Fishing Reports

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?

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.