Fishing Reports

They're getting close to finally fishing it out at Abiquiu, which can be good or not so good. . The silver lining is that the catches are going down, which is something a hatchery addict can't abide. I'd fish the tiny stuff, mayflies and annelids in all the usual places.  The flows are low so stick to the deeper water unless you are seeing risers. There has been some good dry-fly fishing using small midge clusters or BWO's. Below El Vado there is a little more water, but its real cold.  The action is better on a warmer or overcast day, nymphing and streamer fishing is producing better results.  Get there before they start releasing irrigation water!

With this warm weather, I think certain parts of the canyon that get the most sun will have fish that might wake up a bit. The water is really cold and clear, though if the snow melts too much things may change. Tiny nymphs are a good bet, worms and eggs also. Starting to see a little more activity so might be worth the cruz!  The Pecos NHP is open for its spring fishing season and will close April 8th, so make your reservation now. What a beautiful place to fish!

Skinny, skinny water. Look for fish, land a fly, and look for movement nearby. It's a fish most likely, and the fly you used is something small, either a small adams or an ant. Fishing has been best below Battleship Rock for a mixed bad of bronws and rainbows. If you find fish, stay there until the bite stops. Nymphing will be the most productive, caddis nymphs, copper johns and small mayflies will work best.

Lots and lots of fish below Abiquiu, and they're eating buggers and some small stuff. Big crowds.For staying warm up there, see the San Juan report.

Fishing is generally amazing across all water and pattern types. You'll catch them on anything from annelids to chocolate midges, and worms and eggs will work well in any color. A few tips to elevate your comfort level while out there in the crispy air, because you'll want to hang since the fishing's so good:
Wear a neck gaiter or something else to cover the exposed skin above the body layering you so meticulously put together.
Wear latex gloves under your fingerless and put handwarmers in your fingerless. This will keep your fingers dry (you'll want about five pairs of the latex, since they break easily, which will make them last longer before you have to stuff them in your armpits.
Fish a length of line that allows you to manage your drift by mending what's out there and raising and lowering your rod. Cast, lift, and set the hook with the same amount of line out. Point being, if you're making long casts and stripping line through the guides, you'll be spending more time de-icing said guides with said fingers you're trying to keep warm.

Simon, lower flats, braids and cable are especially good. Smallish fish at Simon.

If you see a professional from either the Army Corps or Bureau of Reclamation, thank them profusely for our trout. Some fancy footwork from both agencies resulted in some added water to the Chama system over the next few months in a time when there isn't a lot of water to play with. Seriously, thanks to their efforts, many more brown trout eggs will hatch this year than we had a right to expect. Thank your game warden as well; G and F has stepped up enforcement below Abiquiu during this tough time.
Fishing below El Vado and Abiquiu is quite nice, some decent catches on super small stuff like annelids, pheasant tails. Try your bait flies too, craneflies, eggs, worms. Streamers fished dead might get you some nice ones.