Ed's Fly Fishing Report for Sunday February 7, 2010
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Fianlly some good news and common sense. The state of New Mexico's employee furlough plan to cut costs, will no longer affect New Mexico State Parks. The parks will renmain open and park employees will have to take staggered days off. I'm not sure if there was some pressure brought to bear to the Governor's office, but will rejoice in this more common sensible approach. I just saw this on the news this morning and I am not sure if next Tuesday the 9th's furlough plans for State Park employees is still on. I'll post more info as I learn more, but I'd still call state parks and find out if you plan on going to the San Jaun or Pecos at Villanueva.
Pecos River below Terrero; Poor: At Villanueva State Park; Slow
The upper Pecos is pretty well iced over in most places. There is some open water, but it seems that some of the fish I've seen caught around Terrero are very stressed. Since they get bombarded during the summer months I'm advocating for letting them be. The only fishable stretch is all the way down at Villanueva State Park. Villanueva was stocked fianlly and probably for the last time this season this past week. Get it while it's good! Egg patterns, red and green copper johns, and prince nymphs were all working on the stockers. 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 458 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
The lake has turned over in December and visibilty on the river has been reduced to 2-3 feet. This obviously reduces any dry fly fishing, but fishing is still good on the usual midge fare. Red, cream, orange, gray and olive larva size 18-24, midge pupa in olive and gray size 22-24, along with black or olive bunny leeches. Blue winged olives have been coming off with the stormy weather. Gray, olive or chocolate RS2's, johnny flashes and foam wing emergers size 22-24 from 11:00am to 5:00 pm have been producing. Fish the deeper slower runs especially after a very cold night. I'm not sure if Navajo State Park will close next on Tuesday February 9th. The state has apparently found a way to stagger the furlough state parks employees to keep them open. I'll post more info as I learn more. Contact New Mexico State Parks before you make any plans. There is a two fly only rule for the quality waters of the San Juan. This rule went into effect on July 1st of 2008. Also, the Special Trout Water section is all no kill as of September 15th. If you see someone in violation, turn them into Game and Fish. Officers have been 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!
Rio Grande 297 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 488 cfs at Pilar; Fair to Good for pike, Slow to Fair for trout, Poor for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande is somewhat clear at 2-3 feet of visibility. For trout, show them a crane fly larvae, stonelfy nymphs, or work streamers around structure. The low flows we are currently seeing should make casting to pike alot easier. Pike hunt by feel and they'll take large streamers that move water regardless of water clarity, just be sure to cover the water thoroughly. Cover the deep, slower runs and change flies frequently to see which ones trigger a strike.
Cimarron River .11 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Poor
The Cimarron River is dam controlled for the most part by Eagle Nest dam. The release is near ZERO and fishing is poor. Once again, I'll say it, but it needs to be said to the right people and by more people. This is a river that can offer year round angling and is a big economic draw for this part of New Mexico. WE NEED YEAR ROUND INSTREAM FLOWS! As winter progresses, fishing will slow even more and you'll have to go elsewhere.
Jemez Mountain Streams above Jemez Pueblo; Slow to Fair
The lower streams like the East Fork above Battleship Rock and the main stem Jemez have more water and are fishing fair from mid-day on. Forest Road 376 is closed limiting access on the Guadalupe. The main stem Jemez River was last stocked over a month ago.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Poor: below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Slow: 80 cfs below El Vado Dam; Fair to Good: and 92 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Fair to Good
The fishing is fair below El Vado using big nymphs with flash and sparkle or streamers. Cover the tailouts of pools and hit the obvious seams. The release out of Abiquiu is also down and fishing is fair to good. Baetis nymphs, midges, and crane fly larva are the usual flies for the Chama below Abiquiu. Construction of another turbine facility at Abiquiu Dam can muddy up the river, the river has remained clear for several weeks. 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 80 cfs at Granite; Slow: 136 cfs at Salida; Fair to Good
The release out of Twin Lakes has been decreased fianlly and were are seeing a more natural flow on the Ark. Fishing is fair near Salida on a warm afternoon. The fish are holding in their winter lies in the deeper pools. They tend to feed harder with the warmer weather, and seem to be rather selective. Big stone fly nymphs with a size 20 black midge pupa has been the most productive set up. The best fishing is currently below Pueblo Reservoir on midges and baetis.
Animas River 160 cfs at Durango; Fair
The Animas is fairly clear and fishing fair. A weighted nymphs with a trailing midge or pheasant tail drifted and swung along the banks will pick up some fish. Some good streamer fishing early morning or at dusk.
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 the middle of winter in New Mexico and water and fishing condtitions can change 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.
Fianlly some good news and common sense. The state of New Mexico's employee furlough plan to cut costs, will no longer affect New Mexico State Parks. The parks will renmain open and park employees will have to take staggered days off. I'm not sure if there was some pressure brought to bear to the Governor's office, but will rejoice in this more common sensible approach. I just saw this on the news this morning and I am not sure if next Tuesday the 9th's furlough plans for State Park employees is still on. I'll post more info as I learn more, but I'd still call state parks and find out if you plan on going to the San Jaun or Pecos at Villanueva.
Pecos River below Terrero; Poor: At Villanueva State Park; Slow
The upper Pecos is pretty well iced over in most places. There is some open water, but it seems that some of the fish I've seen caught around Terrero are very stressed. Since they get bombarded during the summer months I'm advocating for letting them be. The only fishable stretch is all the way down at Villanueva State Park. Villanueva was stocked fianlly and probably for the last time this season this past week. Get it while it's good! Egg patterns, red and green copper johns, and prince nymphs were all working on the stockers. 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 458 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
The lake has turned over in December and visibilty on the river has been reduced to 2-3 feet. This obviously reduces any dry fly fishing, but fishing is still good on the usual midge fare. Red, cream, orange, gray and olive larva size 18-24, midge pupa in olive and gray size 22-24, along with black or olive bunny leeches. Blue winged olives have been coming off with the stormy weather. Gray, olive or chocolate RS2's, johnny flashes and foam wing emergers size 22-24 from 11:00am to 5:00 pm have been producing. Fish the deeper slower runs especially after a very cold night. I'm not sure if Navajo State Park will close next on Tuesday February 9th. The state has apparently found a way to stagger the furlough state parks employees to keep them open. I'll post more info as I learn more. Contact New Mexico State Parks before you make any plans. There is a two fly only rule for the quality waters of the San Juan. This rule went into effect on July 1st of 2008. Also, the Special Trout Water section is all no kill as of September 15th. If you see someone in violation, turn them into Game and Fish. Officers have been 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!
Rio Grande 297 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 488 cfs at Pilar; Fair to Good for pike, Slow to Fair for trout, Poor for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande is somewhat clear at 2-3 feet of visibility. For trout, show them a crane fly larvae, stonelfy nymphs, or work streamers around structure. The low flows we are currently seeing should make casting to pike alot easier. Pike hunt by feel and they'll take large streamers that move water regardless of water clarity, just be sure to cover the water thoroughly. Cover the deep, slower runs and change flies frequently to see which ones trigger a strike.
Cimarron River .11 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Poor
The Cimarron River is dam controlled for the most part by Eagle Nest dam. The release is near ZERO and fishing is poor. Once again, I'll say it, but it needs to be said to the right people and by more people. This is a river that can offer year round angling and is a big economic draw for this part of New Mexico. WE NEED YEAR ROUND INSTREAM FLOWS! As winter progresses, fishing will slow even more and you'll have to go elsewhere.
Jemez Mountain Streams above Jemez Pueblo; Slow to Fair
The lower streams like the East Fork above Battleship Rock and the main stem Jemez have more water and are fishing fair from mid-day on. Forest Road 376 is closed limiting access on the Guadalupe. The main stem Jemez River was last stocked over a month ago.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Poor: below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Slow: 80 cfs below El Vado Dam; Fair to Good: and 92 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Fair to Good
The fishing is fair below El Vado using big nymphs with flash and sparkle or streamers. Cover the tailouts of pools and hit the obvious seams. The release out of Abiquiu is also down and fishing is fair to good. Baetis nymphs, midges, and crane fly larva are the usual flies for the Chama below Abiquiu. Construction of another turbine facility at Abiquiu Dam can muddy up the river, the river has remained clear for several weeks. 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 80 cfs at Granite; Slow: 136 cfs at Salida; Fair to Good
The release out of Twin Lakes has been decreased fianlly and were are seeing a more natural flow on the Ark. Fishing is fair near Salida on a warm afternoon. The fish are holding in their winter lies in the deeper pools. They tend to feed harder with the warmer weather, and seem to be rather selective. Big stone fly nymphs with a size 20 black midge pupa has been the most productive set up. The best fishing is currently below Pueblo Reservoir on midges and baetis.
Animas River 160 cfs at Durango; Fair
The Animas is fairly clear and fishing fair. A weighted nymphs with a trailing midge or pheasant tail drifted and swung along the banks will pick up some fish. Some good streamer fishing early morning or at dusk.
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 the middle of winter in New Mexico and water and fishing condtitions can change 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 Saturday, February 06, 2010
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