Ed'd Fly Fishing Report for Sunday June 26, 2011
Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Learn more at http://www.tu.org/science/aquatic-invasive-species-ais
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.
San Juan River 475 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
The high release is over. Fishing is good but fly choices have become smaller with the lower and clear water. Olive and grey bodied midge larvae and pupa are still working. For the beatis, try the ususal, chocolate foam wings in #22, chocolate johnny flash, wonder baetis, and small pheasant tails. Fish start eating midges once the baetis are done from then until dusk. There are caddis on the lower river. From Rainbow Lodge on down all river access is private. If you can, a stay at Soaring Eagle or a float from one of the guide services can put you in the middle of the hatch. You can some time find bugs all the way up to the Gravel Pit take out. The Special Trout Water section is all catch and release and has a two fly only rule. 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 30 cfs below Terrero; Fair to Good:
PECOS CANYON CAMPGROUNDS REMAIN OPEN WITH STRICT FIRE RESTRICTIONS
The Department of Game and Fish imposed strict fire restrictions on State Game Commission properties in Pecos Canyon beginning Friday, June 24, banning all fires but allowing camping and fishing. The Bert Clancy, Terrero, Jamie Koch and Mora camping and fishing areas will remain open, but with sever fire restriction. See our Announcements Page for more details. The water levels are low and the fishing is good. Small to medium stonefly nymphs, small pheasant tails, baetis nymphs, caddis nymphs, and zebra midges are some of the fly choices. The spring fishing program at Pecos National Historical Park will resume again June 23rd. Please see their website for the details at http://www.nps.gov/peco/index.htm and click on "2011 Fishing Program". 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 596 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 759 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Fair to Good for trout, Fair for smallmouth bass
Not much for hatching bugs on the Rio right now. The flows have come up enough to the delight of the boaters, but the water is quite murky. I do best fishing the pockets when nothing is going on hatch wise. Fish big bugs like golden stonefly nymphs, cranefly larvae, or buggers. Remember to finish your drift off with a swing! Hold you rod tip over the lane of your drift and let you flies swing upwards as your line tightens. If you feel a take, coach yourself into waiting just a second before you set the hook otherwise you'll just pull it away from them. Try a slow retrieved streamer in some of the slower eddies for smallies. Pike hunt by feel. Large streamers that moves water will still get a pikes attention. Vary your retrieves and change up the color of your flies to see which ones trigger a bite.
Jemez Mountain Streams 5.9 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Fair to Good
There are some fishing opportunites in the Jemez, but they are on rather short stretches of stream along NM Highway 4. Any access deeper into the forest is absolutely restricted. All forest roads are closed, even FR 376 along the Guadalupe and up to the San Antonio Hot Springs. For more details on fire restrictions and closures go to http://nmfireinfo.wordpress.com. The Valles Caldera has cancelled fishing reservations on the San Antonio until further notice. I have been told by a customer that the East Fork will remain open, but I have not been able to verify that. Please call the Valles Caldera or visit their website at www.vallescaldera.gov.
Cimarron River 16 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good: 15 cfs at Cimarron Cimarron Canyon State Park is open, but also with sever fire restriction. You have more access into the state park and the Carson Natioanl Forest. See their website at www.fs.fed.us/r3/carson/ for more info. The release out of the dam is a little high for optimum fishing. The upper reaches are brushy making casting difficault. Go below the Palisades and Clear Creek for easier fishing. PMD's are coming off as wellas golden and brown stoneflies. It seems that the browns here like a scud over the tiny offerings listed. Try that if all else fails.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Slow: 260 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Slow: 621 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow: and 434 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Slow
The upper Chama stretch flowing into El Vado is shall I say about perfect. The water is already warming quite a bit, so don't delay fishing this especially while we are experiencing restrictions where we can fish around Santa Fe. The river below El Vado is almost uncrossable. Strong waders maybe able to access the river below Cooper's. The stretch below Abiquiu is fishing tough. Varying dam releases has made fishing here tough. Typically it won't really fish well until autumn when irrigators aren't calling for water. 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. The nearby Brazos River is aslo running pretty high.
In Southern Colorado:
Conejos River 618 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Fair: 1590 cfs at Magote; Fair
June 21, 2011. "A quick report tonight. Brain not coherent enough to get to creative but I have been guiding a lot lately and for the most part just incredible fishing up high, the La Jara, and some of the tribs. Today I caught the Meadow on a descending flow and that always seems to make things more tricky. Did a morning and afternoon guide and both caught nice fish but not the ridiculous fishing I was spoiled with earlier. It was hard this morning driving up the canyon to fish up high with the lower river looking so good. Tonight it dropped below 1000 cfs and should begin the start of some incredible fishing down lower on the river. Looking forward to see what she has to offer this week. Salmonfly adults should finally be tied to the end of your leader. Goldens should start soon and caddis are going crazy. Drakes today the lower La Jara and who knows what happened today on the Los Pinos but I know is was good! Wondered for a while if the Conejos would ever loose the full head of steam she had going for a while. Los Pinos hit 199 when I checked and so a lot of options and miles of river back on the option table. Seems only right to give the Meadow fish a break for a while! Hope to see you in the shop. For some more info and the scoop on some local stuff read the last couple of reports if you have time." The preceeding report was provided by Jon Harp of the Conejos River Anglers.
Rio Grande 1210 cfs at Thirty Mile bridge in Creede; Fair: 1940 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Fair to Good
The release out of Rio Grande Reservoir has been all over the place but never dropping below 1000 cfs. The water is clear and fishing is good even though the wading is tough. Stoneflies and caddis are flying about and are the name of the game pretty much river wide.
Animas River 3450 at Durango; Slow
Big water on the Animas! The good news is that the peak seemed to have hit three days ago. If you can find a pocket that's not blown out; stoneflies and baetis. Watch out for the river runners.
Piedra River 520 cfs at Arboles; Slow
The lower Piedra is finally more fishable. The upper river all the way into the forks is fishing very well. I've had great reports from Williams Creek below the reservoir. Lot's of options have just opened up around Pagosa.
San Juan River 915 cfs in Pagosa Springs; Slow to Fair
Tough fishing at these flows on the main stem San Juan. The South Fork of the Rio Grande over Wolf Creek Pass is down and fishing well. Check out Turkey, Four Mile, or the East Fork of the San Juan for easier wading. Just like everywhere in southern Colorado, else, the peak flows seemd to have occurred 3 days ago. It's all about stones and caddis at this time of year.
Arkansas River 2630 cfs at Granite; Fair: 3700 cfs at Salida; Fair
High water pretty much river wide from melting snowpack and an increased release from Twin Lakes. Blue winged olive hatches, some caddis and stonelies are the nymphs to choose. Much of the river is difficult to fish at these levels. If natural flows come down, Hayden Meadows is about the only place to fish the Ark. Other good fishing nearby is Antero Reservoir and the Dream Stream.
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.
San Juan River 475 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
The high release is over. Fishing is good but fly choices have become smaller with the lower and clear water. Olive and grey bodied midge larvae and pupa are still working. For the beatis, try the ususal, chocolate foam wings in #22, chocolate johnny flash, wonder baetis, and small pheasant tails. Fish start eating midges once the baetis are done from then until dusk. There are caddis on the lower river. From Rainbow Lodge on down all river access is private. If you can, a stay at Soaring Eagle or a float from one of the guide services can put you in the middle of the hatch. You can some time find bugs all the way up to the Gravel Pit take out. The Special Trout Water section is all catch and release and has a two fly only rule. 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 30 cfs below Terrero; Fair to Good:
PECOS CANYON CAMPGROUNDS REMAIN OPEN WITH STRICT FIRE RESTRICTIONS
The Department of Game and Fish imposed strict fire restrictions on State Game Commission properties in Pecos Canyon beginning Friday, June 24, banning all fires but allowing camping and fishing. The Bert Clancy, Terrero, Jamie Koch and Mora camping and fishing areas will remain open, but with sever fire restriction. See our Announcements Page for more details. The water levels are low and the fishing is good. Small to medium stonefly nymphs, small pheasant tails, baetis nymphs, caddis nymphs, and zebra midges are some of the fly choices. The spring fishing program at Pecos National Historical Park will resume again June 23rd. Please see their website for the details at http://www.nps.gov/peco/index.htm and click on "2011 Fishing Program". 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 596 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 759 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Fair to Good for trout, Fair for smallmouth bass
Not much for hatching bugs on the Rio right now. The flows have come up enough to the delight of the boaters, but the water is quite murky. I do best fishing the pockets when nothing is going on hatch wise. Fish big bugs like golden stonefly nymphs, cranefly larvae, or buggers. Remember to finish your drift off with a swing! Hold you rod tip over the lane of your drift and let you flies swing upwards as your line tightens. If you feel a take, coach yourself into waiting just a second before you set the hook otherwise you'll just pull it away from them. Try a slow retrieved streamer in some of the slower eddies for smallies. Pike hunt by feel. Large streamers that moves water will still get a pikes attention. Vary your retrieves and change up the color of your flies to see which ones trigger a bite.
Jemez Mountain Streams 5.9 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Fair to Good
There are some fishing opportunites in the Jemez, but they are on rather short stretches of stream along NM Highway 4. Any access deeper into the forest is absolutely restricted. All forest roads are closed, even FR 376 along the Guadalupe and up to the San Antonio Hot Springs. For more details on fire restrictions and closures go to http://nmfireinfo.wordpress.com. The Valles Caldera has cancelled fishing reservations on the San Antonio until further notice. I have been told by a customer that the East Fork will remain open, but I have not been able to verify that. Please call the Valles Caldera or visit their website at www.vallescaldera.gov.
Cimarron River 16 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good: 15 cfs at Cimarron Cimarron Canyon State Park is open, but also with sever fire restriction. You have more access into the state park and the Carson Natioanl Forest. See their website at www.fs.fed.us/r3/carson/ for more info. The release out of the dam is a little high for optimum fishing. The upper reaches are brushy making casting difficault. Go below the Palisades and Clear Creek for easier fishing. PMD's are coming off as wellas golden and brown stoneflies. It seems that the browns here like a scud over the tiny offerings listed. Try that if all else fails.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Slow: 260 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Slow: 621 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow: and 434 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Slow
The upper Chama stretch flowing into El Vado is shall I say about perfect. The water is already warming quite a bit, so don't delay fishing this especially while we are experiencing restrictions where we can fish around Santa Fe. The river below El Vado is almost uncrossable. Strong waders maybe able to access the river below Cooper's. The stretch below Abiquiu is fishing tough. Varying dam releases has made fishing here tough. Typically it won't really fish well until autumn when irrigators aren't calling for water. 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. The nearby Brazos River is aslo running pretty high.
In Southern Colorado:
Conejos River 618 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Fair: 1590 cfs at Magote; Fair
June 21, 2011. "A quick report tonight. Brain not coherent enough to get to creative but I have been guiding a lot lately and for the most part just incredible fishing up high, the La Jara, and some of the tribs. Today I caught the Meadow on a descending flow and that always seems to make things more tricky. Did a morning and afternoon guide and both caught nice fish but not the ridiculous fishing I was spoiled with earlier. It was hard this morning driving up the canyon to fish up high with the lower river looking so good. Tonight it dropped below 1000 cfs and should begin the start of some incredible fishing down lower on the river. Looking forward to see what she has to offer this week. Salmonfly adults should finally be tied to the end of your leader. Goldens should start soon and caddis are going crazy. Drakes today the lower La Jara and who knows what happened today on the Los Pinos but I know is was good! Wondered for a while if the Conejos would ever loose the full head of steam she had going for a while. Los Pinos hit 199 when I checked and so a lot of options and miles of river back on the option table. Seems only right to give the Meadow fish a break for a while! Hope to see you in the shop. For some more info and the scoop on some local stuff read the last couple of reports if you have time." The preceeding report was provided by Jon Harp of the Conejos River Anglers.
Rio Grande 1210 cfs at Thirty Mile bridge in Creede; Fair: 1940 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Fair to Good
The release out of Rio Grande Reservoir has been all over the place but never dropping below 1000 cfs. The water is clear and fishing is good even though the wading is tough. Stoneflies and caddis are flying about and are the name of the game pretty much river wide.
Animas River 3450 at Durango; Slow
Big water on the Animas! The good news is that the peak seemed to have hit three days ago. If you can find a pocket that's not blown out; stoneflies and baetis. Watch out for the river runners.
Piedra River 520 cfs at Arboles; Slow
The lower Piedra is finally more fishable. The upper river all the way into the forks is fishing very well. I've had great reports from Williams Creek below the reservoir. Lot's of options have just opened up around Pagosa.
San Juan River 915 cfs in Pagosa Springs; Slow to Fair
Tough fishing at these flows on the main stem San Juan. The South Fork of the Rio Grande over Wolf Creek Pass is down and fishing well. Check out Turkey, Four Mile, or the East Fork of the San Juan for easier wading. Just like everywhere in southern Colorado, else, the peak flows seemd to have occurred 3 days ago. It's all about stones and caddis at this time of year.
Arkansas River 2630 cfs at Granite; Fair: 3700 cfs at Salida; Fair
High water pretty much river wide from melting snowpack and an increased release from Twin Lakes. Blue winged olive hatches, some caddis and stonelies are the nymphs to choose. Much of the river is difficult to fish at these levels. If natural flows come down, Hayden Meadows is about the only place to fish the Ark. Other good fishing nearby is Antero Reservoir and the Dream Stream.
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.
posted by High Desert Angler at Sunday, June 26, 2011
<< Home