Fly Fishing Report for Friday May 29, 2009

Learn more about Aquatic Invasive Species at www.protectyourwaters.net

Pecos River approximately 275 cfs below Terrero; Good
The Upper Pecos Watershed Association is having their annual Spring River Cleanup this Saturday May 30th. Please see our Announcements Page for the details. The river is still a little high but coming down in flow more and more every day signaling the end of runoff. Our guides have been finding fish on the edges next to the bank. Smaller or unweighted stonefly patterns and a trailing pheasant tail drifted then fished on the swing at the end of your drift is what's working. No word on stoneflies coming off yet, but I'll post it as soon as it happens. Don't be a poacher! Please respect all of the landowners along the Pecos and stay out of all posted private waters. Please report anyone over harvesting fish or poaching to New Mexico Game and Fish at 1-800-432-4263.

San Juan River 2990 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
The High Spring Release for the San Juan is happening now. Expect the river to rise by 1000 cfs per day until it hits 5000. It will stay at 5000 for a week and ramp back down by 500 cfs per day. You can fish some places safely during the higher flows, just be smart and careful, and seek professional advice from the local San Juan shops and guides. Generally it's time to fish junk. We're talking worms, eggs, and leeches; anything that is big enough to get the fish's attention when the water is turbid. Bump up the size of your trailing midge and baetis nymphs as well. Streamers fished in the beaver ponds has also saved me a skunking when I couldn't hit the more productive water during the high release. There is a two fly only rule for the quality waters of the San Juan. This rule went into effect on July 1st. Game and Fish officers have been heavy handed and are checking people for licenses, barbless flies, and the number of flies on your rig! File those barbs or go barbless, as the fines are steep!

Jicarilla Nation Lakes; Good for trout
Fishing at Stone Lake is still your best bet at fish over twenty inches, but competing with the profuse midge hatches is making fishing tough. The takes are very light and midges and calibaetis nymphs seemed to be the only thing that they wanted. Take caution on the windy days if you are in a boat. Enbom is more protected from wind than Stone. Catching has been better here. There have been good midge hatches there as well in the mornings followed by calibaetis around noon. Damsels should be moving about also.

Rio Grande 1330 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 1920 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Slow for trout, Fair for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande is murky, and the flows are up and will likely do so for the next few weeks or more. Smallmouth may eat crayfish patterns and wooly buggers in the eddies and you can probably pick out some trout in the tailouts of larger runs, but it's all about kayaking and rafting well into June. Streamers fished in the pockets or in the tailouts can also pick up some trout or show them a crane fly larvae with a trailing pheasant tail or caddis larvae. 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. Cover the deeper slower runs and change flies frequently to see which ones trigger a strike.

Cimarron River 8.5 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good
The Cimarron River is dam controlled for the most part by Eagle Nest dam. Although the release is low, the tributaries are still flowing well so there is enough water in the Cimarron. There are golden stone and baetis hatches. PMD's or Ginger duns will be adding to the mix in a cuople of weeks. Flies for the Cimarron are bwo's, scuds, hares ear nymphs, and Barr's emergers. Coyote Creek State Park, somewhat near the Cimarron continues to fish well.

Jemez Mountain Streams 80 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Good
The bottom dropped out of the smaller streams of the Jemez Mountains. Flows are near summer levels and they are fishing well. The Cebolla, the East Fork, and the San Antonio are a little murky, but nymphing with a dry and a dropper with size 14-18 prince nymphs, pheasant tails, and black or blue copper johns are the tactics. The Guadalupe gets more wadeable by the dayand the stonefly hatch is up on the de las Vacas above Porter's Landing.

The Chama River above the village of Chama; Slow: 890 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Slow to Fair: 850 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow: and 1750 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Poor
The Chama River upstream of Tierra Amarilla is fishing slow and the flows are still high. Runoff is waning but it'll be a couple of weeks to be wadeable, so keep checking the reports. Also, check the flows before you make that drive to one of the tailwaters. The fishing is generally fair below El Vado using big nymphs with flash and sparkle or streamers, but the release is a little high and the water is murky and wading is difficult. Releases from Abiquiu Dam are also up. The flows are quite high for safe wading, and the water looks like liquid sand. Release here fluctuate greatly depending on irrigation need and municipal water supplies so it's best to find someplace else to fish most of the summer. Baetis nymphs, midges, and crane fly larva are the usual flies for the Chama below Abiquiu. 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 best fishing here is up on the lake for smallmouth and walleye from the shore. 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.

Runoff is waning and stream fishing is picking up, however there are still a some lakes that are fishing really well. You Shoould consider this the time to go someplace you haven't been to or something you haven't done in a while. Within an hour's drive Abiquiu Lake is fishing well for bass and walleye! I think we caught as many walleye as bass, and the walleye were in less than ten feet of water making them something you can cast a fly to from the bank. One of the more beautiful lakes, Santa Cruz continues to fish well as is Hopewell Lake. Eagle's Nest Lake, where you can hit the lake in the morning before the wind, and fish the tailwater, the Cimarron, in the afternoon. On the the Jicarilla Nation, Enbom is fishing well and as always offers beautiful views and frequently peace and quiet. The trout do rise to dry flies including chironomidae midges (#12) and similarly sized calibaetis mayfly and caddis patterns throughout the day. Come into the shop or give us a call. We'll help you find somewhere to wet a line while you aren't able to hit you favorite stream.

In Southern Colorado:

Conejos River 51 cfs below Platoro, 796 cfs at Mogote; Fair to Good
May 28, 2009. "Wow the lower Conejos is now under 900 with excellent water clarity by the end of May?! Not sure what to take of that but for now it is good. No longer neccesary to drive all the way up unless you want a gorgeous drive. Flows out of the dam continue to be around 50 cfs and fishing on the entire upper river system is good. Stoneflies on the lower river with a #16 Hares ear or SJ Worm are a great option. The upper river sllightly different but fish some midge / annelid patterns close to the dam. The La Jara and Lake Fork are perfect right now and expect the Los Pinos to look good very soon. We still have 2 memberships available for the private ranches. If you are interested give us a call. Sanchez, Trujillo Meadows, and La Jara Reservoir as well as the hike in lakes are great right now. Try something different and check them out." Jon Harp of Conejos River Anglers provided the preceding report.

Arkansas River 1340 cfs below Granite; Fair: 1680 cfs at Salida; Slow
Flows are down with the cooler weather. Fishing on the upper river has been great on big dries and stonefly droppers or double nymph rigs fished tight to the banks or in the deeper holes. Caddis continue to hatch in each afternoon around Granite. Visibility is better the further upstream, but fishing the edges around Salida can pick you up some fish.

Animas River 2370 cfs at Durango; Poor
The Animas is coming down slowly and we'll see better fishing conditions here in a week or two. There is some rafting and kayaking traffic, so give it a couple of weeks. Stonefly nymphs with a trailing midge or pheasant tail drifted and swung along the banks may pick up some fish. Forget about the Delores below McPhee, the release is still high 575 cfs.

Pagosa Area: Piedra River 994 cfs at Arboles; Slow: San Juan River 1180 cfs at Pagosa Springs; Slow
There is generally a two to three week longer duration of runoff in southern Colorado than we see here locally in New Mexico. The Pagosa area streams are still high. Streamers fished in the softer water may pick you up a few fish. Good reports on Williams Creek, even though it is also a little high. It'll fish as long as they don't increase the release out of the dam. Keep checking, good fishing is only a few weeks away.

Rio Grande 796 cfs at Creede; Poor: 1680 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Slow
Declining releases out of Rio Grande Reservoir and waning runoff have made much of the river more fishable to the wading angler. The flows are high so do be careful. This is another place to put on your radar as the giant stonefly hatch is coming soon only to be followed up by the PMD hatch and Green Drake hatch. We'll keep you posted so keep checking the reports.

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 runoff time 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 most current stream flows, see our links page and click on New Mexico Stream Flows.

Fly Fishing Report for Thursday May 28, 2009

Learn more about Aquatic Invasive Species at www.protectyourwaters.net

San Juan River 2060 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
The High Spring Release for the San Juan is happening now. Expect the river to rise by 1000 cfs per day until it hits 5000. It will stay at 5000 for a week and ramp back down by 500 cfs per day. You can fish some places safely during the higher flows, just be smart and careful, and seek professional advice from the local San Juan shops and guides. Generally it's time to fish junk. We're talking worms, eggs, and leeches; anything that is big enough to get the fish's attention when the water is turbid. Bump up the size of your trailing midge and baetis nymphs as well. Streamers fished in the beaver ponds has also saved me a skunking when I couldn't hit the more productive water during the high release. There is a two fly only rule for the quality waters of the San Juan. This rule went into effect on July 1st. Game and Fish officers have been heavy handed and are checking people for licenses, barbless flies, and the number of flies on your rig! File those barbs or go barbless, as the fines are steep!

Jicarilla Nation Lakes; Good for trout
Fishing at Stone Lake is still your best bet at fish over twenty inches, but competing with the profuse midge hatches is making fishing tough. The takes are very light and midges and calibaetis nymphs seemed to be the only thing that they wanted. Take caution on the windy days if you are in a boat. Enbom is more protected from wind than Stone. Catching has been better here. There have been good midge hatches there as well in the mornings followed by calibaetis around noon. Damsels should be moving about also.

Rio Grande 1520 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 2160 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Slow for trout, Slow for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande is murky, and the flows are up and will likely do so for the next few weeks or more. Smallmouth may eat crayfish patterns and wooly buggers in the eddies and you can probably pick out some trout in the tailouts of larger runs, but it's all about kayaking and rafting well into June. Streamers fished in the pockets or in the tailouts can also pick up some trout or show them a crane fly larvae with a trailing pheasant tail or caddis larvae. 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. Cover the deeper slower runs and change flies frequently to see which ones trigger a strike.

Pecos River approximately 305 cfs below Terrero; Fair
The river is still high and wading is tough at these levels so do take caution. Our guides have been finding fish on the edges next to the bank if it is slow enough there to get them out of the current. Smaller or unweighted stonefly patterns and a trailing pheasant tail drifted then fished on the swing at the end of your drift is what's working. There is a little less water mid-day and is your best chance at clearer water. Don't be a poacher! Please respect all of the landowners along the Pecos and stay out of all posted private waters. 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. Although the release is low, the tributaries are still high so there is enough water in the Cimarron. There are sporadic midge hatches and baetis hatches. Flies for the Cimarron are bwo's, scuds, hares ear nymphs, and Barr's emergers. Coyote Creek State Park, somewhat near the Cimarron has been fishing well lately. The runoff here is minimal. Small beadheads drifted under an indicator or a dry fly dropper rigs are the current tactics.

Jemez Mountain Streams 76 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Fair to Good
The bottom dropped out of the smaller streams of the Jemez Mountains. Flows are near summer levels and they are fishing well. The Cebolla, the East Fork, and the San Antonio are a little murky, but nymphing with a dry and a dropper with size 14-18 prince nymphs, pheasant tails, and black or blue copper johns are the tactics. The Guadalupe gets more wadeable by the dayand the stonefly hatch is up on the de las Vacas above Porter's Landing.

The Chama River above the village of Chama; Poor: 1070 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Poor: 843 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow: and 1800 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Poor
The Chama River upstream of Tierra Amarilla is fishing poor and the flows are still high. Runoff may take a couple of weeks more to clear up, so keep checking the reports. Also, check the flows before you make that drive to one of the tailwaters. The fishing is generally fair below El Vado using big nymphs with flash and sparkle or streamers, but the release is a little high and the water is murky and wading is difficult. Releases from Abiquiu Dam are also up. The flows are quite high for safe wading, and the water looks like liquid sand. Release here fluctuate greatly depending on irrigation need and municipal water supplies so it's best to find someplace else to fish most of the summer. Baetis nymphs, midges, and crane fly larva are the usual flies for the Chama below Abiquiu. 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 best fishing here is up on the lake for smallmouth and walleye from the shore. 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.

Runoff is waning and stream fishing is picking up, however there are still a some lakes that are fishing really well. You Shoould consider this the time to go someplace you haven't been to or something you haven't done in a while. Within an hour's drive Abiquiu Lake is fishing well for bass and walleye! I think we caught as many walleye as bass, and the walleye were in less than ten feet of water making them something you can cast a fly to from the bank. One of the more beautiful lakes, Santa Cruz continues to fish well as is Hopewell Lake. Eagle's Nest Lake, where you can hit the lake in the morning before the wind, and fish the tailwater, the Cimarron, in the afternoon. On the the Jicarilla Nation, Enbom is fishing well and as always offers beautiful views and frequently peace and quiet. The trout do rise to dry flies including chironomidae midges (#12) and similarly sized calibaetis mayfly and caddis patterns throughout the day. Come into the shop or give us a call. We'll help you find somewhere to wet a line while you aren't able to hit you favorite stream.

In Southern Colorado:

Conejos River 51 cfs below Platoro, 846 cfs at Mogote; Fair to Good
May 19, 2009. "With the Rio Grande at 5000 cfs and other rivers cookin' the Conejos is plodding along at 40 cfs out of Platoro Reservoir and creating some incredible fishing in the first 10 miles downstream. We have hooked alot of fish this last week and it should continue to stay good all May. Even if the water releases are raised dramatically it will only make the Meadow that much better. Right now it is on the spooky side and those fishing downriver are doing better. One of our good customers landed a 24" brown a few days ago along with alot of other smaller fish. There are fish beginning to look up in the flat water sections of the Meadow and those looking for a challenge give it a shot. The La Jara right now is very good and the gate to the lower section will open the Thursday before Memorial Day which I guess is in a few days. 5x and 6x with long leaders in the meadow. The pocket water below at least 4x flouro. I have been doing will on the tungsten worm, the @&%# fly, #16 RL Hares ear, #10 Pats, big red annelids, and some bigger dark Copper Johns. I also think that the Los Pinos will be back on the grid in a few weeks. The Lake Fork will also be open for good fishing very soon. Most of the high mountain lakes will be good, now. This next 8 or 10 days have some cooler weather and expect the lower river to gain some clarity and give a chance for those fishine edges to catch fish consistently. Early June for you planners should be good on the Conejos, Los Pinos, La Jara, Elk, and the Lake Fork. No crowds and the chance at bigger fish should make it worth the trip." Jon Harp of Conejos River Anglers provided the preceding report.

Arkansas River 1320 cfs below Granite; Fair: 1650 cfs at Salida; Slow
Flows are down with the cooler weather. Fishing on the upper river has been great on big dries and stonefly droppers or double nymph rigs fished tight to the banks or in the deeper holes. Caddis continue to hatch in each afternoon around Granite. Visibility is better the further upstream, but fishing the edges around Salida can pick you up some fish.

Animas River 2450 cfs at Durango; Poor
The Animas is coming down slowly and we'll see better fishing conditions here in a week or two. There is some rafting and kayaking traffic, so give it a couple of weeks. Stonefly nymphs with a trailing midge or pheasant tail drifted and swung along the banks may pick up some fish. Forget about the Delores below McPhee, the release is still too high 647 cfs.

Pagosa Area: Piedra River 1090 cfs at Arboles; Slow: San Juan River 1260 cfs at Pagosa Springs; Slow
There is generally a two to three week longer duration of runoff in southern Colorado than we see here locally in New Mexico. The Pagosa area streams are still high. Streamers fished in the softer water may pick you up a few fish. Good reports on Williams Creek, even though it is also a little high. It'll fish as long as they don't increase the release out of the dam. Keep checking, good fishing is only a few weeks away.

Rio Grande 866 cfs at Creede; Poor: 1790 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Slow
Declining releases out of Rio Grande Reservoir and waning runoff have made much of the river more fishable to the wading angler. The flows are high so do be careful. This is another place to put on your radar as the giant stonefly hatch is coming soon only to be followed up by the PMD hatch and Green Drake hatch. We'll keep you posted so keep checking the reports.

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 runoff time 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 most current stream flows, see our links page and click on New Mexico Stream Flows.

Fly Fishing Report for Monday May 25, 2009

Learn more about Aquatic Invasive Species at www.protectyourwaters.net

San Juan River 535 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
High Spring Release for the San Juan is now scheduled to start tomorrow Tuesday May 26th! Fishing can be good and you can still wade some places safely during the higher flows, just be smart and careful, and seek professional advice from the local San Juan shops and guides. See our announcements page for the details of the release. Baetis are still coming off on most afternoons especially the cloudy ones. Midge nymphing in the morning is the most productive. Look for risers or fish baetis nymphs in the afternoons. Size #20-22 red, black, and olive midges, and size #22 gray and chocolate RS2's and gray and chocolate foam back emergers are still the better producers. Good reports from Simon Point up to Cable Hole. There is a two fly only rule for the quality waters of the San Juan. This rule went into effect on July 1st. Game and Fish officers have been heavy handed and are checking people for licenses, barbless flies, and the number of flies on your rig! File those barbs or go barbless, as the fines are steep!

Jicarilla Nation Lakes; Good for trout
Fishing at Stone seems to be tapering off, at least casting to the false spawners near the shore has. Stone Lake is still your best bet at fish over twenty inches, but competing with the profuse midge hatches is making fishing tough. The takes are very light and midges seemed to be the only thing that they wanted. Take caution on the windy days if you are in a boat. Enbom is more protected from wind than Stone. Catching has been better here. There have been good midge hatches there as well in the mornings and the damsels should be moving about also. Other lakes that are also fishing well are Santa Cruz, and Eagle's Nest for trout.

Rio Grande 1610 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 2170 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Slow for trout, Slow for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande is murky, and the flows are up and will likely do so for the next few weeks or more. Smallmouth may eat crayfish patterns and wooly buggers in the eddies and you can probably pick out some trout in the tailouts of larger runs, but it's all about kayaking and rafting for most of May and into June. Streamers fished in the pockets or in the tailouts can also pick up some trout or show them a crane fly larvae with a trailing pheasant tail or caddis larvae. 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. Cover the deeper slower runs and change flies frequently to see which ones trigger a strike.

Pecos River approximately 370 cfs below Terrero; Fair
The river is still high and wading is tough at these levels so do take caution. Our guides have been finding fish on the edges next to the bank if it is slow enough there to get them out of the current. Smaller or unweighted stonefly patterns and a trailing pheasant tail drifted then fished on the swing at the end of your drift is what's working. There is a little less water mid-day and is your best chance at clearer water. Don't be a poacher! Please respect all of the landowners along the Pecos and stay out of all posted private waters. 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. Although the release is low, the tributaries are still high so there is enough water in the Cimarron. There are sporadic midge hatches and baetis hatches. Flies for the Cimarron are bwo's, scuds, hares ear nymphs, and Barr's emergers. Coyote Creek State Park, somewhat near the Cimarron has been fishing well lately. The runoff here is minimal. Small beadheads drifted under an indicator or a dry fly dropper rigs are the current tactics.

Jemez Mountain Streams 148 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Fair to Good
The bottom dropped out of the smaller streams of the Jemez Mountains. Flows are near summer levels and they are fishing well. The Cebolla, the East Fork, and the San Antonio are a little murky, but nymphing with a dry and a dropper with size 14-18 prince nymphs, pheasant tails, and black or blue copper johns are the tactics. The Guadalupe gets more wadeable by the day, but as of today, the stoneflies have yet to make an appearnce even though the hatch is imminent.

The Chama River above the village of Chama; Poor: 1460 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Poor: 1530 cfs below El Vado Dam; Poor: and 1800 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Poor
The Chama River upstream of Tierra Amarilla is fishing poor and the flows are still high. Runoff may take a couple of weeks more to clear up, so keep checking the reports. Also, check the flows before you make that drive to one of the tailwaters. The fishing is generally fair below El Vado using big nymphs with flash and sparkle or streamers, but the release is still high and the water is murky and completely unsafe for wading. Releases from Abiquiu Dam are also up. The flows are quite high for safe wading, and the water looks like liquid sand. Release here fluctuate greatly depending on irrigation need and municipal water supplies so it's best to find someplace else to fish most of the summer. Baetis nymphs, midges, and crane fly larva are the usual flies for the Chama below Abiquiu. 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 best fishing here is up on the lake for smallmouth and walleye from the shore. 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.

Runoff is waning, but there are still a few rivers and streams that are high and leaving us limited choices as where to fish. Consider this the time to go someplace you haven't been to or something you haven't done in a while. Alot of the local lakes continue to fish well. Within an hour's drive Abiquiu Lake fishing well for bass and walleye! I think we caught as many walleye as bass, and the walleye were in less than ten feet of water making them something you can cast a fly to from the bank. One of the more beautiful lakes, Santa Cruz continues to fish well as is Hopewell Lake. Eagle's Nest Lake, where you can hit the lake in the morning before the wind, and fish the tailwater, the Cimarron, in the afternoon. On the the Jicarilla Nation, Enbom is fishing well and as always offers beautiful views and frequently peace and quiet. The trout do rise to dry flies including chironomidae midges (#12) and similarly sized mayfly and caddis patterns throughout the day. Come into the shop or give us a call. We'll help you find somewhere to wet a line while you aren't able to hit you favorite stream.

In Southern Colorado:

Conejos River 1330 cfs at Mogote; Fair to Good
May 19, 2009. "With the Rio Grande at 5000 cfs and other rivers cookin' the Conejos is plodding along at 40 cfs out of Platoro Reservoir and creating some incredible fishing in the first 10 miles downstream. We have hooked alot of fish this last week and it should continue to stay good all May. Even if the water releases are raised dramatically it will only make the Meadow that much better. Right now it is on the spooky side and those fishing downriver are doing better. One of our good customers landed a 24" brown a few days ago along with alot of other smaller fish. There are fish beginning to look up in the flat water sections of the Meadow and those looking for a challenge give it a shot. The La Jara right now is very good and the gate to the lower section will open the Thursday before Memorial Day which I guess is in a few days. 5x and 6x with long leaders in the meadow. The pocket water below at least 4x flouro. I have been doing will on the tungsten worm, the @&%# fly, #16 RL Hares ear, #10 Pats, big red annelids, and some bigger dark Copper Johns. I also think that the Los Pinos will be back on the grid in a few weeks. The Lake Fork will also be open for good fishing very soon. Most of the high mountain lakes will be good, now. This next 8 or 10 days have some cooler weather and expect the lower river to gain some clarity and give a chance for those fishine edges to catch fish consistently. Early June for you planners should be good on the Conejos, Los Pinos, La Jara, Elk, and the Lake Fork. No crowds and the chance at bigger fish should make it worth the trip." Jon Harp of Conejos River Anglers provided the preceding report.

Arkansas River 1620 cfs below Granite; Fair: 2070 cfs at Salida; Slow
Runoff has hit the Arkansas and most tributaries are contributing with their own high flows, as well as releases out of Clear Creek and Twin Lkaes Reservoirs. Rafting traffic is increasing here and we'll only see more of it as we get into June. There is fair fishing upstream of Brown's Canyon and Chalk Creek to Buena Vista and there is also thinner water above Lake Creek to Hayden Meadows. Fish have moved to the edges as most of the pocket water is blown out, so stay out of the water and fish caddis dries or stonefly nymphs with a trailing caddis pupa or pheasant tail. Nearby Antero Reservoir is offering some of the best fishing in the area.

Animas River 3120 cfs at Durango; Poor
The Animas is coming down slowly and we'll see better fishing conditions here in a week or two. There is some rafting and kayaking traffic, so give it a couple of weeks. Stonefly nymphs with a trailing midge or pheasant tail drifted and swung along the banks may pick up some fish. Forget about the Delores below McPhee, the release is even higher than last week at 2160 cfs. If your in the Four Corners and need to fish, hit the San Juan before the release from Navajo Dam goes up on May 26th.

Pagosa Area: Piedra River 1640 cfs at Arboles; Slow: San Juan River 2080 cfs at Pagosa Springs; Slow
There is generally a two to three week longer duration of runoff in southern Colorado than we see here locally in New Mexico. The Pagosa area streams are still high and murky. Streamers fished in the softer water may pick you up a few fish. No reports on Williams Creek yet but it'll fish as long as they don't increase the release out of the dam. Keep checking, good fishing is only a few weeks away.

Rio Grande 598 cfs at Creede; Poor: 1770 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Slow
Declining releases out of Rio Grande Reservoir and waning runoff have made much of the river more fishable to the wading angler. The flows are high so do be careful. This is another place to put on your radar as the giant stonefly hatch is coming soon only to be followed up by the PMD hatch and Green Drake hatch. We'll keep you posted so keep checking the reports.

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 runoff time 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 most current stream flows, see our links page and click on New Mexico Stream Flows.

Fly Fishing Report for Saturday May 23, 2009

Learn more about Aquatic Invasive Species at www.protectyourwaters.net

San Juan River 522 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
High Spring Release for the San Juan is now scheduled to start next Tuesday May 26th! Fishing can be good and you can still wade some places safely during the higher flows, just be smart and careful, and seek professional advice from the local San Juan shops and guides. See our announcements page for the details of the release. Baetis are still coming off on most afternoons especially the cloudy ones. Midge nymphing in the morning is the most productive. Look for risers or fish baetis nymphs in the afternoons. Size #20-22 red, black, and olive midges, and size #22 gray and chocolate RS2's and gray and chocolate foam back emergers are still the better producers. Good reports from Simon Point up to Cable Hole. There is a two fly only rule for the quality waters of the San Juan. This rule went into effect on July 1st. Game and Fish officers have been heavy handed and are checking people for licenses, barbless flies, and the number of flies on your rig! File those barbs or go barbless, as the fines are steep!

Jicarilla Nation Lakes; Good for trout
Fishing at Stone seems to be tapering off, at least casting to the false spawners near the shore has. Stone Lake is still your best bet at fish over twenty inches, but competing with the profuse midge hatches is making fishing tough. The takes are very light and midges seemed to be the only thing that they wanted. Take caution on the windy days if you are in a boat. Enbom is more protected from wind than Stone. Catching has been better here. There have been good midge hatches there as well in the mornings and the damsels should be moving about also. Other lakes that are also fishing well are Santa Cruz, and Eagle's Nest for trout.

Rio Grande 1480 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 2120 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Slow for trout, Slow for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande is murky, and the flows are up and will likely do so for the next few weeks or more. Smallmouth may eat crayfish patterns and wooly buggers in the eddies and you can probably pick out some trout in the tailouts of larger runs, but it's all about kayaking and rafting for most of May and into June. Streamers fished in the pockets or in the tailouts can also pick up some trout or show them a crane fly larvae with a trailing pheasant tail or caddis larvae. 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. Cover the deeper slower runs and change flies frequently to see which ones trigger a strike.

Pecos River approximately 328 cfs below Terrero; Fair
The river is still high and wading is tough at these levels so do take caution. Our guides have been finding fish on the edges next to the bank if it is slow enough there to get them out of the current. Smaller or unweighted stonefly patterns and a trailing pheasant tail drifted then fished on the swing at the end of your drift is what's working. There is a little less water mid-day and is your best chance at clearer water. Don't be a poacher! Please respect all of the landowners along the Pecos and stay out of all posted private waters. 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. Although the release is low, the tributaries are still high and there is enough water in the Cimarron. There are sporadic midge hatches and baetis hatches. Flies for the Cimarron are bwo's, scuds, hares ear nymphs, and Barr's emergers. Coyote Creek State Park, somewhat near the Cimarron has been fishing well lately. The runoff here is minimal. Small beadheads drifted under an indicator or a dry fly dropper rigs are the current tactics.

Jemez Mountain Streams 71 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Fair to Good
The bottom dropped out of the smaller streams of the Jemez Mountains. Flows are near summer levels and they are fishing well. The Cebolla, the East Fork, and the San Antonio are a little murky, but nymphing with a dry and a dropper with size 14-18 prince nymphs, pheasant tails, and black or blue copper johns are the tactics. The Guadalupe gets more wadeable by the day, but as of today, the stoneflies have yet to make an appearnce even though the hatch is imminent.

The Chama River above the village of Chama; Poor: 1680 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Poor: 1740 cfs below El Vado Dam; Poor: and 1490 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Poor
The Chama River upstream of Tierra Amarilla is fishing poor and the flows are still high. Runoff may take a couple of weeks more to clear up, so keep checking the reports. Also, check the flows before you make that drive to one of the tailwaters. The fishing is generally fair below El Vado using big nymphs with flash and sparkle or streamers, but the release is still high and the water is murky and completely unsafe for wading. Releases from Abiquiu Dam are also up. The flows are quite high for safe wading, and the water looks like liquid sand. Release here fluctuate greatly depending on irrigation need and municipal water supplies so it's best to find someplace else to fish most of the summer. Baetis nymphs, midges, and crane fly larva are the usual flies for the Chama below Abiquiu. 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 best fishing here is up on the lake for smallmouth and walleye from the shore. 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.

Runoff is waning, but there are still a few rivers and streams that are high and leaving us limited choices as where to fish. Consider this the time to go someplace you haven't been to or something you haven't done in a while. Alot of the local lakes continue to fish well. Within an hour's drive Abiquiu Lake fishing well for bass and walleye! I think we caught as many walleye as bass this past weekend, and the walleye were in less than ten feet of water making them something you can cast a fly to from the bank. One of the more beautiful lakes, Santa Cruz continues to fish well for rainbows and browns. Eagle's Nest Lake, where you can hit the lake in the morning before the wind, and fish the tailwater, the Cimarron, in the afternoon. On the the Jicarilla Nation, Enbom is fishing well and as always offers beautiful views and frequently peace and quiet. The trout do rise to dry flies including chironomidae midges (#12) and similarly sized mayfly and caddis patterns throughout the day. Come into the shop or give us a call. We'll help you find somewhere to wet a line while you aren't able to hit you favorite stream.

In Southern Colorado:

Conejos River 1350 cfs at Mogote; Fair to Good
May 19, 2009. "With the Rio Grande at 5000 cfs and other rivers cookin' the Conejos is plodding along at 40 cfs out of Platoro Reservoir and creating some incredible fishing in the first 10 miles downstream. We have hooked alot of fish this last week and it should continue to stay good all May. Even if the water releases are raised dramatically it will only make the Meadow that much better. Right now it is on the spooky side and those fishing downriver are doing better. One of our good customers landed a 24" brown a few days ago along with alot of other smaller fish. There are fish beginning to look up in the flat water sections of the Meadow and those looking for a challenge give it a shot. The La Jara right now is very good and the gate to the lower section will open the Thursday before Memorial Day which I guess is in a few days. 5x and 6x with long leaders in the meadow. The pocket water below at least 4x flouro. I have been doing will on the tungsten worm, the @&%# fly, #16 RL Hares ear, #10 Pats, big red annelids, and some bigger dark Copper Johns. I also think that the Los Pinos will be back on the grid in a few weeks. The Lake Fork will also be open for good fishing very soon. Most of the high mountain lakes will be good, now. This next 8 or 10 days have some cooler weather and expect the lower river to gain some clarity and give a chance for those fishine edges to catch fish consistently. Early June for you planners should be good on the Conejos, Los Pinos, La Jara, Elk, and the Lake Fork. No crowds and the chance at bigger fish should make it worth the trip." Jon Harp of Conejos River Anglers provided the preceding report.

Arkansas River 2120 cfs below Granite; Fair: 2570 cfs at Salida; Slow
Runoff has hit the Arkansas and most tributaries are contributing with their own high flows, as well as releases out of Clear Creek and Twin Lkaes Reservoirs. Rafting traffic is increasing here and we'll only see more of it as we get into June. There is fair fishing upstream of Brown's Canyon and Chalk Creek to Buena Vista and there is also thinner water above Lake Creek to Hayden Meadows. Fish have moved to the edges as most of the pocket water is blown out, so stay out of the water and fish caddis dries or stonefly nymphs with a trailing caddis pupa or pheasant tail. Nearby Antero Reservoir is offering some of the best fishing in the area.

Animas River 3170 cfs at Durango; Poor
The Animas is coming down slowly and we'll see better fishing conditions here in a week or two. There is some rafting and kayaking traffic, so give it a couple of weeks. Stonefly nymphs with a trailing midge or pheasant tail drifted and swung along the banks may pick up some fish. Forget about the Delores below McPhee, the release is still high at 1170 cfs. If your in the Four Corners and need to fish, hit the San Juan before the release from Navajo Dam goes up on May 27th.

Pagosa Area: Piedra River 1660 cfs at Arboles; Slow: San Juan River 1910 cfs at Pagosa Springs; Slow
There is generally a two to three week longer duration of runoff in southern Colorado than we see here locally in New Mexico. The Pagosa area streams are still high and murky. Streamers fished in the softer water may pick you up a few fish. No reports on Williams Creek yet but it'll fish as long as they don't increase the release out of the dam. Keep checking, good fishing is only a few weeks away.

Rio Grande 698 cfs at Creede; Poor: 2030 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Slow
Declining releases out of Rio Grande Reservoir and waning runoff have made much of the river more fishable to the wading angler. The flows are high so do be careful. This is another place to put on your radar as the giant stonefly hatch is coming soon only to be followed up by the PMD hatch and Green Drake hatch. We'll keep you posted so keep checking the reports.

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 runoff time 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 most current stream flows, see our links page and click on New Mexico Stream Flows.

Fly Fishing Report for Thursday May 21, 2009

Learn more about Aquatic Invasive Species at www.protectyourwaters.net

Runoff is waning, but there are still a few rivers and streams that are high and leaving us limited choices as where to fish. Consider this the time to go someplace you haven't been to or something you haven't done in a while. Alot of the local lakes continue to fish well. Within an hour's drive Abiquiu Lake fishing well for bass and walleye! I think we caught as many walleye as bass this past weekend, and the walleye were in less than ten feet of water making them something you can cast a fly to from the bank. One of the more beautiful lakes, Santa Cruz continues to fish well for rainbows and browns. Eagle's Nest Lake, where you can hit the lake in the morning before the wind, and fish the tailwater, the Cimarron, in the afternoon. On the the Jicarilla Nation, Enbom is fishing well and as always offers beautiful views and frequently peace and quiet. The trout do rise to dry flies including chironomidae midges (#12) and similarly sized mayfly and caddis patterns throughout the day. Come into the shop or give us a call. We'll help you find somewhere to wet a line while you aren't able to hit you favorite stream.

San Juan River 522 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
High Spring Release for the San Juan is now scheduled to start next week. Fishing can be good and you can still wade some places safely during the higher flows, just be smart and careful, and seek professional advice from the local San Juan shops and guides. See our announcements page for the details of the release. Baetis are still coming off on most afternoons especially the cloudy ones. Midge nymphing in the morning is the most productive. Look for risers or fish baetis nymphs in the afternoons. Size #20-22 red, black, and gray midges, and size #22 gray and chocolate RS2's and gray and chocolate foam back emergers with an egg attractor are still the better producers. Good reports from Simon Point up to Cable Hole. There is a two fly only rule for the quality waters of the San Juan. This rule went into effect on July 1st. Game and Fish officers have been heavy handed and are checking people for licenses, barbless flies, and the number of flies on your rig! File those barbs or go barbless, as the fines are steep!

Jicarilla Nation Lakes; Good for trout
Fishing at Stone seems to be tapering off, at least casting to the false spawners near the shore has. Stone Lake is still your best bet at fish over twenty inches, but competing with the profuse midge hatches is making fishing tough. The takes are very light and midges seemed to be the only thing that they wanted. Take caution on the windy days if you are in a boat. Enbom is more protected from wind than Stone. Catching has been better here. There have been good midge hatches there as well in the mornings and the damsels should be moving about also. Other lakes that are also fishing well are Santa Cruz, and Eagle's Nest for trout.

Rio Grande 1310 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 2010 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Slow for trout, Slow for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande is murky, and the flows are up and will likely do so for the next few weeks or more. Smallmouth may eat crayfish patterns and wooly buggers in the eddies and you can probably pick out some trout in the tailouts of larger runs, but it's all about kayaking and rafting for most of May and into June. Streamers fished in the pockets or in the tailouts can also pick up some trout or show them a crane fly larvae with a trailing pheasant tail or caddis larvae. 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. Cover the deeper slower runs and change flies frequently to see which ones trigger a strike.

Pecos River approximately 324 cfs below Terrero; Fair
The river is still high and wading is tough at these levels so do take caution. Our guides have been finding fish on the edges next to the bank if it is slow enough there to get them out of the current. Smaller or unweighted stonefly patterns and a trailing pheasant tail drifted then fished on the swing at the end of your drift is what's working. There is a little less water mid-day and is your best chance at clearer water. Don't be a poacher! Please respect all of the landowners along the Pecos and stay out of all posted private waters. Please report anyone over harvesting fish or poaching to New Mexico Game and Fish at 1-800-432-4263.

Cimarron River 20 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good
The Cimarron River is dam controlled for the most part by Eagle Nest dam. The release is fine for now. There are sporadic midge hatches and baetis hatches. There are tributaries to the Cimarron that are in the waning side of runoff, so you will find clearer water in the mornings. Flies for the Cimarron are bwo's, scuds, hares ear nymphs, and Barr's emergers. Coyote Creek State Park, somewhat near the Cimarron has been fishing well lately. The runoff here is minimal. Small beadheads drifted under an indicator or a dry fly dropper rigs are the current tactics.

Jemez Mountain Streams 64 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Fair to Good
The bottom dropped out of the smaller streams of the Jemez Mountains. Flows are near summer levels and they are fishing well. The Cebolla, the East Fork, and the San Antonio are a little murky, but nymphing with a dry and a dropper with size 14-18 prince nymphs, pheasant tails, and black or blue copper johns are the tactics. The Guadalupe gets more wadeable by the day, but as of today, the stoneflies have yet to make an appearnce even though the hatch is imminent.

The Chama River above the village of Chama; Poor: 1600 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Poor: 1750 cfs below El Vado Dam; Poor: and 1810 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Poor
The Chama River upstream of Tierra Amarilla is fishing poor and the flows are still high. Runoff may take a couple of weeks more to clear up, so keep checking the reports. Also, check the flows before you make that drive to one of the tailwaters. The fishing is generally fair below El Vado using big nymphs with flash and sparkle or streamers, but the release is still high and the water is murky and completely unsafe for wading. Releases from Abiquiu Dam are also up. The flows are quite high for safe wading, and the water looks like liquid sand. Release here fluctuate greatly depending on irrigation need and municipal water supplies so it's best to find someplace else to fish most of the summer. Baetis nymphs, midges, and crane fly larva are the usual flies for the Chama below Abiquiu. 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 best fishing here is up on the lake for smallmouth and walleye from the shore. 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 1560 cfs at Mogote; Fair to Good
May 19, 2009. "With the Rio Grande at 5000 cfs and other rivers cookin' the Conejos is plodding along at 40 cfs out of Platoro Reservoir and creating some incredible fishing in the first 10 miles downstream. We have hooked alot of fish this last week and it should continue to stay good all May. Even if the water releases are raised dramatically it will only make the Meadow that much better. Right now it is on the spooky side and those fishing downriver are doing better. One of our good customers landed a 24" brown a few days ago along with alot of other smaller fish. There are fish beginning to look up in the flat water sections of the Meadow and those looking for a challenge give it a shot. The La Jara right now is very good and the gate to the lower section will open the Thursday before Memorial Day which I guess is in a few days. 5x and 6x with long leaders in the meadow. The pocket water below at least 4x flouro. I have been doing will on the tungsten worm, the @&%# fly, #16 RL Hares ear, #10 Pats, big red annelids, and some bigger dark Copper Johns. I also think that the Los Pinos will be back on the grid in a few weeks. The Lake Fork will also be open for good fishing very soon. Most of the high mountain lakes will be good, now. This next 8 or 10 days have some cooler weather and expect the lower river to gain some clarity and give a chance for those fishine edges to catch fish consistently. Early June for you planners should be good on the Conejos, Los Pinos, La Jara, Elk, and the Lake Fork. No crowds and the chance at bigger fish should make it worth the trip." Jon Harp of Conejos River Anglers provided the preceding report.

Arkansas River 2280 cfs below Granite; Fair: 2680 cfs at Salida; Slow
Runoff has hit the Arkansas and most tributaries are contributing with their own high flows, as well as releases out of Clear Creek and Twin Lkaes Reservoirs. Rafting traffic is increasing here and we'll only see more of it as we get into June. There is fair fishing upstream of Brown's Canyon and Chalk Creek to Buena Vista and there is also thinner water above Lake Creek to Hayden Meadows. Fish have moved to the edges as most of the pocket water is blown out, so stay out of the water and fish caddis dries or stonefly nymphs with a trailing caddis pupa or pheasant tail. Nearby Antero Reservoir is offering some of the best fishing in the area.

Animas River 3620 cfs at Durango; Poor
The Animas is coming down slowly and we'll see better fishing conditions here in a week or two. There is some rafting and kayaking traffic, so give it a couple of weeks. Stonefly nymphs with a trailing midge or pheasant tail drifted and swung along the banks may pick up some fish. Forget about the Delores below McPhee, the release is still high at 1170 cfs. If your in the Four Corners and need to fish, hit the San Juan before the release from Navajo Dam goes up on May 27th.

Pagosa Area: Piedra River 1310 cfs at Arboles; Slow: San Juan River 1940 cfs at Pagosa Springs; Slow
There is generally a two to three week longer duration of runoff in southern Colorado than we see here locally in New Mexico. The Pagosa area streams are still high and murky. Streamers fished in the softer water may pick you up a few fish. No reports on Williams Creek yet but it'll fish as long as they don't increase the release out of the dam. Keep checking, good fishing is only a few weeks away.

Rio Grande 754 cfs at Creede; Poor: 2460 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Slow
If you own a raft you mght be able to hit some productive water on the Rio Grande. Declining releases out of Rio Grande Reservoir and waning runoff have made much of the river more fishable to the wading angler. The flows are high so do be careful. This is another place to put on your radar as the giant stonefly hatch is coming soon only to be followed up by the PMD hatch and Green Drake hatch. We'll keep you posted so keep checking the reports.

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 runoff time 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 most current stream flows, see our links page and click on New Mexico Stream Flows.

Fly Fishing Report for Monday May 18, 2009

Learn more about Aquatic Invasive Species at www.protectyourwaters.net

Runoff is waning, but there are still many rivers and streams that are high and leaving us only a few choices as where to fish. Consider this the time to go someplace you haven't been to or something you haven't done in a while. Alot of the local lakes continue to fish well. Within an hour's drive Abiquiu Lake fishing well for bass and walleye! I think we caught as many walleye as bass this past weekend, and the walleye were in less than ten feet of water making them something you can cast a fly to. One of the more beautiful lakes, Santa Cruz continues to fish well for rainbows and browns. Eagle's Nest Lake, where you can hit the lake in the morning before the wind, and fish the tailwater, the Cimarron, in the afternoon. On the the Jicarilla Nation, Enbom is fishing well and as always offers beautiful views and frequently peace and quiet. This is a float tuber’s special and can be covered in a kick boat without a problem. The wind is less severe on Enbom than Stone Lake this time of year. The trout are hitting a wide assortment of nymph patterns. The trout do rise to dry flies including chironomidae midges (#12) and similarly sized mayfly and caddis patterns throughout the day. Come into the shop or give us a call. We'll help you find somewhere to wet a line while you aren't able to hit you favorite stream.

San Juan River 522 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
High Spring Release for the San Juan is now scheduled to start next week. Fishing can be good and you can still wade some places safely during the higher flows, just be smart and careful, and seek professional advice from the local San Juan shops and guides. See our announcements page for the details of the release. Baetis are still coming off on most afternoons especially the cloudy ones. Midge nymphing in the morning is the most productive. Look for risers or fish baetis nymphs in the afternoons. Size #20-22 red, black, and gray midges, and size #22 gray and chocolate RS2's and gray and chocolate foam back emergers with an egg attractor are still the better producers. Good reports from Simon Point up to Cable Hole. There is a two fly only rule for the quality waters of the San Juan. This rule went into effect on July 1st. Game and Fish officers have been heavy handed and are checking people for licenses, barbless flies, and the number of flies on your rig! File those barbs or go barbless, as the fines are steep!

Jicarilla Nation Lakes; Good for trout
Fishing at Stone seems to be tapering off, at least casting to the false spawners near the shore has. Stone Lake is still your best bet at fish over twenty inches, but competeing with the profuse midge hatches are making fishing tough. The takes are very light and midges seemed to be the only thing that they wanted. Take caution on the windy days if you are in a boat. Enbom is more protected from wind than Stone. Catching has been better here. There have been good midge hatches there as well in the mornings and the damsels should be moving about also. Other lakes that are also fishing well are Santa Cruz, and Eagle's Nest for trout.

Rio Grande 1490 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 2230 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Slow for trout, Slow for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande is murky, and the flows are up and will likely do so for the next few weeks or more. Smallmouth may eat crayfish patterns and wooly buggers in the eddies and you can probably pick out some trout in the tailouts of larger runs, but it's all about kayaking and rafting for most of May and into June. Streamers fished in the pockets or in the tailouts can also pick up some trout or show them a crane fly larvae with a trailing pheasant tail or caddis larvae. 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. Cover the deeper slower runs and change flies frequently to see which ones trigger a strike.

Pecos River approximately 379 cfs below Terrero; Slow
The river is still high and wading is tough at these levels so do take caution. Our guides have been finding fish on the edges next to the bank if it is slow enough there to get them out of the current. Smaller or unweighted stonefly patterns and a trailing pheasant tail drifted then fished on the swing at the end of your drift is what's working. There is a little less water mid-day and is your best chance at clearer water. Don't be a poacher! Please respect all of the landowners along the Pecos and stay out of all posted private waters. Please report anyone over harvesting fish or poaching to New Mexico Game and Fish at 1-800-432-4263.

Cimarron River 14 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good
The Cimarron River is dam controlled for the most part by Eagle Nest dam. The release is down for now. There are sporadic midge hatches and baetis hatches. There are tributaries to the Cimarron that are in the waning side of runoff, so you will find clearer water in the mornings. Flies for the Cimarron are bwo's, scuds, hares ear nymphs, and Barr's emergers. Coyote Creek State Park, somewhat near the Cimarron has been fishing well lately. The runoff here is minimal. Small beadheads drifted under an indicator or a dry fly dropper rigs are the current tactics.

Jemez Mountain Streams 84 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Fair to Good
The bottom dropped out of the smaller streams of the Jemez Mountains.Flows are near summer levels and they are fishing well. The Cebolla, the East Fork, and the San Antonio are a little murky, but nymphing with a dry and a dropper with size 14-18 prince nymphs, pheasant tails, and black or blue copper johns are the tactics. It'll still be a week or two until the de Las Vacas and the Guadalupe will come down in flow and fish well. Keep an eye out however, as the giant stonefly hatch there is imminent.

The Chama River above the village of Chama; Poor: 1990 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Poor: 1540 cfs below El Vado Dam; Poor: and 1890 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Poor
The Chama River upstream of Tierra Amarilla is fishing poor and the flows are still high. Runoff may take a couple of weeks to clear up, so keep checking the reports. Also, check the flows before you make that drive to one of the tailwaters. The fishing is generally fair below El Vado using big nymphs with flash and sparkle or streamers, but the release is still high and the water is murky and completely unsafe for wading. Releases from Abiquiu Dam are also up. The flows are quite high for safe wading, and the water looks like liquid sand. Release here fluctuate greatly depending on irrigation need and municipal water supplies so it's best to find someplace else to fish most of the summer. Baetis nymphs, midges, and crane fly larva are the usual flies for the Chama below Abiquiu. 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:

Arkansas River 1790 cfs below Granite; Fair: 2390 cfs at Salida; Slow
Runoff has hit the Arkansas and most tributaries are contributing with their own high flows. Rafting traffic is increasing here and we'll only see more of it as we get into June. There is fair fishing upstream of Brown's Canyon and Chalk Creek to Buena Vista and there is also thinner water above Lake Creek to Hayden Meadows. Fis have moved to the edges as most of the pocket water is blown out, so stay out of the water and fish caddis dries or stonefly nymphs with a trailing caddis pupa or pheasant tail. Nearby Antero Reservoir is offering some of the best fishing in the area.

Animas River 5000 cfs at Durango; Poor
The death knell for the remaining snowpack has been sounded in the San Juans and we are seeing a dramatic increase in runoff in the Animas. The river is likely to keep high for a few more weeks. Stonefly nymphs with a trailing midge or pheasant tail drifted and swung along the banks may pick up some fish. Forget about the Delores below McPhee, the release has been kicked up to 1170 cfs. If your in the Four Corners and need to fish, hit the San Juan before the release goes up on May 20th.

Conejos River 1660 cfs at Mogote; Slow
The flows are way up with the warm weather and the river is murky. Flows could increase with a higher release out of Platoro Reservoir which is currently at 41 cfs. If the release stays the same, the upper river will be the place to fish. Forest Road 250 to Platoro finally opened late last week. Expect low flows, very clear water and spooky fish. Big, dark stonefly nymphs with a smaller trailing nymph fished in the soft water along the banks is about the only thing working on the main stem. The Los Pinos is still high, so it's not an alternative right now. The giant stonefly hatch comes on just as the water levels recede and warm usually the second week of June. Put that on your radar and we'll keep you informed about conditions here.

Pagosa Area: Piedra River 1820 cfs at Arboles; Poor: San Juan River 2180 cfs at Pagosa Springs; Poor
There is generally a two to three week longer duration of runoff in southern Colorado than we see here locally in New Mexico. The Pagosa area streams are still high and murky. Streamer fished in the softer water may pick you up a few fish. No reports on Williams Creek yet but it'll fish as long as they don't increase the release out of the dam. Keep checking, good fishing is only a few weeks away.

Rio Grande 1190 cfs at Creede; Poor: 2390 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Slow
If you own a raft you mght be able to hit some productive water on the Rio Grande. High releases out of Rio Grande Reservoir and runoff have made much of the river unfishable to the wading angler. This is another place to put on your radar as the giant stonefly hatch is coming soon only to be followed up by the PMD haach and Green Drake hatch. We'll keep you posted so keep checking the reports.

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 runoff time 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 most current stream flows, see our links page and click on New Mexico Stream Flows.

Fly Fishing Report for Friday May 15, 2009

Learn more about Aquatic Invasive Species at www.protectyourwaters.net

Runoff has definitely started throughout the region leaving us only a few choices to fish as far as rivers and streams go. However, this is the time to go and try something new or something you haven't done in a while. Alot of the local lakes are fishing very well. I know I can almost hear the sighs when I mention lakes, but it is a different kind of beauty and experience to be enjoyed nonetheless. Within an hour's drive Cochiti Lake and Abiquiu Lake are fishing well for bass and pike, and bass and walleye respectively. One of the more beautiful lakes, Santa Cruz continues to fish well for rainbows and browns. Two hours from Santa Fe gives you Eagle's Nest Lake, where you can hit the lake in the morning before the wind, and fish the tailwater, the Cimarron, in the afternoon. Enbom Lake on the Jicarilla is awesome right now. Don't have a boat? No problem. The bass at Abiquiu can be picked up on poppers right off of the rocks near the boat ramp. Casting into the shallow coves on the southeast side of Cochiti can get you a smallmouth, largemouth, or even a pike! The rainbows at Eagle's Nest and Stone Lake come into the shallows looking for a place to spawn, and can be caught from the shore. Come into the shop or give us a call. We'll help you find somewhere to wet a line while you aren't able to hit you favorite stream.

San Juan River 522 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
Based on the latest inflow forecasts, the Bureau of Reclamation has revised this year's planned Navajo Reservoir spring peak release. See our announcements page for the details. Baetis are still coming off on most afternoons especially the cloudy ones. The release from the dam is a little murky but improving with visibilty at 4 feet. Midge nymphing in the morning is the most productive. Look for risers or fish baetis nymphs in the afternoons. Size #20-22 red, black, and gray midges, and size #22 gray and chocolate RS2's and gray and chocolate foam back emergers with an egg attractor are still the better producers. Good reports from Simon Point up to Cable Hole. A bunny leech or woolly bugger cast and stripped or dead drifted in black or white can end your slump. There is a two fly only rule for the quality waters of the San Juan. This rule went into effect on July 1st. Game and Fish officers are out and they have been checking people for licenses, barbless flies, and the number of flies on your rig!

Jicarilla Nation Lakes; Good for trout
Fishing at Stone seems to be tapering off, at least casting to the false spawners near the shore has. Stone Lake is still your best bet at fish over twenty inches. Some of the killed fish had lots of salamanders in them. For the fly guys, takes were very light and midges seemed to be what they wanted. Take caution on the windy days if you are in a boat. Enbom is more protected from wind than Stone. Good midge hatches there as well in the mornings and the damsels should be moving about also. Other lakes that are also fishing well are Santa Cruz, and Eagle's Nest for trout.

Rio Grande 1890 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 2710 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Slow for trout, Slow for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande is murky, and the flows are up and will likely do so for the next few weeks or more. Smallmouth may eat crayfish patterns and wooly buggers in the eddies and you can probably pick out some trout in the tailouts of larger runs, but it's all about kayaking and rafting for most of May and into June. The caddis hatch is all the way up to the Wild and Scenic section. Streamers fished in the pockets or in the tailouts can also pick up some trout. Show them a crane fly larvae with a trailing pheasant tail or caddis larvae. 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. Cover the deeper slower runs and change flies frequently to see which ones trigger a strike.

Pecos River approximately 510 cfs below Terrero; Slow
The river is up in flow again. Wading is tough to dangerous at these levels so do take caution. Our guides have been finding fish on the edges next to the bank if it is slow enough there to get them out of the current. Smaller or unweighted stonefly patterns and a trailing pheasant tail drifted then fished on the swing at the end of your drift is what's working. There is a little less water mid-day and is your best chance at clearer water. Water temps are in the high-thirties and only warming by several degrees, so you'll have to get your flies right in front of the fish' nose. Don't be a poacher! Please respect all of the landowners along the Pecos and stay out of all posted private waters. 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. The release is down for now. There are sporadic midge hatches and baetis hatches. There are a few tributaries to the Cimarron that are showing signs of runoff, so you will find clearer water in the mornings. Flies for the Cimarron are bwo's, scuds, hares ear nymphs, and Barr's emergers. Coyote Creek State Park, somewhat near the Cimarron has been fishing well lately. The runoff here is minimal. Small beadheads drifted under an indicator or a dry fly dropper rigs are the current tactics.

Jemez Mountain Streams 89 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Fair to Good
The smaller streams of the Jemez Mountains are on the waning side of runoff and are fishing well. The Cebolla, the East Fork, and the San Antonio are a little murky but fishing good on dry dropper rigs. Nymphing with a dry and a dropper with size 14-18 prince nymphs, pheasant tails, and black or blue copper johns in the slower runs and edges are the tactics. It'll still be a couple of weeks until the de Las Vacas and the Guadalupe will fish well and can be waded safely.

The Chama River above the village of Chama; Poor: 2520 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Poor: 2000 cfs below El Vado Dam; Poor: and 1860 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Poor
The Chama River upstream of Tierra Amarilla is fishing poor and the flows are very high. Runoff has definitely hit the Chama and may take a few weeks to a month to clear up, so keep checking the reports. Also, check the flows before you make that drive to one of the tailwaters. The fishing is generally fair below El Vado using big nymphs with flash and sparkle or streamers, but the release is way, way up and the water is murky and completely unsafe for wading. Releases from Abiquiu Dam are also up. The flows are quite high for safe wading, although the water is alot clearer than the release out of El Vado. Baetis nymphs, midges, and crane fly larva are the usual flies for the Chama below Abiquiu. 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:

Arkansas River 1580 cfs below Granite; Good: 2010 cfs at Salida; Fair
The releases out of Twin Lakes went up again as well as the release from Clear Creek Reservoir. There is thinner water above Lake Creek to Hayden Meadows. The colder water may stall the caddis hatch a bit, which is between Brown's Canyon and Buena Vista. There are still good hatches of blue winged olives also. We are seeing more water in the Ark it's starting to affect the clarity of the river especially by late afternoon. You'll find clearer water above Chalk Creek, so fish above in the morning. Fish have moved to the edges as most of the pocket water is blown out, so stay out of the water and fish caddis dries or stonefly nymphs with a trailing caddis pupa or pheasant tail.

Animas River 5260 cfs at Durango; Poor
The death knell for the remaining snowpack has been sounded in the San Juans and we are seeing a dramatic increase in runoff in the Animas. The river is likely to keep rising for a few more weeks. Stonefly nymphs with a trailing midge or pheasant tail drifted and swung along the banks may pick up some fish. Forget about the Delores below McPhee, the release has been kicked up to 1840 cfs. If your in the four corners and need to fish, hit the San Juan before the release goes up on May 20th.

Conejos River 1770 cfs at Mogote; Slow
The flows are way up with the warm weather and the river is murky. Flows could increase with a higher release out of Platoro Reservoir which is currently at 41 cfs. If the release stays the same, the upper river will be the place to fish, that is if the Forest Road 250 to Platoro will finally open. It's rumored to be today! Expect low flows, very clear water and spooky fish. Big, dark stonefly nymphs with a smaller trailing nymph fished in the soft water along the banks is about the only thing working on the main stem. The Los Pinos is still high, so it's not an alternative right now. The giant stonefly hatch comes on just as the water levels recede and warm usually the second week of June. Put that on your radar and we'll keep you informed about conditions here.

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 runoff time 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 most current stream flows, see our links page and click on New Mexico Stream Flows.

Fly Fishing Report for Monday May 11, 2009

Learn more about Aquatic Invasive Species at www.protectyourwaters.net

Runoff has definitely started throughout the region leaving us only a few choices to fish as far as rivers and streams go. However, this is the time to go and try something new or something you haven't done in a while. Alot of the local lakes are fishing very well. I know I can almost hear the sighs when I mention lakes, but it is a different kind of beauty and experience to be enjoyed nonetheless. Within an hour's drive Cochiti Lake and Abiquiu Lake are fishing well for bass and pike, and bass and walleye respectively. One of the more beautiful lakes, Santa Cruz continues to fish well for rainbows and browns. Two hours from Santa Fe gives you Eagle's Nest Lake, where you can hit the lake in the morning before the wind, and fish the tailwater, the Cimarron, in the afternoon. Enbom Lake on the Jicarilla is awesome right now. Don't have a boat? No problem. The bass at Abiquiu can be picked up on poppers right off of the rocks near the boat ramp. Casting into the shallow coves on the southeast side of Cochiti can get you a smallmouth, largemouth, or even a pike! The rainbows at Eagle's Nest and Stone Lake come into the shallows looking for a place to spawn, and can be caught from the shore. Come into the shop or give us a call. We'll help you find somewhere to wet a line while you aren't able to hit you favorite stream.

San Juan River 516 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
Based on the latest inflow forecasts, the Bureau of Reclamation has revised this year's planned Navajo Reservoir spring peak release. See our announcements page for the details. Baetis are still coming off on most afternoons especially the cloudy ones. The release from the dam is a little murky but improving with visibilty at 4 feet. Midge nymphing in the morning is the most productive. Look for risers or fish baetis nymphs in the afternoons. Size #20-22 red, black, and gray midges, and size #22 gray and chocolate RS2's and gray and chocolate foam back emergers with an egg attractor are still the better producers. Good reports from Simon Point up to Cable Hole. A bunny leech or woolly bugger cast and stripped or dead drifted in black or white can end your slump. There is a two fly only rule for the quality waters of the San Juan. This rule went into effect on July 1st. Game and Fish officers are out and they have been checking people for licenses, barbless flies, and the number of flies on your rig!

Jicarilla Nation Lakes; Good for trout
Fishing at Stone seems to be tapering off, at least casting to the false spawners near the shore has. Stone Lake is still your best bet at fish over twenty inches. Some of the killed fish had lots of salamanders in them. For the fly guys, takes were very light and midges seemed to be what they wanted. Take caution on the windy days if you are in a boat. Enbom is more protected from wind than Stone. Good midge hatches there as well in the mornings and the damsels should be moving about also. Other lakes that are also fishing well are Santa Cruz, and Eagle's Nest for trout.

Rio Grande 2380 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 3190 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Slow for trout, Slow for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande is murky, and the flows are going up and will likely do so for the next few weeks or more. Smallmouth may eat crayfish patterns and wooly buggers in the eddies and you can probably pick out some trout in the tailouts of larger runs, but it's all about kayaking and rafting for most of May and into June. The caddis hatch is all the way up to the Wild and Scenic section. Streamers fished in the pockets or in the tailouts can also pick up some trout. Show them a crane fly larvae with a trailing pheasant tail or caddis larvae. 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. Cover the deeper slower runs and change flies frequently to see which ones trigger a strike.

Pecos River approximately 612+ cfs below Terrero; Slow
The river is up in flow again. Wading is tough to dangerous at these levels so do take caution. Our guides have been finding fish on the edges next to the bank if it is slow enough there to get them out of the current. Smaller or unweighted stonefly patterns and a trailing pheasant tail drifted then fished on the swing at the end of your drift is what's working. There is a little less water mid-day and is your best chance at clearer water. Water temps are in the high-thirties and only warming by several degrees, so you'll have to get your flies right in front of the fish' nose. Don't be a poacher! Please respect all of the landowners along the Pecos and stay out of all posted private waters. 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. The release is down for now. There are sporadic midge hatches and baetis hatches. There are a few tributaries to the Cimarron that are showing signs of runoff, so you will find clearer water in the mornings. Flies for the Cimarron are bwo's, scuds, hares ear nymphs, and Barr's emergers. Coyote Creek State Park, somewhat near the Cimarron has been fishing well lately. The runoff here is minimal. Small beadheads drifted under an indicator or a dry fly dropper rigs are the current tactics.

Jemez Mountain Streams 148 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Fair
The smaller streams of the Jemez Mountains are on the waning side of runoff and are fishable. The Cebolla, the East Fork, and the San Antonio are a little high and murky but fishing fair on dry dropper rigs. Nymphing with a dry and a dropper with size 16-18 prince nymphs, pheasant tails, and black or blue copper johns in the slower runs and edges are the tactics. It'll still be a couple of weeks until the de Las Vacas and the Guadalupe will fish well and can be waded safely.

The Chama River above the village of Chama; Poor: 3150 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Poor: 3980 cfs below El Vado Dam; Poor: and 1780 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Slow
The Chama River upstream of Tierra Amarilla is fishing poor and the flows are very high. Runoff has definitely hit the Chama and may take a few weeks to a month to clear up, so keep checking the reports. Also, check the flows before you make that drive to one of the tailwaters. The fishing is generally fair below El Vado using big nymphs with flash and sparkle or streamers, but the release is way, way up and the water is murky and completely unsafe for wading. Releases from Abiquiu Dam are also up. The flows are quite high for safe wading, although the water is alot clearer than the release out of El Vado. Baetis nymphs, midges, and crane fly larva are the usual flies for the Chama below Abiquiu. 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:

Arkansas River 1020 cfs below Granite; Good: 1060 cfs at Salida; Fair
The releases out of Twin Lakes went up again as well as the release from Clear Creek Reservoir. The colder water may stall the caddis hatch a bit, which is into Brown's Canyon at this point. There are still good hatches of blue winged olives also. We are seeing more water in the Ark it's starting to affect the clarity of the river especially by late afternoon. You'll find clearer water above Chalk Creek, so fish above in the morning. Fish have moved to the edges as most of the pocket water is blown out, so stay out of the water and fish stonefly nymphs with a trailing caddis pupa or pheasant tail.

Animas River 4710 cfs at Durango; Poor
The death knell for the remaining snowpack has been sounded in the San Juans and we are seeing a dramatic increase in runoff in the Animas. The river is likely to keep rising for a few more weeks. Stonefly nymphs with a trailing midge or pheasant tail drifted and swung along the banks may pick up some fish but it may be a better bet to hit the Delores below McPhee. Or fish the San Juan before the release goes up on May 20th.

Conejos River 1680 cfs at Mogote; Slow
The flows are way up with the warm weather and the river is murky. Flows could increase with a higher release out of Platoro Reservoir. Big, dark stonefly nymphs with a smaller trailing nymph fished in the soft water along the banks is about the only thing working on the main stem. The Los Pinos is actually higher than the Conejos so it's not an alternative right now. The giant stonefly hatch comes on just as the water levels recede and warm usually the second week of June. Put that on your radar and we'll keep you informed about conditions here. The gate accessing the upper river is still closed.

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 a warm, early spring 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 most current stream flows, see our links page and click on New Mexico Stream Flows.

Fly Fishing Report for Saturday May 9, 2009

Learn more about Aquatic Invasive Species at www.protectyourwaters.net

Runoff has definitely started throughout the region leaving us only a few choices to fish as far as rivers and streams go. However, this is the time to go and try something new or something you haven't done in a while. Alot of the local lakes are fishing very well. I know I can almost hear the sighs when I mention lakes, but it is a different kind of beauty and experience to be enjoyed nonetheless. Within an hour's drive Cochiti Lake and Abiquiu Lake are fishing well for bass and pike, and bass and walleye respectively. One of the more beautiful lakes, Santa Cruz continues to fish well for rainbows and browns. Two hours from Santa Fe gives you Eagle's Nest Lake, where you can hit the lake in the morning before the wind, and fish the tailwater, the Cimarron, in the afternoon. Enbom Lake on the Jicarilla is awesome right now. Don't have a boat? No problem. The bass at Abiquiu can be picked up on poppers right off of the rocks near the boat ramp. Casting into the shallow coves on the southeast side of Cochiti can get you a smallmouth, largemouth, or even a pike! The rainbows at Eagle's Nest and Stone Lake come into the shallows looking for a place to spawn, and can be caught from the shore. Come into the shop or give us a call. We'll help you find somewhere to wet a line while you aren't able to hit you favorite stream.

San Juan River 510 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
Based on the latest inflow forecasts, the Bureau of Reclamation has revised this year's planned Navajo Reservoir spring peak release. See our announcements page for the details. Baetis are still coming off on most afternoons especially the cloudy ones. The release from the dam is a little murky but improving with visibilty at 4 feet. Midge nymphing in the morning is the most productive. Look for risers or fish baetis nymphs in the afternoons. Size #20-22 red, black, and gray midges, and size #22 gray and chocolate RS2's and gray and chocolate foam back emergers with an egg attractor are still the better producers. Good reports from Simon Point up to Cable Hole. A bunny leech or woolly bugger cast and stripped or dead drifted in black or white can end your slump. There is a two fly only rule for the quality waters of the San Juan. This rule went into effect on July 1st. Game and Fish officers are out and they have been checking people for licenses, barbless flies, and the number of flies on your rig!

Jicarilla Nation Lakes; Good for trout
Fishing at Stone seems to be tapering off, at least casting to the false spawners near the shore has. Stone Lake is still your best bet at fish over twenty inches. Some of the killed fish had lots of salamanders in them. For the fly guys, takes were very light and midges seemed to be what they wanted. Take caution on the windy days if you are in a boat. Enbom is more protected from wind than Stone. Good midge hatches there as well in the mornings and the damsels should be moving about also. Other lakes that are also fishing well are Santa Cruz, and Eagle's Nest for trout.

Rio Grande 1980 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 2640 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Slow for trout, Slow for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande is murky, and the flows are going up and will likely do so for the next few weeks or more. Smallmouth may eat crayfish patterns and wooly buggers in the eddies and you can probably pick out some trout in the tailouts of larger runs, but it's all about kayaking and rafting for most of May and into June. The caddis hatch is all the way up to the Wild and Scenic section. Streamers fished in the pockets or in the tailouts can also pick up some trout. Show them a crane fly larvae with a trailing pheasant tail or caddis larvae. 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. Cover the deeper slower runs and change flies frequently to see which ones trigger a strike.

Pecos River approximately 624+ cfs below Terrero; Slow
The river is up in flow again. Wading is tough to dangerous at these levels so do take caution. Our guides have been finding fish on the edges next to the bank if it is slow enough there to get them out of the current. Smaller or unweighted stonefly patterns and a trailing pheasant tail drifted then fished on the swing at the end of your drift is what's working. There is a little less water mid-day and is your best chance at clearer water. Water temps are in the high-thirties and only warming by several degrees, so you'll have to get your flies right in front of the fish' nose. Don't be a poacher! Please respect all of the landowners along the Pecos and stay out of all posted private waters. 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. The release is down for now. There are sporadic midge hatches and baetis hatches. There are a few tributaries to the Cimarron that are showing signs of runoff, so you will find clearer water in the mornings. Flies for the Cimarron are bwo's, scuds, hares ear nymphs, and Barr's emergers. Coyote Creek State Park, somewhat near the Cimarron has been fishing well lately. The runoff here is minimal. Small beadheads drifted under an indicator or a dry fly dropper rigs are the current tactics.

Jemez Mountain Streams 176 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Fair
The smaller streams of the Jemez Mountains are on the waning side of runoff and are fishable. The Cebolla, the East Fork, and the San Antonio are a little high and murky but fishing fair on dry dropper rigs. Nymphing with a dry and a dropper with size 16-18 prince nymphs, pheasant tails, and black or blue copper johns in the slower runs and edges are the tactics. It'll still be a couple of weeks until the de Las Vacas and the Guadalupe will fish well and can be waded safely.

The Chama River above the village of Chama; Poor: 3600 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Poor: 5840 cfs below El Vado Dam; Poor: and 1760 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Slow
The Chama River upstream of Tierra Amarilla is fishing poor and the flows are very high. Runoff has definitely hit the Chama and may take a few weeks to a month to clear up, so keep checking the reports. Also, check the flows before you make that drive to one of the tailwaters. The fishing is generally fair below El Vado using big nymphs with flash and sparkle or streamers, but the release is way, way up and the water is murky and completely unsafe for wading. Releases from Abiquiu Dam are also up. The flows are quite high for safe wading, although the water is alot clearer than the release out of El Vado. Baetis nymphs, midges, and crane fly larva are the usual flies for the Chama below Abiquiu. 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:

Arkansas River 809 cfs below Granite; Good: 965 cfs at Salida; Fair
The releases out of Twin Lakes went up again as well as the release from Clear Creek Reservoir. The colder water may stall the caddis hatch a bit, which is into Brown's Canyon at this point. There are still good hatches of blue winged olives also. We are seeing more water in the Ark it's starting to affect the clarity of the river especially by late afternoon. You'll find clearer water above Chalk Creek, so fish above in the morning. Fish have moved to the edges as most of the pocket water is blown out. Stay out of the water and fish stonefly nymphs with a trailing caddis pupa or pheasant tail.

Animas River 5000 cfs at Durango; Poor
The death knell for the remaining snowpack has been sounded in the San Juans and we are seeing a dramatic increase in runoff in the Animas. The river is likely to keep rising for a few more weeks. Stonefly nymphs with a trailing midge or pheasant tail drifted and swung along the banks may pick up some fish but it may be a better bet to hit the Delores below McPhee. Or fish the San Juan before the release goes up on May 20th.

Conejos River 965 cfs at Mogote; Slow
The flows are way up with the warm weather and the river is murky, but not muddy. Flows could increase with a higher release out of Platoro Reservoir. Big, dark stonefly nymphs with a smaller trailing nymph fished in the soft water along the banks is about the only thing working on the main stem. The Los Pinos is actually higher than the Conejos so it's not an alternative right now. The giant stonefly hatch comes on just as the water levels recede and warm usually the second week of June. Put that on your radar and we'll keep you informed about conditions here. The gate accessing the upper river is still closed.

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 a warm, early spring 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 most current stream flows, see our links page and click on New Mexico Stream Flows.