The Saturday August 6, 2016 Fly Fishing Report for Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado
Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Learn more at http://www.100thmeridian.org/emersion.asp
Summer rains and changes in dam release can affect your fishing plans. 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 423 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
The rain this past week over the Four Corners has increased the flow on the Animas which means a lower release out of Navajo Dam. The Bureau of Rec will likely raise or lower the release again depending on flows on the Animas. The rain may bring about another ant fall which can be a good thing to experience. Otherwise, it's still 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 41 on the Rio Mora; Slow to Fair: 213 cfs on the Pecos near Terrero; Slow to Fair
The rain over the past few days has brought the flows up on the Pecos and many other area streams. The forecast is for more rain over the next several days which doesn't paint the best picture for fly fishing. Currently our best guess, is that for the best conditions, look to fish the Mora as the flows haven't come up as much as the Pecos. Or go above Terrero, and even the Mora, where there is less of a chance of runoff coming off of the Tres Lagunas burn scar. San Juan worms and big dark nymphs that contrast to the water color can be day savers in the murky water. If we do not get much more rain, the Pecos will clear fairly quickly and it'll be back to fishing the bugs of summer. Hoppers, caddis, blue-winged olives, and little yellow sallies and, a dropper nymph on a buoyant dry fly can keep you into fish in the sunniest hot part of the day. Please respect the landowners and stay out of any private property along the river. The fishing season on Pecos National Historical Park runs through Monday August 8. Please see the Park's website for more information. Only the Pecos NHP will be closed to fishing. The Santa Fe National Forest accesses will remain open.
The Rio Costilla 73 cfs below Costilla Reservoir; Good
The Rio Costilla has been fishing well since opening day on July 1st. The release here hasn't been reduced despite the rain we've had over the region. The higher flows forces the fish tighter to the banks. Your casts will have to be a little more accurate for the time being. Hoppers, humpies, stimulators, hippie stompers, royal wulffs and other high riding dry flies hugging the banks are good choices.
Rio Grande 138 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 288 cfs at Pilar; Slow to Fair for trout, Slow to Fair for pike, Fair for smallmouth bass
The Rio was actually fairly clear earlier this week. I even had a good pike on the fly report. It was however, very murky below the Embudo. I haven't had any reports since the heavy rains starting Wednesday, but it could be worth a look given the lack of change in flows on the gauges above Pilar. There is still quite a bit of rafting and boating traffic around Pilar. The upper Rio into the gorge would be a better place to go. If you do 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.
Jemez Mountain Streams 24 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Fair to Good
The Jemez streams have also seemingly been largely unaffected buy this week's rains. If anything, it would be the lower sectiions of the Jemez or Guadalupe, or the San Antonio in the caldera due to burn scar runoff. The typical mid-day slow down should be ending with cooler weather and cloud cover. Hoppers, caddis and little yelow sallies are out and are bringing fish to the surface. . 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 107 cfs above Chama; Slow to Fair: 198 cfs above El Vado Reservoir; Slow to Fair: 514 cfs below El Vado Dam; Fair to Good: and 615 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Slow
There is a new stream gauge above Chama. It will reflect what is flowing through the Sargent Wildlife Area. Currently the flows are too high and the water is murky. This part of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico got a ton of rain yesterday. Once things clear, dry fly dropper rigs will work well here in the pocket water. Always check the flows before you go as this part of the Chama does get murky if it rains upriver. The river flowing into El Vado Reservoir is also murky from yesterdays rains. Look to fish elsewhere. The release below El Vado is reduced down to a soomewhat fishable level. The dam should keep this stretch free from the muddy water being seen upstream. Visibility is always tough here but the fish do feed and are used to it. Streamers, stonefly nymphs and cranefly larvae are the top flies on the river flowing out of El Vado. 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 22 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good: 28 cfs at Cimarron; Good
The Cimarron is another place where the dam will keep most of the river fish-able despite the heavy rainfall. Hopefully the current release will remain the same as only warmer weather forces the water managers to release more water . It may go down if the irrigators don't need the wtaer because of rainfall. Always check the flows before you go as the release is can go up or down daily. The river does pick up more trib flow starting with Tolby Creek at the upper end of the state park and Clear Creek on the lower end. Scuds, red midge larvae, baetis nymphs, and golden stonefly nymphs have been reported to be working on the river. PMD's, caddis and little yellow sallies are good choices for fishing dry.
In Southern Colorado:
The Conejos River 54 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Good: 242 cfs at Mogote; Good.
The Conejos was fishing well and should as the stream gauges don't show any huge spike in flow. Apparently not as much rain fell here as did west of the continental divide. It's a huge watershed so there is usually a fish-able trib if the main river blows out. Green drakes are waning and most of the ones seeing flying are out before dusk on the upper river above the South Fork.The river from the South Fork down is a little tough mid-day. Go small. Baetis nymphs under a hopper worked fairly well for me, but the fish shunned bigger stonefly nymphs. The release out of Platoro is still decent enough to hold fish. Elk Creek, the South Fork and Lake Fork are also fishing very well for the angler seeking some solitude and a chance to catch cutthroats.
Rio Grande 418 cfs at Thirty Mile Bridge; Fair to Good: 688 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Slow to Fair
Contrry to what is going on elsewhere, the dam release went up from Rio Grande Reservoir. Heavy rainfall here may murk up the river from the burn scars in the area. Try some of the smaller tribs if the main river is blown out. The South Fork of the Rio Grande could offer good fishing if it isn't blown out. .
Animas River 1420 cfs at Durango; Slow
The Animas is has pretty much gone off scale with the volume of rain that fell here yesterday. It'll take a few days of no rains to clear and become fish-able again. Only the headwater creeks like the Hermosa and it's tribs will be of decent clarity and flow for the time being.
Pagosa Area- Piedra River 452 cfs at Arboles; Slow to Fair; San Juan River 587 cfs at Pagosa Springs; Slow to Fair
A lot of rain fell here as well making pretty much everything high and murky. The saving grace could be Williams Creek below Williams Reservoir. The South Fork of the Rio Grande side of the divide could also fish well as not nearly as much rain fell on the east side. Most of these streams will clear fairly quickly if it doesn't rain anymore. .
Arkansas River 556 cfs at Granite; Good: 877 cfs at Salida; Good
The releases out of Clear Creek and Twin Lakes are matching their respective inflows making for some excellent fishing on much of the Ark. The wading is easiest upstream of Twin Lakes outflow to Hayden Meadows. The river from Buena Vista down stream into Brown's Canyon sees a lot of rafting traffic. I find it better to fish downstream of Salida into Big Horn Sheep Canyon. It's still high water so 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. PMD's, caddis and golden stones are the choice flies for the Ark.
It's summer 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.
Summer rains and changes in dam release can affect your fishing plans. 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 423 cfs below Navajo Dam; Good
The rain this past week over the Four Corners has increased the flow on the Animas which means a lower release out of Navajo Dam. The Bureau of Rec will likely raise or lower the release again depending on flows on the Animas. The rain may bring about another ant fall which can be a good thing to experience. Otherwise, it's still 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 41 on the Rio Mora; Slow to Fair: 213 cfs on the Pecos near Terrero; Slow to Fair
The rain over the past few days has brought the flows up on the Pecos and many other area streams. The forecast is for more rain over the next several days which doesn't paint the best picture for fly fishing. Currently our best guess, is that for the best conditions, look to fish the Mora as the flows haven't come up as much as the Pecos. Or go above Terrero, and even the Mora, where there is less of a chance of runoff coming off of the Tres Lagunas burn scar. San Juan worms and big dark nymphs that contrast to the water color can be day savers in the murky water. If we do not get much more rain, the Pecos will clear fairly quickly and it'll be back to fishing the bugs of summer. Hoppers, caddis, blue-winged olives, and little yellow sallies and, a dropper nymph on a buoyant dry fly can keep you into fish in the sunniest hot part of the day. Please respect the landowners and stay out of any private property along the river. The fishing season on Pecos National Historical Park runs through Monday August 8. Please see the Park's website for more information. Only the Pecos NHP will be closed to fishing. The Santa Fe National Forest accesses will remain open.
The Rio Costilla 73 cfs below Costilla Reservoir; Good
The Rio Costilla has been fishing well since opening day on July 1st. The release here hasn't been reduced despite the rain we've had over the region. The higher flows forces the fish tighter to the banks. Your casts will have to be a little more accurate for the time being. Hoppers, humpies, stimulators, hippie stompers, royal wulffs and other high riding dry flies hugging the banks are good choices.
Rio Grande 138 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 288 cfs at Pilar; Slow to Fair for trout, Slow to Fair for pike, Fair for smallmouth bass
The Rio was actually fairly clear earlier this week. I even had a good pike on the fly report. It was however, very murky below the Embudo. I haven't had any reports since the heavy rains starting Wednesday, but it could be worth a look given the lack of change in flows on the gauges above Pilar. There is still quite a bit of rafting and boating traffic around Pilar. The upper Rio into the gorge would be a better place to go. If you do 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.
Jemez Mountain Streams 24 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Fair to Good
The Jemez streams have also seemingly been largely unaffected buy this week's rains. If anything, it would be the lower sectiions of the Jemez or Guadalupe, or the San Antonio in the caldera due to burn scar runoff. The typical mid-day slow down should be ending with cooler weather and cloud cover. Hoppers, caddis and little yelow sallies are out and are bringing fish to the surface. . 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 107 cfs above Chama; Slow to Fair: 198 cfs above El Vado Reservoir; Slow to Fair: 514 cfs below El Vado Dam; Fair to Good: and 615 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Slow
There is a new stream gauge above Chama. It will reflect what is flowing through the Sargent Wildlife Area. Currently the flows are too high and the water is murky. This part of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico got a ton of rain yesterday. Once things clear, dry fly dropper rigs will work well here in the pocket water. Always check the flows before you go as this part of the Chama does get murky if it rains upriver. The river flowing into El Vado Reservoir is also murky from yesterdays rains. Look to fish elsewhere. The release below El Vado is reduced down to a soomewhat fishable level. The dam should keep this stretch free from the muddy water being seen upstream. Visibility is always tough here but the fish do feed and are used to it. Streamers, stonefly nymphs and cranefly larvae are the top flies on the river flowing out of El Vado. 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 22 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good: 28 cfs at Cimarron; Good
The Cimarron is another place where the dam will keep most of the river fish-able despite the heavy rainfall. Hopefully the current release will remain the same as only warmer weather forces the water managers to release more water . It may go down if the irrigators don't need the wtaer because of rainfall. Always check the flows before you go as the release is can go up or down daily. The river does pick up more trib flow starting with Tolby Creek at the upper end of the state park and Clear Creek on the lower end. Scuds, red midge larvae, baetis nymphs, and golden stonefly nymphs have been reported to be working on the river. PMD's, caddis and little yellow sallies are good choices for fishing dry.
In Southern Colorado:
The Conejos River 54 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Good: 242 cfs at Mogote; Good.
The Conejos was fishing well and should as the stream gauges don't show any huge spike in flow. Apparently not as much rain fell here as did west of the continental divide. It's a huge watershed so there is usually a fish-able trib if the main river blows out. Green drakes are waning and most of the ones seeing flying are out before dusk on the upper river above the South Fork.The river from the South Fork down is a little tough mid-day. Go small. Baetis nymphs under a hopper worked fairly well for me, but the fish shunned bigger stonefly nymphs. The release out of Platoro is still decent enough to hold fish. Elk Creek, the South Fork and Lake Fork are also fishing very well for the angler seeking some solitude and a chance to catch cutthroats.
Rio Grande 418 cfs at Thirty Mile Bridge; Fair to Good: 688 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Slow to Fair
Contrry to what is going on elsewhere, the dam release went up from Rio Grande Reservoir. Heavy rainfall here may murk up the river from the burn scars in the area. Try some of the smaller tribs if the main river is blown out. The South Fork of the Rio Grande could offer good fishing if it isn't blown out. .
Animas River 1420 cfs at Durango; Slow
The Animas is has pretty much gone off scale with the volume of rain that fell here yesterday. It'll take a few days of no rains to clear and become fish-able again. Only the headwater creeks like the Hermosa and it's tribs will be of decent clarity and flow for the time being.
Pagosa Area- Piedra River 452 cfs at Arboles; Slow to Fair; San Juan River 587 cfs at Pagosa Springs; Slow to Fair
A lot of rain fell here as well making pretty much everything high and murky. The saving grace could be Williams Creek below Williams Reservoir. The South Fork of the Rio Grande side of the divide could also fish well as not nearly as much rain fell on the east side. Most of these streams will clear fairly quickly if it doesn't rain anymore. .
Arkansas River 556 cfs at Granite; Good: 877 cfs at Salida; Good
The releases out of Clear Creek and Twin Lakes are matching their respective inflows making for some excellent fishing on much of the Ark. The wading is easiest upstream of Twin Lakes outflow to Hayden Meadows. The river from Buena Vista down stream into Brown's Canyon sees a lot of rafting traffic. I find it better to fish downstream of Salida into Big Horn Sheep Canyon. It's still high water so 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. PMD's, caddis and golden stones are the choice flies for the Ark.
It's summer 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 Saturday, August 06, 2016
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