Fly Fishing Report for Northern New Mexico

Thursday, October 12, 2017

The October 12, 2017 Fly Fishing Report for Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Learn more at http://www.100thmeridian.org/emersion.asp

Autumn weather 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
Flow: 448 cfs below Navajo Dam
Fishing: Good
Visibility: Good, Clear
Water Temp: Cold, 42-45 degrees
Hatches: Midges in Quality Water, BWO's below Quality Water
Patterns: Bling Midge, Jujube Midge, Johnny Flash, Pure Fire Midge, Low Water Baetis
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. Baetis hatches are getting better every day and a good cloudy day can bring 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 gray 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
Flows: 74 cfs on the Rio Mora, 177 cfs on the Pecos below Terrero
Fishing: Fair to Good
Visibility: 2-3 feet
Water Temp: Cold, High Forties to Low Fifties
Hatches: Blue Winged Olives, Terrestrials
Patterns: Para Hoppers, Low Water Baetis, Tungsten Micro Mays
The Pecos River is still flowing rather high after all of the rain we've had over the past two weeks. The wading is easier and the water is clearer upriver of Terrero. Some caddis and and blue winged olives are out but not bringing much fish to the surface. Hoppers will get a look, but more often than not it's the dropper that is getting attention. Go with a little bigger fly with a bit of flash or that is darkly colored to contrast with the water color. Copper johns are a good choice as are twenty inchers, pat's rubber legs, and tungsten salvations. Please respect the landowners and stay out of any private property along the river. The fishing season on Pecos National Historical Park runs through November 6th. The Park's website is lacking information, but there is a phone number you'll need to call to make a reservation.

Rio Grande
Flows: 386 cfs at Cerro, 608 cfs at Pilar
Fishing: Slow for trout, Slow for pike, Slow for smallmouth bass
Visibility: Fair, Less than 2 feet
Water Temp: Cool, High Fifties for now
Hatches: Sporadic Insignificant Baetis
Patterns: Crane Bombs, Warden's Worries, Searchers, Gongas, Butt Monkeys
The Rio has come up in flow and got murky with the rains over the past couple of weeks. It'll be a week or so until we see the clarity we expect for fall through winter. If you go, show them some nymphs on the bigger side like crane fly larvae or streamers. The smallies will be in the slowest part of the river looking for crawdads on the bottom. Drag crayfish patterns and woolly buggers through those spots. Pike fishing is slow. Your best bet for them is a large streamers that move water. They require more room than trout or smallmouth so look for a bigger slow run or pool.

Jemez Mountain Streams
Flows: 28 cfs below Jemez Pueblo
Fishing: Good
Visibility: Slightly Off-color
Water Temps: Upper Forties to Low Fifties
Hatches: Blue Winged Olives, Terrestrials
Patterns: Purple Haze, More or Less Hoppers, Hippy Stompers, Tungsten Salvations
River levels here are fine and not nearly as high as the Sangre de Cristo streams. The fall colors are also better than the Sangre's. Get it while it's good. Not much hatching, but they'll still take an attractor like a humpy or hippy stomper and better yet if there is a small beadhead hanging off the back.

Chama River
Flows: 15 cfs above Chama; 139 cfs above El Vado; 345 cfs below El Vado Reservoir, 654 cfs below Abiquiu Dam
Fishing: Good, above El Vado all the way to Colorado, Fair below the El Vado Dam
Visibility: Good, transparent-2 feet plus above El Vado; Fair,less than a foot below El Vado.
Water Temps: Cold, Upper Forties on Natural River, Upper Forties on on Tailwaters
Hatches: Blue Winged Olives's
Patterns: Low Water Baetis, Tungsten Micro Mays, Bat Wing Emergers, Searchers, Sculpzillas
The upper Chama in the Sargent WMA is low and clear. It's still good fishing although the morning ca be slow. The river flowing into El Vado above the Heron outflow is low and clear. I've had reports of a high release from Heron Dam, but I suspect that the release out of Heron is mirroring the declining releases out of Abiquiu and El Vado. Watch out for redds and don not target spawning fish! The release below El Vado looks like it's trending towards a normal fall schedule. I've upgraded the fishing there as the lower release makes the river wadable and clarity is getting better also. The river below Abiquiu is down for the moment. Silt is getting flushed out of Abiquiu and the clarity isn't good. Wait until at least the end of the month to fish here. The Chama River above El Vado Reservoir, downstream of the stream gauge at Cooper's Ranch, and below Abiquiu Dam are Special Trout Waters with reduced bag limits or catch and release only rules. Please report violators to New Mexico Game and Fish at 1-800-432-4263.

Cimarron River
Flows: 1.2 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam
Fishing: Slow to Fair
Visibility: Good, very low flows below dam, clear
Water Temps: Upper Forties to Low Fifties
Hatches: Blue Winged Olive's
Patterns: Bat Wing Emergers, HDA Favorites, Low Water Baetis, Parachute Baetis, RS2's
The release out of Eagle Nest Dam is really low and the release will not improve until spring. Fortunately trib flow starting with Tolby Creek at the upper end of the state park adds to the flow. The Cimarron picks up even more water towards the eastern end of the state park. Scuds, red midge larvae, baetis nymphs, and samll hoppers have been reported to be working on the river. The are better place to fish that won't put so much stress on them. Consider Red River over Bobcat Pass.

In Southern Colorado:

Animas River
Flows: 261 cfs at Durango
Fishing: Fair
Visibility: Fair
Water Temps: Mid-Forties to Low Fifties
Hatches: Blue Winged Olives
Patterns: Purple Haze, Tungsten Micro Mays, Anato Mays, Sculpzillas, Hippy Streamers
The Animas is declining from our recent rains and fishing is getting good. There are some browns beginning to spawn so please avoid their redds and do not target spawning fish. .but still high for wading. Fishing with streamers and big nymphs like stoneflies with a trailing baetis nymph will still get the trout's attention.

The Conejos River
Flows: 104 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; 294 cfs at Mogote
Fishing: Good
Visibility: Good, Clear
Water Temps: Cold, Low Forties to High Forties
Hatches: Blue Winged Olive's
Patterns: Twenty Bombs, HDA Fave Variants, Low Water Baetis, Tungsten Micro Mays
The Conejos is declining slowly, although the release out of Platoro is steady and at a nice level for now. Get it while it's good on the upper river as the release will go down below 10 cfs for the winter. It will ruin the fishing in the meadows once it does go down. At lower flows you can still fish the pocket water down into the Pinnacles. The water is clear and the wading is easy on the lower river. Fish any current break you can see as dredging the deeper runs is the least productive. .

Rio Grande
Flows: 286 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap
Fishing: Good
Visibility: Good
Water Temps: Low-Forties to High Forties
Hatches: Blue Winged Olives
Patterns: Low Water Baetis, Parachute Baetis, Tungsten Micro Mays, Bate Wing Emergers
The Rio here is low and clear offering up some great fall fishing. It's bankers hours fishing as the mornings can be chilly. Browns are into their spawn so be wary of any redds and please do not target spawning fish. Hopper droppers can still be productive when there isn't a hatch.

Pagosa Area
Flows: Piedra River 129 cfs at Arboles; San Juan River 182 cfs at Pagosa Springs
Fishing: Good
Visibility: Good
Water Temps: Low Forties to High Forties
Hatches: Blue Winged Olives
Patterns: Purple Haze, Low Water Baetis, Kingfisher Hoppers, HDA Favorite, Split Case BWO
This are did get some rain but declining flows are giving way to excellent fall fishing. Let things warm up before you go. It's definitely bankers hours. Try dru dropper rigs if there isn't a hatch of blue wings.

Arkansas River
Flows: 298 cfs at Granite; 498 cfs at Salida
Fishing: Good
Visibility: Goos
Water Temps: Low Forties to High Forties
Hatches: Blue Winged Olive's
Patterns: Purple Haze, Tungsten Micro Mays, Split Case BWO, Juju Baetis, Parachute Baetis
The fishing is easiest upstream of the Twin Lakes outflow to Hayden Meadows. Downstream of Salida into Big Horn Sheep Canyon the river is a little bigger and wading is tough. Fish in the deeper runs mid-channel in the morning and cover the shallow riffles from mid-day on if you see active surface feeding. .

It's autumn time 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.

Thursday, July 06, 2017

The Saturday June 1, 2017 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
Flow: 523 cfs below Navajo Dam
Fishing: Good
Visibility: Good, Clear
Water Temp: Cold, 42-45 degrees
Hatches: Midges in Quality Water, PMD's below Quality Water
Patterns: Bling Midge, Jujube Midge, Johnny Flash, Pure Fire Midge, Ext. Body PMD's
The Peak Spring Release is winding down. Fishing here can be very good especially after a summer rain. The first good rain will bring out an ant fall and the fish go nuts. 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 small 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 gray 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
Flows: 13 cfs on the Rio Mora, 59 cfs on the Pecos below Terrero
Fishing: Good
Visibility: Good, Clear
Water Temp: Cool, Mid-Fifties
Hatches: Caddis
Patterns: Feast Beast Caddis, Neversink Caddis, Para Hoppers,
Stoneflies are pretty much done the length of the river. Caddis flies are out in good number with the heaviest concentrations in the late afternoon til dusk. PMD's are also gaining in numbers and are working mid-day. Round that out with a hopper and you can fish dries all day. Keep the droppers on the small end; no bigger than a #16. in the faster currents. Please respect the landowners and stay out of any private property along the river. The fishing season on Pecos National Historical Park opened June 15th. Please see the Park's website for more information.

Rio Grande
Flows: 374 cfs at Cerro, 608 cfs at Pilar
Fishing: Slow for trout, Slow for pike, Fair for smallmouth bass
Visibility: Fair, Less than 2 feet
Water Temp: Cool, High Fifties for now
Hatches: Sporadic Insignificant Midge and Baetis
Patterns: Crane Bombs, Warden's Worries, Searchers, Gongas, Butt Monkeys
The Rio has come down in flow a lot over the past week. It may be from heavier diversion in Colorado now that it got hot, but even flows well above the reservoirs are dropping fast. There may be a small window here for decent trout fishing. If the water clears up a bit and the temps are cool enough for happy trout in the next couple of weeks. Please do not target trout here if the water temps are in the mid-sixties. It could be lethal for them. Go for the smallies instead. They will be in the slowest part of the river looking for crawdads on the bottom. Crawdad patterns and woolly buggers dragged through those spots keep you away from the trout. Pike fishing is slow. Your best bet for them is a large streamers that move water. Choose your places wisely . There is lots of rafting traffic around Pilar.

Jemez Mountain Streams
Flows: 12 cfs below Jemez Pueblo
Fishing: Good, early and late in the day, Fair mid-day
Visibility: Good, Clear
Water Temps: High Fifties to Low Sixties
Hatches: Caddis, PMD's,
Patterns: Fat Caddis, Stalcup's Hopper,
River levels are declining as a whole in the Jemez Mountains. It's typical, but a little early this year. Get it while it's good. The declining flows and warmer temps will slow the fishing down as we move into summer. The upper reaches of the San Antonio and Cebolla continue to fish well. Try a dry dropper rig just as an easy presentation in the lower flows and clear water. The stonefly hatches on the lower Jemez and Guadalupe are done. The Gilman tunnels are closed. The access to the Guadalupe is on Forest Road 376 from the north.

Chama River
Flows: 181 cfs above Chama; 150 cfs above El Vado; 392 cfs below El Vado Reservoir, 647 cfs below Abiquiu Dam
Fishing: Good, above El Vado all the way to Colorado, Fair below the Dams
Visibility: Good, transparent-2 feet plus above El Vado; Fair,less than a foot below El Vado.
Water Temps: Cold, Upper Forties on Natural River, Upper Forties on on Tailwaters
Hatches: Caddis, PMD's
Patterns: Neversink Caddis, Feast Beast Caddis, Ext Body PMD, Hippy Stompers,
The upper Chama in the Sargent WMA is still high and fast. Keep checking. The river flowing into El Vado is declining rapidly. Hit it now before this stretch warms up. Throwing streamers and deep nymphing should produce. The release below El Vado looks like it's on the usual summer routine. Roughly a release of 600 cfs starting Friday at noon and going back down to 200 cfs on Sunday at noon. I've upgraded the fishing there as the lower release makes the river wadable and clarity is getting better also. The river below Abiquiu is down for the moment. Silt is getting flushed out of Abiquiu and the clarity isn't good. Wait until autumn to fish here again. The Chama River above El Vado Reservoir, downstream of the stream gauge at Cooper's Ranch, and below Abiquiu Dam are Special Trout Waters with reduced bag limits or catch and release only rules. Please report violators to New Mexico Game and Fish at 1-800-432-4263.

Cimarron River
Flows: 27 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam
Fishing: Good
Visibility: Good, slightly milky below dam, clear downriver
Water Temps: Low Fifties
Hatches: PMD's, Golden Stones, Baetis, Caddis
Patterns: Bruised PMD's, Golden Tungstones, Bat Wing Emergers, HDA Favorites
The release out of Eagle Nest Dam is at adecent level but that may change if the irrigators for water. Fortunately trib flow starting with Tolby Creek at the upper end of the state park adds to the flow. The Cimarron picks up even more water towards the eastern end of the state park. Scuds, red midge larvae, baetis nymphs, and golden stonefly nymphs have been reported to be working on the river. This place will provide somewhere to fish now that runoff seems to be affecting most of the other local waters.

In Southern Colorado:

Animas River
Flows: 1110 cfs at Durango
Fishing: Fair
Visibility:
Water Temps:
Hatches:
Patterns:
The Animas is declining but still high for wading. Fishing with streamers and big nymphs like stoneflies with some flash will still get the trout's attention just take caution while wading. Caddis are out and you can get a few risers in the evening on dries. There is a lot of rafting traffic on the river especially close to Durango. No reports from other area waters.

The Conejos River
Flows: 428 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; 668 cfs at Mogote
Fishing: Good
Visibility: Good, Clear
Water Temps:
Hatches: Stoneflies, Brown Drakes, PMD's, Caddis
Patterns: Twenty Bombs, Golden Tungstones, Pat's Rubberlegs, Drake Bombs, Brown Drakes
The Conejos is declining, although the release out of Platoro is literally all over the place. That makes the fishing the meadows kind of a crap shoot. At high flows, 150-400 cfs, it will fish well. At lower flows, expect the river just above the Pinnacles to fish well. The release for most angler, needs to be below 150 cfs to be able to wade the Pinnacles. The water is fairly clear, although the wading is much tougher on the lower river. Dredging the deeper runs with stone fly nymphs and San Juan worms seems to be the most successful tactic.The big bugs of summer, stoneflies, green drakes, and PMD's are flying around the length of the river. I haven't had any reports on the tribs although the flows should be down for them to fish well.

Rio Grande
Flows: 1280 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap
Fishing: Good
Visibility: Good
Water Temps:
Hatches:
Patterns:
Hard to tell what release is with the stream gauge being offline. It's probaly high enough to float but inquire locally. Stonelies should be off any day now followed by green drakes and PMD's.

Pagosa Area
Flows: Piedra River 99 cfs at Arboles; San Juan River 250 cfs at Pagosa Springs
Fishing: Good
Visibility:
Water Temps:
Hatches:
Patterns:
High water and from snowmelt is declining on these area waters like everywhere else. Most of the bigger waters are still high and impossible to wade, but the tribs may offer some place to fish. It won't be long before it will all fish well.

Arkansas River
Flows: 774 cfs at Granite; 1280 cfs at Salida
Fishing:
Visibility:
Water Temps:
Hatches:
Patterns:
The fishing is easiest upstream of the Twin Lakes outflow to Hayden Meadows. Downstream of Salida into Big Horn Sheep Canyon the river is murky anfd fishing is tough. The clearest water will be upstream of Chalk Creek to Hayden Meadows. Fish in the deeper runs mid-channel in the and cover the shallow riffles from mid-day on if you see active surface feeding. .

It's spring time 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.

Friday, June 16, 2017

The Friday June 16, 2017 Fly Fishing Report for Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Learn more at http://www.100thmeridian.org/emersion.asp

Spring snowmelt 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 4880 cfs below Navajo Dam; Fair to Good
The Peak Spring Release out of Navajo Dam is underway. Fishing here will remain as good as ever. Expect some moss and vegetation to get kicked up initially and the fish will be redistributed, but that should shake itself out fairly quickly. 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 with a boat. 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 gray 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 35 on the Rio Mora; Fair: 127 cfs on the Pecos near Terrero; Fair to Good
Stoneflies are out on the lower river. They are past Dalton and Windy Bridge, and are heaviest from Terrero to Mora Campground. Wading is a bit easier with declining runoff. The typical two fly nymph rig with a large stonefly nymph with a smaller trailing fly under an indicator has been the best producer. European style nymphing works even better in the faster currents. Eggs, San Juan worms and flies with some flash should also be on the menu. Dry flies are getting more attention also with less water. Stimulators, gray drakes and caddis dries should be in your box. 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 June 15th. Please see the Park's website for more information.

Rio Grande 852 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 1480 cfs at Pilar; Slow to for trout, Slow for pike, Slow for smallmouth bass
The Rio has come down in flow a lot over the past week. It may be from heavier diversion in Colorado now that it got hot, but even flows well above the reservoirs are dropping fast. Visibility is still only about a foot. There may be a small window here for decent trout fishing. If the water clears up a bit and the temps are cool enough for happy trout in the next couple of weeks. Please do not target trout here if the water temps are in the mid-sixties. It could be lethal for them. Go for the smallie instead. They will be in the slowest part of the river looking for crawdads on the bottom. Crawdad petterns and wolly buggers dragged through those spots keep you away from the trout. Pike fishing is slow. Your best bet for them is a large streamers that move water. Choose your places wisely . There is lots of rafting traffic around Pilar.

New Mexico Highway 4 is closed from it's juntion with NM Highway 501 west to the junction of NM Highway 126 due to the Cajete Fire. The Valles Caldera is closed as well as any access to the East Fork along Highway 4. Expect heavy fire traffic on Highway 4 from La Cueva south.

Jemez Mountain Streams 20 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Good
River levels are declining as a whole in the Jemez Mountains. It's typical, but a little early this year. Get it while it's good. The declining flows and warmer temps will slow the fishing down as we move into summer. The upper reaches of the San Antonio and Cebolla continue to fish well. Try a dry dropper rig just as an easy presentation in the lower flows and clear water. The lower Jemez and Guadalupe still have stoneflies flying but they are dimishing in numbers. Fish the edgewater and obvious pockets. Fish are keying in on larger flies like stonefly nymphs. A two fly rig with a stone trailing a smaller caddis nymph or an attractor like a copper john should be working. The Gilman tunnels are closed. The access to the Guadalupe is on Forest Road 376 from the north.

Chama River 461 cfs above the village of Chama; Slow: 703 cfs above El Vado Reservoir; Slow: 591 cfs below El Vado Dam; Fair: and 324 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Slow
The upper Chama in the Sargent WMA is still high and fast. Keep checking. Flows less than 80 cfs are wadeable in this fast steep section of river. The river flowing into El Vado is declining rapidly, but wading is questionable. It's still high but stoneflies may be off and deep nymphing should produce. The release below El Vado looks like it's on the usual summer routine. Roughly a release of 600 cfs starting Friday at noon and going back down to 200 cfs on Sunday at noon. I've upgraded the fishing there as the lower release makes the river wadable and clarity is getting better also. The river below Abiquiu is down for the moment. Silt is getting flushed out of Abiquiu and the clarity isn't good. Wait until autumn to fish here again. The Chama River above El Vado Reservoir, downstream of the stream gauge at Cooper's Ranch, and below Abiquiu Dam are Special Trout Waters with reduced bag limits or catch and release only rules. Please report violators to New Mexico Game and Fish at 1-800-432-4263.

Cimarron River 7.2 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good: 21 cfs at Cimarron; Good
The release out of Eagle Nest Dam is rather low. It'll likely remain this way until irrigators call for water. Fortunately trib flow starting with Tolby Creek at the upper end of the state park adds to the flow. The Cimarron picks up even more water towards the eastern end of the state park. Scuds, red midge larvae, baetis nymphs, and golden stonefly nymphs have been reported to be working on the river. This place will provide somewhere to fish now that runoff seems to be affecting most of the other local waters.

In Southern Colorado:

Animas River 2900 cfs at Durango; Slow
The Animas is declining but still high for wading. Fishing with streamers and big nymphs like stoneflies with some flash will still get the trout's attention just take caution while wading.The is a lot of rafting traffic on the river especially close to Durango. No reports from other area waters.

The Conejos River 348 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Fair: 1120 cfs at Mogote; Slow to Fair
The Conejos is declining, although the release out of Platoro is literally all over the place. That makes the fishing the meadows kind of a crap shoot. At high flows, 150-400 cfs, it will fish well. At lower flows, expect the river just above the Pinnacles to fish well. The release for most angler, needs to be below 150 cfs to be able to wade the Pinnacles. The water is fairly clear, although the wading is much tougher on the lower river. Dredging the deeper runs with stone fly nymphs and San Juan worms seems to be the most successful tactic.The big bugs of summer, pteronarcys stoneflies should be flying within days down low. I haven't had any reports on the tribs.

Rio Grande at Thirty Mile Bridge; Fair: 1640 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Fair
Hard to tell what release is with the stream gauge being offline. It's probaly high enough to float but inquire locally. Stonelies should be off any day now followed by green drakes and PMD's.

Pagosa Area- Piedra River 775 cfs at Arboles; Fair; San Juan River 999 cfs at Pagosa Springs; Slow to Fair
High water and from snowmelt is declining on these area waters like everywhere else. Most of the bigger waters are still high and impossible to wade, but the tribs may offer some place to fish. It won't be long before it will all fish well.

Arkansas River 1170 cfs at Granite; Slow: 2280 cfs at Salida; Slow
The fishing is easiest upstream of the Twin Lakes outflow to Hayden Meadows. Downstream of Salida into Big Horn Sheep Canyon the river is murky anfd fishing is tough. The clearest water will be upstream of Chalk Creek to Hayden Meadows. Fish in the deeper runs mid-channel in the and cover the shallow riffles from mid-day on if you see active surface feeding. .

Sunday, June 11, 2017

The Sunday June 11, 2017 Fly Fishing Report for Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Learn more at http://www.100thmeridian.org/emersion.asp

Spring snowmelt 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 4760 cfs below Navajo Dam; Fair to Good
The Peak Spring Release out of Navajo Dam is underway. Fishing here will remain as good as ever. Expect some moss and vegetation to get kicked up initially and the fish will be redistributed, but that should shake itself out fairly quickly. 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 with a boat. 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 gray 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 54 on the Rio Mora; Fair: 175 cfs on the Pecos near Terrero; Fair to Good
Stoneflies are out on the lower river. They are up to Dalton. maybe Windy Bridge, but they'll keep moving upriver. You can still fish the Pecos, but it will require throwing quite a bit of weight to get to where the fish are holding. Wading is tough and crossing the river is pretty much impossible. Look for areas that naturally hold fish like the big holes around Dalton, Windy Bridge, and Willow Creek. The typical two fly nymph rig with a large stonefly nymph with a smaller trailing fly under an indicator has been the best producer. European style nymphing works even better in the faster currents. Eggs, San Juan worms and flies with some flash should also be on the menu. 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 June 15th. Please see the Park's website for more information.

Rio Grande 2990 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 3180 cfs at Pilar; Slow to for trout, Slow for pike, Slow for smallmouth bass
The Rio is high and murky from spring snow melt on the tribs. 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 28 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Good
River levels are declining as a whole in the Jemez Mountains. It's typical, but a little early this year. Get it while it's good. The declining flows and warmer temps will slow the fishing down as we move into summer. The upper reaches of the San Antonio, East Fork, and Cebolla continue to fish well. Try a dry dropper rig just as an easy presentation in the lower flows and clear water. The lower Jemez and Guadalupe have stoneflies flying. Fish the edgewater and obvious pockets. Fish are keying in on larger flies like stonefly nymphs. A two fly rig with a stone trailing a smaller caddis nymph or an attractor like a copper john should be working. The Gilman tunnels are closed. The access to the Guadalupe is on Forest Road 376 from the north. 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 605 cfs above the village of Chama; Poor: 1230 cfs above El Vado Reservoir; Poor: 198 cfs below El Vado Dam; Fair: and 735 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Poor
The upper Chama in the Sargent WMA is too high and fast. Wait a month or so. The river flowing into El Vado is very high and fast and will have the same time frame. The release below El Vado looks like it's on the usual summer routine. Roughly a release of 600 cfs starting Friday at noon and going back down to 200 cfs on Sunday at noon. I've upgraded the fishing there as the lower release makes the river wadable and clarity is getting better also. The river below Abiquiu is still high and murky and wading would be dangerous at these levels. Probably have to wait until autumn to fish here again.The Chama River above El Vado Reservoir, downstream of the stream gauge at Cooper's Ranch, and below Abiquiu Dam are Special Trout Waters with reduced bag limits or catch and release only rules. Please report anyone to New Mexico Game and Fish at 1-800-432-4263.

Cimarron River 7.6 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Good: 28 cfs at Cimarron; Good
The release out of Eagle Nest Dam is rather 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. Gauging at the low flows recorded at Cimarron, I suspect the river to be quite fishable toward the eastern end of the park. Scuds, red midge larvae, baetis nymphs, and golden stonefly nymphs have been reported to be working on the river. This place will provide somewhere to fish now that runoff seems to be affecting most of the other local waters.

In Southern Colorado:

Animas River 4170 cfs at Durango; Slow
The Animas is in full runoff. The water is high and murky. Fishing with streamers and big nymphs like stoneflies with some flash will still get the trout's attention just take caution while wading. No reports from other area waters.

The Conejos River 67 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Fair: 1350 cfs at Mogote; Slow to Fair
The Conejos has come way up in flow over the last few weeks like everything else. The release out of Platoro has varied quite a bit, but I have had good reports from people fishing in the meadows. The water is murkier and the wading is much tougher on the lower river. 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 at Thirty Mile Bridge; Slow to Fair: 2580 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Slow to Fair
Dam release is probably accounting for most of the water on the upper Rio Grande near Creede although the stream gauge is currently offline. Streamer fishing and nymph fishing has been good and there is been enough of a release out of Rio Grande Reservoir to float it. It's a little early for stoneflies. Should be another 3-4 weeks. Caddis are the only things flying, but the fish aren't in a rising mood.

Pagosa Area- Piedra River 1240 cfs at Arboles; Slow; San Juan River 1580 cfs at Pagosa Springs; Slow
High water and from snowmelt has hit these area waters like everything else. 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 at least another few weeks.

Arkansas River 1280 cfs at Granite; Slow: 2560 cfs at Salida; Slow
The fishing is easiest upstream of the Twin Lakes outflow to Hayden Meadows. You can fish downstream of Salida into Big Horn Sheep Canyon although the flows there make fishing out of a boat your best option. Flows can change with a release out of Twin Lakes, or Clear Creek reservoir. The clearest water will be upstream of Chalk Creek to Hayden Meadows. Fish in the deeper runs mid-channel in the and cover the shallow riffles from mid-day on if you see active surface feeding. .

Saturday, June 03, 2017

The Saturday June 3, 2017 Fly Fishing Report for Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Learn more at http://www.100thmeridian.org/emersion.asp

Spring snowmelt 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 4680 cfs below Navajo Dam; Fair to Good
The Bureau of Rec has started the Peak Spring Release out of Navajo Dam. Fishing here will remain as good as ever. Expect some moss and vegetation to get kicked up initially and the fish will be redistributed, but that should shake itself out fairly quickly. 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 with a boat. 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 gray 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 75 on the Rio Mora; Fair: 213 cfs on the Pecos near Terrero; Fair to Good
Stoneflies are out on the lower river. They are not quite up to Dalton, but they'll keep moving upriver. You can still fish the Pecos, but it will require throwing quite a bit of weight to get to where the fish are holding. Wading is tough and crossing the river is pretty much impossible. Look for areas that naturally hold fish like the big holes around Dalton, Windy Bridge, and Willow Creek. The typical two fly nymph rig with a large stonefly nymph with a smaller trailing fly under an indicator has been the best producer. European style nymphing works even better in the faster currents. Eggs, San Juan worms and flies with some flash should also be on the menu. 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 June 15th. Please see the Park's website for more information.

Rio Grande 1850 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 2730 cfs at Pilar; Slow to for trout, Slow for pike, Slow for smallmouth bass
The Rio is high and murky from spring snow melt on the tribs. 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 72 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Good
The upper reaches of the San Antonio, East Fork, and Cebolla are the best bets for fishing in the Jemez. Try a dry dropper rig just as an easy presentation in the lower flows and less murky water you'll see upriver. The lower Jemez and Guadalupe are high, fast, and murky. I've just had a few reports of stoneflies flying. Fish the edgewater and obvious pockets. Fish are keying in on larger flies like stonefly nymphs. A two fly rig with a stone trailing a smaller caddis nymph or an attractor like a copper john should be working. The Gilman tunnels are closed. The access to the Guadalupe is on Forest Road 376 from the north. 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 fisrt 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 599 cfs above the village of Chama; Poor: 1970 cfs above El Vado Reservoir; Poor: 1540 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow: and 1010 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Poor
The upper Chama in the Sargent WMA is too high and fast. Wait a month or so. The river flowing into El Vado is very high and fast and will have the same time frame. The release below El Vado is very high to fish and wade safely. We'll have to wait and see how much water gets delivered downstream. Good fishing could return here in a month or so. The river below Abiquiu is very high and murky and wading would be extremely dangerous at these levels. Probably have to wait until autumn to fish here again.The Chama River above El Vado Reservoir, downstream of the stream gauge at Cooper's Ranch, and below Abiquiu Dam are Special Trout Waters with reduced bag limits or catch and release only rules. Please report anyone to New Mexico Game and Fish at 1-800-432-4263.

Cimarron River 3.9 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Fair to Good: 34 cfs at Cimarron; Fair to Good
The release out of Eagle Nest Dam is rather 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. Gauging at the low flows recorded at Cimarron, I suspect the river to be quite fishable toward the eastern end of the park. Scuds, red midge larvae, baetis nymphs, and golden stonefly nymphs have been reported to be working on the river. This place will provide somewhere to fish now that runoff seems to be affecting most of the other local waters.

In Southern Colorado:

Animas River 3740 cfs at Durango; Slow
The Animas is in full runoff. The water is high and murky. Fishing with streamers and big nymphs like stoneflies with some flash will still get the trout's attention just take caution while wading. No reports from other area waters.

The Conejos River 237 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Fair: 1480 cfs at Mogote; Slow to Fair
The Conejos has come way up in flow over the last few weeks like everything else. The release out of Platoro has varied quite a bit, but I have had good reports from people fishing in the meadows. The water is murkier and the wading is much tougher on the lower river. 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 at Thirty Mile Bridge; Slow to Fair: 2330 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Slow to Fair
Dam release is probably accounting for most of the water on the upper Rio Grande near Creede although the stream gauge is currently offline. Streamer fishing and nymph fishing has been good and there is been enough of a release out of Rio Grande Reservoir to float it. It's a little early for stoneflies. Should be another 3-4 weeks. Caddis are the only things flying, but the fish aren't in a rising mood.

Pagosa Area- Piedra River 1290 cfs at Arboles; Slow; San Juan River 1630 cfs at Pagosa Springs; Slow
High water and from snowmelt has hit these area waters like everything else. 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 at least another few weeks.

Arkansas River 1010 cfs at Granite; Slow to Fair: 1890 cfs at Salida; Slow to Fair
The fishing is easiest upstream of the Twin Lakes outflow to Hayden Meadows. You can fish downstream of Salida into Big Horn Sheep Canyon although the flows there make fishing out of a boat your best option. Flows can change with a release out of Twin Lakes, or Clear Creek reservoir. The clearest water will be upstream of Chalk Creek to Hayden Meadows. Fish in the deeper runs mid-channel in the and cover the shallow riffles from mid-day on if you see active surface feeding. .

Sunday, May 28, 2017

The Sunday May 28, 2017 Fly Fishing Report for Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Learn more at http://www.100thmeridian.org/emersion.asp

Spring snowmelt 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 4790 cfs below Navajo Dam; Fair to Good
The Bureau of Rec has started the Peak Spring Release out of Navajo Dam. Fishing here will remain as good as ever. Expect some moss and vegetation to get kicked up initially and the fish will be redistributed, but that should shake itself out fairly quickly. 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 with a boat. 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 gray 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 95 on the Rio Mora; Slow: 245 cfs on the Pecos near Terrero; Slow to Fair
You can still fish the Pecos, but it will require throwing quite a bit of weight to get to where the fish are holding. Wading is tough and crossing the river is pretty much impossible. Look for areas that naturally hold fish like the big holes around Dalton, Windy Bridge, and Willow Creek. The typical two fly nymph rig with a large stonefly nymph with a smaller trailing fly under an indicator has been the best producer. European style nymphing works even better in the faster currents. Eggs, San Juan worms and flies with some flash should also be on the menu. 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 June 15th. Please see the Park's website for more information.

Rio Grande 1480 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 2290 cfs at Pilar; Slow to for trout, Slow for pike, Slow for smallmouth bass
The Rio is high and murky from spring snow melt on the tribs. 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 89 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Fair to Good
The upper reaches of the San Antonio, East Fork, and Cebolla are the best bets for fishing in the Jemez. Try a dry dropper rig just as an easy presentation in the lower flows and less murky water you'll see upriver. The lower Jemez and Guadalupe are high, fast, and murky. No reports of stoneflies flying yet but the hatch is imminent! Fish the edgewater and obvious pockets. Fish are keying in on larger flies like stonefly nymphs. A two fly rig with a stone trailing a smaller caddis nymph or an attractor like a copper john should be working. 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 fisrt 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 651 cfs above the village of Chama; Poor: 2450 cfs above El Vado Reservoir; Poor: 2960 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow: and 1800 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Poor
The upper Chama in the Sargent WMA is too high and fast. Wait a month or so. The river flowing into El Vado is very high and fast and will have the same time frame. The release below El Vado is very high to fish and wade safely. We'll have to wait and see how much water gets delivered downstream. Good fishing could return here in a month or so. The river below Abiquiu is very high and murky and wading would be extremely dangerous at these levels. Probably have to wait until autumn to fish here again.The Chama River above El Vado Reservoir, downstream of the stream gauge at Cooper's Ranch, and below Abiquiu Dam are Special Trout Waters with reduced bag limits or catch and release only rules. Please report anyone to New Mexico Game and Fish at 1-800-432-4263.

Cimarron River .70 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Fair to Good: 36 cfs at Cimarron; Fair to Good
The release out of Eagle Nest Dam is rather 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. Gauging at the low flows recorded at Cimarron, I suspect the river to be quite fishable toward the eastern end of the park. Scuds, red midge larvae, baetis nymphs, and golden stonefly nymphs have been reported to be working on the river. This place will provide somewhere to fish now that runoff seems to be affecting most of the other local waters.

In Southern Colorado:

Animas River 2390 cfs at Durango; Slow
The Animas is in full runoff. The water is high and murky. Fishing with streamers and big nymphs like stoneflies with some flash will still get the trout's attention just take caution while wading. No reports from other area waters.

The Conejos River 344 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Fair: 1540 cfs at Mogote; Slow to Fair
The Conejos has come way up in flow over the last few weeks like everything else. The release out of Platoro has varied quite a bit, but I have had good reports from people fishing in the meadows. The water is murkier and the wading is much tougher on the lower river. 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 at Thirty Mile Bridge; Slow to Fair: 2020 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Slow to Fair
Dam release is probably accounting for most of the water on the upper Rio Grande near Creede although the stream gauge is currently offline. Streamer fishing and nymph fishing has been good and there is been enough of a release out of Rio Grande Reservoir to float it. It's a little early for stoneflies. Should be another 3-4 weeks. Caddis are the only things flying, but the fish aren't in a rising mood.

Pagosa Area- Piedra River 1180 cfs at Arboles; Slow; San Juan River 1370 cfs at Pagosa Springs; Slow
High water and from snowmelt has hit these area waters like everything else. 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 at least another few weeks.

Arkansas River 525 cfs at Granite; Slow to Fair: 7500 cfs at Salida; Slow to Fair
The fishing is easiest upstream of the Twin Lakes outflow to Hayden Meadows. You can fish downstream of Salida into Big Horn Sheep Canyon although the flows there make fishing out of a boat your best option. Flows can change with a release out of Twin Lakes, or Clear Creek reservoir. The clearest water will be upstream of Chalk Creek to Hayden Meadows. Fish in the deeper runs mid-channel in the and cover the shallow riffles from mid-day on if you see active surface feeding. .

Saturday, May 20, 2017

The Saturday May 21, 2017 Fly Fishing Report for Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado

Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Learn more at http://www.100thmeridian.org/emersion.asp

Spring snowmelt 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.

SSan Juan River 4030 cfs below Navajo Dam; Fair to Good
The Bureau of Rec has started the Peak Spring Release out of Navajo Dam. There will be a ramp up from the current release to 5000 cfs by Wednesday the 24th.. Fishing here will remain as good as ever. Expect some moss and vegetation to get kicked up initially and the fish will be redistributed, but that should shake itself out fairly quickly. 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 gray 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 106 on the Rio Mora; Slow: 245 cfs on the Pecos near Terrero; Slow to Fair
You can still fish the Pecos, but it will require throwing quite a bit of weight to get to where the fish are holding. Wading is tough and crossing the river is pretty much impossible. Look for areas that naturally hold fish like the big holes around Dalton, Windy Bridge, and Willow Creek. The typical two fly nymph rig with a large stonefly nymph with a smaller trailing fly under an indicator has been the best producer. European style nymphing works even better in the faster currents. Eggs, San Juan worms and flies with some flash should also be on the menu. 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 June 15th. Please see the Park's website for more information.

Rio Grande 1730 cfs at Cerro; Slow: 2810 cfs at Pilar; Slow to for trout, Slow for pike, Slow for smallmouth bass
The Rio is getting higher and murkier every day with spring snow melt on the tribs. 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 114 cfs above Jemez Pueblo; Fair to Good
The upper reaches of the San Antonio, East Fork, and Cebolla are the best bets for fishing in the Jemez. Let things warm up a little before you start. Try a dry dropper rig just as an easy presentation in the lower flows and less murky water you'll see upriver. The lower Jemez and Guadalupe are high, fast, and murky as well. Fish the edgewater and obvious pockets. Fish are keying in on larger flies like stonefly nymphs. A two fly rig with a stone trailing a smaller caddis nymph or an attractor like a copper john should be working. 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 fisrt 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 533 cfs above the village of Chama; Poor: 1580 cfs above El Vado Reservoir; Poor: 1470 cfs below El Vado Dam; Slow to Fair: and 1800 cfs below Abiquiu Dam; Poor
The river below Abiquiu is very high and murky and wading would be extremely dangerous at these levels. Probably have to wait until autumn to fish here again. The release below El Vado is also too high too fish and wade safely. We'll have to wait and see how much water gets delivered downstream. Good fishing could return here in a month or so. The river flowing into El Vado is very high and fast . It'll be a month or more before that stretch becomes wadeable and fishable. The Chama River above El Vado Reservoir, downstream of the stream gauge at Cooper's Ranch, and below Abiquiu Dam are Special Trout Waters with reduced bag limits or catch and release only rules. Please report anyone to New Mexico Game and Fish at 1-800-432-4263.

Cimarron River 1.6 cfs below Eagle Nest Dam; Fair to Good: 49 cfs at Cimarron; Fair to Good
The release out of Eagle Nest Dam is rather 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. Gauging at the low flows recorded at Cimarron, I suspect the river to be quite fishable toward the eastern end of the park. Scuds, red midge larvae, baetis nymphs, and golden stonefly nymphs have been reported to be working on the river. This place will provide somewhere to fish now that runoff seems to be affecting most of the other local waters.

In Southern Colorado:

Animas River 1430 cfs at Durango; Slow
The Animas is in full runoff. The water is high and murky. Fishing with streamers and big nymphs like stoneflies with some flash will still get the trout's attention just take caution while wading. No reports from other area waters.

The Conejos River 35.6 cfs below Platoro Reservoir; Fair: 851 cfs at Mogote; Slow to Fair
The Conejos has come way up in flow over the last week like everything else. The release out of Platoro has varied somewhat, but I have had good reports from people fishing in the meadows. The water is murkier and the wading is much tougher on the lower river. 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 at Thirty Mile Bridge; Slow to Fair: 1490 cfs at Wagon Wheel Gap; Slow to Fair
Dam release is probably accounting for most of the water on the upper Rio Grande near Creede although the stream gauge is currently offline. Streamer fishing and nymph fishing has been good and there is been enough of a release out of Rio Grande Reservoir to float it. It's a little early for stoneflies. Should be another 3-4 weeks. Caddis are the only things flying, but the fish aren't in a rising mood.

Pagosa Area- Piedra River 790 cfs at Arboles; Slow; San Juan River 884 cfs at Pagosa Springs; Slow
High water and from snowmelt has hit these area waters like everything else. 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 at least another few weeks.

Arkansas River 787 cfs at Granite; Slow to Fair: 1010 cfs at Salida; Slow to Fair
The fishing is easiest upstream of the Twin Lakes outflow to Hayden Meadows. You can fish downstream of Salida into Big Horn Sheep Canyon although the flows there make fishing out of a boat your best option. Flows can change with a release out of Twin Lakes, or Clear Creek reservoir. The clearest water will be upstream of Chalk Creek to Hayden Meadows. Fish in the deeper runs mid-channel in the and cover the shallow riffles from mid-day on if you see active surface feeding. .