Fly Fishing Report for Tuesday May 6, 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 Report 4/29/08
"Hit or miss seems to be the most recent trend out at Stone Lake. The reports from late last week and into the weekend were very promising, but this week has been very tough out there. The fish are still making shoreline appearances but the numbers have declined and fishing pressure has increased. Mundo Lake on the other hand is improving as the water continues to clear up. Stone Lake has cleared up substantially, with visibility around 6-7 feet. The wind can be hazardous to anglers out there and recently the afternoon winds have sure shown up. Mundo and Enbom are a little more sheltered. The water at Mundo is a murky 1-2 feet. The fishing has been fair to good. Woollybuggers, and beadhead nymphs including hares ears, prince nymphs and copper johns are the reported fly patterns. 2-3 fish per hour is the average, and most of the fish are 8-13” Rainbows with a few 14-16” fish mixed in. I have heard of a few Bass caught with flies, but no news from the big boys yet. They are in there, so when the temps get a little warmer give the bass a shot. A few skinny catfish have also been caught this year up to 18”. Pressure on cats has been pretty low so far and warmer temps should help with these lazy guys too. Good Luck and keep the line tight." 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 2340 cfs below Navajo Dam; Fair
Releases are expected to stay at the current flow 2200 cfs, with a scheduled increase to 3000 cfs starting Friday May 9th. Releases will ramp up 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. 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. There is lots of debris in the water, making it so you are cleaning your rig every drift. Don't forget your wading staff!
Rio Grande 1180 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 below Terrero; Fair to Good
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. 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 28 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 219 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: 2560 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Poor: 1000 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow: and 1280 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 very 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.
In Southern Colorado:
Conejos River 168 cfs below Platoro Reservoir, 790 cfs at Mogote; Fair to Good
May 6, 2008. "Had a chance to fish with one of our younger guides yesterday and we were both excited to fish the Tailwater section of the river below the dam for the first time this year. Always some aprehension as to how the big browns wintered, but after a few hours is was obvious that all is well. The browns look good and some very fat already, water level was perfect at 138 cfs and not a car or person in site! Midge patterns and worm clusters were the ticket. Alot of fish were in soft water and back eddies. Troy and I both reflected on our best days of in the meadow and both agreed that rising water and even high water were great times. Expect plenty of both in the weeks to come so if you are looking at the lower river thinking it is to high just realize that at this time the flows are perfect for fishing up high. Pleae read our April 23 report for better advice on the lower river. With the lower river at 800 cfs we will be floating and throwing big streamers and doing some dredging but even at that level it should fish good. Once it gets over 1000 it will get tough for a while." Jon Harp, of Conejos River Anglers provided the preceeding report.
Rio Grande 670 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 near Creede.
Arkansas River 478 cfs at Salida: Fair
The Arkansas River is fishing fair above Salida. The river downstream of Salida is also fishing fair towards Canon City. Due to an unforeseen dam safety inspection, the Twin Lakes release will was ramped down from 375 cfs to zero over last weekend. The release will be ramped back starting today over four days to 375cfs by Friday. This is the best fishing flows we have had all spring and will be more apt to generate caddis activity and feeding behavior among fish. With the cloudy days, the Blue winged olives have been coming off, but the caddis hatch is still below Salida. Streamers, midges, caddis, and baetis are the flies for the Ark.
Animas River 1850 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 1010 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.
Jicarilla Nation Lakes.Fishing Report 4/29/08
"Hit or miss seems to be the most recent trend out at Stone Lake. The reports from late last week and into the weekend were very promising, but this week has been very tough out there. The fish are still making shoreline appearances but the numbers have declined and fishing pressure has increased. Mundo Lake on the other hand is improving as the water continues to clear up. Stone Lake has cleared up substantially, with visibility around 6-7 feet. The wind can be hazardous to anglers out there and recently the afternoon winds have sure shown up. Mundo and Enbom are a little more sheltered. The water at Mundo is a murky 1-2 feet. The fishing has been fair to good. Woollybuggers, and beadhead nymphs including hares ears, prince nymphs and copper johns are the reported fly patterns. 2-3 fish per hour is the average, and most of the fish are 8-13” Rainbows with a few 14-16” fish mixed in. I have heard of a few Bass caught with flies, but no news from the big boys yet. They are in there, so when the temps get a little warmer give the bass a shot. A few skinny catfish have also been caught this year up to 18”. Pressure on cats has been pretty low so far and warmer temps should help with these lazy guys too. Good Luck and keep the line tight." 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 2340 cfs below Navajo Dam; Fair
Releases are expected to stay at the current flow 2200 cfs, with a scheduled increase to 3000 cfs starting Friday May 9th. Releases will ramp up 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. 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. There is lots of debris in the water, making it so you are cleaning your rig every drift. Don't forget your wading staff!
Rio Grande 1180 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 below Terrero; Fair to Good
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. 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 28 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 219 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: 2560 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Poor: 1000 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow: and 1280 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 very 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.
In Southern Colorado:
Conejos River 168 cfs below Platoro Reservoir, 790 cfs at Mogote; Fair to Good
May 6, 2008. "Had a chance to fish with one of our younger guides yesterday and we were both excited to fish the Tailwater section of the river below the dam for the first time this year. Always some aprehension as to how the big browns wintered, but after a few hours is was obvious that all is well. The browns look good and some very fat already, water level was perfect at 138 cfs and not a car or person in site! Midge patterns and worm clusters were the ticket. Alot of fish were in soft water and back eddies. Troy and I both reflected on our best days of in the meadow and both agreed that rising water and even high water were great times. Expect plenty of both in the weeks to come so if you are looking at the lower river thinking it is to high just realize that at this time the flows are perfect for fishing up high. Pleae read our April 23 report for better advice on the lower river. With the lower river at 800 cfs we will be floating and throwing big streamers and doing some dredging but even at that level it should fish good. Once it gets over 1000 it will get tough for a while." Jon Harp, of Conejos River Anglers provided the preceeding report.
Rio Grande 670 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 near Creede.
Arkansas River 478 cfs at Salida: Fair
The Arkansas River is fishing fair above Salida. The river downstream of Salida is also fishing fair towards Canon City. Due to an unforeseen dam safety inspection, the Twin Lakes release will was ramped down from 375 cfs to zero over last weekend. The release will be ramped back starting today over four days to 375cfs by Friday. This is the best fishing flows we have had all spring and will be more apt to generate caddis activity and feeding behavior among fish. With the cloudy days, the Blue winged olives have been coming off, but the caddis hatch is still below Salida. Streamers, midges, caddis, and baetis are the flies for the Ark.
Animas River 1850 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 1010 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 Tuesday, May 06, 2008
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