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.
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.
posted by High Desert Angler at Monday, May 18, 2009
<< Home