Fly Fishing Report for Tuesday November 4, 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. Please see our announcements page for details on how to help prevent the spread of didymo and whirling disease.
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. The baetis hatches are tapering off but you may get a blanket hatch with tomorrows weather moving in. The midge hatches are getting better as we move into late fall. This is just about prime dry fly time on the Juan. Size 24-26 olive, black, brown, and cream midges, 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. Visibility is about three feet with some suspended moss in the currents. 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 89 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 286 cfs at Pilar; Fair for pike, Good for trout, Fair for smallmouth bass
The stream gauge at Taos Junction seems to be stuck at 286 cfs but the flows can't be too far off since the upper river gauge hasn't changed all that much either. 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 44 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. Tan fluttering caddis, blue winged olives, RS2's, Barr's emegers, black midge larvae, and Furimsky's peeking caddis are all working pretty much the length of the public water. The Fishing Program at the Pecos National Historical Park has closed for the season. 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 53 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Fair
The Cimarron River is dam controlled for the most part by Eagle Nest dam. The release went up a couple of days ago. 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 25 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, pheasant tails, and black or blue copper johns.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Fair: 49 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Fair to Good: 44 cfs below El Vado Dam; Fair to Good: and 92 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 release below El Vado has come down. Nymphing is tough during these low flows and bad visibility but, streamer fishing is still good. Lower releases from Abiquiu Dam have made the Chama below it more fishable finally. The water clarity is off so use big bugs or throw streamers. Even though this stretch does have some decent 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.
Arkansas River 306 cfs at Salida: Good
There have been some afternoon Blue Winged Olive hatches and more midges coming off lately. Near Salida, the state leases are fishing well. 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, midges, hoppers, with a trailing pheasant tails or Barr's emerger are all working on the Ark.
Animas River 230 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.
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.
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. The baetis hatches are tapering off but you may get a blanket hatch with tomorrows weather moving in. The midge hatches are getting better as we move into late fall. This is just about prime dry fly time on the Juan. Size 24-26 olive, black, brown, and cream midges, 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. Visibility is about three feet with some suspended moss in the currents. 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 89 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 286 cfs at Pilar; Fair for pike, Good for trout, Fair for smallmouth bass
The stream gauge at Taos Junction seems to be stuck at 286 cfs but the flows can't be too far off since the upper river gauge hasn't changed all that much either. 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 44 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. Tan fluttering caddis, blue winged olives, RS2's, Barr's emegers, black midge larvae, and Furimsky's peeking caddis are all working pretty much the length of the public water. The Fishing Program at the Pecos National Historical Park has closed for the season. 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 53 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Fair
The Cimarron River is dam controlled for the most part by Eagle Nest dam. The release went up a couple of days ago. 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 25 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, pheasant tails, and black or blue copper johns.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Fair: 49 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Fair to Good: 44 cfs below El Vado Dam; Fair to Good: and 92 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 release below El Vado has come down. Nymphing is tough during these low flows and bad visibility but, streamer fishing is still good. Lower releases from Abiquiu Dam have made the Chama below it more fishable finally. The water clarity is off so use big bugs or throw streamers. Even though this stretch does have some decent 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.
Arkansas River 306 cfs at Salida: Good
There have been some afternoon Blue Winged Olive hatches and more midges coming off lately. Near Salida, the state leases are fishing well. 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, midges, hoppers, with a trailing pheasant tails or Barr's emerger are all working on the Ark.
Animas River 230 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.
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 Monday, November 03, 2008
<< Home