Stream Report for Monday November 26, 2007
Stream Report for Monday November 26, 2007 at 11:00 am MDT
WE'VE MOVED, AGAIN! This time we'll be a lot easier to find as we've only moved next door in the space formerly occupied by Wild Mountain Outfitters. We are gaining a bigger and brighter space with better visibility on Cerrillos Road.
Please be aware that New Mexico's most abundant wild trout, brown trout, and cutbows, are into their spawn on many rivers and streams throughout the state. Wade carefully, don't cast at spawning fish and look out for their spawning beds known as redds. A redd is a circular area of clean gravel usually found at the tail of a pool. Sometimes the spawning pair can be seen over their redd. Do not wade through or over a redd and please leave these fish alone as the clearly have something very important to do.
San Juan River 765 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
Releases out of Navajo Dam are holding steady and the water is incredibly clear and fishing is good. Some anglers haven't had the best fishing as it is quite technical at this clarity and flow. Midge nymphing has been the most productive and expect to use flies as small as #24's and 26's. There is usually less fish in the flats and more in the channels with the lower flows. There have been some very good midge hatches, but the baetis hatches are tapering off. Flies for the San Juan include red disco midges, UFO's, chocolate johnny flash, chocoalte 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 307 cfs at Cerro; Good: 464 cfs at Pilar; Good for pike, Fair for trout, Slow for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande is stable and getting clearer by the day. Trout 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. The confluence has been fishing well just be carefull to avoid redds and leave the spawners alone. Fishing for pike has been good however, the ones eating flies are on the small side. Show them big rabbit strip flies, large deceivers, or any other large streamer. Best colors have been red and white, yellow, and chartreuse.
Pecos River 36 cfs below Terrero; Slow
The Pecos is fishing slow. Dry fly dropper rigs have been the most productive. 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, fluttering caddis, spent partridge caddis, and 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.
Rio del Pueblo is fishing slow. The better fishing is during midday on the Pueblo. Dry fly dropper rigs work best as most fish are taken on a nymph. 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.
Cimarron River 4.7 cfs at Cimarron; Fair
The Cimarron River is dam controlled for the most part by Eagle Nest dam. Releases out of the dam are below 1 cfs and the water is extremely low and clear. Some of the warmer days we are experiencing make the fishing OK in the eastern end of Cimarron Canyon state park downstream of Clear Creek. As it gets colder however, the Cimarron won't fish well until spring. With the colder weather over Thanksgiving weekend, the Cimarron may just be done. Another area water, the Red River is fishing slow along NM Highway 38 above Fawn Lakes campground. Due to a fish kill on the lower Red, please consider another fishery besides the Lower Red River. The lower Red is an important spawning tributary to the Rio Grande. The remaining fish, mainly brown trout, are nearing their spawn and would be a lot more successful if left alone! Flies for the Cimarron and upper Red are yellow stimulators, little yellow sallies, parachute adams, copper higgins, pheasant tails, and HDA favorites.
Jemez Mountain Streams 19 cfs on main stem Jemez above Jemez Pueblo; Fair
The Jemez streams are fishing fair especially on dry dropper rigs in the afternoons. Hatches of midges and small baetis mayflies have been bring most fish to the surface. Dead drifting a small nymph on a dropper in the deeper pools will pick up most of the fish. Fly choices are yellow stimulators, adams, spent partridge caddis, caddis pupa, BLM's, and HDA favorites.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Slow: 59 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Slow: 93 cfs below El Vado Dam; Fair: and 56 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Slow
The fishing is generally fair below El Vado using big nymphs with flash and sparkle or streamers. The Chama River above the village of Chama is low, clear and quite cold. The nearby Brazos River is also fishing slow. Streamers are the general fly choices below both dams. The first access to the Chama in the Rio Chama Wildlife Area, off of NM Highway 112 has been closed by the landowner. The better acces is off of NM Highway 95 near the Heron Dam outlet. 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.
In Southern Colorado:
The Conejos River 67 cfs at Magote; Slow
The fishing on the Conejos is slow and will probably remain so until March bring warmer waether and water. The river immediately below Platoro Resevoir is currently flowing at 7 cfs. Nymph fishing on a heavily weighted leader is the most productive. Also, try dry fly dropper rigs and nymphing the edges. Winter is coming fast to the Conejos.
Arkansas River; Slow
The Arkansas River was fishing well until cold releases out of Twin Lakes Reservoir went up a couple of weeks ago. The river above Lake Creek to Hayden Meadows is clear and cold and the fishing is slow. Fishing may be fair in the afternoons from Salida downstream. Flows at Granite are 256 cfs. The Ark is about four hours from Santa Fe and another river worth exploring.
Rio Grande near Creede; Slow
The upper Rio Grande is fishing slow and will remain so until spring. Warmer water and shots at big carp and pike are possible from Alamosa to Antonito.
The San Juan River near 48 cfs at Pagosa Springs; Slow; Piedra River 42 cfs at Arboles; Fair
The east and west forks of the San Juan and upper Piedra rivers are fishing slow. The main stem San Juan near Pagosa is also fishing slow. The Piedra on the Southern Ute below US Highway 160 is also fishing fair. Afternoons offer the best fishing and warmer water. This area is within a few hours drive of Santa Fe.
Animas River 240 cfs at Durango; Good
The Animas River near Durango is has good visiblity and fishing well. Big browns are prowling and will take streamers especially if it's overcast. The Delores River below McPhee Reservoir is flowing at 29 cfs. This is a little low for the Delores. Fishing will be tougher and the fish spookier. Access to the river below McPhee will close soon.
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.
WE'VE MOVED, AGAIN! This time we'll be a lot easier to find as we've only moved next door in the space formerly occupied by Wild Mountain Outfitters. We are gaining a bigger and brighter space with better visibility on Cerrillos Road.
Please be aware that New Mexico's most abundant wild trout, brown trout, and cutbows, are into their spawn on many rivers and streams throughout the state. Wade carefully, don't cast at spawning fish and look out for their spawning beds known as redds. A redd is a circular area of clean gravel usually found at the tail of a pool. Sometimes the spawning pair can be seen over their redd. Do not wade through or over a redd and please leave these fish alone as the clearly have something very important to do.
San Juan River 765 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
Releases out of Navajo Dam are holding steady and the water is incredibly clear and fishing is good. Some anglers haven't had the best fishing as it is quite technical at this clarity and flow. Midge nymphing has been the most productive and expect to use flies as small as #24's and 26's. There is usually less fish in the flats and more in the channels with the lower flows. There have been some very good midge hatches, but the baetis hatches are tapering off. Flies for the San Juan include red disco midges, UFO's, chocolate johnny flash, chocoalte 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 307 cfs at Cerro; Good: 464 cfs at Pilar; Good for pike, Fair for trout, Slow for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande is stable and getting clearer by the day. Trout 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. The confluence has been fishing well just be carefull to avoid redds and leave the spawners alone. Fishing for pike has been good however, the ones eating flies are on the small side. Show them big rabbit strip flies, large deceivers, or any other large streamer. Best colors have been red and white, yellow, and chartreuse.
Pecos River 36 cfs below Terrero; Slow
The Pecos is fishing slow. Dry fly dropper rigs have been the most productive. 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, fluttering caddis, spent partridge caddis, and 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.
Rio del Pueblo is fishing slow. The better fishing is during midday on the Pueblo. Dry fly dropper rigs work best as most fish are taken on a nymph. 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.
Cimarron River 4.7 cfs at Cimarron; Fair
The Cimarron River is dam controlled for the most part by Eagle Nest dam. Releases out of the dam are below 1 cfs and the water is extremely low and clear. Some of the warmer days we are experiencing make the fishing OK in the eastern end of Cimarron Canyon state park downstream of Clear Creek. As it gets colder however, the Cimarron won't fish well until spring. With the colder weather over Thanksgiving weekend, the Cimarron may just be done. Another area water, the Red River is fishing slow along NM Highway 38 above Fawn Lakes campground. Due to a fish kill on the lower Red, please consider another fishery besides the Lower Red River. The lower Red is an important spawning tributary to the Rio Grande. The remaining fish, mainly brown trout, are nearing their spawn and would be a lot more successful if left alone! Flies for the Cimarron and upper Red are yellow stimulators, little yellow sallies, parachute adams, copper higgins, pheasant tails, and HDA favorites.
Jemez Mountain Streams 19 cfs on main stem Jemez above Jemez Pueblo; Fair
The Jemez streams are fishing fair especially on dry dropper rigs in the afternoons. Hatches of midges and small baetis mayflies have been bring most fish to the surface. Dead drifting a small nymph on a dropper in the deeper pools will pick up most of the fish. Fly choices are yellow stimulators, adams, spent partridge caddis, caddis pupa, BLM's, and HDA favorites.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Slow: 59 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Slow: 93 cfs below El Vado Dam; Fair: and 56 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Slow
The fishing is generally fair below El Vado using big nymphs with flash and sparkle or streamers. The Chama River above the village of Chama is low, clear and quite cold. The nearby Brazos River is also fishing slow. Streamers are the general fly choices below both dams. The first access to the Chama in the Rio Chama Wildlife Area, off of NM Highway 112 has been closed by the landowner. The better acces is off of NM Highway 95 near the Heron Dam outlet. 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.
In Southern Colorado:
The Conejos River 67 cfs at Magote; Slow
The fishing on the Conejos is slow and will probably remain so until March bring warmer waether and water. The river immediately below Platoro Resevoir is currently flowing at 7 cfs. Nymph fishing on a heavily weighted leader is the most productive. Also, try dry fly dropper rigs and nymphing the edges. Winter is coming fast to the Conejos.
Arkansas River; Slow
The Arkansas River was fishing well until cold releases out of Twin Lakes Reservoir went up a couple of weeks ago. The river above Lake Creek to Hayden Meadows is clear and cold and the fishing is slow. Fishing may be fair in the afternoons from Salida downstream. Flows at Granite are 256 cfs. The Ark is about four hours from Santa Fe and another river worth exploring.
Rio Grande near Creede; Slow
The upper Rio Grande is fishing slow and will remain so until spring. Warmer water and shots at big carp and pike are possible from Alamosa to Antonito.
The San Juan River near 48 cfs at Pagosa Springs; Slow; Piedra River 42 cfs at Arboles; Fair
The east and west forks of the San Juan and upper Piedra rivers are fishing slow. The main stem San Juan near Pagosa is also fishing slow. The Piedra on the Southern Ute below US Highway 160 is also fishing fair. Afternoons offer the best fishing and warmer water. This area is within a few hours drive of Santa Fe.
Animas River 240 cfs at Durango; Good
The Animas River near Durango is has good visiblity and fishing well. Big browns are prowling and will take streamers especially if it's overcast. The Delores River below McPhee Reservoir is flowing at 29 cfs. This is a little low for the Delores. Fishing will be tougher and the fish spookier. Access to the river below McPhee will close soon.
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 Monday, November 26, 2007
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