Ed's Fly Fishing Report for Saturday June 12, 2010
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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.
Our good friend and owner of the Enchanted Hideaway Lodge, Gretchen Lee passed away Sunday, June 6th. She was well known throughout the community of Navajo Dam and the San Juan River. She had the biggest heart and the softest spot in it was for dogs. She rescued dozens and often took in the ones no one else wanted. As a huge lover of dogs myself, Saint Gretchen will always occupy a soft spot in my heart. Those who knew this wonderful woman will surely miss her.
San Juan River 487 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
Visibilty is around 4 feet. The suspended moss in the current is less of a problem but, make sure to check your rig and clean off the junk. Fishing is good on #20-22 red and cream midge larva, #22-24 olive and gray midge pupa and emergers in the morning and up towards the dam all day. Afternoons below Texas Hole have been best with chocolate baetis emergers like a #22-24 foam wing, RS2, or WD40. The mosquitoes are out, so be prepared! 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!
Pecos River 220 cfs below Terrero; Good: At Villanueva State Park; Poor:
They're here!!! We're seeing them heaviest around Windy Bridge. The hatch is up to Terrero. Remember, the first public access is at Dalton Day Use. The Pecos continues to drop in flow every day and the river has decent clarity. Fish dry dropper rigs along the banks where there is some soft water with small stonefly nymphs. Fly choices would be twenty inchers, tungstones, pat's rubber legs, wired stones, rogue foam stones, el caminos, or sofa pillows. 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.
Rio Grande 783 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 1450 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Slow for trout, Slow for smallmouth bass
The flows on the Rio Grande are trending downward. I think we've seen the peak at Pilar unless there is a monumental release out of reservoirs in Colorado. 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 25 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Good
The upper streams like the East Fork just west of the Caldera, the San Antonio, the Guadalupe, and the Cebolla are still fishing well. Fish are taking dries early and late in the day. Shaded ares like the East Fork from the East Fork Trailhead down to Battleship should fish well all day. Some of the more open streams slow during mid-day. 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 12 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good: 35 cfs at Cimarron
Even though the dam release is above a trickle, it's Tolby Creek and a few others that 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. Stoneflies are also starting to pop. Golden stone nymphs, caddis pupa, black WD40's, freestones, pmx's, and fuzzy wuzzy's were reported to be the hot flies. The Red River around the corner is pretty much done with runoff and is fishing well as is the Rio Costilla outside the Valle Vidal boundary.
Jicarilla Nation Lakes
The Jicarilla Fishing Lakes have been HOT! That goes for the recent daytime temps as well as for the fishing action at both Enbom and Mundo Lakes. This morning to Mundo I came across an angler fly fishing from a float tube who had caught 4 out of the 5 species of fish in the lake in just an hour at Mundo Lake. There has been a substantial callibaetis mayfly hatch at Mundo recently and the trout will rise in the mornings and evenings. Enbom Lake has been good to excellent for Rainbows averaging 8-10 inches with bigger fish mixed in. The callibaetis hatch is happening as is the usual chironomidae midge hatch. Flies have been the hot ticket lately. I talked to a guy on Monday who was catching them on a stonefly nymph. The water is rusty but visibility is up to 6 feet. Float tubes have been able to access some of the shallow spots on the north half of the lake which holds good numbers of fish. Stone Lake is giving us hell, as has been the case this entire season. Remember that we put in over 100,000 fish in April and given historical growth rates they should be a fat happy 8-12 inches by now. Where are they? Well, I hope to answer that and more in next week’s report after we try another Gill Net set. Jicarilla Fishing Permits are NOW available ONLINE at www.jicarillahunt.com. You can purchase and print your valid Jicarilla Fishing Permit from the comfort of your home or office. See you on the water. The preceeeding report was excerpted from the Jicarilla Nation weblog fishing report by Kevin Terry.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Slow: 339 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Fair: 616 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow to Fair: and 412 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Slow
Runoff is fianlly waning on the Chama. The river flowing into El Vado is a little high but wadeable. 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 release is up to it's weekend high. Fishing is a little tougher than during the week but it can be done. The stretch below Abiquiu typically doesn't fish well over the summer. Currently the release is moderate but water calls downstream may increase the release at any time. 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 173 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Good: 904 cfs at Mogote; Fair
June 11, 2010. "It is time to start planning on coming to the Conejos. Two days ago we saw the first of the Salmonfies emerge from the river. The flows are looking great as of this morning the lower river is running 1010cfs and dropping which should provide some great surface action with these giant bugs. The upper river has been holding steady now at 173cfs for a few days now and these fish have moved into a bit faster water in the meadows." Jon Harp of Conejos River Anglers provided the preceeding report.
Rio Grande 658 cfs below Thirty Mile Bridge; Fair: 1560 cfs below Windy Gap; Fair
Releases out of Rio Grande Reservoir have been fluctuating alot, mostly on the high side. I think we are seeing the last of spring runoff on the upper river. Check the flows at Thirty Mile before you go unless you can float it. Nymph fishing with stoneflies, caddis and drake nymphs has been good. Flows have been reduced out of Beaver Reservoir. This has improved clarity and fishing on the South Fork.
Pagosa Area Piedra River 1040 cfs at Arboles; Slow: San Juan at Pagosa 1160 cfs; Slow
Flows are declining, but the area waters are still high. The Piedra and San Juan are big water, and most of the smaller tribs are running high as well. The upper forks of the Piedra are starting to fish well. I've had reports that stoneflies have been seen on Williams Creek below the reservoir and from it's confluence of the Piedra.
Arkansas River 1720 cfs at Granite; Slow: 2730 cfs at Salida; Slow
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 start coming off later in June. Antero Reservoir sounds like the hot spot up there.
Animas River 2260 cfs at Durango; Slow
The Animas is dropping in flow and has some clarity, but it is still rather high. The 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.
Our good friend and owner of the Enchanted Hideaway Lodge, Gretchen Lee passed away Sunday, June 6th. She was well known throughout the community of Navajo Dam and the San Juan River. She had the biggest heart and the softest spot in it was for dogs. She rescued dozens and often took in the ones no one else wanted. As a huge lover of dogs myself, Saint Gretchen will always occupy a soft spot in my heart. Those who knew this wonderful woman will surely miss her.
San Juan River 487 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
Visibilty is around 4 feet. The suspended moss in the current is less of a problem but, make sure to check your rig and clean off the junk. Fishing is good on #20-22 red and cream midge larva, #22-24 olive and gray midge pupa and emergers in the morning and up towards the dam all day. Afternoons below Texas Hole have been best with chocolate baetis emergers like a #22-24 foam wing, RS2, or WD40. The mosquitoes are out, so be prepared! 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!
Pecos River 220 cfs below Terrero; Good: At Villanueva State Park; Poor:
They're here!!! We're seeing them heaviest around Windy Bridge. The hatch is up to Terrero. Remember, the first public access is at Dalton Day Use. The Pecos continues to drop in flow every day and the river has decent clarity. Fish dry dropper rigs along the banks where there is some soft water with small stonefly nymphs. Fly choices would be twenty inchers, tungstones, pat's rubber legs, wired stones, rogue foam stones, el caminos, or sofa pillows. 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.
Rio Grande 783 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 1450 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Slow for trout, Slow for smallmouth bass
The flows on the Rio Grande are trending downward. I think we've seen the peak at Pilar unless there is a monumental release out of reservoirs in Colorado. 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 25 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Good
The upper streams like the East Fork just west of the Caldera, the San Antonio, the Guadalupe, and the Cebolla are still fishing well. Fish are taking dries early and late in the day. Shaded ares like the East Fork from the East Fork Trailhead down to Battleship should fish well all day. Some of the more open streams slow during mid-day. 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 12 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good: 35 cfs at Cimarron
Even though the dam release is above a trickle, it's Tolby Creek and a few others that 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. Stoneflies are also starting to pop. Golden stone nymphs, caddis pupa, black WD40's, freestones, pmx's, and fuzzy wuzzy's were reported to be the hot flies. The Red River around the corner is pretty much done with runoff and is fishing well as is the Rio Costilla outside the Valle Vidal boundary.
Jicarilla Nation Lakes
The Jicarilla Fishing Lakes have been HOT! That goes for the recent daytime temps as well as for the fishing action at both Enbom and Mundo Lakes. This morning to Mundo I came across an angler fly fishing from a float tube who had caught 4 out of the 5 species of fish in the lake in just an hour at Mundo Lake. There has been a substantial callibaetis mayfly hatch at Mundo recently and the trout will rise in the mornings and evenings. Enbom Lake has been good to excellent for Rainbows averaging 8-10 inches with bigger fish mixed in. The callibaetis hatch is happening as is the usual chironomidae midge hatch. Flies have been the hot ticket lately. I talked to a guy on Monday who was catching them on a stonefly nymph. The water is rusty but visibility is up to 6 feet. Float tubes have been able to access some of the shallow spots on the north half of the lake which holds good numbers of fish. Stone Lake is giving us hell, as has been the case this entire season. Remember that we put in over 100,000 fish in April and given historical growth rates they should be a fat happy 8-12 inches by now. Where are they? Well, I hope to answer that and more in next week’s report after we try another Gill Net set. Jicarilla Fishing Permits are NOW available ONLINE at www.jicarillahunt.com. You can purchase and print your valid Jicarilla Fishing Permit from the comfort of your home or office. See you on the water. The preceeeding report was excerpted from the Jicarilla Nation weblog fishing report by Kevin Terry.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Slow: 339 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Fair: 616 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow to Fair: and 412 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Slow
Runoff is fianlly waning on the Chama. The river flowing into El Vado is a little high but wadeable. 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 release is up to it's weekend high. Fishing is a little tougher than during the week but it can be done. The stretch below Abiquiu typically doesn't fish well over the summer. Currently the release is moderate but water calls downstream may increase the release at any time. 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 173 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Good: 904 cfs at Mogote; Fair
June 11, 2010. "It is time to start planning on coming to the Conejos. Two days ago we saw the first of the Salmonfies emerge from the river. The flows are looking great as of this morning the lower river is running 1010cfs and dropping which should provide some great surface action with these giant bugs. The upper river has been holding steady now at 173cfs for a few days now and these fish have moved into a bit faster water in the meadows." Jon Harp of Conejos River Anglers provided the preceeding report.
Rio Grande 658 cfs below Thirty Mile Bridge; Fair: 1560 cfs below Windy Gap; Fair
Releases out of Rio Grande Reservoir have been fluctuating alot, mostly on the high side. I think we are seeing the last of spring runoff on the upper river. Check the flows at Thirty Mile before you go unless you can float it. Nymph fishing with stoneflies, caddis and drake nymphs has been good. Flows have been reduced out of Beaver Reservoir. This has improved clarity and fishing on the South Fork.
Pagosa Area Piedra River 1040 cfs at Arboles; Slow: San Juan at Pagosa 1160 cfs; Slow
Flows are declining, but the area waters are still high. The Piedra and San Juan are big water, and most of the smaller tribs are running high as well. The upper forks of the Piedra are starting to fish well. I've had reports that stoneflies have been seen on Williams Creek below the reservoir and from it's confluence of the Piedra.
Arkansas River 1720 cfs at Granite; Slow: 2730 cfs at Salida; Slow
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 start coming off later in June. Antero Reservoir sounds like the hot spot up there.
Animas River 2260 cfs at Durango; Slow
The Animas is dropping in flow and has some clarity, but it is still rather high. The 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 Saturday, June 12, 2010
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