Ed's Fly Fishing Report for Sunday October 16, 2011
Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Learn more at http://www.tu.org/science/aquatic-invasive-species-ais
The Save Bristol Bay Road Show come to Santa Fe! Please join us for food, drinks, and a screening of "Red Gold" on Tuesday October 25th, as you learn more about the fight to save Bristol Bay. The event starts at 7 pm. at the Center for Contemporary Artrs Cinamateque at 1050 Old Pecos Trail. Please support efforts to stop the mining threats to the greatest salmon fishery on Earth. See SaveBristoBay.org or RedGoldFilm.com for more information.
San Juan River 489 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
It looks like the release has been reduced to the winter (low) level around 500 cfs. The good news is that the blue winged olives are on the move nad the hatches are getting better. Use smaller flies especially near the dam as the water is clear. In the mornings, use a red midge larva as your point fly and trail a size #24-26 black or gray midge pupa like a UV flash midge emerger. As the afternoon progresses, change your flies to baetis, such as a gray or chocolate RS2 or foam wing emerger. 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!
Rio Costilla 7.4 cfs below Costilla Reservoir; Slow: Shuree Ponds; Slow to Fair
The release has lowered to near zero and unless you are fishing below the Valle Vidal boundary, the Costilla is done. Put this palce on your list for next summer when the Valle Vidal will reopen on July 1st.
Pecos River 49 cfs below Terrero; Good:
The river is continues to fish well. The warmer days we've been experinceing are certainly helping. Blue winged olives are really the only dry fly game left on the Pecos. Nymphing with a dry dropper rig can end your slump if they aren't coming up on your dry fly. Try flashback pheasant tails, oops fly, or a tungsten micro mays. The first PUBLIC access is Dalton Day Use. I know we all want a place to fish, but don't be a poacher. Please respect the landowners along the Pecos and don't trespass. The Pecos National Historical Park's Fishing Program for the fall runs from through November 7th. The fall season Please see their website for the details at http://www.nps.gov/peco/index.htm and click on "2011 Fishing Program".
Rio Grande 203 cfs at Cerro; Fair: 328 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Fair for trout, Fair to Good for smallmouth bass
I expect to see rising flows on the Rio as irrigators in Colorado finish the growing season here pretty soon. Trout still seem to prefer the faster aeriated water. Some of the best fly fishing on the Rio is for smallmouth bass on streamers. Cover the deeper slower runs for the bass. 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 15 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Slow or Good, depending on the watershed.
The only water worth fishing is the Cebolla or the de las Vacas/Guadalupe watershed. Ash runoff from the Las Conchas fire has killed quite a lot of fish on the East Fork and Rio San Antonio, and the streambed is covered in it. The Valles Caldera National Preserve has closed the fishing program until next spring.
Cimarron River 34 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good: 30 cfs at Cimarron
The release out of Eagle's Nest Dam is back up for now. Take advantage of the extra water while you can. the release will go back down for the winter soon. Check the flows before you go. Releases below 25 cfs makes for slow fishing. If the release goes back down, wait until spring next year to fly fish. Nearby over Bobcat Pass, the Red River all the way to Questa is fishing well.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Fair to Good: 106 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Slow to Fair: 202 cfs below El Vado Dam; Fair to Good: and 132 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Slow
The Chama below El Vado dam has the most consistent good fishing on the Chama as a whole. The stretch flowing downstream of the village of Chama into El Vado reservoir has come up with some recent rain and snowfall in the San Juans. It may be murky, but should fish really well as it clears and might be some of the better fishing as we get into winter. The release out of El Vado is fishable. Big nymphs dead drifted and finished with a swing or stripping streamers is the way to go there. The stretch below Abiquiu Dam is fishing fair despite the water clarity. Expect the fishing to only get better when the water clears. 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 128 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Good: 225 cfs at Magote; Good
October 12, 2011. "I know it is the end of the season but a lot to say. I may not be able to post it all now but everything from some end of year blow outs and deals to a trip to S. Patagonia to some great fall fishing.
Did I say Fall already! Yes it is. And it was cold and snowy last week. This week! Sixties and perfect. I have seen and heard reports of the fishing from outrageous to difficult . Some of the higher tribs seems like the Browns are almost done with the spawn, on the Conejos, they are thinking about it, staging, or spawning. We have had a very nice boost of water from the snows up high and the increase in flows out of Platoro. I have seen the fish eat a variety of bugs but small baetis and nymph patterns have been consistent. At times and in certain sections of the river more fish are looking for eggs, worms, and even some big stonefly patterns. I have not seen them in numbers but the October Caddis is out. It is a large bug with an orange body, about a #12. There are also some very large midge hatches especially up high as well as some sparse baetis. Last week I had a guy that was more of a dry fly purist and I was shocked to see that of all the bugs we tried that day the old Jim Fulton #12 House and Lots were the best! He must have been watching and laughing! I did try them the next day thinking hmm maybe we got something here but the Conejos gave a simple NO!" The preceeding report was provided by Jon Harp of the Conejos River Anglers.
Rio Grande 87 cfs at Thirty Mile bridge in Creede; Fair: 359 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Good
Dropping flows and a lower release have made the upper river from Creede to South Fork more wadable especially the box canyon above Creede. Fishing below South Fork has been a little more consistent, probably from having a warmer water temp. Baetis hatches have been sporadic but if you find one you'll see fish coming up to the surface.
Animas River 348 at Durango; Fair to Good
Dropping flows have made the Animas more fishable. Some baetis, but if your not finding the bugs, nymph the pockets or throw streamers.
Piedra River 359 cfs at Arboles; Slow to Fair
The San Juan mountains of Colorado got hammered with snow last week. Melting sows have made the Piedra come up on flow. I haven't had any reports for over a week from the Piedra. Blue winged olives, nymphs and dries.
San Juan River 363 cfs in Pagosa Springs; Slow to Fair
THe San Juan has also come up from melting snows. Nearby Wolf Crrek Pass Ski Area opened last weekend fro a 36 inch dump in one storm. The Animas or Rio Grande may offer better fishing and is fishing well with some recent rainfall and cooler water. Blue winged olives are most prevalent.
Arkansas River 132 cfs at Granite; Good: 265 cfs at Salida; Good
Good fishing from Granite all the way to Swissvale. The canyons on either side of Buena Vista has good pocket water fishing. The broader sections of river around Salida and down into Bighorn Sheep Canyon offer easier wading. Fish move off on the banks and into the main channel mid-day. Tricos, blue winged olives, and midges are the bugs to choose.
For the most current fire information go to http://nmfireinfo.wordpress.com/
Click on Public Lands Information Center from our links page for a full list of fire restrictions or closures.
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 autumn 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.
The Save Bristol Bay Road Show come to Santa Fe! Please join us for food, drinks, and a screening of "Red Gold" on Tuesday October 25th, as you learn more about the fight to save Bristol Bay. The event starts at 7 pm. at the Center for Contemporary Artrs Cinamateque at 1050 Old Pecos Trail. Please support efforts to stop the mining threats to the greatest salmon fishery on Earth. See SaveBristoBay.org or RedGoldFilm.com for more information.
San Juan River 489 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
It looks like the release has been reduced to the winter (low) level around 500 cfs. The good news is that the blue winged olives are on the move nad the hatches are getting better. Use smaller flies especially near the dam as the water is clear. In the mornings, use a red midge larva as your point fly and trail a size #24-26 black or gray midge pupa like a UV flash midge emerger. As the afternoon progresses, change your flies to baetis, such as a gray or chocolate RS2 or foam wing emerger. 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!
Rio Costilla 7.4 cfs below Costilla Reservoir; Slow: Shuree Ponds; Slow to Fair
The release has lowered to near zero and unless you are fishing below the Valle Vidal boundary, the Costilla is done. Put this palce on your list for next summer when the Valle Vidal will reopen on July 1st.
Pecos River 49 cfs below Terrero; Good:
The river is continues to fish well. The warmer days we've been experinceing are certainly helping. Blue winged olives are really the only dry fly game left on the Pecos. Nymphing with a dry dropper rig can end your slump if they aren't coming up on your dry fly. Try flashback pheasant tails, oops fly, or a tungsten micro mays. The first PUBLIC access is Dalton Day Use. I know we all want a place to fish, but don't be a poacher. Please respect the landowners along the Pecos and don't trespass. The Pecos National Historical Park's Fishing Program for the fall runs from through November 7th. The fall season Please see their website for the details at http://www.nps.gov/peco/index.htm and click on "2011 Fishing Program".
Rio Grande 203 cfs at Cerro; Fair: 328 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Fair for trout, Fair to Good for smallmouth bass
I expect to see rising flows on the Rio as irrigators in Colorado finish the growing season here pretty soon. Trout still seem to prefer the faster aeriated water. Some of the best fly fishing on the Rio is for smallmouth bass on streamers. Cover the deeper slower runs for the bass. 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 15 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Slow or Good, depending on the watershed.
The only water worth fishing is the Cebolla or the de las Vacas/Guadalupe watershed. Ash runoff from the Las Conchas fire has killed quite a lot of fish on the East Fork and Rio San Antonio, and the streambed is covered in it. The Valles Caldera National Preserve has closed the fishing program until next spring.
Cimarron River 34 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good: 30 cfs at Cimarron
The release out of Eagle's Nest Dam is back up for now. Take advantage of the extra water while you can. the release will go back down for the winter soon. Check the flows before you go. Releases below 25 cfs makes for slow fishing. If the release goes back down, wait until spring next year to fly fish. Nearby over Bobcat Pass, the Red River all the way to Questa is fishing well.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Fair to Good: 106 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Slow to Fair: 202 cfs below El Vado Dam; Fair to Good: and 132 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Slow
The Chama below El Vado dam has the most consistent good fishing on the Chama as a whole. The stretch flowing downstream of the village of Chama into El Vado reservoir has come up with some recent rain and snowfall in the San Juans. It may be murky, but should fish really well as it clears and might be some of the better fishing as we get into winter. The release out of El Vado is fishable. Big nymphs dead drifted and finished with a swing or stripping streamers is the way to go there. The stretch below Abiquiu Dam is fishing fair despite the water clarity. Expect the fishing to only get better when the water clears. 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 128 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Good: 225 cfs at Magote; Good
October 12, 2011. "I know it is the end of the season but a lot to say. I may not be able to post it all now but everything from some end of year blow outs and deals to a trip to S. Patagonia to some great fall fishing.
Did I say Fall already! Yes it is. And it was cold and snowy last week. This week! Sixties and perfect. I have seen and heard reports of the fishing from outrageous to difficult . Some of the higher tribs seems like the Browns are almost done with the spawn, on the Conejos, they are thinking about it, staging, or spawning. We have had a very nice boost of water from the snows up high and the increase in flows out of Platoro. I have seen the fish eat a variety of bugs but small baetis and nymph patterns have been consistent. At times and in certain sections of the river more fish are looking for eggs, worms, and even some big stonefly patterns. I have not seen them in numbers but the October Caddis is out. It is a large bug with an orange body, about a #12. There are also some very large midge hatches especially up high as well as some sparse baetis. Last week I had a guy that was more of a dry fly purist and I was shocked to see that of all the bugs we tried that day the old Jim Fulton #12 House and Lots were the best! He must have been watching and laughing! I did try them the next day thinking hmm maybe we got something here but the Conejos gave a simple NO!" The preceeding report was provided by Jon Harp of the Conejos River Anglers.
Rio Grande 87 cfs at Thirty Mile bridge in Creede; Fair: 359 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Good
Dropping flows and a lower release have made the upper river from Creede to South Fork more wadable especially the box canyon above Creede. Fishing below South Fork has been a little more consistent, probably from having a warmer water temp. Baetis hatches have been sporadic but if you find one you'll see fish coming up to the surface.
Animas River 348 at Durango; Fair to Good
Dropping flows have made the Animas more fishable. Some baetis, but if your not finding the bugs, nymph the pockets or throw streamers.
Piedra River 359 cfs at Arboles; Slow to Fair
The San Juan mountains of Colorado got hammered with snow last week. Melting sows have made the Piedra come up on flow. I haven't had any reports for over a week from the Piedra. Blue winged olives, nymphs and dries.
San Juan River 363 cfs in Pagosa Springs; Slow to Fair
THe San Juan has also come up from melting snows. Nearby Wolf Crrek Pass Ski Area opened last weekend fro a 36 inch dump in one storm. The Animas or Rio Grande may offer better fishing and is fishing well with some recent rainfall and cooler water. Blue winged olives are most prevalent.
Arkansas River 132 cfs at Granite; Good: 265 cfs at Salida; Good
Good fishing from Granite all the way to Swissvale. The canyons on either side of Buena Vista has good pocket water fishing. The broader sections of river around Salida and down into Bighorn Sheep Canyon offer easier wading. Fish move off on the banks and into the main channel mid-day. Tricos, blue winged olives, and midges are the bugs to choose.
For the most current fire information go to http://nmfireinfo.wordpress.com/
Click on Public Lands Information Center from our links page for a full list of fire restrictions or closures.
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 autumn 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, October 16, 2011
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