The Cimarron River has been fishing well for rainbow trout. With the low water conditions and average release from the Eagle Nest Lake Dam that has been lower than 10 cfs for the entire month. Brown trout require being stealthy, with casting from further, using smaller flies, and smaller tippet (like 6X) so that they don't spook as easy. Cold Nights and Warm Days are leaving the bug hatches and species spread out through the day. In other words if caddis hatching best chances are caddis, if the evening duns are hatching throw the dun patterns, if nothing is hatching terrestrials like hoppers, ants or beetles are working awesome. Most of the Rainbows are freshly stocked leaving them easier to catch with almost any fly but to key in on the browns and smarter rainbows that have been holding over, matching the hatch is necessary.
Hot Flies;
Parachute Pheasant Tail Sz. 14-20
Pale Evening Dun Sz. 14-20
Pheasant Tail Natural or Flashback Sz. 14-20
Polly Wing Emereger Sz. 16-22
Caddis Dry & Nymph Sz. 14-16
Amber Tail Sz. 14-20
Grass Hopper Sz. 14-8
Hares Ear Sz. 14-20
Ant brown/black Sz. 14-16
Eagle Nest Lake fishing is picking up. With cold weather moving in and cold rain showers in the evenings the lake is finally starting to cool off. This means big fish moving out of the deep into the shallows to feed on bugs, crayfish, minnows, and other fish. On Aug 12 a 8.12 pound, 29 inch Rainbow trout was caught in Eagle Nest Lake since then big trout have been reeled in more frequently. Snagging season is almost here so some salmon can be caught looking for food before the spawn. Pike fishing will increase in the shallows as it cools down these big pike get the instinct to feed before the lake freezes over. Fall is one of the best times of year to attempt these big fish! Time to plan some fishing before the lake freezes over.
The Red River is fishing great from the quality waters above town all the way to where the Red pours into the Rio Grande River below the hatchery. The quality waters are fishing best with a smaller selection of flies. Grass hopper dragging a small sz 18-20 mayfly nymph behind it is one of my favorite combos to use. Near the US Forrest campgrounds June Bug & Fawn lakes have been fishing well with a variety of Dry Fly and Nymph dropper combo. Dry flies are working great closer to the hatchery and Rio Grande River but a double nymph combo starts to become the best chance to increase numbers of fish hook ups. The Red River hatchery restoration project looks great and seems like exploring a whole new river. heavy machinery was used to make deep hole after deep hole with churning water to create oxygen. This is going to be a must fish destination this fall when the brown trout are moving up to spawn,
Hot Flies;
Parachute Adams Sz.14-20
Parachute Pheasant Tail Sz. 14-20
Pale Evening Dun Sz. 14-20
Pheasant Tail Natural or Flashback Sz. 14-20
Polly Wing Emereger Sz. 16-22
Caddis Dry & Nymph Sz. 14-16
Amber Tail Sz. 14-20
Grass hopper Sz. 14-8
Copper John Sz. 12-20
Zebra Midge Sz. 12-22
Rio Grande River has been fishing great! The flows have finally dropped to perfect conditions to fish. Dry flies will catch you some fish but your best bet is to use long leader with heavy nymphs and a dependable strike indicator to find the right depth that the big fish are feeding at. Pilar area is fishing great and the hike down to wild rivers is definitely worth right now
Hot Flies;
Grass Hopper Sz 14-8
Amber Tail Sz 10-18
Pheasant Tail Sz. 12-18
Prince Nymph Sz 12-18
Stone Fly Patterns Sz 12-18
Caddis Larve Patters Sz 12-16
Crane Fly Patters Sz 6-12
Rio Costilla and Valle Vidal are fishing the best it has been all year. Dry flies and dropper nymphs are doing the trick. The average fish size definetly seems to be up this year the cutthroat have had a lot of water to swim and grow in this year with high release from Costilla Reservoir. Comanche Creek and Shuree Ponds are fishing the best they have been in years.
Hot Flies;
Parachute Adams Sz.14-20
Parachute Pheasant Tail Sz. 14-20
Pale Evening Dun Sz. 14-20
Pheasant Tail Natural or Flashback Sz. 16-20
Polly Wing Emereger Sz. 16-22
Caddis Dry & Nymph Sz. 14-16
Amber Tail Sz. 16-20
Grass hopper Sz. 14-8
Copper John Sz. 18-20
Zebra Midge Sz. 16-22
Ant Sz 14-16
For more conditions or to book a Guided fishing trip Call Eagle Nest Fly Shack @ 505 974 9168