http://thereellife.com/ Fishing Reports Feeds From Thereellife.com en-us Mon, 6 Sep 2010 01:44:30 GMT http://www.thereellife.com/fishing-reports/rss UCMS http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#895 Recorded:  78 ° F Fishing: Great

Your leader should be getting finer, your dry flies smaller to get these pounded fish.  Zebra midges fished close or down deep should produce in the sloughs.  I won't say brown worms (See?  I didn't say it).
Look for baetis, caddis, and PMDs and fish accordingly.  The clock is ticking to the end of the season, and I think the trout everywhere are beginning to sense it.  So don't assume they're not eating if the normal stuff doesn't work.  They just might not be eating what you're throwing, so get to work.



]]> Tue, 24 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#895 http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#894 Recorded:  78 ° F Fishing: Great

As is normal with the Conejos, it's pretty much up to you.  You can have the right flies on, but the fishing can be wrong if you're not on top of your Ps and Qs.  This means pattern choice up top, observing what kind of water your action is coming from, being at the right depth, and drag free if the pattern you're fishing doesn't naturally race around like a motorboat.
Turd is the word as usual, and brown worms.  Terrestrials of the black variety (be they crickets or ants), and small caddis will score on top.  Keep in mind that the adult caddis you fish came from something, and in this case, the pupae seem to be green.  If I had the time and the ganas, I'd search the undercuts with streamers for a bit, maybe lose a few flies, maybe hang a lote.




]]> Tue, 24 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#894 http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#893 Recorded:  91 ° F Fishing: Great

Midge larvae in the top stretch near the cable, black beauties, zebras in olive, gray, two-tone, and black, and red annelids, all in #22 or smaller.  RS2s will work of course, and I like the copper ribbed ones too and the foam wings.  Flashback PTs in 22 or 24.
Brown worms should ring too, at least as your attractor.  You might trail and RS2 or gray Ray behind one.
For you dry fliers, searching with a power ant, foam ant, or just a hard shell should produce well near the banks.  Sight fishing with them should be plenty of fun as well.  Cluster midges, patch adams, and comparaduns should be enough for any specific emergences.




]]> Tue, 24 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#893 http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#890 Recorded:  77 ° F Fishing: Great

Good reports from the Caldera.  Three weights are best and tiny patch adams and ants.  Good time to work on your blind game, gauging your cast lengths, looking for subtleties to indicate strikes.  Terrestrials are still the ticket, though what fish up there won't sucker for a well-presented bug?



]]> Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#890 http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#889 Recorded:  78 ° F Fishing: Good

See Taos area waters this week.



]]> Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#889 http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#888 Recorded:  77 ° F Fishing: Excellent

All the creeks are in prime shape, a little stained sometimes, but full of happy trout.  I like a floaty dry, nothing else, like a bugmeister, Chernobyl anything, H&L, or trudes.  Bow and arrow casts and dapping.  If you want to do this and not have your line and leader fall back towards your reel when you hold your rod up straight, tie on another dry real close, a hard shell ant being my choice.
Costilla is beautiful, but it's getting absolutely hammered.  Bank paths are like bear trails in Alaska.  To get away from people, hunker down in the brushy stretches (there are more unwhacked fish in there anyway) and let them get away from you.  Everyone seems to think it's the Costilla of old, when every single fish was stupid and couldn't get enough of a sore lip.



]]> Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#888 http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#887 Recorded:  83 ° F Fishing: Great

Dry dropper all day, smaller nymphs being the best.  Crystal PTs, zebras, and the like should keep you busy in deep and shallow water.  Elk hair caddis is the right searching fly, or a bug meister, and a hard hell ant trailing behind.  Some big browns are being SEEN as opposed to caught near Windy and in the quality waters.



]]> Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#887 http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#886 Recorded:  88 ° F Fishing: Great

Sargent still, and we're waiting for El Vado to drop.  Dry dropper's still doing it, though expect to see more on the nymph, at least during the slower hours of mid afternoon.  Swim the rocks and logs with streamers or dries, and accept that you will lose flies doing so.  Any rewards will be certain to compensate. 



]]> Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#886 http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#885 Recorded:  87 ° F Fishing: Good

Depends on the weather when you go. High water temps are a possibility into September, but some racecourse fish aren't minding too much as long as they're in the oxygenated riffles and rapids.  A PMD nymph seems to matter.  In the gorge at Wild Rivers, fish are mainly coming out from in front of rocks to hit swung nymphs, buggers and skated dries, especially if the water's dirty.  Not a lot of fish coming out of open water.  It's not that they're not there, though they might all be holing up under rocks, just that the murk may make your flies tough to see.  Camo buggers, red worms, golden stones, sculpins, and white flies might spark some interest.



]]> Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#885 http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#839 Recorded:  92 ° F Fishing: Great

Since many need qualification on my fishing ratings, I'm calling the Rio great because you should be fishing it.  You have this great big long river, five different species to catch, and food in many forms and plenty of hatching bugs.  Grab a six weight that can fish dries, some crossover patterns that fish for pike, carp, and smallies, bring your sunscreen and get out there and have a ball.
As for myself, I'm hoping to take an August trip into the Wild Rivers section and fish from early to late with all methods.  Midday fishing might not be too good (then again, it might), but I know they'll eat something (cranes, craws, minnows, mice, nymphs and dries) sometime.




]]> Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#839 http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#838 Recorded:  87 ° F Fishing: Great

Hopefully, you'll plan a Sargent trip for a cloudy day, since the bigger browns in there become more active and adventurous in low light conditions.  The water levels should be at July levels still, which means all methods, less spooky fish, and enough water for two anglers to fish without recycling each other's water.  Herky jerk streamers in the shadows of boulders and you might get a nice surprise or two.



]]> Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#838 http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#837 Recorded:  88 ° F Fishing: Good

The dog days are officially upon us.  The sky is bright, the didymo all over, and the fish are a bit lip sore from their summer thus far.  You will still catch fish, just expect more than the usual false charges from fish.  "Get back to me with a real drift," they'll say, or "What do you take me for, a skinny little brown trout?"
No matter that the answer to the last question would be in the affirmative, these fish think they're living in the San Juan at times, and one of those times is now.  Respond by fishing San Juan style, a size or two smaller in flies and tippet, thinner dressings with less hackle, a slower approach.  Micro mayflies are good go to's, PTs, patch adams, or ants.  Fish a Griffith's in the pools and you should do well.
As for the Monument, you might want to get the earliest start possible.  Now is also the time to take your three weight up the small tribs to hone your small stream game, as the refinements you pursue there will have great applications on big rivers later.  The high lakes, Katherine, Baldy, Johnson, and Stewart, would be lots of fun now that the monsoons have mellowed out.




]]> Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#837 http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#836 Recorded:  79 ° F Fishing: Excellent

Fishing is great on the big bunny, depending on whom you ask.  PMX dries or small patch adams on longish casts are drawing consistent strikes.  But don't think you can do the bull in a china shop approach and expect to get away with it; great numbers of large fish are basking in the shallows, and they'll spook at the wave of a rod.  Learn the parachute cast, for it will give you a greater chance for the mere two feet of drag free you'll need to get them to eat, particularly on straight upstream throws. 
As for nymphs, there are two money bugs that I'd go with if I was too lazy to experiment with other money bugs like jackals, rainbow warriors and frenchies.  Can you guess what they are?




]]> Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#836 http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#835 Recorded:  87 ° F Fishing: Good

Same old, same old.  Expect a midday slowdown, but stay alert for afternoon fluttering bugs.  Monsoon type skies are still lingering in the north state, so it may be a bit cooler than it is down here.  Still, it's August, and the fish, having gotten used to the safe dark skies of late, may be skittish or punky.  Try to get under some banks with nymphs or small streamers.  There's a good chance there will be fish there.  Or just go small ball.



]]> Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#835 http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#834 Recorded:  86 ° F Fishing: Great

Had an OK day on the Hondo last weekend, was reminded that its extremely high gradient and perpetual cold waters don't make for the most fertile trout habitat.  Still, there are holes in it where stockers and wild browns are doing a good job of outcompeting the cutthroat.  And any kind of food is a godsend (saw a nice morning mayfly hatch though).
Other Taos streams will fish well above irrigation activity, but don't expect much below where the water is warm enough to boil an egg.  Rio del Rancho, Pot Creek, Chiquito, Red, and Hondo are your destinations.  Of course Valle Vidal is always fun, especially as green as it is from these storms.  There is a dilema though: fish midweek and get high flows; fish weekend and share the water with lots of people.  Trout still thrive in high water, but bosses still fire if they catch you playing hooky on a Wednesday.  
I should tell you some flies, but the fish are on a straight biological imperative as hot weather moves back in.  They'll eat as their metabolisms dictate (there's plenty of all kinds of foods out there), or they won't if the water is too warm. 




]]> Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#834 http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#833 Recorded:  87 ° F Fishing: Good

The water will be low, the sun bright all day, and the fish might get punky, especially through the unrelenting afternoon.  Best to start early and see what happens.  That's when bugs will be hatching, small mayflies and caddis, and of course the ant and beetle program is still going strong.  As with all meadow streams, the Jemez creeks will have the prey image of drifting earthworms burned into their brains.  My experience on Tusas Creek last week confirmed that worms are real trout food and not just a blue tub next to the Power Bait at a gas station.  So when in doubt, remember that the brown worm rocks all summer on the upper meadows section of the Conejos.



]]> Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#833 http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#832 Recorded:  92 ° F Fishing: Excellent

Gray midge pupa and larva are doing well up towards the dam and elsewhere; olive Zebras, and Juanito Flashes complete a basic theme that will keep you into fish all day (keep them small, #22 on down).  Prospecting with flying ant patterns and subtle hopper dressings can be fun too, and you can always drop a midge emerger behind them.  Personally, I've become an even bigger fan of the hardshell ant.  It sinks ever so slightly and looks basic and real.  Do yourself a favor though and put a droplet of zap a gap or some other industrial strength cement on the hackle so the thing doesn't come apart on you after only a few fish.



]]> Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#832 http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#822 Recorded:  81 ° F Fishing: Excellent

Zebra midges, flashback PTs, Johnny Flashes, foam wing RS2s.  Hit the gray, olive, and brown/black tones before giving up.  The flows are just below 500, so you may find more concentrated fish, but keep your eyes open for spotters.
Dries include ants - power ants, foamies, and I'd try trailing a slowly sinking hardshell - comparaduns, tiny patch adams, griffiths or midge clusters. 
Eggs will remain good attractors for the forseeable millenium.  If the crowds are bumming you out, take a slow walk, find some space, and study the water.  You're likely to find fish with your name on them.




]]> Fri, 6 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#822 http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#818 Recorded:  73 ° F Fishing: Excellent

I don't know about you, but when I go camping, it's to get away from the crowded hustle bustle of everyday life.  Anyone who's visited the Pecos on the weekends lately knows that there are many who hold a different view.  They'll pull their RVs or pitch their tents within three feet of their neighbors and call it good; they'll even pitch a crapper tent (I learned that such things exist) in the space between.  Apparently privacy is in the unoffended ear or nose of the beholder.  Imagine taking a vacation to some unknown person's living room, rolling out a sleeping bag and going to the bathroom in their fireplace.  Again, not much fun to me.
So hit the Pecos during the week.  You'll find plenty of solitude and, in spite of the high and stained water, plenty of willing fish.  Keep in mind that with all this recent rain, earthworms are likely to be a major food item.  You indulge any purist leanings at your peril. 
Caddis are showing too, ants, hoppers and mayflies.  If the water's dirty, throw something red or golden in the mix. 
And one last word on crowds.  You can catch fish among them, lots of them, so if the weekend is all you've got, you'll do fine.  A good time to hike the tribs, where the fish are usually happy.




]]> Tue, 3 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#818 http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#817 Recorded:  71 ° F Fishing: Excellent

Attractor dries and total solitude, that's what awaits you if you want to put a thirty minute drive up the Rancho, Olla, or Chiquito.  Valle Vidal should be like Justin Beiber with the right fly and a quick hook set (in other words, like, totally hot right now.  Ant or beetle type bugs should be lots of fun, small caddis, zebras, rainbow warriors, and heck, you want to fish a hopper where there's grass don't you? 



]]> Tue, 3 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://thereellife.com/fishing-reports#817