Fly Fishing Report for Saturday May 10, 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.
Jicarilla Nation Lakes. Fishing has slowed at Stone Lake. The false spawning behavior is gone and the fish have left the shallows. Most anglers have reported slow fishing and the wind has definitely been a limiting factor. Stone Lake does have special regulations, but most people are keeping the bigger fish that they catch. While this lake does grow big fish the attempts at it being a trophy fishery are almost futlie because of the people taking the more mature fish. Enbom and Mundo will both be stocked with larger fish next Tuesday. Get in on the action when it does happen because I suspect that those fish will end up on a stringer as well! The best fly fishing has been in the early mornings during the midge hatch and before the wind kicks up. Overall, the prospects for fishing on the Jicarilla Nation look 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 2350 cfs below Navajo Dam; Fair
Releases were expected to increase to 3000 cfs starting Friday May 9th. The release may go up today. The Bureau of Rec. will ramp up the release over the next few weeks to 5000 cfs by May 24th. Please see our Announcements Page for the details. The water is still a little 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. Flies with white colors are the hot ticket right now. White and cream midge larvae, chamois leeches, flesh flies or white bunny leeches, or cheese egg patterns have been the better producers. There has been mixed reports of debris in the water, so you may have to clean your rig often. Don't forget your wading staff!
Rio Grande 1770 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 2520 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. 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. There is less rafting and kayaking above John Dunn Bridge and further upstream into the gorge. 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 357 cfs below Terrero; Slow to Fair
The river above the village of Pecos has remained fairly stable with the cooler waether over the past few days, but that will all change with warmer weather. The water this morning is the clearest it's been in 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. The Pecos and most of it's tributaries were heavily stocked this past week. Egg patterns, and red and chartreuse copper johns 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 11 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 11 cfs today. There is more water at the eastern end of the park below Clear Creek, but the river does get murkier. The least murky 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, hares ear nymphs, Barr's emergers, and gray and olive scuds.
Jemez Mountain Streams 195 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Fair to Good
Runoff on the Jemez streams is waning, but some waters are in still high and murky. The lower elevation streams like the Jemez River and the Guadalupe are quite high so fish the upper reaches of the East Fork, Cebolla, or the San Antonio above La Cueva. The best reports have come from the East Fork draining the Caldera and upper Cebolla above Seven Springs Hatchery. Be methodical and fish small dark flashy nymphs. Forest Road 376 is open from Highway 126 to the Gilman Tunnels. Upper 376 to the San Antonio Hot Springs will open on June 1st.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Poor: 2540 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Poor: 704 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow: and 992 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 high for awhile. The Chama River above the village of Chama is in full runoff and is very high and quite cold. The tailwater sections usually fish best at about 150 cfs. The nearby Brazos is also in runoff. Most sections of the Chama and the Brazos were stocked this past week. 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:
Conejos River 156 cfs below Platoro Reservoir, 951 cfs at Mogote; Fair to Good
"May 9, 2008. Possibly one of the most unlikely "epic" days happened yesterday! The water is off color and high but the fish just killed flies yesterday on the upper river. Conejos River Angler guides, Devan Ence and Troy Smith got enough "big fish" photos to stack a fish diary for months. Multiple fish over 20" and about half bows and half browns and lots of wild rainbows in all sizes from 9" to 22". Two fish straightened out hooks fishing 3x flouro and were never seen. We will post some of them on the site next week. As far as fishing here on the Conejos goes, our upper Hamilton Ranch and the Meadows is the place to be. The lower river is big. If the releases will top out right now we will continue to have some great fishing. Not a soul fishing - amazing!Jon Harp, of Conejos River Anglers provided the preceeding report.
Rio Grande 507 cfs at Thirty Mile Bridge near Creede; Slow to Fair
The upper Rio Grande has been fishing fair lately, and it appears that releases are accounting for the extra water. There is decent 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 high and just getting to the water is incredibly difficult in some places above Creede.
Arkansas River 1200 cfs at Salida: Fair
The Arkansas River is fishing slow above Salida. The river downstream of Salida is also fishing fair towards Canon City. The unforeseen dam safety inspection at Twin Lakes reservoir was a bust as the releases went back up starting Monday last week. The releases out of Twin Lakes has once again slowed the Caddis hatch. Blue Winged olives are still making ther afternoon appearance, especially with the cloudy conditions late this week. Streamers, midges, caddis, and baetis are the flies for the Ark.
Animas River 1960 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 underway. The Delores below McPhee is also way up and currently flowing at a whopping 1230 cfs! The upper forks of the Delores are ion runoff. Spring fishing may be tough here as it seems as runoff hass already started 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.
Jicarilla Nation Lakes. Fishing has slowed at Stone Lake. The false spawning behavior is gone and the fish have left the shallows. Most anglers have reported slow fishing and the wind has definitely been a limiting factor. Stone Lake does have special regulations, but most people are keeping the bigger fish that they catch. While this lake does grow big fish the attempts at it being a trophy fishery are almost futlie because of the people taking the more mature fish. Enbom and Mundo will both be stocked with larger fish next Tuesday. Get in on the action when it does happen because I suspect that those fish will end up on a stringer as well! The best fly fishing has been in the early mornings during the midge hatch and before the wind kicks up. Overall, the prospects for fishing on the Jicarilla Nation look 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 2350 cfs below Navajo Dam; Fair
Releases were expected to increase to 3000 cfs starting Friday May 9th. The release may go up today. The Bureau of Rec. will ramp up the release over the next few weeks to 5000 cfs by May 24th. Please see our Announcements Page for the details. The water is still a little 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. Flies with white colors are the hot ticket right now. White and cream midge larvae, chamois leeches, flesh flies or white bunny leeches, or cheese egg patterns have been the better producers. There has been mixed reports of debris in the water, so you may have to clean your rig often. Don't forget your wading staff!
Rio Grande 1770 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 2520 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. 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. There is less rafting and kayaking above John Dunn Bridge and further upstream into the gorge. 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 357 cfs below Terrero; Slow to Fair
The river above the village of Pecos has remained fairly stable with the cooler waether over the past few days, but that will all change with warmer weather. The water this morning is the clearest it's been in 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. The Pecos and most of it's tributaries were heavily stocked this past week. Egg patterns, and red and chartreuse copper johns 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 11 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 11 cfs today. There is more water at the eastern end of the park below Clear Creek, but the river does get murkier. The least murky 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, hares ear nymphs, Barr's emergers, and gray and olive scuds.
Jemez Mountain Streams 195 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Fair to Good
Runoff on the Jemez streams is waning, but some waters are in still high and murky. The lower elevation streams like the Jemez River and the Guadalupe are quite high so fish the upper reaches of the East Fork, Cebolla, or the San Antonio above La Cueva. The best reports have come from the East Fork draining the Caldera and upper Cebolla above Seven Springs Hatchery. Be methodical and fish small dark flashy nymphs. Forest Road 376 is open from Highway 126 to the Gilman Tunnels. Upper 376 to the San Antonio Hot Springs will open on June 1st.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Poor: 2540 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Poor: 704 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow: and 992 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 high for awhile. The Chama River above the village of Chama is in full runoff and is very high and quite cold. The tailwater sections usually fish best at about 150 cfs. The nearby Brazos is also in runoff. Most sections of the Chama and the Brazos were stocked this past week. 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:
Conejos River 156 cfs below Platoro Reservoir, 951 cfs at Mogote; Fair to Good
"May 9, 2008. Possibly one of the most unlikely "epic" days happened yesterday! The water is off color and high but the fish just killed flies yesterday on the upper river. Conejos River Angler guides, Devan Ence and Troy Smith got enough "big fish" photos to stack a fish diary for months. Multiple fish over 20" and about half bows and half browns and lots of wild rainbows in all sizes from 9" to 22". Two fish straightened out hooks fishing 3x flouro and were never seen. We will post some of them on the site next week. As far as fishing here on the Conejos goes, our upper Hamilton Ranch and the Meadows is the place to be. The lower river is big. If the releases will top out right now we will continue to have some great fishing. Not a soul fishing - amazing!Jon Harp, of Conejos River Anglers provided the preceeding report.
Rio Grande 507 cfs at Thirty Mile Bridge near Creede; Slow to Fair
The upper Rio Grande has been fishing fair lately, and it appears that releases are accounting for the extra water. There is decent 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 high and just getting to the water is incredibly difficult in some places above Creede.
Arkansas River 1200 cfs at Salida: Fair
The Arkansas River is fishing slow above Salida. The river downstream of Salida is also fishing fair towards Canon City. The unforeseen dam safety inspection at Twin Lakes reservoir was a bust as the releases went back up starting Monday last week. The releases out of Twin Lakes has once again slowed the Caddis hatch. Blue Winged olives are still making ther afternoon appearance, especially with the cloudy conditions late this week. Streamers, midges, caddis, and baetis are the flies for the Ark.
Animas River 1960 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 underway. The Delores below McPhee is also way up and currently flowing at a whopping 1230 cfs! The upper forks of the Delores are ion runoff. Spring fishing may be tough here as it seems as runoff hass already started 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 Saturday, May 10, 2008
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