Ed's Fly Fishing Report for Saturday June 19, 2010
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Off The Beaten Path Abiquiu Lake
Water temps have finally reached a point where the bass fishing has really picked up. They can be caught at this time of year right from the shore. The best time of day to catch them on poppers, a bass fishing dry fly basically, is in the morning. Get there at day break when the water is the most calm. Cast your poppers right at the submerged trees just off of the shore. They'll often give you a second chance if you blow your first hook set. Around 11:00 am or so when the sun is high and it's getting warm, switch to a subsurface pattern like a clouser minnow. Again, work the trees and be prepared to lose a few flies. The southern side of the lake has alot of submerged trees and can be accessed from NM Highway 96. Find a pullout and hike down to the lake. Another good spot is to walk north of the boat ramp and fish off of the ledges as you go. There are some coves with a lot off trees in the water. Sometimes you can get a carp to eat in there as well. Stay within the high water mark as there is some private land along the northeast shore. I love going to a place like this when I can't find enough room to cast on my favorite trout stream. It's a perfect place to fish when you have those afternoon honeydo's. I'll get there early and enjoy the sunrise. I'll fish hard until 9 or 10, then swim the dogs and headout as the powerboat crowd shows up.
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. Her lodge in Navajo Dam is currently open for business. Still a great place to stay, especially if you get the Stone House and share it with a few fishing buddies.
San Juan River 529 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 136 cfs below Terrero; Good: At Villanueva State Park; Poor:
Flows have dropped nearly a hundred cfs in a week. For those of you who found the higher water too tough to wade earlier, get out now. The stonefly hatch has moved up past Terrero. River wide, there are caddis hatches, PMD's, yellow sallies, especially up high, and some gray drakes coming off about mid-day. Western March Browns, or Rithrogenia mayflies may be starting their emergence as well. This is some of the best in dry fly fishing on the Pecos. Remember, the first public access is at Dalton Day Use. Fly choices would be twenty inchers, pat's rubber legs, el caminos, headlight sallies, neversink caddis, and extended body PMD's. 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 405 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 768 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Slow for trout, Slow for smallmouth bass
The flows on the Rio Grande are nearing a summer flow. Trout fishing at Pilar is fair early or late in the day or better most of the day up in the gorge where there is more spring inflow and cooler water. Smallmouth, however will eat during the heat of the day 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 fishing fairly 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. As far as flies go, try a black cricket, small neversink caddis, headlight sallies, and PMD's, or go to a red legged hopper in the afternoons. The Valles Caldera is open to fishing. The South Fork Fire is not affecting any of the waters we typically fish in the Jemez Mountains. 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 10 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good: 24 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
Enbom has slowed down a little and the fishing is considered fair to good right now. Enbom Lake fishes better in the mornings and evenings this time of year. The best reports are from anglers using flies from a boat or float tube. Most of these folks are fishing a slow troll and covering water including the north half of the lake that is hard to access from the shore. The fish have been more active and surface oriented in the early mornings and just before dark. That is the best chance for dry fly fishing with chironomidae midges and callibaetis spinners. Grasshoppers are out and about and might be worth fishing near shore in a breeze. The student run PASS Boat and Tackle shop at Mundo Lake will be opening. They are open for business beginning Wednesday June 16, 2010. The hours of operation will be 11am -8pm Wednesday through Sunday and they are located at the spillway at Mundo Lake. They have small jon boats with trolling motors for rent, as well as tackle, snacks, and refreshments. For details please view the “whats new” section of our website www.jicarillahunt.com. Have a great week and catch the big one. The preceeeding report was excerpted from the Jicarilla Nation weblog fishing report by Kevin Terry.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Slow: 153 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Fair: 598 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow to Fair: and 279 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Slow
Runoff is finally done on the Chama. The river flowing into El Vado is perfect. I'm not sure of clarity, but I'd hit it now! Stoneflies are off upstream of the Heron Dam spillway. This section of river warms alot in mid summer from irrigation return so don't wait. 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. Fish during the week for a lower release around 150 cfs. Fishing is a little tougher than during the week but it can be done. The stretch below Abiquiu typically doesn't typically fish well over the summer. Currently the release is moderate and fairly clear 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 270 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Good: 518 cfs at Mogote; Fair
June 16, 2010. "I have been trying to catch the Salmonflies perfectly on the Conejos now for 15 years and it has only happened twice so far. Well I think right now is 3! Normal flows for this time on the Conejos River are 1250 or so. Right now they are just over 500cfs. The bugs are thick from Antonito to Conejos Ranch and each day we will see them higher. It will only last a week or so before the Goldens begin coming off but expect the Conejos to be loaded with Salmonflies, Goldens, and Caddis over the next two weeks. The tribs right now are getting prime earlier then I thought. The La Jara, Los Pinos, South, Elk, and a host of others are dropping fast. Fish right now are so full of bugs that many of the stomachs are distended. Fish are moving in and out of really shallow slow water to fast rifles to fast runs. Finding them at times has been the hardest part. If you get a chance come and fish one of our lower ranches with a guide or rod fee and see what we are talking about. New Summer hours starting tomorrow: Monday thru Saturday 7:30 to 6:00. Sundays 7:30 to 2:00." Jon Harp of Conejos River Anglers provided the preceeding report.
Rio Grande 246 cfs below Thirty Mile Bridge; Fair: 1150 cfs below Windy Gap; Fair
Releases out of Rio Grande Reservoir have been fluctuating alot, mostly on the high side. Currently the flows are fairly low and the upper river is very fishable. Lotas of caddis river wide and brown stones and salmonflies moving upstream of South Fork every day. 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 on the Piedra, but the lower river is still a little high. The upper forks and the Williams are fishing great with alot of dry fly action on big stones. The San Juan in town is also a a little high. The East Fork of the San Juan as well as Turkey and Fourmile are lower and fishing well. Take a box full of big stone dries like Freestones, in orange and golden, and rogue foam stones, neversink caddis, and a few nitro caddis pupa and double bead golden nymphs for a droppper set up.
Arkansas River 1720 cfs at Granite; Slow: 2730 cfs at Salida; Slow
The river is dropping fast opening more possibilities along the Ark. Above Buena Vista, stones are starting to emerge, The river is still too high to wade, so fish along the edges; thats where the fish are looking for the bugs anyway. At Hayden Meadows, try hoppers, yellow sallies, and small caddis. The water is low and clear so use some stealth. Flows below 1500 cfs are ideal below Buena Vista and down into Bighorn Sheep Canyon. Flows may hit that target later in the week. Antero Reservoir continues to fish very well.
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 summer 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.
For the most current fire information go to http://nmfireinfo.wordpress.com/
Click on Public Lands Information Center from our links page for a list of fire restrictions or closures.
Off The Beaten Path Abiquiu Lake
Water temps have finally reached a point where the bass fishing has really picked up. They can be caught at this time of year right from the shore. The best time of day to catch them on poppers, a bass fishing dry fly basically, is in the morning. Get there at day break when the water is the most calm. Cast your poppers right at the submerged trees just off of the shore. They'll often give you a second chance if you blow your first hook set. Around 11:00 am or so when the sun is high and it's getting warm, switch to a subsurface pattern like a clouser minnow. Again, work the trees and be prepared to lose a few flies. The southern side of the lake has alot of submerged trees and can be accessed from NM Highway 96. Find a pullout and hike down to the lake. Another good spot is to walk north of the boat ramp and fish off of the ledges as you go. There are some coves with a lot off trees in the water. Sometimes you can get a carp to eat in there as well. Stay within the high water mark as there is some private land along the northeast shore. I love going to a place like this when I can't find enough room to cast on my favorite trout stream. It's a perfect place to fish when you have those afternoon honeydo's. I'll get there early and enjoy the sunrise. I'll fish hard until 9 or 10, then swim the dogs and headout as the powerboat crowd shows up.
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. Her lodge in Navajo Dam is currently open for business. Still a great place to stay, especially if you get the Stone House and share it with a few fishing buddies.
San Juan River 529 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 136 cfs below Terrero; Good: At Villanueva State Park; Poor:
Flows have dropped nearly a hundred cfs in a week. For those of you who found the higher water too tough to wade earlier, get out now. The stonefly hatch has moved up past Terrero. River wide, there are caddis hatches, PMD's, yellow sallies, especially up high, and some gray drakes coming off about mid-day. Western March Browns, or Rithrogenia mayflies may be starting their emergence as well. This is some of the best in dry fly fishing on the Pecos. Remember, the first public access is at Dalton Day Use. Fly choices would be twenty inchers, pat's rubber legs, el caminos, headlight sallies, neversink caddis, and extended body PMD's. 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 405 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 768 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Slow for trout, Slow for smallmouth bass
The flows on the Rio Grande are nearing a summer flow. Trout fishing at Pilar is fair early or late in the day or better most of the day up in the gorge where there is more spring inflow and cooler water. Smallmouth, however will eat during the heat of the day 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 fishing fairly 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. As far as flies go, try a black cricket, small neversink caddis, headlight sallies, and PMD's, or go to a red legged hopper in the afternoons. The Valles Caldera is open to fishing. The South Fork Fire is not affecting any of the waters we typically fish in the Jemez Mountains. 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 10 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good: 24 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
Enbom has slowed down a little and the fishing is considered fair to good right now. Enbom Lake fishes better in the mornings and evenings this time of year. The best reports are from anglers using flies from a boat or float tube. Most of these folks are fishing a slow troll and covering water including the north half of the lake that is hard to access from the shore. The fish have been more active and surface oriented in the early mornings and just before dark. That is the best chance for dry fly fishing with chironomidae midges and callibaetis spinners. Grasshoppers are out and about and might be worth fishing near shore in a breeze. The student run PASS Boat and Tackle shop at Mundo Lake will be opening. They are open for business beginning Wednesday June 16, 2010. The hours of operation will be 11am -8pm Wednesday through Sunday and they are located at the spillway at Mundo Lake. They have small jon boats with trolling motors for rent, as well as tackle, snacks, and refreshments. For details please view the “whats new” section of our website www.jicarillahunt.com. Have a great week and catch the big one. The preceeeding report was excerpted from the Jicarilla Nation weblog fishing report by Kevin Terry.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Slow: 153 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Fair: 598 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow to Fair: and 279 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Slow
Runoff is finally done on the Chama. The river flowing into El Vado is perfect. I'm not sure of clarity, but I'd hit it now! Stoneflies are off upstream of the Heron Dam spillway. This section of river warms alot in mid summer from irrigation return so don't wait. 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. Fish during the week for a lower release around 150 cfs. Fishing is a little tougher than during the week but it can be done. The stretch below Abiquiu typically doesn't typically fish well over the summer. Currently the release is moderate and fairly clear 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 270 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Good: 518 cfs at Mogote; Fair
June 16, 2010. "I have been trying to catch the Salmonflies perfectly on the Conejos now for 15 years and it has only happened twice so far. Well I think right now is 3! Normal flows for this time on the Conejos River are 1250 or so. Right now they are just over 500cfs. The bugs are thick from Antonito to Conejos Ranch and each day we will see them higher. It will only last a week or so before the Goldens begin coming off but expect the Conejos to be loaded with Salmonflies, Goldens, and Caddis over the next two weeks. The tribs right now are getting prime earlier then I thought. The La Jara, Los Pinos, South, Elk, and a host of others are dropping fast. Fish right now are so full of bugs that many of the stomachs are distended. Fish are moving in and out of really shallow slow water to fast rifles to fast runs. Finding them at times has been the hardest part. If you get a chance come and fish one of our lower ranches with a guide or rod fee and see what we are talking about. New Summer hours starting tomorrow: Monday thru Saturday 7:30 to 6:00. Sundays 7:30 to 2:00." Jon Harp of Conejos River Anglers provided the preceeding report.
Rio Grande 246 cfs below Thirty Mile Bridge; Fair: 1150 cfs below Windy Gap; Fair
Releases out of Rio Grande Reservoir have been fluctuating alot, mostly on the high side. Currently the flows are fairly low and the upper river is very fishable. Lotas of caddis river wide and brown stones and salmonflies moving upstream of South Fork every day. 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 on the Piedra, but the lower river is still a little high. The upper forks and the Williams are fishing great with alot of dry fly action on big stones. The San Juan in town is also a a little high. The East Fork of the San Juan as well as Turkey and Fourmile are lower and fishing well. Take a box full of big stone dries like Freestones, in orange and golden, and rogue foam stones, neversink caddis, and a few nitro caddis pupa and double bead golden nymphs for a droppper set up.
Arkansas River 1720 cfs at Granite; Slow: 2730 cfs at Salida; Slow
The river is dropping fast opening more possibilities along the Ark. Above Buena Vista, stones are starting to emerge, The river is still too high to wade, so fish along the edges; thats where the fish are looking for the bugs anyway. At Hayden Meadows, try hoppers, yellow sallies, and small caddis. The water is low and clear so use some stealth. Flows below 1500 cfs are ideal below Buena Vista and down into Bighorn Sheep Canyon. Flows may hit that target later in the week. Antero Reservoir continues to fish very well.
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 summer 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.
For the most current fire information go to http://nmfireinfo.wordpress.com/
Click on Public Lands Information Center from our links page for a list of fire restrictions or closures.
posted by High Desert Angler at Saturday, June 19, 2010
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