The Sunday June 12, 2016 Fly Fishing Report for Northern New Mexico and Southern colorado
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Runoff is finally waning here in New Mexico, but many streams across the border in Colorado are increasing in volume with warmer weather so conditions are changing daily! You can check on current flows before you go by clicking on New Mexico Stream Flows or Colorado Stream Flows here or from our links page.
San Juan River 4290 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
Be careful if you are wading the river; you can still access much of the upper flats area by foot, or consider hiring a guide. Currently it's a midges game. Long line nymphing with a standard attractor and midge larvae set up. Fish pupa patterns higher up in the column around 10 or 11 am. Even thought the baetis hatches are waning and not bringing a lot of fish to the surface, they seem to key in on baetis patterns after lunch until the evening when midges become the favorite trout food again. Black and olive midge larvae and pupa are the top producers near the dam especially in the mornings. Move down river after lunch to get the baetis hatch. Chocolate and olive have been the best baetis colors. Johnny flash and foam wing emergers are among the favorites. 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 67 on the Rio Mora Fair to Good, 196 cfs on the Pecos near Terrero; Fair to Good
Stoneflies are making their first appearances on the lower river. Currently the hatch is just below Terrero. Wading is still tough and crossing the river is even tougher below Rio Mora. Look for areas that naturally hold fish like the big holes around Dalton, Windy Bridge, and Willow Creek. The water is a little clearer and there is less of it as you go upriver. The typical two fly nymph rig with a large stonefly nymph with a smaller trailing fly under an indicator had been the best producer. European style nymphing works even better in the faster currents. The fish aren't used to seeing adult stoneflies yet so give your flies a few more drifts and skate and skitter it to get some attention. Panchuela and Holy Ghost Creeks have a little less water and might offer an alternative to the main stem. Please respect the landowners and stay out of any private property along the river. The National Park Service will reopen the fishing season on Pecos National Historical Park starting this Thursday June 16th. Please see the Park's website for more information.
Rio Grande 1380 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 2130 cfs at Pilar; Slow to for trout, Slow for pike, Slow for smallmouth bass
The Rio is high and murky with spring snow melt on the tribs and dam releases in Colorado. Visibility is less than a foot. The caddis hatch is pretty much done although you might see some here and there. If you go, use big nymphs such as big crane flies or stoneflies or throw streamers. At least with a streamer, you never know what you'll get but your chances of catching something will increase. Pike fishing is slow. Your best bet for them is a large streamers that move water. There is also lots of rafting traffic around Pilar.
Jemez Mountain Streams 24 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Good
The bottom is dropping out of the Jemez streams and flows are low and the water is clear. Stoneflies are out on the Guadalupe all the way to Porter's Landing. The hatch doesn't seem as strong this year but they are out and bringing fish to the surface. Try a dry dropper rig on the Guadalupe as the fish aren't as inclined to take dries, at least on the first drift anyway. The San Antonio, East Fork, and the Cebolla are also fishing very well. Fishing can slow mid-day in the bright sun so seek some shady areas or fish the mornings or evenings. Fishing continues to very very good in the Valles Caldera. Hoppers and beetles worked well, but caddis or stimulators will also bring up fish. The Fishing Program on the Valles Caldera National Preserve is now under National Park Service rules. There is no longer a reservation system. It's all first come first served until all of the backcountry access permits are issued for the day. Please see the Preserve's website for more details.
Chama River 258 cfs above Chama; Slow: 489 cfs above El Vado Reservoir; Slow: 648 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow: and 1670 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Poor
The river below Abiquiu is very murky and the release is way up pretty much making fishing here impossible. Look to fish elsewhere. The release below El Vado is high but not as high as last month. The river here fishes best below 400 cfs. Streamers, stonefly nymphs and cranefly larvae have been the top flies on the river flowing into El Vado. It is still a little high and fast but it'll only get better in the next couple of weeks. Don't blink. The window for good fishing here will only last a few more weeks. There is a new stream gauge above Chama. It will reflect what is flowing through the Sargent Wildlife Area. This part of the world gets alot of snow and there is more is melting off with warmer weather. Chama River above El Vado and below Abiquiu are Special Trout Waters with reduced bag limits. Please report anyone over harvesting there to New Mexico Game and Fish at 1-800-432-4263.
Cimarron River .86 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Fair: 19 cfs at Cimarron; Fair to Good
Boo for New Mexico being one of a few states that do not have instream flow laws that keep a waterway from being de-watered. The release out of Eagle Nest Dam reflects that fact and is very low. It'll likely remain this way until runoff subsides and irrigators call for water. Fortunately trib flow starting with Tolby Creek at the upper end of the state park adds to the flow. The runoff here is minimal and the river is quite fishable and fairly clear, clear enough anyway. Scuds, red midge larvae, baetis nymphs, and golden stonefly nymphs have been reported to be working on the river.
In Southern Colorado:
Animas River 4260 cfs at Durango; Slow
The Animas is in full runoff. The water is very high and murky. Look to fish head water streams in the area.
The Conejos River 301 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Fair to Good: 1440 cfs at Mogote; Slow to Fair.
The Conejos has come up in flow over the last couple of weeks like everything else from snowmelt and a higher release out of Platoro. The meadows are at the upper limit of fishability with the higher release. Better fishing is around 100- 200 cfs. The lower river below Elk Creek is big water. It is fairly clear enough to fish, but safe and easy wading on the other hand won't return until mid-June. Dredging the deeper runs with stone fly nymphs and San Juan worms seems to be the most successful tactic. I haven't had any reports on the tribs. They could fish well also as long is it's not the one contributing runoff.
Rio Grande 1200 cfs at Thirty Mile Bridge; Fair to Good: 2900 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Fair
Dam release is accounting for most of the water on the upper Rio Grande above Creede. Streamer fishing and nymph fishing has been good and the release out of Rio Grande Reservoir still enables you to float it. It's a little early for stoneflies. Should be another 2-3 weeks. Caddis are the only things flying, but the fish aren't in a rising mood. Nymphing or throwing streamers has been the most productive.
Pagosa Area- Piedra River 1190 cfs at Arboles; Slow; San Juan River 1560 cfs at Pagosa Springs; Slow
High water and from snowmelt has hit these area waters like everything else even more so with the warmer weather. Maybe some of the headwater streams or smaller tribs or Williams Creek below the reservoir., I haven't had any reports from here but looking at stream flows doesn't make me hopeful for decent fishing for a couple of weeks.
Arkansas River 1510 cfs at Granite; Fair to Good: 2780 cfs at Salida; Fair to Good
The releases out of Clear Creek and Twin Lakes have finally gone up keeping in tune with what is flowing into the reservoirs. The wading is easiest upstream of Twin Lakes outflow to Hayden Meadows. You can fish downstream of Salida into Big Horn Sheep Canyon although the murky water and the flows there make fishing out of a boat your best option. Fish in the deeper runs mid-channel in the and cover the shallow riffles from mid-day on if you see active surface feeding. Stonefly nymphs with trailing beatis nymph seems to be the best set-up..
It's spring in New Mexico and water and fishing conditions and water flows can change with the weather! Please CALL the fly shop for the latest in stream flows and water conditions.
For the most current stream flow data, see our links page or click here for New Mexico Stream Flows. or here for Colorado Steam Flows.
Please see our home page or Facebook 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 here for the Public Lands Information Center for a full list of fire restrictions and closures.
Runoff is finally waning here in New Mexico, but many streams across the border in Colorado are increasing in volume with warmer weather so conditions are changing daily! You can check on current flows before you go by clicking on New Mexico Stream Flows or Colorado Stream Flows here or from our links page.
San Juan River 4290 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
Be careful if you are wading the river; you can still access much of the upper flats area by foot, or consider hiring a guide. Currently it's a midges game. Long line nymphing with a standard attractor and midge larvae set up. Fish pupa patterns higher up in the column around 10 or 11 am. Even thought the baetis hatches are waning and not bringing a lot of fish to the surface, they seem to key in on baetis patterns after lunch until the evening when midges become the favorite trout food again. Black and olive midge larvae and pupa are the top producers near the dam especially in the mornings. Move down river after lunch to get the baetis hatch. Chocolate and olive have been the best baetis colors. Johnny flash and foam wing emergers are among the favorites. 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 67 on the Rio Mora Fair to Good, 196 cfs on the Pecos near Terrero; Fair to Good
Stoneflies are making their first appearances on the lower river. Currently the hatch is just below Terrero. Wading is still tough and crossing the river is even tougher below Rio Mora. Look for areas that naturally hold fish like the big holes around Dalton, Windy Bridge, and Willow Creek. The water is a little clearer and there is less of it as you go upriver. The typical two fly nymph rig with a large stonefly nymph with a smaller trailing fly under an indicator had been the best producer. European style nymphing works even better in the faster currents. The fish aren't used to seeing adult stoneflies yet so give your flies a few more drifts and skate and skitter it to get some attention. Panchuela and Holy Ghost Creeks have a little less water and might offer an alternative to the main stem. Please respect the landowners and stay out of any private property along the river. The National Park Service will reopen the fishing season on Pecos National Historical Park starting this Thursday June 16th. Please see the Park's website for more information.
Rio Grande 1380 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 2130 cfs at Pilar; Slow to for trout, Slow for pike, Slow for smallmouth bass
The Rio is high and murky with spring snow melt on the tribs and dam releases in Colorado. Visibility is less than a foot. The caddis hatch is pretty much done although you might see some here and there. If you go, use big nymphs such as big crane flies or stoneflies or throw streamers. At least with a streamer, you never know what you'll get but your chances of catching something will increase. Pike fishing is slow. Your best bet for them is a large streamers that move water. There is also lots of rafting traffic around Pilar.
Jemez Mountain Streams 24 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Good
The bottom is dropping out of the Jemez streams and flows are low and the water is clear. Stoneflies are out on the Guadalupe all the way to Porter's Landing. The hatch doesn't seem as strong this year but they are out and bringing fish to the surface. Try a dry dropper rig on the Guadalupe as the fish aren't as inclined to take dries, at least on the first drift anyway. The San Antonio, East Fork, and the Cebolla are also fishing very well. Fishing can slow mid-day in the bright sun so seek some shady areas or fish the mornings or evenings. Fishing continues to very very good in the Valles Caldera. Hoppers and beetles worked well, but caddis or stimulators will also bring up fish. The Fishing Program on the Valles Caldera National Preserve is now under National Park Service rules. There is no longer a reservation system. It's all first come first served until all of the backcountry access permits are issued for the day. Please see the Preserve's website for more details.
Chama River 258 cfs above Chama; Slow: 489 cfs above El Vado Reservoir; Slow: 648 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow: and 1670 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Poor
The river below Abiquiu is very murky and the release is way up pretty much making fishing here impossible. Look to fish elsewhere. The release below El Vado is high but not as high as last month. The river here fishes best below 400 cfs. Streamers, stonefly nymphs and cranefly larvae have been the top flies on the river flowing into El Vado. It is still a little high and fast but it'll only get better in the next couple of weeks. Don't blink. The window for good fishing here will only last a few more weeks. There is a new stream gauge above Chama. It will reflect what is flowing through the Sargent Wildlife Area. This part of the world gets alot of snow and there is more is melting off with warmer weather. Chama River above El Vado and below Abiquiu are Special Trout Waters with reduced bag limits. Please report anyone over harvesting there to New Mexico Game and Fish at 1-800-432-4263.
Cimarron River .86 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Fair: 19 cfs at Cimarron; Fair to Good
Boo for New Mexico being one of a few states that do not have instream flow laws that keep a waterway from being de-watered. The release out of Eagle Nest Dam reflects that fact and is very low. It'll likely remain this way until runoff subsides and irrigators call for water. Fortunately trib flow starting with Tolby Creek at the upper end of the state park adds to the flow. The runoff here is minimal and the river is quite fishable and fairly clear, clear enough anyway. Scuds, red midge larvae, baetis nymphs, and golden stonefly nymphs have been reported to be working on the river.
In Southern Colorado:
Animas River 4260 cfs at Durango; Slow
The Animas is in full runoff. The water is very high and murky. Look to fish head water streams in the area.
The Conejos River 301 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Fair to Good: 1440 cfs at Mogote; Slow to Fair.
The Conejos has come up in flow over the last couple of weeks like everything else from snowmelt and a higher release out of Platoro. The meadows are at the upper limit of fishability with the higher release. Better fishing is around 100- 200 cfs. The lower river below Elk Creek is big water. It is fairly clear enough to fish, but safe and easy wading on the other hand won't return until mid-June. Dredging the deeper runs with stone fly nymphs and San Juan worms seems to be the most successful tactic. I haven't had any reports on the tribs. They could fish well also as long is it's not the one contributing runoff.
Rio Grande 1200 cfs at Thirty Mile Bridge; Fair to Good: 2900 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Fair
Dam release is accounting for most of the water on the upper Rio Grande above Creede. Streamer fishing and nymph fishing has been good and the release out of Rio Grande Reservoir still enables you to float it. It's a little early for stoneflies. Should be another 2-3 weeks. Caddis are the only things flying, but the fish aren't in a rising mood. Nymphing or throwing streamers has been the most productive.
Pagosa Area- Piedra River 1190 cfs at Arboles; Slow; San Juan River 1560 cfs at Pagosa Springs; Slow
High water and from snowmelt has hit these area waters like everything else even more so with the warmer weather. Maybe some of the headwater streams or smaller tribs or Williams Creek below the reservoir., I haven't had any reports from here but looking at stream flows doesn't make me hopeful for decent fishing for a couple of weeks.
Arkansas River 1510 cfs at Granite; Fair to Good: 2780 cfs at Salida; Fair to Good
The releases out of Clear Creek and Twin Lakes have finally gone up keeping in tune with what is flowing into the reservoirs. The wading is easiest upstream of Twin Lakes outflow to Hayden Meadows. You can fish downstream of Salida into Big Horn Sheep Canyon although the murky water and the flows there make fishing out of a boat your best option. Fish in the deeper runs mid-channel in the and cover the shallow riffles from mid-day on if you see active surface feeding. Stonefly nymphs with trailing beatis nymph seems to be the best set-up..
It's spring in New Mexico and water and fishing conditions and water flows can change with the weather! Please CALL the fly shop for the latest in stream flows and water conditions.
For the most current stream flow data, see our links page or click here for New Mexico Stream Flows. or here for Colorado Steam Flows.
Please see our home page or Facebook 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 here for the Public Lands Information Center for a full list of fire restrictions and closures.
posted by High Desert Angler at Sunday, June 12, 2016
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