By GEORGE MORSE Sports and Outdoors
Los Alamos Daily Post
The best stream fishing right now is in the upper Chama River above El Vado Lake.
The streamflows are holding up well so far this summer and have been above normal. About the only real drawback right now is that sometimes afternoon thunderstorms can muddy the water. The Chama River below El Vado Dam has also been fishing well and streamflows there have been at a very fishable 300 cubic-feet- per-second during the week. The Chama River below Abiquiu Dam is still very murky and the fishing has been slow.
The streamflows in the Rio Grande are at a very good level for fishing for trout and you’ll likely hook some smallmouth bass if you’re fishing between Pilar and Velarde. The Rio de los Pinos near the Colorado border has been fishing well and this section is heavily stocked. Ditto the Pecos River, which is also heavily stocked and flowing at nice levels for fishing.
The streamflows in the Red River are holding up well and this stream is heavily stocked.
The fishing at Abiquiu Lake was good Sunday for catch-and- release of smallmouth bass and I even picked up a couple of walleyes for dinner. Try to find an area where there’s good weed growth and fish early or late in the day.
There are reports that they are catching catfish at Heron Lake. I don’t know how catfish got into that lake and they don’t belong there. The trolling for kokanee salmon is just slow-to- fair. The kokanee salmon fishery is still trying to recover from the low water levels Heron has experienced the last few years. At one time this was a first-rate kokanee fishery and hopefully it can recover.
If you like to troll for kokanee salmon, your best bet is to make a trip tp Navajo Lake. The bass fishing has also been pretty good at Navajo and you’ll likely pick up some northern pike while fishing for bass. The streamflows in the San Juan River below Navajo Dam are less than 500 cubic-feet- per-second and fishing in the Quality Waters has been very good with a variety of fly patterns.
The Shuree Ponds on the Valle Vidal have been heavily stocked with big trout, but reports from there say heavy weed growth is making the fishing difficult. Heavy weed growth is likely to blame for the slow fishing at Fenton Lake too.
Eagle Nest Lake has been good for both bank and boat anglers using Power Bait. The perch fishing has been good with worms beneath a bobber. If you have a second rod stamp, rig up one rod to fish the bottom with Power Bait and the other to fish for perch with worms. Don’t be surprised if you catch some trout while fishing for perch.
Eagle Rock Lake near Questa has been good for stocked trout, as have Morphy Lake near Las Vegas and Monastery Lake near Pecos. The fishing at Storrie Lake near Las Vegas picked up recently and you can also fish at night for catfish here. The fishing at Lake Maloya near Raton has been good all summer if you
fish early or late in the day.
There were no bigger-than-average rainbow trout stocked last week.
This time of year be sure to bring a rain jacket so you’re prepare for the frequent afternoon thunderstorms we receive.
