC blue winged olive comparadun, olive RS2's, softhackle pheasant tail, black, brown or olive woolly buggers, autumn splendors, zoo cougars, conehead madonna’s, double hackle peacocks, poundmeisters, and caddis nymphs. I've got a few reliable reports now of people catching pike on the Rio.
Pecos River 39 cfs below Terrero; Good
The Pecos is fishing well. Dry fly dropper rigs are the most productive in the mornings but, dry fly fishing in the evenings has been awesome. The water is clear and low making the fish quite spooky. Use longer leaders, finer tippets, and make longer casts to fool these fish that have seen everything. The stocked rainbows are less selective. Egg patterns, red or green copper higgins, and prince nymphs generally work on them. Flies for the Pecos include baetis emergers, small stimulators, Barr's PMD emerger, bivisibles, red quills, fluttering caddis, spent partridge caddis, and large adams. The river adjacent to Monastery Lake and all the way up to and behind the fish hatchery is private. Please respect all of the landowners along the Pecos and stay out of all posted private waters. The FIRST PUBLIC access is Dalton Day Use. Dalton is approximately 6 miles upstream of the village of Pecos. Please report anyone over harvesting fish or poaching to New Mexico Game and Fish at 1-800-432-4263.
Monastery Lake is fishing incredibly well. Bank casting small streamers, nymphing under an indicator, or throwing dries has all been working. Mak's Rubberlegged Double Tungsten Conehead Krystal Pistol Pete seems to pick up the larger fish. Other fly choices are pink prop worms and mobile home and lots.
Rio del Pueblo and Rio Santa Barbara are both fishing well. The better fishing is during daylight hours on the Pueblo and afternoons the Santa Barbara. Dry fly dropper rigs work best on the Pueblo and high riding easy to see dry flies are the way to go for the Santa Barbara. The better fishing on the Pueblo tends to be the areas between the campgrounds. Lots of wild browns, stocked rainbows and the occasional cutthroat make this river one of the places you can catch a grand slam. The Santa Barbara also has good numbers of wild browns and lots of stocked rainbows up to the campgrounds. Early morning fishing is a little slow on the Santa Barbara because of the gradients, abundant stream cover, and northerly aspect. The unfortunate thing is that you have to hike a ways above Santa Barbara campground to find cutthroats, but the fall colors are just starting.
Cimarron River 14 cfs at Cimarron; Good
The Cimarron River is dam controlled for the most part by Eagle Nest dam. Releases out of the dam are at 13 cfs. The remaining water comes from a few small tributaries like Tolby Creek and Clear Creek so there is more water than the releases would have you believe. Another area water, the Red River has had a fish kill below Fawn Lakes campground after two landslides dumped debris in the river several weeks ago. Please consider another fishery besides the Lower Red River. The lower Red is an important spawning tributary to the Rio Grande. Brown trout are nearing their spawn and would be a lot more successful if left alone! The Red River above Fawn Lakes to it's headwaters is fishing well. Flies for the Cimarron and Red are yellow stimulators, little yellow sallies, parachute adams, copper higgins, pheasant tails, and HDA favorites.
The Rio Costilla 24 cfs below Costilla Reservoir; Fair
The Rio Costilla is currently flowing quite low with releases out of Costilla Reservoir at 24 cfs. At these flows, fishing is a little tough because of the lack of cover for these fish. The Costilla fishes best between 30 to 60 cfs. Flies like house and lots, stimulators, madam x's, dennis hoppers, and yellow sallies were some of the favorites. It's one of the few places to reliably catch a Rio Grande cutthroat trout. High floating dry flies cast tight to the banks are usually the best producers. Shuree Ponds are also fishing very good and is one place for a chance at hooking a rainbow over 20 inches. Flies for Shuree include double hackle peacocks, snails, small prince nymphs, and diving caddis.
Jemez Mountain Streams 26 cfs on main stem Jemez above Jemez Pueblo; Good
The Jemez streams are fishing well especially on dry flies in the evenings. Hatches of little yellow sallies, small caddis, and large mayflies have been bring most fish to the surface. Forest Road 376 to the upper San Antonio is open. Drive 376 at your own risk. It's usually passable in dry weather in a high clearance vehicle like a two wheel drive pickup, but if it rains, a four wheel drive or alternate access is required. Dry flies over the shallower runs or dead drifting a small nymph on a dropper in the deeper pools will pick up most of the fish. Fly choices are yellow stimulators, yellow sallies, red quills, adams, spent partridge caddis, red legged hoppers, dennis hoppers, caddis pupa, BLM's, and HDA favorites.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Good: 53 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Fair: 69 cfs below El Vado Dam; Fair: and 87 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Fair
The fishing is generally fair below El Vado using big nymphs with flash and sparkle or streamers but, make sure to check out the flows as releases out of both dams have been fluctuating every couple of days. The Chama below Abiquiu Dam is aslo likey to be fishing fair as long as the releases keep fluctuating wildly. The Chama flowing into El Vado is fishing fair. The Chama River above the village of Chama has nice water and is fishing well and the fall colors arew coming out. The nearby Brazos River is also fishing very well. Streamers are the general fly choices below both dams. The flies for the upper Chama and Brazos are spent partridge caddis, Furimsky's fluttering foam caddis, bivisbles, adams, and red quills. The Chama River above El Vado and below Abiquiu are Special Trout Waters with reduced bag limits. The density of fish is very low there and is not stocked. Please report anyone over harvesting here to New Mexico Game and Fish at 1-800-432-4263.
Stone Lake on the Jicarilla Nation is currently fishing fair. Float tubes or other small watercraft is the best way to fish Stone Lake. Mundo Lake is currently fishing the best of all Jicarilla Nation lakes. There are largemouth bass in Mundo as well and evening fishing for them has been good. Flies for Jicarilla Nation Lakes are bass poppers, hellgramites, woolly buggers, and damsel nymphs. The High Desert Angler is an official Jicarilla Nation fishing permit vendor.
MacAllister Lake has had a fish kill. Unfortunately all of the trout were affected and hopefully all the mirror carp as well. Currently there are no plans to restock the lake till next year.
Limited angling opportunities for Gila trout began July 1, 2007, in select streams in southwestern New Mexico that have been closed to fishing since 1966. Everyone who fishes for Gila Trout must have a Gila Trout Permit along with a valid New Mexico fishing license. Permits are free and will be available June 1 on the "Buy licenses online" feature of the Department website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
In Southern Colorado:
The Conejos River 197 cfs at Magote; Good
The Conejos River is fishing very well. The river immediately below Platoro Resevoir is currently flowing at 104 cfs. Releases over 180 cfs make wading the Pinnacles dangerous to downright impossible. Caddis, hoppers and BWO's have been bringing some good fish up to the surface, although nymph fishing on a heavily weighted leader is also very productive. Try dry fly dropper rigs and nymphing the edges. The lower river is currently fishing very well. Stop by Conejos River Anglers on your way to the river and talk to John or Devon for the latest info on the Conejos. At a few hours drive from Santa Fe, it's within the same driving distance to the San Juan. Fall is coming fast to the Conejos so fish it now before it slows way down.
Arkansas River; Good
The Arkansas River is fishing incredibly well especially above Salida and should be at it's best fishing of the season. Releases out of Clear Creek Reservoir and Twin Lakes are way down and the summer rafting season is at it's end. Nymph fishing between Buena Vista and Granite is on fire at these flows. The river above Lake Creek to Hayden Meadows is clear and the fish are feeding. Flows at Granite are 247 cfs. The Ark is about four hours from Santa Fe and another river worth exploring just over the border.
Rio Grande 102 cfs at Thirty Mile Bridge; Good
The upper Rio Grande is being micro managed with releases coming out of Rio Grande Reservoir. What comes into the reservoirs as surface runoff (rain), is immediately released below the dams. The releases have been fluctuating every few days it seems, fortunately they are at a wadeable level at the moment. Fishing had been good on the upper Rio, just adjust your tactics to the conditions. Nymphing and streamer fishing will be most productive if the river is murky. Consider fishing the South Fork for easier wading or clearer water. There are some hatching blue winged olives and of caddis. Caddis and BWO's, and their nymphs are the flies for the upper Rio.
The San Juan River 198 cfs at Pagosa Springs; Good; Piedra River 220 at Arboles; Good
The east and west forks of the San Juan and Piedra rivers are fishing very well. Some recent rains have raised the rivers, but should clear and fish well soon. The good news is usually only one or two streams get hit hard by rain leaving somewhere to fish like the tributaries to the Piedra or Williams Creek below the dam. Afternoons may offer the best fishing and warmer water. This area provides some awesome fishing within a few hours drive of Santa Fe.
Animas River 1040cfs at Durango; Good
The Animas River near Durango is high from some recent rains that fell in the San Juan Mountains. The river will be clearing soon and fishing well. The Delores River below McPhee Reservoir is flowing at 40 cfs. This is a little low for the Delores. Fishing will be tougher and the fish spookier. The better fishing at the moment is in the Pagosa area.
Water and fishing condtitions are changing daily! Please CALL the fly shop for the latest in stream flows and water conditions.
Please see our announcements page for more news and upcoming events!
Call us at the shop for conditions on waters not listed here. 888-988-7688 out of Santa Fe or 988-7688 in Santa Fe.
For the latest in stream flows, see our links page and click on New Mexico Stream Flows.
posted by High Desert Angler at Thursday, September 27, 2007
