Fly Fishing Report for Monday April 28, 2008
It's spring time in New Mexico and water and fishing condtitions are changing daily! Please CALL the fly shop for the latest in stream flows and water conditions.
The annual fishing license year begins April 1st. New Mexico state fishing licenses for the 2008-2009 license year are available for sale NOW. The annual permits for the Jicarilla Nation (Stone Lake) are also available now.
Jicarilla Nation Lakes."The spawn is on at Stone Lake, and we have seen some real lunkers come out to play. The weather has cooperated, and the visibility continues to improve, which makes for tremendous sight fishing to large Rainbows in Stone Lake. Mundo Lake is also fishing well, and will be stocked on the 23rd. If you have been waiting for your chance to catch a 6-7 lb. trout from Stone you should gas up the car, throw ice in the cooler, and get here NOW. Stone Lake has been fishing well particularly on the North side of the lake where spawners are known to congregate in good numbers and you can potentially catch 3-5 fish per day. Fly fishermen should bring 3x leaders and use no less than 4x to the second fly. There have been some tremendous fish caught since last week when we first started to see the spawners cruising the shorelines. They have been picked up on a wide variety of both flies and lures and seem to be more opportunistic than selective. San Juan worms, egg patterns, various beadhead wollybuggers, chironomidae emergers, and other beadhead patterns have all been producing. Faustin Lavato from Albuquereque caught a hen that measured 24” and weighed 6.8 lbs another hen that measured 24 ¼” and weighed 7.7 lbs. Adam Jimenez from Rio Rancho also caught a whopper at Stone that was approximately 23” and 6 lbs. Mundo Lake is also fishing well for Rainbows in 12-13” range with a few at 15”. The best reports were from anglers using beadhead wollybuggers. We will be stocking Mundo with approximately 10,000 8” Rainbows from Arizona. Also stay tuned for info on our first trophy load headed for Enbom and Mundo sometime soon. These fish really made things interesting last year, and we will have better numbers this year." Kevin Terry, Jicarilla Nation Fisheries Biologist. Overall, the prospects for fishing on the Jicarilla Nation look very good. Drought years of the past have taken their toll, but this years snowpack means ample water for the lakes. Most rivers like the Chama, San Juan, Conejos, and Rio Grande are going to have an extended runoff, so dust off your float tube and get out to the Jicarilla lakes this spring: fishing is going to be awesome!
San Juan River 2290 cfs below Navajo Dam; Fair
Releases out of the dam went down a few weeks ago. Releases are expected to stay at the current flow 2200 cfs, with a scheduled increase to 5000 cfs in late May. The water was murky but clearing with the reduction in flows and change in penstocks. The reports prior to this latest change in flows had been fair. Fish the upper flats, cable hole, and lower flats for easier wading. Crossing the main channel isn't advised at higher flows! The best reports have been from anglers fishing out of boats. Midge nymphing has been the most productive and expect to use flies as large as #18's and 20's. Flashy flies and red worms and red midge larvae generally work if the water is stained. The best producers are red and orange San Juan worms, chamois leeches, or egg patterns, with a trailing red or black midge. Black, olive, or flesh bunny leeches round out the fly choices. Don't forget your wading staff!
Rio Grande 1150 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 1830 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Slow for trout, Poor for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande is very murky and will likely remain so until late June or July. Most of the tributaries have also started to come up dramatically in the past few days. The caddis hatch has started and is above Pilar and into the gorge and is very sporadic. Even though the water is quite murky, fish the edges dry fly dropper style with caddis nymphs. Fish move into the shallows to feed when they can no longer see in deeper water and heavy currents. Pike hunt by feel and they'll take large streamers that move water regardless of water clarity, just be sure to cover the water more thoroughly. Flies for the Rio are black or olive woolly buggers, autumn splendors, zoo cougars, conehead madonna’s, caddis nymphs, and pheasant tails. For pike, show them big rabbit strip flies, large streamers or diving flies in dark colors.
Pecos River 221 cfs below Terrero; Slow
The river above the village of Pecos has come up alot over the past few days. Fishing is better mid-day during the downward trend in flows, but slows down by 4pm when the colder melt water hits the lower river. Fish the deeper pools with a nymph rigs. The best producers have been a stonefly nymph with a trailing pheasant tail or black midge with lots of weight. Egg patterns, and red and chartreuse copper higgins generally work on the stockers. 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.
Cimarron River 28 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good
The Cimarron River is dam controlled for the most part by Eagle Nest dam. Releases out of the dam are still just 26 cfs today. There is more water at the eastern end of the park below Clear Creek, but the river does get murkier. The clearest water is just below Tolby Creek. Fishing has picked up with the increase in the release from Eagle Nest dam. Flies for the Cimarron are golden stonefly nymphs, black midge larvae, small baetis nymphs, Barr's emergers, and gray and olive scuds.
Jemez Mountain Streams 200 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Slow to Fair
The Jemez streams are in runoff and are a little high and murky. There was a peak in flows a few weeks ago, although we may get another flush if the air temps climb at higher elevations. The lower elevation streams like the Jemez River and the Guadalupe are quite high so fish the East Fork, Cebolla, or the San Antonio, or Jemez River above Jemez Springs. The best reports have come from the East Fork draining the Caldera. Fishing is slow to fair, so be methodical and fish small dark flashy nymphs. Forest Road 376 is open on the lower end above the Gilman Tunnels. Upper 376 to the San Antonio Hot Springs will open on June 1st.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Slow: 1810 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Poor: 1230 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow: and 1750 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Poor
The fishing is generally fair below El Vado using big nymphs with flash and sparkle or streamers, however the current flows make the river unwadeable and have stirred things up quite a bit. Fish the edges and obvious eddies. Releases are expected to stay at these levels for awhile. The Chama River above the village of Chama is running high and quite cold. The tailwater sections usually fish best at about 150 cfs. Water managers are making room in the reservoirs for the expected above average runoff. The nearby Brazos is also in runoff. 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.
Clayton, Charette, and Maxwell Lakes all opened March 1st. MacAllister Lake however, will remain closed to fishing until further notice. I've had very few reports since they've opened and most are rated slow at best with the more favorable reports coming from Charette. Fishing is expected to be slow as water temps are still relatively cold. If you go, please use caution as the spring winds can make boating and float tubing dangerous. MacAllister Lake has had a lake wide fish kill and the water levels are really low. Game and Fish has no plans currently to stock MacAllister Lake.
In Southern Colorado:
Conejos River 428 cfs at Mogote; Fair to Very Good
April 23, 2008. "Water is creeping up the fishing has been fair to very good. Water temps in the afternoon are about 48 degrees have been plenty good enough to get some fish active. Water level at Mogote is about 450cfs which is still a great fishing level. The upcoming weather is expected to be around 60 degrees for daytime temps and will keep the runoff from escalating to quickly. Expect flows to be stable for a while longer if the releases from Platoro remain low. The fish are spending a chunk of their day in the soft water and also some pretty deep water. A dry dropper is a great way to fish the soft water now and you will have to switch to some heavy setups with big stoneflies and trailing a SJ Worm for the deeper pockets. Best flies at this time are a tungsten Golden Stone, #6 Pat's Rubber Leg, SJ Tungsten Worm, and big dark streamers. The dirtier the water, the better the worm and streamer will fish. The big fish love the off color water and they will come out from the cutbank and from underneath their rock to feed. Sheep Creek pumps alot of dirty water into the river so fish above it if you dont like the color. The Conejos is a tailwater and the further up the river you fish the clearer the water you will find. The off color water here can fish as good or better than clear water, especially for most amateur fisherman. If you have not fished the river much - Use a guide! Here is somthing that will make it easier for you to come. We will give away the lodging at half price for all fisherman coming with guide trips thru May. If you are within a quick shot of the river get in the car with a buddy and come and have lodging, lunch, and a guide for $175 a day!" Jon Harp, of Conejos River Anglers provided the preceeding report.
Rio Grande 320 cfs at Thirty Mile Bridge near Creede; Slow to Fair
The upper Rio Grande has been fishing fair lately, and it appears that releases may have been icreased out of Continental or Rio Grande reservoirs. There is open water and the fish are feeding. Big stonefly nymphs and pheasant tails and midges seem to be picking up the most fish. The snow along many of the shaded banks is still waist high and just getting to the water is incredibly difficult with out skis or snowshoes in some places.
Arkansas River 660 cfs at Salida: Slow to Fair
The Arkansas River is fishing slow above Salida. The river downstream of Salida is fishing fair towards Canon City. The release of water out of Twin Lakes has come up only slightly. The Ark is quite fishable, but that could change with more warmer weather and snowmelt. Blue winged olives have been coming off lately. Hopefully the extra water doesn't blow out the caddis hatch. Just in case it doesn't, start your fly tying now. Streamers, midges, caddis, and baetis are the flies for the Ark.
Animas River 1620 cfs at Durango; Poor
The Animas River near Durango is high and roiling. The river is stirred up and the water is cold, and the kayak hatch is just beginning. The Delores below McPhee is also way up and currently flowing at a whopping 1170 cfs! Spring fishing may be tough here as it seems as runoff is already starting and is expected to last well into June.
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.
The annual fishing license year begins April 1st. New Mexico state fishing licenses for the 2008-2009 license year are available for sale NOW. The annual permits for the Jicarilla Nation (Stone Lake) are also available now.
Jicarilla Nation Lakes."The spawn is on at Stone Lake, and we have seen some real lunkers come out to play. The weather has cooperated, and the visibility continues to improve, which makes for tremendous sight fishing to large Rainbows in Stone Lake. Mundo Lake is also fishing well, and will be stocked on the 23rd. If you have been waiting for your chance to catch a 6-7 lb. trout from Stone you should gas up the car, throw ice in the cooler, and get here NOW. Stone Lake has been fishing well particularly on the North side of the lake where spawners are known to congregate in good numbers and you can potentially catch 3-5 fish per day. Fly fishermen should bring 3x leaders and use no less than 4x to the second fly. There have been some tremendous fish caught since last week when we first started to see the spawners cruising the shorelines. They have been picked up on a wide variety of both flies and lures and seem to be more opportunistic than selective. San Juan worms, egg patterns, various beadhead wollybuggers, chironomidae emergers, and other beadhead patterns have all been producing. Faustin Lavato from Albuquereque caught a hen that measured 24” and weighed 6.8 lbs another hen that measured 24 ¼” and weighed 7.7 lbs. Adam Jimenez from Rio Rancho also caught a whopper at Stone that was approximately 23” and 6 lbs. Mundo Lake is also fishing well for Rainbows in 12-13” range with a few at 15”. The best reports were from anglers using beadhead wollybuggers. We will be stocking Mundo with approximately 10,000 8” Rainbows from Arizona. Also stay tuned for info on our first trophy load headed for Enbom and Mundo sometime soon. These fish really made things interesting last year, and we will have better numbers this year." Kevin Terry, Jicarilla Nation Fisheries Biologist. Overall, the prospects for fishing on the Jicarilla Nation look very good. Drought years of the past have taken their toll, but this years snowpack means ample water for the lakes. Most rivers like the Chama, San Juan, Conejos, and Rio Grande are going to have an extended runoff, so dust off your float tube and get out to the Jicarilla lakes this spring: fishing is going to be awesome!
San Juan River 2290 cfs below Navajo Dam; Fair
Releases out of the dam went down a few weeks ago. Releases are expected to stay at the current flow 2200 cfs, with a scheduled increase to 5000 cfs in late May. The water was murky but clearing with the reduction in flows and change in penstocks. The reports prior to this latest change in flows had been fair. Fish the upper flats, cable hole, and lower flats for easier wading. Crossing the main channel isn't advised at higher flows! The best reports have been from anglers fishing out of boats. Midge nymphing has been the most productive and expect to use flies as large as #18's and 20's. Flashy flies and red worms and red midge larvae generally work if the water is stained. The best producers are red and orange San Juan worms, chamois leeches, or egg patterns, with a trailing red or black midge. Black, olive, or flesh bunny leeches round out the fly choices. Don't forget your wading staff!
Rio Grande 1150 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 1830 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Slow for trout, Poor for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande is very murky and will likely remain so until late June or July. Most of the tributaries have also started to come up dramatically in the past few days. The caddis hatch has started and is above Pilar and into the gorge and is very sporadic. Even though the water is quite murky, fish the edges dry fly dropper style with caddis nymphs. Fish move into the shallows to feed when they can no longer see in deeper water and heavy currents. Pike hunt by feel and they'll take large streamers that move water regardless of water clarity, just be sure to cover the water more thoroughly. Flies for the Rio are black or olive woolly buggers, autumn splendors, zoo cougars, conehead madonna’s, caddis nymphs, and pheasant tails. For pike, show them big rabbit strip flies, large streamers or diving flies in dark colors.
Pecos River 221 cfs below Terrero; Slow
The river above the village of Pecos has come up alot over the past few days. Fishing is better mid-day during the downward trend in flows, but slows down by 4pm when the colder melt water hits the lower river. Fish the deeper pools with a nymph rigs. The best producers have been a stonefly nymph with a trailing pheasant tail or black midge with lots of weight. Egg patterns, and red and chartreuse copper higgins generally work on the stockers. 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.
Cimarron River 28 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good
The Cimarron River is dam controlled for the most part by Eagle Nest dam. Releases out of the dam are still just 26 cfs today. There is more water at the eastern end of the park below Clear Creek, but the river does get murkier. The clearest water is just below Tolby Creek. Fishing has picked up with the increase in the release from Eagle Nest dam. Flies for the Cimarron are golden stonefly nymphs, black midge larvae, small baetis nymphs, Barr's emergers, and gray and olive scuds.
Jemez Mountain Streams 200 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Slow to Fair
The Jemez streams are in runoff and are a little high and murky. There was a peak in flows a few weeks ago, although we may get another flush if the air temps climb at higher elevations. The lower elevation streams like the Jemez River and the Guadalupe are quite high so fish the East Fork, Cebolla, or the San Antonio, or Jemez River above Jemez Springs. The best reports have come from the East Fork draining the Caldera. Fishing is slow to fair, so be methodical and fish small dark flashy nymphs. Forest Road 376 is open on the lower end above the Gilman Tunnels. Upper 376 to the San Antonio Hot Springs will open on June 1st.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Slow: 1810 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Poor: 1230 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow: and 1750 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Poor
The fishing is generally fair below El Vado using big nymphs with flash and sparkle or streamers, however the current flows make the river unwadeable and have stirred things up quite a bit. Fish the edges and obvious eddies. Releases are expected to stay at these levels for awhile. The Chama River above the village of Chama is running high and quite cold. The tailwater sections usually fish best at about 150 cfs. Water managers are making room in the reservoirs for the expected above average runoff. The nearby Brazos is also in runoff. 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.
Clayton, Charette, and Maxwell Lakes all opened March 1st. MacAllister Lake however, will remain closed to fishing until further notice. I've had very few reports since they've opened and most are rated slow at best with the more favorable reports coming from Charette. Fishing is expected to be slow as water temps are still relatively cold. If you go, please use caution as the spring winds can make boating and float tubing dangerous. MacAllister Lake has had a lake wide fish kill and the water levels are really low. Game and Fish has no plans currently to stock MacAllister Lake.
In Southern Colorado:
Conejos River 428 cfs at Mogote; Fair to Very Good
April 23, 2008. "Water is creeping up the fishing has been fair to very good. Water temps in the afternoon are about 48 degrees have been plenty good enough to get some fish active. Water level at Mogote is about 450cfs which is still a great fishing level. The upcoming weather is expected to be around 60 degrees for daytime temps and will keep the runoff from escalating to quickly. Expect flows to be stable for a while longer if the releases from Platoro remain low. The fish are spending a chunk of their day in the soft water and also some pretty deep water. A dry dropper is a great way to fish the soft water now and you will have to switch to some heavy setups with big stoneflies and trailing a SJ Worm for the deeper pockets. Best flies at this time are a tungsten Golden Stone, #6 Pat's Rubber Leg, SJ Tungsten Worm, and big dark streamers. The dirtier the water, the better the worm and streamer will fish. The big fish love the off color water and they will come out from the cutbank and from underneath their rock to feed. Sheep Creek pumps alot of dirty water into the river so fish above it if you dont like the color. The Conejos is a tailwater and the further up the river you fish the clearer the water you will find. The off color water here can fish as good or better than clear water, especially for most amateur fisherman. If you have not fished the river much - Use a guide! Here is somthing that will make it easier for you to come. We will give away the lodging at half price for all fisherman coming with guide trips thru May. If you are within a quick shot of the river get in the car with a buddy and come and have lodging, lunch, and a guide for $175 a day!" Jon Harp, of Conejos River Anglers provided the preceeding report.
Rio Grande 320 cfs at Thirty Mile Bridge near Creede; Slow to Fair
The upper Rio Grande has been fishing fair lately, and it appears that releases may have been icreased out of Continental or Rio Grande reservoirs. There is open water and the fish are feeding. Big stonefly nymphs and pheasant tails and midges seem to be picking up the most fish. The snow along many of the shaded banks is still waist high and just getting to the water is incredibly difficult with out skis or snowshoes in some places.
Arkansas River 660 cfs at Salida: Slow to Fair
The Arkansas River is fishing slow above Salida. The river downstream of Salida is fishing fair towards Canon City. The release of water out of Twin Lakes has come up only slightly. The Ark is quite fishable, but that could change with more warmer weather and snowmelt. Blue winged olives have been coming off lately. Hopefully the extra water doesn't blow out the caddis hatch. Just in case it doesn't, start your fly tying now. Streamers, midges, caddis, and baetis are the flies for the Ark.
Animas River 1620 cfs at Durango; Poor
The Animas River near Durango is high and roiling. The river is stirred up and the water is cold, and the kayak hatch is just beginning. The Delores below McPhee is also way up and currently flowing at a whopping 1170 cfs! Spring fishing may be tough here as it seems as runoff is already starting and is expected to last well into June.
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, April 28, 2008
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