Ed's Fly Fishing Report for Monday May 31, 2010
Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Learn more at http://www.tu.org/science/aquatic-invasive-species-ais
No High Spring Peak Release this year on the San Juan River. The latest Water Supply Forecast for Water Year 2010 has been issued and the April through July inflow into Navajo Lake is forecasted to be at 89% of normal. Given this forecast, there will not be a spring peak release this year. It's a little unfortunate that the river won't see a scouring this year and flush out some of the accumulated sand and silt. The upside is that there shouldn't be a dip in business for the San Juan guides. The high spring release often keeps anglers away despite the fact that fishing is very good during the event.
Pecos River 431 cfs below Terrero; Slow to Fair: At Villanueva State Park; Poor:
The water is high making wading difficult, however the water does have some clarity to it and the fish are eating. Fish dry dropper rigs along the banks where there is some soft water with samll stonefly nymphs. Another strategy is to fish the deeper holes that don't get blown out with higher water with a longer nymph rig and bigger bugs. Fly choices would be red and orange San Juan worms, green caddis nymphs, or weighted stonefly nymphs. Holy Ghost Creek was reported to be the trib with the better fishing and least amount of water. The summer fishing program at Pecos National Historical Park begins on June 24th. To get a fishing day on Pecos NHP, see their website at http://www.nps.gov/peco/planyourvisit/fishing.htm or call 505-757-7272. 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 504 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
Visibilty is improving to 4 feet. The suspended moss in the current is still a problem, especially in the afternoons. Make sure to clean off your rig so the fish can see your flies. Fishing is good on #20-22 olive midge larva, #22-24 black zebra midges. I like them in tandem with a SJ Worm or red midge larva. Chocolate baetis emergers like a #22-24 foam wing or RS2 have been working in the afternoons.There is a two fly only rule for the quality waters of the San Juan. Also, the Special Trout Water section is all catch and release. If you see someone in violation, turn them into Game and Fish at 1-800-432-4263. 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 1370 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 2250 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Slow for trout, Slow for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande has come up again and that means whitewater. Raft it, kayak it, but I wouldn't fish it until flows are down towards the end of June. Once runoff is over, trout fishing will probably be slow in the warmer water temps of the Rio. Smallmouth however will eat and can be picked up on small streamers and crayfish patterns. If you're going to go for trout, try a crane fly larvae or stonelfy nymphs with a trailing caddis pupa or flashback pheasant tail. A streamer fished deep in the pockets could get you a nice trout or even a smallie or a pike!
Jemez Mountain Streams 180 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Good
Stoneflies are off on the lower Jemez and just started making their way up the Guadalupe. The water is still a little high and stained on the Guad, but they are eating nymphs and may start looking up as the hatch progresses. The upper streams like the East Fork just west of the Caldera, the upper San Antonio, or the upper Cebolla have the best water clarity. We've had good reports from each over the past two weeks. There is alot of truck traffic on Forest Road 376 from Jemez Springs to almost Porter's Landing, so be careful. The upper end of 376 off of NM Highway 126 won't open till June 1. The Valles Caldera opened up to fishing on May 22nd. Fishing has been very good on the Caldera. Go with a black beatle or cricket in the morning and swith to hopper once things warm up. They no longer have the lottery system in place there. To reserve a space, you can call, visit the website, or take a chance and walk-on before 7:00 am: See the Caldera's website at http://vallescaldera.gov/ for more details.
Cimarron River 6.3 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good: 55 cfs at Cimarron
Even though the dam release is barely above zero, Tolby Creek and a few others are keeping the Cimarron flowing. It's brushier on the upper end, but there is more water the further east you go especially below Clear Creek. Scuds, golden stone nymphs, caddis pupa, and black WD40's were reported to be the hot flies. Hit this stream now that the others are in runoff and before the summer crowds decend upon it.
Jicarilla Nation Lakes
Mundo Lake has been excellent this week. Flies reported include Hares Ear nymphs, Pheasant Tail Nymphs, and Woolly Buggers in olive, brown, or black. Enbom Lake has also been excellent this week. Most of the fly action was on wooly buggers, but I suspect that beadhead nymphs, renegades, and chironomidae patterns will turn fish also. Anglers can expect to pick up some large fish along with the standard 8-12 inch rainbows. Stone Lake has been very slow. The few reports we received suggested multiple hours with very few hits and no fish landed. The water quality is great and the hatch of chironomidae midges is in full effect. The wind has contributed to the low pressure, but mornings and evenings offer a chance to catch the really big one at Stone Lake. Anglers can fish from the shore, float tube, or boat right now. Have a great Holiday Weekend!!! The preceeeding report was excerpted from the Jicarilla Nation weblog fishing report by Kevin Terry.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Poor: 1070 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Poor: 598 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow: and 843 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Slow
Runoff is still upon the Chama, but it looks like it's waning. The river flowing into El Vado is still high and murky. Below El Vado, you can use big nymphs with flash and sparkle, but your better off with streamers in the murky water coming out of the dam. Cover the tailouts of pools and hit the obvious seams. The stretch below Abiquiu typically doesn't fish well over the summer. Currently the release is high and wading is difficult. The clarity is decent however. Even though this stretch does have some decent natural reproduction, most of the fish that get caught, get kept. 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 297 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Slow: 1640 cfs at Mogote; Slow
May 26, 2010. "Flows today have come back down today to just about perfect. We can only hope they stay at these levels for a while longer. That might make most of the 70 miles of Conejos fishable again. Right now 157 out of the dam. (Currently the release out of Platoro is 297 cfs.) Compared to 450 a few days ago I love it. The lower river should clear some and drop below 1000 or so and the fish will spend most of the day on the edges so should be plenty of places to throw a fly this weekend if we can keep the releases in the range they are in today. Headed out for a pm guide so we'll see." Jon Harp of Conejos River Anglers provided the preceeding report.
Rio Grande 1120 cfs below Thirty Mile Bridge; Slow: 2690 cfs below Windy Gap Slow
Releases out of Rio Grande Reservoir have really brought the flows up on the upper river above Creede. This has made the fishing below Creede really tough even though the river is floatable. The South Fork is blown out completely. Beaver Reservoir is being drained and is murking up the South Fork and consequently the lower Rio below South Fork.
Pagosa Area Piedra River 1630 cfs at Arboles; Poor: San Juan at Pagosa 1880 cfs; Poor
Lots of snow and runoff around here. The Piedra and San Juan are big water, and most of the smaller tribs are running high and muddy as well. Williams Creek below the reservoir is the best bet in this neighborhood.
Arkansas River 1970 cfs at Granite; Slow: 3130 cfs at Salida; Poor
The river murked up. Runoff has finally hit the Arkansas. Most of the tributaries are running high. Streamers in some deeper runs may produce a fish, but it may be wiser to go somewhere else. THat is until the water subsides and the stoneflies strat coming off later in June. Antero Reservoir sounds like the hot spot up there.
Animas River 2450 cfs at Durango; Poor
Wow! The Animas is ripping and would make for some hairy whitewater boating right now. The water is murky and fishing is slow. Wait till runoff ends.
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 spring in New Mexico and water and fishing condtitions can change with the weather! 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.
No High Spring Peak Release this year on the San Juan River. The latest Water Supply Forecast for Water Year 2010 has been issued and the April through July inflow into Navajo Lake is forecasted to be at 89% of normal. Given this forecast, there will not be a spring peak release this year. It's a little unfortunate that the river won't see a scouring this year and flush out some of the accumulated sand and silt. The upside is that there shouldn't be a dip in business for the San Juan guides. The high spring release often keeps anglers away despite the fact that fishing is very good during the event.
Pecos River 431 cfs below Terrero; Slow to Fair: At Villanueva State Park; Poor:
The water is high making wading difficult, however the water does have some clarity to it and the fish are eating. Fish dry dropper rigs along the banks where there is some soft water with samll stonefly nymphs. Another strategy is to fish the deeper holes that don't get blown out with higher water with a longer nymph rig and bigger bugs. Fly choices would be red and orange San Juan worms, green caddis nymphs, or weighted stonefly nymphs. Holy Ghost Creek was reported to be the trib with the better fishing and least amount of water. The summer fishing program at Pecos National Historical Park begins on June 24th. To get a fishing day on Pecos NHP, see their website at http://www.nps.gov/peco/planyourvisit/fishing.htm or call 505-757-7272. 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 504 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
Visibilty is improving to 4 feet. The suspended moss in the current is still a problem, especially in the afternoons. Make sure to clean off your rig so the fish can see your flies. Fishing is good on #20-22 olive midge larva, #22-24 black zebra midges. I like them in tandem with a SJ Worm or red midge larva. Chocolate baetis emergers like a #22-24 foam wing or RS2 have been working in the afternoons.There is a two fly only rule for the quality waters of the San Juan. Also, the Special Trout Water section is all catch and release. If you see someone in violation, turn them into Game and Fish at 1-800-432-4263. 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 1370 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 2250 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Slow for trout, Slow for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande has come up again and that means whitewater. Raft it, kayak it, but I wouldn't fish it until flows are down towards the end of June. Once runoff is over, trout fishing will probably be slow in the warmer water temps of the Rio. Smallmouth however will eat and can be picked up on small streamers and crayfish patterns. If you're going to go for trout, try a crane fly larvae or stonelfy nymphs with a trailing caddis pupa or flashback pheasant tail. A streamer fished deep in the pockets could get you a nice trout or even a smallie or a pike!
Jemez Mountain Streams 180 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Good
Stoneflies are off on the lower Jemez and just started making their way up the Guadalupe. The water is still a little high and stained on the Guad, but they are eating nymphs and may start looking up as the hatch progresses. The upper streams like the East Fork just west of the Caldera, the upper San Antonio, or the upper Cebolla have the best water clarity. We've had good reports from each over the past two weeks. There is alot of truck traffic on Forest Road 376 from Jemez Springs to almost Porter's Landing, so be careful. The upper end of 376 off of NM Highway 126 won't open till June 1. The Valles Caldera opened up to fishing on May 22nd. Fishing has been very good on the Caldera. Go with a black beatle or cricket in the morning and swith to hopper once things warm up. They no longer have the lottery system in place there. To reserve a space, you can call, visit the website, or take a chance and walk-on before 7:00 am: See the Caldera's website at http://vallescaldera.gov/ for more details.
Cimarron River 6.3 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good: 55 cfs at Cimarron
Even though the dam release is barely above zero, Tolby Creek and a few others are keeping the Cimarron flowing. It's brushier on the upper end, but there is more water the further east you go especially below Clear Creek. Scuds, golden stone nymphs, caddis pupa, and black WD40's were reported to be the hot flies. Hit this stream now that the others are in runoff and before the summer crowds decend upon it.
Jicarilla Nation Lakes
Mundo Lake has been excellent this week. Flies reported include Hares Ear nymphs, Pheasant Tail Nymphs, and Woolly Buggers in olive, brown, or black. Enbom Lake has also been excellent this week. Most of the fly action was on wooly buggers, but I suspect that beadhead nymphs, renegades, and chironomidae patterns will turn fish also. Anglers can expect to pick up some large fish along with the standard 8-12 inch rainbows. Stone Lake has been very slow. The few reports we received suggested multiple hours with very few hits and no fish landed. The water quality is great and the hatch of chironomidae midges is in full effect. The wind has contributed to the low pressure, but mornings and evenings offer a chance to catch the really big one at Stone Lake. Anglers can fish from the shore, float tube, or boat right now. Have a great Holiday Weekend!!! The preceeeding report was excerpted from the Jicarilla Nation weblog fishing report by Kevin Terry.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Poor: 1070 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Poor: 598 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow: and 843 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Slow
Runoff is still upon the Chama, but it looks like it's waning. The river flowing into El Vado is still high and murky. Below El Vado, you can use big nymphs with flash and sparkle, but your better off with streamers in the murky water coming out of the dam. Cover the tailouts of pools and hit the obvious seams. The stretch below Abiquiu typically doesn't fish well over the summer. Currently the release is high and wading is difficult. The clarity is decent however. Even though this stretch does have some decent natural reproduction, most of the fish that get caught, get kept. 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 297 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Slow: 1640 cfs at Mogote; Slow
May 26, 2010. "Flows today have come back down today to just about perfect. We can only hope they stay at these levels for a while longer. That might make most of the 70 miles of Conejos fishable again. Right now 157 out of the dam. (Currently the release out of Platoro is 297 cfs.) Compared to 450 a few days ago I love it. The lower river should clear some and drop below 1000 or so and the fish will spend most of the day on the edges so should be plenty of places to throw a fly this weekend if we can keep the releases in the range they are in today. Headed out for a pm guide so we'll see." Jon Harp of Conejos River Anglers provided the preceeding report.
Rio Grande 1120 cfs below Thirty Mile Bridge; Slow: 2690 cfs below Windy Gap Slow
Releases out of Rio Grande Reservoir have really brought the flows up on the upper river above Creede. This has made the fishing below Creede really tough even though the river is floatable. The South Fork is blown out completely. Beaver Reservoir is being drained and is murking up the South Fork and consequently the lower Rio below South Fork.
Pagosa Area Piedra River 1630 cfs at Arboles; Poor: San Juan at Pagosa 1880 cfs; Poor
Lots of snow and runoff around here. The Piedra and San Juan are big water, and most of the smaller tribs are running high and muddy as well. Williams Creek below the reservoir is the best bet in this neighborhood.
Arkansas River 1970 cfs at Granite; Slow: 3130 cfs at Salida; Poor
The river murked up. Runoff has finally hit the Arkansas. Most of the tributaries are running high. Streamers in some deeper runs may produce a fish, but it may be wiser to go somewhere else. THat is until the water subsides and the stoneflies strat coming off later in June. Antero Reservoir sounds like the hot spot up there.
Animas River 2450 cfs at Durango; Poor
Wow! The Animas is ripping and would make for some hairy whitewater boating right now. The water is murky and fishing is slow. Wait till runoff ends.
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 spring in New Mexico and water and fishing condtitions can change with the weather! 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 31, 2010
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