Ed's Fly Fishing Report for Friday July 23, 2010
Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Learn more at http://www.tu.org/science/aquatic-invasive-species-ais
The Rio Costilla 80 cfs below Costilla Reservoir; Very Good
The Valle Vidal unit of the Carson National Forest opened Thursday July 1st. This area is truly a scenic gem for New Mexico. It's loaded with elk, bison, and turkey, but it usually draws people for the fishing. The Rio Costilla is one place you can reliably catch a Rio Grande Cutthroat and Shuree Ponds are known for it's large rainbows. The stream is dry fly fishing at it's best. High riding attractor like PMX's and Aerial Assault's, and yellow sallies and caddis flies work very well on those quick striking cutties. Take damsel nymphs, diving caddis, and some aquatic snail patterns for the lunkers at Shuree. All of the streams in the Valle Vidal are no kill. The bag limit for Shuree is only 2 fish over 15 inches. Please report anyone breaking thes rules to New Mexico Game and Fish at 800-432-4263 or the Forest Service at 575-586-0520.
San Juan River 856 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
The release is down below Navajo Dam as flows have increased on the Animas. The above 500 cfs release makes for better boat fishing and hopefully spreads some of the anglers out. There are still reports of PMD's and caddis on the lower river. There has been one ant fall but it was rather weak and it will probably take a good downpour to get it going. They already had some good rain in the past 24 hours. From Texas Hole up to the Cable, fishing is good on #24-24 olive, gray, black, or brown midge pupa and larva in the morning and up towards the dam all day. Afternoons below Texas Hole have been best with olive or gray baetis emergers like a #22 foam wing, RS2, or WD40. The baetis are active from 11:00 am to about 5:00 pm. It's back to the black midge larva after 5. 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 59 cfs below Terrero; Good: At Pecos National Historical Park; Fair:
The river is clear above Dalton Canyon and the fishing is good. River wide, there are caddis hatches, PMD's, and yellow sallies, especially up high. Western March Browns, or Rithrogenia mayflies are 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 anato-mays, hares ears, red quills, headlight sallies, neversink caddis, and extended body PMD's. The summer fishing program at Pecos National Historical Park began on June 24th. Mid-day water temps are getting warm and the fishing slows. Despite the fact that it is no where in writing, the staff at Pecos NHP are also wanting anglers to have a Habitat Improvement Stamp. This is also contrary to what I'd been told by Game and Fish, but go ahead and get one so you won't get turned away. 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 79 cfs at Cerro; Fair: 262 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Fair for trout, Fair for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande is at it's 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 stonefly 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 14 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 fair. 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 most of the 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. 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 26 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good: 39 cfs at Cimarron
The release is down today and we'll see it catch up to the guage at Cimarron soon. The extra water makes some of the upper river tougher to fish where it's brushier. The river is more open the further east you go especially below Clear Creek. PMD's are off. Golden stone nymphs, caddis pupa, black WD40's, yellow pmx's, pink cahills, and PMD's were reported to be the hot flies. The Red River around the corner is also fishing well on pretty much the same flies.
Jicarilla Nation Lakes
The last report from Jicarilla Game and Fish is from July 6th. I suspect that fishing has slowd even more with the higher day time temps. Fishing at Enbom in the mornings would be your best bet. There are lots of damsel nymphs in the water and you might find a fish or two taking them off of the top. Fishing should improve with cooler weather and some much needed rain.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Good: 35 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Slow: 789 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow to Fair: and 905 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Slow
The best fishing on the Chama is the stretch above the town of Chama. Access can be had through the Sargent Wildlife Area. Good dry fly fishing on PMD's, green drakes, caddis, and red quills. The river flowing into El Vado is getting warm and trout fishing is slow. This section of river warms alot in mid summer from irrigation return. 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 and be careful with the higher flows. The stretch below Abiquiu typically doesn't typically fish well over the summer. Currently the release is high and murky and 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.
Off The Beaten Path Abiquiu Lake
I'm going to leave this one up for at least another week. Bass fishing has really picked up on the lake. They can be caught at this time of year right from the shore. The best time of day to catch them on poppers 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. 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. Look for them in the coves. The more trees in the water, the better. 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, fish hard until 9 or 10, then swim the dogs and headout as the powerboat crowd shows up.
In Southern Colorado:
Conejos River 186 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Good: 290 cfs at Mogote; Good
July 17, 2010. "Yes a little while has passed. We have been on the moving water of Conejos County and what a beautiful office it is. Very little guide brain strain this past week. We have fished from behind the shop in Mogote to above the Reservoir and for the most part really good fishing. Seems like the Drake hatch so far has been pretty light when it comes off but the fish seem to be really on them when they are out. So many other bugs up high right now it is confusing at times to figure it out. I have spent about half of my guide days in the last week on the tributaries and each time I do they remind why they are worth it. Most of the fish right now have been on the dry. Down low an assortment of attractor dries and up higher smaller stones, drakes, BWO's, red quills, and PMD's. You just need an assortment of bugs so that when you see them you have something close enough to move some fish. Cripples and emergers behind the dries seems to be really effective. As the water clears and begins to drop the tippet size, presentation, drift, silhouette, movement, and length of leader and whatever else I dont remember right now becomes more important. I want to say thanks again to all of you for supporting our guides and fly shop in the middle of nowhere!"Jon Harp of Conejos River Anglers provided the preceeding report.
Rio Grande 113 cfs below Thirty Mile Bridge; Fair: 333 cfs below Windy Gap; Fair
Releases out of Rio Grande Reservoir is up today. Currently the flows are fairly low and the upper river like the box cayon is very fishable. It' sounds like the best fishing is from Rio Grande Reservoir down to South Fork. Lots of caddis river wide and PMD's and green and gray drakes moving upstream of South Fork every day. Nymph fishing with stoneflies, caddis and drake nymphs has been good.
Pagosa Area Piedra River 52 cfs at Arboles; Slow: San Juan at Pagosa 97 cfs; Slow
Flows are declining on alot of our area waters and the Pagosa area is no different. Take a water temp if you are on the Piedra below Williams Creek or on Williams. If you get anything in the mid-sixties, consider fishing elsewhere. The upper forks of the Piedra as well as The San Juan and trubutaries abovee Pagosa are fishing good. On the upper forks, use caddis, golden stones, and PMD's. Williams Creek below the dam is getting low and warm. Some rainfall could change that for the better. On the San Juan there are lots of caddis and some PMD's, and Red Quills. The East Fork of the San Juan as well as Turkey and Fourmile are also fishing well. Take a box full of PMD's, golden stones, neversink caddis, and a few nitro caddis pupa and double bead golden nymphs for a droppper set up. Or swing that caddis dropper at the end of your drift and hang on!
Arkansas River 485 cfs at Granite; Good: 742 cfs at Salida; Good
The river is at it's summer flows anf fishing is great. Around Buena Vista, fish are taking caddis early and late in the day and are eating PMD's and yellow sallies mid-day. Look for them right off of the shelves or along the edges in the soft water. At Hayden Meadows, try hoppers, yellow sallies, and small caddis. The water is low and clear so use some stealth. Around Salida, PMD's and lots of caddis with the best action in the afternoons. Antero Reservoir continues to fish very well.
Animas River 410 cfs at Durango; Good
Some heavy rainfall ovet the past 24 hours has brought the flow up on the Animas. Fishing is going to depend on clarity. Lots of caddis around as well as golden stones and PMD's. Best fishing is in the afternoons, especially for dry fly action. Don't forget to try a swinging caddis pupa!
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.
The Rio Costilla 80 cfs below Costilla Reservoir; Very Good
The Valle Vidal unit of the Carson National Forest opened Thursday July 1st. This area is truly a scenic gem for New Mexico. It's loaded with elk, bison, and turkey, but it usually draws people for the fishing. The Rio Costilla is one place you can reliably catch a Rio Grande Cutthroat and Shuree Ponds are known for it's large rainbows. The stream is dry fly fishing at it's best. High riding attractor like PMX's and Aerial Assault's, and yellow sallies and caddis flies work very well on those quick striking cutties. Take damsel nymphs, diving caddis, and some aquatic snail patterns for the lunkers at Shuree. All of the streams in the Valle Vidal are no kill. The bag limit for Shuree is only 2 fish over 15 inches. Please report anyone breaking thes rules to New Mexico Game and Fish at 800-432-4263 or the Forest Service at 575-586-0520.
San Juan River 856 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
The release is down below Navajo Dam as flows have increased on the Animas. The above 500 cfs release makes for better boat fishing and hopefully spreads some of the anglers out. There are still reports of PMD's and caddis on the lower river. There has been one ant fall but it was rather weak and it will probably take a good downpour to get it going. They already had some good rain in the past 24 hours. From Texas Hole up to the Cable, fishing is good on #24-24 olive, gray, black, or brown midge pupa and larva in the morning and up towards the dam all day. Afternoons below Texas Hole have been best with olive or gray baetis emergers like a #22 foam wing, RS2, or WD40. The baetis are active from 11:00 am to about 5:00 pm. It's back to the black midge larva after 5. 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 59 cfs below Terrero; Good: At Pecos National Historical Park; Fair:
The river is clear above Dalton Canyon and the fishing is good. River wide, there are caddis hatches, PMD's, and yellow sallies, especially up high. Western March Browns, or Rithrogenia mayflies are 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 anato-mays, hares ears, red quills, headlight sallies, neversink caddis, and extended body PMD's. The summer fishing program at Pecos National Historical Park began on June 24th. Mid-day water temps are getting warm and the fishing slows. Despite the fact that it is no where in writing, the staff at Pecos NHP are also wanting anglers to have a Habitat Improvement Stamp. This is also contrary to what I'd been told by Game and Fish, but go ahead and get one so you won't get turned away. 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 79 cfs at Cerro; Fair: 262 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Fair for trout, Fair for smallmouth bass
The Rio Grande is at it's 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 stonefly 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 14 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 fair. 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 most of the 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. 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 26 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good: 39 cfs at Cimarron
The release is down today and we'll see it catch up to the guage at Cimarron soon. The extra water makes some of the upper river tougher to fish where it's brushier. The river is more open the further east you go especially below Clear Creek. PMD's are off. Golden stone nymphs, caddis pupa, black WD40's, yellow pmx's, pink cahills, and PMD's were reported to be the hot flies. The Red River around the corner is also fishing well on pretty much the same flies.
Jicarilla Nation Lakes
The last report from Jicarilla Game and Fish is from July 6th. I suspect that fishing has slowd even more with the higher day time temps. Fishing at Enbom in the mornings would be your best bet. There are lots of damsel nymphs in the water and you might find a fish or two taking them off of the top. Fishing should improve with cooler weather and some much needed rain.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Good: 35 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Slow: 789 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow to Fair: and 905 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Slow
The best fishing on the Chama is the stretch above the town of Chama. Access can be had through the Sargent Wildlife Area. Good dry fly fishing on PMD's, green drakes, caddis, and red quills. The river flowing into El Vado is getting warm and trout fishing is slow. This section of river warms alot in mid summer from irrigation return. 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 and be careful with the higher flows. The stretch below Abiquiu typically doesn't typically fish well over the summer. Currently the release is high and murky and 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.
Off The Beaten Path Abiquiu Lake
I'm going to leave this one up for at least another week. Bass fishing has really picked up on the lake. They can be caught at this time of year right from the shore. The best time of day to catch them on poppers 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. 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. Look for them in the coves. The more trees in the water, the better. 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, fish hard until 9 or 10, then swim the dogs and headout as the powerboat crowd shows up.
In Southern Colorado:
Conejos River 186 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Good: 290 cfs at Mogote; Good
July 17, 2010. "Yes a little while has passed. We have been on the moving water of Conejos County and what a beautiful office it is. Very little guide brain strain this past week. We have fished from behind the shop in Mogote to above the Reservoir and for the most part really good fishing. Seems like the Drake hatch so far has been pretty light when it comes off but the fish seem to be really on them when they are out. So many other bugs up high right now it is confusing at times to figure it out. I have spent about half of my guide days in the last week on the tributaries and each time I do they remind why they are worth it. Most of the fish right now have been on the dry. Down low an assortment of attractor dries and up higher smaller stones, drakes, BWO's, red quills, and PMD's. You just need an assortment of bugs so that when you see them you have something close enough to move some fish. Cripples and emergers behind the dries seems to be really effective. As the water clears and begins to drop the tippet size, presentation, drift, silhouette, movement, and length of leader and whatever else I dont remember right now becomes more important. I want to say thanks again to all of you for supporting our guides and fly shop in the middle of nowhere!"Jon Harp of Conejos River Anglers provided the preceeding report.
Rio Grande 113 cfs below Thirty Mile Bridge; Fair: 333 cfs below Windy Gap; Fair
Releases out of Rio Grande Reservoir is up today. Currently the flows are fairly low and the upper river like the box cayon is very fishable. It' sounds like the best fishing is from Rio Grande Reservoir down to South Fork. Lots of caddis river wide and PMD's and green and gray drakes moving upstream of South Fork every day. Nymph fishing with stoneflies, caddis and drake nymphs has been good.
Pagosa Area Piedra River 52 cfs at Arboles; Slow: San Juan at Pagosa 97 cfs; Slow
Flows are declining on alot of our area waters and the Pagosa area is no different. Take a water temp if you are on the Piedra below Williams Creek or on Williams. If you get anything in the mid-sixties, consider fishing elsewhere. The upper forks of the Piedra as well as The San Juan and trubutaries abovee Pagosa are fishing good. On the upper forks, use caddis, golden stones, and PMD's. Williams Creek below the dam is getting low and warm. Some rainfall could change that for the better. On the San Juan there are lots of caddis and some PMD's, and Red Quills. The East Fork of the San Juan as well as Turkey and Fourmile are also fishing well. Take a box full of PMD's, golden stones, neversink caddis, and a few nitro caddis pupa and double bead golden nymphs for a droppper set up. Or swing that caddis dropper at the end of your drift and hang on!
Arkansas River 485 cfs at Granite; Good: 742 cfs at Salida; Good
The river is at it's summer flows anf fishing is great. Around Buena Vista, fish are taking caddis early and late in the day and are eating PMD's and yellow sallies mid-day. Look for them right off of the shelves or along the edges in the soft water. At Hayden Meadows, try hoppers, yellow sallies, and small caddis. The water is low and clear so use some stealth. Around Salida, PMD's and lots of caddis with the best action in the afternoons. Antero Reservoir continues to fish very well.
Animas River 410 cfs at Durango; Good
Some heavy rainfall ovet the past 24 hours has brought the flow up on the Animas. Fishing is going to depend on clarity. Lots of caddis around as well as golden stones and PMD's. Best fishing is in the afternoons, especially for dry fly action. Don't forget to try a swinging caddis pupa!
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 Thursday, July 22, 2010
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