Ed's Fly Fishing Report for Saturday June 9, 2012
Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Learn more at http://www.tu.org/science/aquatic-invasive-species-ais
San Juan River 493 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
The water is clear. The scouring generally has a positive effect on the fishery and makes the habitat better for insects that need cleaner water and substrate. With the clearer water, it'll be time to go back to smaller flies. Fishing can be good post Peak Release, just be willing to go and find the fish rather than stay in your favorite spot. 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 92 cfs below Terrero; Good: at Villanueva State Park; Poor
The river is clear and fishing very well. The stonefly hatch is on, but peters out around Willow Creek Day Use Area. Dry fly action has slowed some especially the lower you go. Nymphing has been more productive. Think big, like stonefly nymphs, tungsten salvations, 20 inchers, or pat's rubber below Terrero. Above Terrero, the fish are keying in on smaller offerings like, baetis and caddis nymphs. Bat wing emergers, olive anato-mays, and tungsten micro-mays for the baetis, and hotwire caddis or good and plenties for the caddis. Fish are taking dries, especially in the evenings. Blue winged olives will pop around 1 to 2 pm and a smaller #16 caddis for the evenings. Please respect the landowners along the Pecos and don't trespass. The Pecos National Historical Park's Fishing Summer Program starts on Thursday june 21st. You can make reservations for their summer fishing program now. The summer season runs from June 21st to August 6th. See our announcements page or the Park's website at: http://www.nps.gov/peco/planyourvisit/fishing.htm for more info.
Rio Grande 124 cfs at Cerro; Fair to Good: 317 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Fair to Good for trout, Fair to Good for smallmouth bass
There always seems to be some species of caddis doing a little ovipositing in the evenings. Throw a small #16-18 caddis dry for the risers. Nymphing during the day with big stonefly nymphs or crane fly larvae are picking up trout. The smallies are taking woolly buggers and crayfish patterns dredged in the slower eddies. Pike fishing is slow and the best pike fishing may be done for the season. Large streamers that move 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 14 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Fair to Good, depending on the watershed.
The bottom dropped out of the flows on the Jemez. Stoneflies have been out on the Guad/de las Vacas for about three weeks. Some of the fish are still keying in on them. Smaller PMD dries and caddis dries seem to pick up more than a big stonefly dry. I am getting better reports from the East Fork and San Antonio, but don't expect the same fish density as it was pre-fire. The Cebolla and the de las Vacas/Guadalupe are the only watersheds that did not experience a fish kill from the ash runoff from the Las Conchas Fire. The fishing program at the Valles Caldera National Preserve did not open as planned on May 12th. They will however be offering fly fishing clinics on Saturdays through the summer. See their website at: http://www.vallescaldera.gov/comevisit/fish/index.aspx for the details.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Slow to Good: 57 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Good: 961 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow: and 981 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Poor
The Chama flowing into El Vado Reservoir is dropping fast. Still decent fishing there for a little while, like two weeks on the outside. The water being pulled off for irrigation upstream and the return from the ditches will adversely affect the fishing here throughout the summer, so get it while it's good. Stoneflies are coming off, and nymphing with the big bugs has been good. The Chama coming over the border from Colorado is clear and fishing well in the canyon up from the Sargent Wildlife Area. The release below both dams is way too high for safe wading and the water is stirred up, especially below Abiquiu. 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 172 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Good: 412 cfs at Mogote; Good
The release out of Platoro Reservoir has bee rather steady this past week. At these flows, the meadows tend to fish better. Check the flows before you go, because a release higher than 150 cfs makes the Pinnacles unfishable for everyone but the strongest waders. The pocket water above the Pinnacles up to the meadows has been fishing well. On the lower river, it's all about an early emergence of stoneflies. Look for them to proceed upriver in bigger numbers over the next couple of weeks. Stonefly nymphs dredged in the deeper runs on the lower river are the best producers. The water is fairly clear.
Pagosa Area: Piedra River 231 cfs at Arboles; Good: San Juan River 323 cfs at Pagosa Springs; Good
The bigger rivers stil have a little extra water in them making wading difficult. The water however, is clear and fishing well. For smaller water, look to the tribs, especially over the pass heading to South Fork. The upper forks of the Piedra and of course, Williams Creek have less water than the box canyon sections of the Piedra. It'll be mostly caddis over the pass and upper San Juan drainage. Look for hatching stoneflies on the Piedra.
Rio Grande 309 cfs at Thirty Mile Bridge; Slow to Fair: 766 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Slow to Fair
Good boat water right now, although the flows are dropping. Some caddis about, but it's really about the baetis. Double nymph rigs with a big stonefly nymphs and a trailing baetis nymphs are the way to go. Stoneflies are also out, mostly from Del Norte to South Fork and soon riverlong. The tribs are offering easier wading.
Animas River 1090 at Durango; Slow
The Animas is coming down and fishing better. although there is a fair amount of raft traffic. It'll be all about the bigger bugs like stonefly nymphs here. The typical stonefly nymph with a trailing baetis or caddis pupa is the way to go. Throw streamers if your nymphs aren't getting more attention.
Arkansas River 207 cfs at Granite; Slow to Fair: 408 cfs at Salida; Fair to Good
The fishing here is absolutey unprecedented. Normally, the Arknasas would have much higher water and consequently tougher fishing. Fishing on the Ark over the summer should remain good as long as the water temps stay below 70 degrees. Hayden Meadows down to Buena Vista is fishing very well. Smaller offerings like little yellow saliies, both nymphs and dries, beatis, both nymphs and dries, and caddis are making up the fare. Down around Salida bigger golden stones, nymphs and dries with yellow sallies in the mix are the top producers.
Stage 1 fire restrictions are in place for the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests!
For the most current fire information go to http://nmfireinfo.wordpress.com/. Click on the fire restriction tab on the right for any info on closures or what restricions are in place.
It's spring 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.
San Juan River 493 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
The water is clear. The scouring generally has a positive effect on the fishery and makes the habitat better for insects that need cleaner water and substrate. With the clearer water, it'll be time to go back to smaller flies. Fishing can be good post Peak Release, just be willing to go and find the fish rather than stay in your favorite spot. 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 92 cfs below Terrero; Good: at Villanueva State Park; Poor
The river is clear and fishing very well. The stonefly hatch is on, but peters out around Willow Creek Day Use Area. Dry fly action has slowed some especially the lower you go. Nymphing has been more productive. Think big, like stonefly nymphs, tungsten salvations, 20 inchers, or pat's rubber below Terrero. Above Terrero, the fish are keying in on smaller offerings like, baetis and caddis nymphs. Bat wing emergers, olive anato-mays, and tungsten micro-mays for the baetis, and hotwire caddis or good and plenties for the caddis. Fish are taking dries, especially in the evenings. Blue winged olives will pop around 1 to 2 pm and a smaller #16 caddis for the evenings. Please respect the landowners along the Pecos and don't trespass. The Pecos National Historical Park's Fishing Summer Program starts on Thursday june 21st. You can make reservations for their summer fishing program now. The summer season runs from June 21st to August 6th. See our announcements page or the Park's website at: http://www.nps.gov/peco/planyourvisit/fishing.htm for more info.
Rio Grande 124 cfs at Cerro; Fair to Good: 317 cfs at Pilar; Slow for pike, Fair to Good for trout, Fair to Good for smallmouth bass
There always seems to be some species of caddis doing a little ovipositing in the evenings. Throw a small #16-18 caddis dry for the risers. Nymphing during the day with big stonefly nymphs or crane fly larvae are picking up trout. The smallies are taking woolly buggers and crayfish patterns dredged in the slower eddies. Pike fishing is slow and the best pike fishing may be done for the season. Large streamers that move 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 14 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Fair to Good, depending on the watershed.
The bottom dropped out of the flows on the Jemez. Stoneflies have been out on the Guad/de las Vacas for about three weeks. Some of the fish are still keying in on them. Smaller PMD dries and caddis dries seem to pick up more than a big stonefly dry. I am getting better reports from the East Fork and San Antonio, but don't expect the same fish density as it was pre-fire. The Cebolla and the de las Vacas/Guadalupe are the only watersheds that did not experience a fish kill from the ash runoff from the Las Conchas Fire. The fishing program at the Valles Caldera National Preserve did not open as planned on May 12th. They will however be offering fly fishing clinics on Saturdays through the summer. See their website at: http://www.vallescaldera.gov/comevisit/fish/index.aspx for the details.
The Chama River above the village of Chama; Slow to Good: 57 cfs below the town of Tierrra Amarilla; Good: 961 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow: and 981 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Poor
The Chama flowing into El Vado Reservoir is dropping fast. Still decent fishing there for a little while, like two weeks on the outside. The water being pulled off for irrigation upstream and the return from the ditches will adversely affect the fishing here throughout the summer, so get it while it's good. Stoneflies are coming off, and nymphing with the big bugs has been good. The Chama coming over the border from Colorado is clear and fishing well in the canyon up from the Sargent Wildlife Area. The release below both dams is way too high for safe wading and the water is stirred up, especially below Abiquiu. 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 172 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Good: 412 cfs at Mogote; Good
The release out of Platoro Reservoir has bee rather steady this past week. At these flows, the meadows tend to fish better. Check the flows before you go, because a release higher than 150 cfs makes the Pinnacles unfishable for everyone but the strongest waders. The pocket water above the Pinnacles up to the meadows has been fishing well. On the lower river, it's all about an early emergence of stoneflies. Look for them to proceed upriver in bigger numbers over the next couple of weeks. Stonefly nymphs dredged in the deeper runs on the lower river are the best producers. The water is fairly clear.
Pagosa Area: Piedra River 231 cfs at Arboles; Good: San Juan River 323 cfs at Pagosa Springs; Good
The bigger rivers stil have a little extra water in them making wading difficult. The water however, is clear and fishing well. For smaller water, look to the tribs, especially over the pass heading to South Fork. The upper forks of the Piedra and of course, Williams Creek have less water than the box canyon sections of the Piedra. It'll be mostly caddis over the pass and upper San Juan drainage. Look for hatching stoneflies on the Piedra.
Rio Grande 309 cfs at Thirty Mile Bridge; Slow to Fair: 766 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Slow to Fair
Good boat water right now, although the flows are dropping. Some caddis about, but it's really about the baetis. Double nymph rigs with a big stonefly nymphs and a trailing baetis nymphs are the way to go. Stoneflies are also out, mostly from Del Norte to South Fork and soon riverlong. The tribs are offering easier wading.
Animas River 1090 at Durango; Slow
The Animas is coming down and fishing better. although there is a fair amount of raft traffic. It'll be all about the bigger bugs like stonefly nymphs here. The typical stonefly nymph with a trailing baetis or caddis pupa is the way to go. Throw streamers if your nymphs aren't getting more attention.
Arkansas River 207 cfs at Granite; Slow to Fair: 408 cfs at Salida; Fair to Good
The fishing here is absolutey unprecedented. Normally, the Arknasas would have much higher water and consequently tougher fishing. Fishing on the Ark over the summer should remain good as long as the water temps stay below 70 degrees. Hayden Meadows down to Buena Vista is fishing very well. Smaller offerings like little yellow saliies, both nymphs and dries, beatis, both nymphs and dries, and caddis are making up the fare. Down around Salida bigger golden stones, nymphs and dries with yellow sallies in the mix are the top producers.
Stage 1 fire restrictions are in place for the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests!
For the most current fire information go to http://nmfireinfo.wordpress.com/. Click on the fire restriction tab on the right for any info on closures or what restricions are in place.
It's spring 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.
posted by High Desert Angler at Saturday, June 09, 2012
<< Home