Fly Fishing Report for Saturday October 25, 2008
The Department of Game and Fish is urging anglers and others who visit the Pecos River Canyon to take measures to prevent the spread of an invasive species of algae that could present many problems for the Pecos River and other state waters. The New Mexico Environment Department confirmed a bloom of Didymosphenia geminata in the Pecos River near Cowles in August. Commonly called "didymo," the single-celled algae's large, ugly growths on stream gravels have earned it the descriptive name, "rock snot." This is the second aquatic invasive species known to exist in the Pecos River. Whirling disease, a protozoan parasite that attacks the spinal columns of trout, is found in the Pecos River. Whirling disease also is known to "hitchhike" on unwashed fishing tackle and waders. To help prevent the spread of didymo and whirling disease, anglers and others are urged to:
Check: Before leaving the river, remove all obvious clumps of algae and look for hidden clumps. Leave them at the site. If you find clumps later, don't wash them down the drain; treat them with approved methods below, dry them and put them in a rubbish bin.
Clean: Soak and scrub anything that may have contacted algae for at least one minute in either hot (140 º F) water, a 2 percent solution of household bleach, or a 5 percent solution of salt, antiseptic hand cleaner or dishwashing detergent.
Dry: If cleaning is not practical (pets, livestock), wait until it is completely dry, and then wait at least 48 hours before contact or use in any waterway.
San Juan River 491 cfs below Navajo Dam; Fair to Good
Midge nymphing in the morning is the most productive, and fish start to rise for baetis and midges in the afternoon. There have been some prolific baetis hatches lately. Size 24-26 olive, black, brown, and cream midge larvae, and size 22-24 gray and chocolate rs2's and gray and chocolate foam back emergers have been the better producers. The smaller versions of most flies (size #26) tend to out fish a larger size. On bright sunny days expect the fish to be in deeper water. Texas hole and cable hole have been the better spots. Simon Canyon blew out and the lower river from there down is VERY sandy. There is a two fly only rule for the quality waters of the San Juan. This rule went into effect on July 1st.
Rio Grande 86 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 286 cfs at Pilar; Fair for pike, Good for trout, Fair for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande is a little murky with about three feet of visibility. Contrary to other reports, you can pick up trout on the edges dry fly dropper style with caddis nymphs, pheasant tails, or crane fly larvae. Trout are feeding well in anticipation of winter. It's also baetis time on the Rio. Look for late afternoon risers especially on the cloudy days. The best time to fish for trout is early morning or in the evenings. Smallmouth inhabit the eddies and can be picked up on crayfish patterns or woolly buggers on a long leader or sinking tip or sinking line. 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 autumn splendors, zoo cougars, conehead madonna’s, caddis nymphs, and Barr's emergers, and RS2'S. For pike, show them big rabbit strip flies, large streamers or diving flies.
Pecos River 52 cfs below Terrero; Fair to Good
The mornings are going to fish slow, but by noon til 4 o'clock or so, fish are eating. Water temps are in the low forties so you'll have to get your flies down to the fish and put them in front of the fish' nose. The good news is that the fish are eating and keying in on, -wait for it, -baetis. Blue Winged Olive hatches in the afternoons are bringing up some fish during cloud cover. Red quills, tan fluttering caddis, blue winged olives, ants, hoppers, RS2's, Barr's emegers, and Furimsky's peeking caddis are all working pretty much the length of the public water. Pecos National Historical Park has opened up their section of the Forked Lightning Ranch on the Pecos River to fishing. Please see our announcements page for the details. 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 37 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Fair to Good
The Cimarron River is dam controlled for the most part by Eagle Nest dam. We currently have nice flows on the Cimarron, but it will change any day now when the call for irrigation water is reduced. There are sporadic caddis hatches and lots of blue winged olives. There is more water at the eastern end of the park below Clear Creek. Fishing is fair with hatches of caddis and blue winged olives. Expect fish to be quite spooky. Flies for the Cimarron are bwo's, Griffith's gnats, hares ear nymphs, Barr's emergers, and gray and olive scuds.
Jemez Mountain Streams 23 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Fair to Good
The Jemez streams are all fishing well. The lower Jemez streams fish well mid-day and the headwater stretches are better in the afternoons. The headwaters are low and clear making a stealthy approach a challenge. Dry fly fishing is pretty well done here except for a few gullible fish looking up. Nymphing is more productive with size 16-18 prince nymphs, phjeasant tails, and black or blue copper johns.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Fair: 61 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Good: 105 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow to Fair: and 228 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Good
There are BWO hatches and other sporadic mayfly hatches coming off between Tierra Amarilla and Chama. The fishing is generally fair below El Vado using big nymphs with flash and sparkle or streamers, but the water is murky. The releases below El Vado has been steady but is a little too high for good fishing or safe wading. Lower releases and clearer water from Abiquiu Dam have made the Chama below it fishable finally. Fish the Abiquiu stretch now. Even though this stretch does have some decnt natural reproduction, most of the fish that get caught get kept. The tailwater sections usually fish best below 300 cfs. 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 8 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Poor: 68 cfs at Mogote; Fair
Ocotber 22, 2008 Lots of fun to walk up the river right now and see some very large fish. They are catchable and I had a couple guys today that hooked some really large fish. Lots of fish on the redds on the lower river and upper river if you ever want to walk up the river and see how many big fish are really in this river it is alot of fun. Griffiths gnats, red quills, BWO's and small midge patterns are the tick. Rainbow Warriors, Cones, and KF midges were the best flies. Light tippets, longish leaders, and good presentations help. Nicer weather on the way so expect some good fishing in the days to come. We are still catching some large to very large Pike in the Rio as well as some carp and browns. Shop will stop regular hours October 29. Please I ask each of you that fish this river and care about its future, make a donation to the Conejos Habitat Project! It is tax deductable and will make a huge difference in the future of the river. Send checks to Trout Unlimited c/o Conejos Habitat Project, P.O. Box 503, Alamosa, CO 81101. We spent Saturday and Sunday (Troy Smith, Rob Scott, Kari and my kids,) chasing big browns that had been trapped by the sudden drop in flows in little side channels. There are many more to be saved if any of you have the time. You will need a cooler and some nets. Call me and I can help you with where they are trapped. 719-376-5660 " Jon Harp, of Conejos River Anglers provided the preceeding report.
Rio Grande 57 cfs at Thirty Mile Bridge near Creede; Fair: 205 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Fair
Fishing is slowing down on the upper Rio. Mornings will be a little slow but baetis should be active in the afternoons. There is better fishing and warmer water between South Fork and Del Norte.
Arkansas River 290 cfs at Salida: Good
There have been some afternoon mahogany dun and caddis hatches and Blue Winged Olives on the cloudy days. Near Salida, the state leases are fishing well on the same bugs, just make sure to cover the edges in the mornings and evenings and the deeper runs in the afternoons. Don't overlook the fast water mid-day especially if it's cloudy. PMD's, caddis, blue winged olives, yellow sallies, hoppers, with a trailing pheasant tails or Barr's emerger are all working on the Ark.
Piedra River 143 cfs at Arboles; Fair: San Juan River 117 cfs at Pagosa; Fair
The rivers are fishing fair towards the afternoon hours when water temps make the fish more active. Expect mornings to be a little slow with nymphs picking up most if not all of the fish. The Williams Creek below the dam has also has been fishing well.
Animas River 276 cfs at Durango; Good
The flows on the Animas are stable and the water is somewhat clear. The river near Durango has good visibility and has been fishing well especially on streamers. There has been some caddis coming off right through town but the Blue Winged Olive hatches are getting more prolific. The Delores below McPhee is down and currently flowing at 39 cfs.
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.
It's autumn in New Mexico and water and fishing condtitions are changing frequently! Please CALL the fly shop for the latest in stream flows and water conditions.
For the latest in stream flows, see our links page and click on New Mexico Stream Flows.
Check: Before leaving the river, remove all obvious clumps of algae and look for hidden clumps. Leave them at the site. If you find clumps later, don't wash them down the drain; treat them with approved methods below, dry them and put them in a rubbish bin.
Clean: Soak and scrub anything that may have contacted algae for at least one minute in either hot (140 º F) water, a 2 percent solution of household bleach, or a 5 percent solution of salt, antiseptic hand cleaner or dishwashing detergent.
Dry: If cleaning is not practical (pets, livestock), wait until it is completely dry, and then wait at least 48 hours before contact or use in any waterway.
San Juan River 491 cfs below Navajo Dam; Fair to Good
Midge nymphing in the morning is the most productive, and fish start to rise for baetis and midges in the afternoon. There have been some prolific baetis hatches lately. Size 24-26 olive, black, brown, and cream midge larvae, and size 22-24 gray and chocolate rs2's and gray and chocolate foam back emergers have been the better producers. The smaller versions of most flies (size #26) tend to out fish a larger size. On bright sunny days expect the fish to be in deeper water. Texas hole and cable hole have been the better spots. Simon Canyon blew out and the lower river from there down is VERY sandy. There is a two fly only rule for the quality waters of the San Juan. This rule went into effect on July 1st.
Rio Grande 86 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 286 cfs at Pilar; Fair for pike, Good for trout, Fair for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande is a little murky with about three feet of visibility. Contrary to other reports, you can pick up trout on the edges dry fly dropper style with caddis nymphs, pheasant tails, or crane fly larvae. Trout are feeding well in anticipation of winter. It's also baetis time on the Rio. Look for late afternoon risers especially on the cloudy days. The best time to fish for trout is early morning or in the evenings. Smallmouth inhabit the eddies and can be picked up on crayfish patterns or woolly buggers on a long leader or sinking tip or sinking line. 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 autumn splendors, zoo cougars, conehead madonna’s, caddis nymphs, and Barr's emergers, and RS2'S. For pike, show them big rabbit strip flies, large streamers or diving flies.
Pecos River 52 cfs below Terrero; Fair to Good
The mornings are going to fish slow, but by noon til 4 o'clock or so, fish are eating. Water temps are in the low forties so you'll have to get your flies down to the fish and put them in front of the fish' nose. The good news is that the fish are eating and keying in on, -wait for it, -baetis. Blue Winged Olive hatches in the afternoons are bringing up some fish during cloud cover. Red quills, tan fluttering caddis, blue winged olives, ants, hoppers, RS2's, Barr's emegers, and Furimsky's peeking caddis are all working pretty much the length of the public water. Pecos National Historical Park has opened up their section of the Forked Lightning Ranch on the Pecos River to fishing. Please see our announcements page for the details. 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 37 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Fair to Good
The Cimarron River is dam controlled for the most part by Eagle Nest dam. We currently have nice flows on the Cimarron, but it will change any day now when the call for irrigation water is reduced. There are sporadic caddis hatches and lots of blue winged olives. There is more water at the eastern end of the park below Clear Creek. Fishing is fair with hatches of caddis and blue winged olives. Expect fish to be quite spooky. Flies for the Cimarron are bwo's, Griffith's gnats, hares ear nymphs, Barr's emergers, and gray and olive scuds.
Jemez Mountain Streams 23 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Fair to Good
The Jemez streams are all fishing well. The lower Jemez streams fish well mid-day and the headwater stretches are better in the afternoons. The headwaters are low and clear making a stealthy approach a challenge. Dry fly fishing is pretty well done here except for a few gullible fish looking up. Nymphing is more productive with size 16-18 prince nymphs, phjeasant tails, and black or blue copper johns.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Fair: 61 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Good: 105 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow to Fair: and 228 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Good
There are BWO hatches and other sporadic mayfly hatches coming off between Tierra Amarilla and Chama. The fishing is generally fair below El Vado using big nymphs with flash and sparkle or streamers, but the water is murky. The releases below El Vado has been steady but is a little too high for good fishing or safe wading. Lower releases and clearer water from Abiquiu Dam have made the Chama below it fishable finally. Fish the Abiquiu stretch now. Even though this stretch does have some decnt natural reproduction, most of the fish that get caught get kept. The tailwater sections usually fish best below 300 cfs. 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 8 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Poor: 68 cfs at Mogote; Fair
Ocotber 22, 2008 Lots of fun to walk up the river right now and see some very large fish. They are catchable and I had a couple guys today that hooked some really large fish. Lots of fish on the redds on the lower river and upper river if you ever want to walk up the river and see how many big fish are really in this river it is alot of fun. Griffiths gnats, red quills, BWO's and small midge patterns are the tick. Rainbow Warriors, Cones, and KF midges were the best flies. Light tippets, longish leaders, and good presentations help. Nicer weather on the way so expect some good fishing in the days to come. We are still catching some large to very large Pike in the Rio as well as some carp and browns. Shop will stop regular hours October 29. Please I ask each of you that fish this river and care about its future, make a donation to the Conejos Habitat Project! It is tax deductable and will make a huge difference in the future of the river. Send checks to Trout Unlimited c/o Conejos Habitat Project, P.O. Box 503, Alamosa, CO 81101. We spent Saturday and Sunday (Troy Smith, Rob Scott, Kari and my kids,) chasing big browns that had been trapped by the sudden drop in flows in little side channels. There are many more to be saved if any of you have the time. You will need a cooler and some nets. Call me and I can help you with where they are trapped. 719-376-5660 " Jon Harp, of Conejos River Anglers provided the preceeding report.
Rio Grande 57 cfs at Thirty Mile Bridge near Creede; Fair: 205 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Fair
Fishing is slowing down on the upper Rio. Mornings will be a little slow but baetis should be active in the afternoons. There is better fishing and warmer water between South Fork and Del Norte.
Arkansas River 290 cfs at Salida: Good
There have been some afternoon mahogany dun and caddis hatches and Blue Winged Olives on the cloudy days. Near Salida, the state leases are fishing well on the same bugs, just make sure to cover the edges in the mornings and evenings and the deeper runs in the afternoons. Don't overlook the fast water mid-day especially if it's cloudy. PMD's, caddis, blue winged olives, yellow sallies, hoppers, with a trailing pheasant tails or Barr's emerger are all working on the Ark.
Piedra River 143 cfs at Arboles; Fair: San Juan River 117 cfs at Pagosa; Fair
The rivers are fishing fair towards the afternoon hours when water temps make the fish more active. Expect mornings to be a little slow with nymphs picking up most if not all of the fish. The Williams Creek below the dam has also has been fishing well.
Animas River 276 cfs at Durango; Good
The flows on the Animas are stable and the water is somewhat clear. The river near Durango has good visibility and has been fishing well especially on streamers. There has been some caddis coming off right through town but the Blue Winged Olive hatches are getting more prolific. The Delores below McPhee is down and currently flowing at 39 cfs.
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.
It's autumn in New Mexico and water and fishing condtitions are changing frequently! Please CALL the fly shop for the latest in stream flows and water conditions.
For the latest in stream flows, see our links page and click on New Mexico Stream Flows.
posted by High Desert Angler at Friday, October 24, 2008
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