Ed's Fly Fishing Report for Wednesday November 23, 2011

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Learn more at http://www.tu.org/science/aquatic-invasive-species-ais

Yes, it's that time of year when a brown trout's (and cutbows) fancy turns to spawning. I have had numerous reports of people catching and sometimes keeping browns, especially big browns from the Chama River. While it's not a secret that big browns inhabit the Chama, it is rather unethical to fish for them while they are on their redds. For some anglers, they really wouldn't be able to match wits with a big brown there at any other time than the spawn. Shame on them. Please, do not wade through redds, or fish over spawning fish! And absolutely, express your displeasure to anglers who do. Fish are also pairing up on the Rio Grande and the same goes for those fish as well. Treat them well, avoid their redds, and don't cast over the spawners. The future of better fishing depends on you!

San Juan River 323 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
The release has been reduced so Game and Fish and NM State Parks can proceed with some sediment remediation and habitat improvements to the upper river. The affected area is from above Texas Hole to the upper braids. This area will be closed to fishing while the work commences. The good news is that the work will probably be completed next week. See the San Juan River forum page at http://www.fishthesanjuan.com/phpBB2/ for more information. Good midge fishing and midge hatches during the mornings and good blue winged olive hatches in the afternoons. In the mornings, use a red midge larva as your point fly and trail a size #24-26 black or gray midge pupa. 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!

Pecos River 23 cfs below Terrero; Slow: at Villanueva State Park; Fair to Good
The upper river is slowing down quite a bit. Water temps have been in the high thirties in the morning and the fish are tight lipped. Fish the afternoon hours, especially while the sun is on the water. The water is very clear and low so go to long leaders, fine tippets and a smaller fly. Some midges have been coming off, and really blue winged olives are waning 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. Villanueva State Park was stocked for the first time this season on the 10th. 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 ended Monday November 7th.

Rio Grande 475 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 633 cfs at Pilar; Fair for pike, Fair to Good for trout, Slow for smallmouth bass
Trout still seem to prefer the faster aeriated water. Nymph the pocket water or chunk some streamers for the fiestier pre-spawn browns. Cover the deeper slower runs for the bass with streamers or crayfish patterns. First report on pike! One angler had a few follows from some larger (30 inch) fish but ended up catching two hammer handles; the smaller males in the 20 inch range. Pike fishing will pick up any day now. Pike hunt by feel. Large streamers that moves water will still get a pike's attention. Vary your retrieves and change up the color of your flies to see which ones trigger a bite.

Jemez Mountain Streams 23 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Poor or Fair, 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.

The Chama River above the village of Chama; Slow: 63 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Slow to Fair: 382 cfs below El Vado Dam; Good: and 311 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Good
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 is slowing down. The release out of El Vado is murky although, 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 ok despite the water clarity which is actually getting better. 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 18 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Slow: 83 cfs at Magote; Fair
The release out of Platoro Reservoir has been reduced and may go down even further. Last winter it was only 8 cfs! Take advantage and hit the Conejos one (at least) more time before the release is reduced to the winter flow!

Animas River 245 at Durango; Fair
Dropping flows have made the Animas more fishable. Some baetis, but if your not finding the bugs or rising fish, nymph the pockets or throw streamers.

Arkansas River 194 cfs at Granite; Slow to Fair: 338 cfs at Salida; Good
Good fishing from Salida downstream into Bighorn Sheep Canyon. The fish move from thier deeper winter lies in the afternoons to feed on midges and baetis mid-day. Nymphing with golden stonefly nymphs, caddis larvae, baeties, and midges have been the most productive.

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.

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.

Click on Public Lands Information Center from our links page for a full list of fire restrictions or closures.

Ed's Fly Fishing Report for Tuesday November 15, 2011

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Learn more at http://www.tu.org/science/aquatic-invasive-species-ais

Yes, it's that time of year when a brown trout's fancy turns to spawning. I have had numerous reports of people catching and sometimes keeping browns, especially big browns from the Chama River. While it's not a secret that big browns inhabit the Chama, it is rather unethical to fish for them while they are on their redds. For some anglers, they really wouldn't be able to match wits with a big brown there at any other time than the spawn. Shame on them. Please, do not wade through redds, or fish over spawning fish! And absolutely, express your displeasure to anglers who do. Fish are also pairing up on the Rio Grande and the same goes for those fish as well. Treat them well, avoid their redds, and don't cast over the spawners. The future of better fishing depends on you!

San Juan River 331 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
The release has been reduced so Game and Fish and NM State Parks can proceed with some sediment remediation and habitat improvements to the upper river. The affected area is from above Texas Hole to the upper braids. This area will be closed to fishing while the work commences. See the San Juan River forum page at http://www.fishthesanjuan.com/phpBB2/ for more information. Good midge fishing a nd midge hatches during the mornings and good blue winged olive hatches in the afternoons. In the mornings, use a red midge larva as your point fly and trail a size #24-26 black or gray midge pupa. 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!

Pecos River 27 cfs below Terrero; Fair:
The river is continues to fish well. The water is very clear and low so go to long leaders, fine tippets and a smaller fly. Some midges have been coming off, but really blue winged olives are 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. Villanueva State Park was stocked for the first time this season on the 10th. 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 ended Monday November 7th.

Rio Grande 485 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 679 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Fair to Good for trout, Fair for smallmouth bass
Trout still seem to prefer the faster aeriated water. Nymph the pocket water or chunk some streamers for the fiestier pre-spawn browns. Cover the deeper slower runs for the bass with streamers or crayfish patterns. 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 27 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Poor or Fair, 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.

The Chama River above the village of Chama; Fair: 80 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Slow to Fair: 300 cfs below El Vado Dam; Good: and 154 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Slow to Fair
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. It is a little murky. There are a few Kokanee left in this stretch although they aren't really eating flies. A few trout taking egg patterns around the salmon. The release out of El Vado is low although, 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 ok despite the water clarity which is actually getting better. 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 34 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Fair: 78 cfs at Magote; Fair
The release out of Platoro Reservoir has been reduced and may go down even further. Last winter it was onl;y 8 cfs! Take advantage and hit the Conejos one (at least) more time before the release is reduced to the winter flow!

Animas River 276 at Durango; Fair
Dropping flows have made the Animas more fishable. Some baetis, but if your not finding the bugs or rising fish, nymph the pockets or throw streamers.

Arkansas River 170 cfs at Granite; Good: 415 cfs at Salida; Good
Good fishing from Salida downstream into Bighorn Sheep Canyon. The fish move from thier deeper winter lies in the afternoons to feed on midges and baetis mid-day. Nymphing with golden stonefly nymphs, caddis larvae, baeties, and midges have been the most productive.

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.

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.

Click on Public Lands Information Center from our links page for a full list of fire restrictions or closures.

Ed's Fly Fishing Report for Wednesday November 2, 2011

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Learn more at http://www.tu.org/science/aquatic-invasive-species-ais

San Juan River 326 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
The release has been reduced so Game and Fish and NM State Parks can proceed with some sediment remediation and habitat improvements to the upper river. The affected area is from above Texas Hole to the upper braids. This area will be closed to fishing while the work commences. See the San Juan River forum page at http://www.fishthesanjuan.com/phpBB2/ for more information. Good midge fishing a nd midge hatches during the mornings and good blue winged olive hatches in the afternoons. In the mornings, use a red midge larva as your point fly and trail a size #24-26 black or gray midge pupa. 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!

Pecos River 15 cfs below Terrero; Fair:
The river is continues to fish well. The water is very clear and low so go to long leaders, fine tippets and a smaller fly. Some midges have been coming off, but really blue winged olives are 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 ended Monday November 7th.

Rio Grande 575 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 801 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Fair to Good for trout, Fair for smallmouth bass
Trout still seem to prefer the faster aeriated water. Nymph the pocket water or chunk some streamers for the fiestier pre-spawn browns. Cover the deeper slower runs for the bass with streamers or crayfish patterns. 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 20 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Poor or Fair, 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 2.7 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Poor: 8.2 cfs at Cimarron
The release out of Eagle's Nest Dam has dropped significantly and is really not worth fishing at these low levels. Check the flows before you go. Releases below 25 cfs makes for slow fishing. If the release doesn't go back up, 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: 68 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Slow to Fair: 127 cfs below El Vado Dam; Good: and 154 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Slow to Fair
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. It is a little murky. There are a few Kokanee left in this stretch although they aren't really eating flies. A few trout taking egg patterns around the salmon. The release out of El Vado is low although, 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 ok 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 131 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Fair: 194 cfs at Magote; Fair
October 31, 2011. "So a little Conejos scoop today. We have been guiding and fishing all this last week. Fishing has been good and both browns and bows eating egg, stonefly, baetis and some attractor nymph patterns. Had a group of 6 guys in the last several days and they just were a blast to guide and hang out with. They brought a suitcase full of fine cigars and I think that it went home empty! Came home the other night and noticed that the tv in cabin 4 was sticking in the window facing out! Looking closer were 6 guys sitting outside sipping whisky and offering up giant plumes of cigar smoke watching the World Series! For anyone else out there you need to either find a group of guys like that, join a group, create a group, or take the group you have and start some fun like these guys were into. It must have been 35 degrees and they watched the whole game outside! Tonight the guides leave for the San Juan and we will be doing our best to get in some of the same laughs! Our cigars will be much cheaper but fun and fishing none the less! The flows and weather have stayed perfect. Much more water than normal in the river and that has kept the fishing less spooky than normal. I am still booking guide trips thru the middle of November and if the weather holds up the fishing should be very good. If you get a chance to come would love to fish with you. Troy and I are still here working. The shop will not have any regular hours for November. If you have some fishing needs we will still be blowing out some items in the shop. Give me a call and I will see if I can help. The preceeding report was provided by Jon Harp of the Conejos River Anglers. The release out of Platoro Reservoir is higher than normal by about 120 cfs! Take advantage and hit the Conejos one (at least) more time before the release is reuced to the winter flow!

Animas River 292 at Durango; Fair
Dropping flows have made the Animas more fishable. Some baetis, but if your not finding the bugs or rising fish, nymph the pockets or throw streamers.

San Juan River 132 cfs in Pagosa Springs; Fair
Winter has come pretty much on time to this part of the San Juan Mountains, IF I find myself in Pagosa at this time of year, I'll always take my fly rod. Not much fishing above town or on the tribs. Blue winged olives are most prevalent.

Arkansas River 218 cfs at Granite; Good: 415 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.

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.

Ed's Fly Fishing Report for Wednesday November 2, 2011

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Learn more at http://www.tu.org/science/aquatic-invasive-species-ais

San Juan River 350 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
The release has been reduced so Game and Fish and NM State Parrks can proceed with some sediment remediation and habitat improvements to the upper river. The affected area is from above Texas Hole to the upper braids. This area will be closed to fishing while the work commences. See the San Juan River forum page at http://www.fishthesanjuan.com/phpBB2/ for more information. Good midge fishing a nd midge hatches during the mornings and good blue winged olive hatches in the afternoons. In the mornings, use a red midge larva as your point fly and trail a size #24-26 black or gray midge pupa. 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!

Pecos River 34 cfs below Terrero; Good:
The river is continues to fish well. The water is very clear so go to long leaders, fine tippets and a smaller fly.Some midges but really blue winged olives are 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 ends Monday November 7th. Please see their website for the details at http://www.nps.gov/peco/index.htm and click on "2011 Fishing Program".

Rio Grande 307 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 452 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Fair to Good for trout, Fair for smallmouth bass
Trout still seem to prefer the faster aeriated water. Nymph the pocket water or chunk some streamers for the fiestier pre-spawn browns. Cover the deeper slower runs for the bass with streamers or crayfish patterns. 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 21 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 2.7 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good: 8.2 cfs at Cimarron
The release out of Eagle's Nest Dam has dropped significantly and is really not worth fishing at these low levels. Check the flows before you go. Releases below 25 cfs makes for slow fishing. If the release doesn't go back up, 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: 83 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Slow to Fair: 123 cfs below El Vado Dam; Good: and 154 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. It is a little murky. There are a few Kokanee left in this stretch although they are really eating flies. A few trout taking egg patterns around the salmon. The release out of El Vado is low although, 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 ok 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 138 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Good: 207 cfs at Magote; Good
October 17, 2011. "I just wanted to let you know that the shop will be closed tomorrow. I am sorry for this but the guides are going fishing. We will be bringing video and digital cameras and looking for some big fish. If we are successful we will post a few. Don’t be surprised if they are not trout! I did have the chance to fish a few hours today and caught some beautiful fat browns and a couple large bows. Buckskin Cone, Barr’s Emergers, and a small Golden seemed to be the best bugs for me." The preceeding report was provided by Jon Harp of the Conejos River Anglers. The release out of Platoro Reservoir is high than normal by about 120 cfs! Take advantage and hit the Conejos one (at least) more time before the release is reuced to the winter flow!

Rio Grande 4.4 cfs at Thirty Mile bridge in Creede; Fair: 223 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Fair
Dropping flows and a lower release have made the fishing on the upper river above 4 UR Ranch quite tough. Better fishing and warmer water can be found below South Fork. Baetis hatches have been sporadic but if you find one you'll see fish coming up to the surface.

Animas River 286 at Durango; Fair to Good
Dropping flows have made the Animas more fishable. Some baetis, but if your not finding the bugs or rising fish, nymph the pockets or throw streamers.

Piedra River 200 cfs at Arboles; Good
The Piedra is fishing better on the lower river. Nymphs are better producers than dries unless you see fish coming up to blu winged olives.

San Juan River 209 cfs in Pagosa Springs; Good
Winter has come pretty much on time to this part of the San Juan Mountains, IF I find myself in Pagosa at this time of year, I'll always take my fly rod. Not much fishing above town or on the tribs. Blue winged olives are most prevalent.

Arkansas River 246 cfs at Granite; Good: 444 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.