Doc Thompson's Fly Fishing Reports & News

January 13, 2012

2012-01-13T09:10:00.001-07:00

LOWER RED RIVER
The Lower Red is flowing about 27 cfs below the town of Questa. Fishing has been a little on at times and a little off at times, a few cuttbows wintering. The trails are muddy with still some hints of snow/ice so be careful. Look for some midges and BWOs in late morning through afternoon. In the deeper runs look to double nymph with larger Pheasant Tail or Twenty Incher followed by a BWO emerger.

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T12:02:00.003-07:00

LOWER RED RIVER
The Lower Red is flowing about 40 cfs below the town of Questa. Fishing has been ok from late morning to late afternoon. The trails are open, watch out for snow and ice in places. Look for some BWOs in late morning and afternoon. In the pockets and edges look to use Elk Hair Caddis or small Stimis with Pheasant Tail nymphs or Copper Johns as droppers. In the deeper runs considering running double nymphs using a larger Copper John, Twenty Incher or stonefly nymph followed by a BWO emerger.

2012 HOSTED TRIPS

FIREHOLE RANCH
June 16-20, 2012

This Orvis Endorsed Lodge and a Forbes Top 10 Fly Fishing Lodge is a classic Montana guest ranch that caters to anglers fishing the famed waters of Yellowstone National Park and surrounding area.

The ranch is nestled on the beautiful shores of Hebken Lake near West Yellowstone, MT. The Firehole Ranch is known for it’s classic Montana fly fishing experience matched with comfort, charm and gourmet dinners. Join us on our third annual Firehole Ranch trip.

ALASKA WEST
August 3-10, 2012

Alaska West is a fly fishing tent cabin operation on the banks of the Kanektok River in the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge along the coast of the Bering Sea. The August time frame targets Silver Mania, a state of mind resulting from the heart pounding, aerial action encountered with Silver Salmon. Other targeted species included the hard fighting Leopard Rainbows, Dolly Varden/Arctic Char and Grayling. This can be a great trip to learn the basics of spey casting.

The camp features heated outfitter tent cabins with twin beds, dinning facilities serving fresh Alaskan dinners. A lounge tent featuring fly tying station, games, satellite TV and a limited internet access computer. Shower houses have hot and cold running water. All the needed comforts for a classic Alaska fly fishing adventure.

SPACE IS LIMITED
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE TRIPS PLEASE CONTACT ME

Snowy!

2011-12-07T16:39:00.002-07:00

LOWER RED RIVER
Flowing about 30 cfs below the town of Questa. The recent snows have made the trail and river banks pretty risky so use extreme caution. The Lower Red has been fishing well overall with good water temps and conditions for early December. Look for some BWOs in late morning and afternoon. In the pockets and edges look to use Elk Hair Caddis or small Stimis with Pheasant Tail nymphs or Copper Johns as droppers. In the deeper runs considering running double nymphs using a larger Copper John, Twenty Incher or stonefly nymph followed by a BWO emerger.

2012 HOSTED TRIPS
FIREHOLE RANCH
June 16-20, 2012

This Orvis Endorsed Lodge and a Forbes Top 10 Fly Fishing Lodge is a classic Montana guest ranch that caters to anglers fishing the famed waters of Yellowstone National Park and surrounding area.

The ranch is nestled on the beautiful shores of Hebken Lake near West Yellowstone, MT. The Firehole Ranch is known for it’s classic Montana fly fishing experience matched with comfort, charm and gourmet dinners. Join us on our third annual Firehole Ranch trip.

ALASKA WEST
August 3-10, 2012

Alaska West is a fly fishing tent cabin operation on the banks of the Kanektok River in the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge along the coast of the Bering Sea. The August time frame targets Silver Mania, a state of mind resulting from the heart pounding, aerial action encountered with Silver Salmon. Other targeted species included the hard fighting Leopard Rainbows, Dolly Varden/Arctic Char and Grayling. This can be a great trip to learn the basics of spey casting.

The camp features heated outfitter tent cabins with twin beds, dinning facilities serving fresh Alaskan dinners. A lounge tent featuring fly tying station, games, satellite TV and a limited internet access computer. Shower houses have hot and cold running water. All the needed comforts for a classic Alaska fly fishing adventure. Alaska West has introduced a special father/son or mother/daughter program, contact me for details.

SPACE IS LIMITED ON THESE TRIPS
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE TRIPS PLEASE CONTACT ME!

November 4, 2011

2011-11-04T11:36:00.005-06:00

LOWER RED RIVER -Flowing 43 cfs below the town of Questa. Water temps are good with clear water conditions. Fishing has been good and should continue good into December depending on weather conditions. Look to use hoppers-droppers, but keep an eye out for some small mayflies (bwos). The hike-in trails are in good shape, if we get snow these trails and the river banks can be tricky.

CIMARRON RIVER-Flowing 2.7 cfs out of Eagle Nest and 8 cfs down in town. This is low and clear challenging conditions but not unfishable. Afternoons have been fishing the best with small dry flies inluding Parachute Adams and caddis. Look for BWOs in the late morning to mid afternoon. Stealth is a must for success on the Cimarron right now.

RIO GRANDE-Flowing 428 near the NM/CO state line. The flow is up slightly and a little off color but still on fishable side. Hopper-droppers in the pockets and edges, keep eye open for good bwo hatches. For the longer deep pools and runs consider nymphing.

UPCOMING FLY FISHING EVENTS

November 10-12, 2012

Orvis Austin Grand Opening

I will be at the new Orvis Austin store in the Arboretum Area on Thurs November 10 for the VIP grand opening from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. I will aslo be at the store most of the day on Sat November 12. Both days are open to the public, stop in to meet Jef, Mary and the new store staff.

August 21, 2011 Fishing Report

2011-08-21T11:56:00.004-06:00

CIMARRON RIVER-The Cimarron is flowing about 45 cfs out of Eagle Nest Lake. This is a good steady dry-dropper flow. Still seeing some Tricos in the morning followed by some hopper action and caddis in the afternoon. Water temps and clarity is good. Best fishing is with dry-droppers, seeing some fish take hoppers along the banks. The Cimarron should continue to fish well through September and could see fishable flows into October.

RIO COSTILLA-Flowing about 40 cfs out of Costilla Reservior. Seeing a mix of mayflies, caddis and some hoppers. Water is a little stained which keeps the trouts edginess down. Mornings have been a bit slow but thats normal for this high elevation mountain meadow stream. Seeing some dry fly action in late mornings and afternoons, best fishing has been with dry-droppers. The Valle Vidal section should fish good until mid to late September.

LOWER RED-Flowing about 45 cfs below Questa. Starting to shape up for a good fall season on this hike in canyon river. As September nears look to use hopper-droppers.

RIO GRANDE-Flowing about 115 cfs near NM/CO state line. The canyon is still pretty warm, those walls and boulders just soak up the sun. Should be a good fall on the Rio with these flows.

PECOS RIVER AREA-Flows on the Pecos are up around 90cfs from recent rains. The private water on the lower end of the Pecos should start fishing in a couple weeks as the rains settles and September brings cooler temps.

2011-07-13T21:38:00.003-06:00

June 22, 2011

2011-06-22T06:41:00.003-06:00

CIMARRON RIVER
The flow was just upped to 57 cfs. This is a fishable flow, may have to run nymphs deep and along the softer edges. Still seeing some golden stones, also seeing some pmds, gray drakes and some tricos. Water temps are good. Water is stained from the higher flow but don't let that fool you, this is when the bigger tend to be more active. The Cimarron will have good flows throughout the summer and September.

RIO COSTILLA
The RCCLA section of the Costilla is fishing good with flows about 59 cfs out of Costilla Reservoir. Still seeing some stoneflies and mayflies. Start looking for caddis and hoppers. Trout are looking up here, best with dry-droppers. Remeber the Valle Vidal section of the Costilla doesn't open until July 1 and both sections continue to fish through August until about mid September.

UPPER RED RIVER
Seeing good fishable flows on the upper Red above town. I haven't fished there in a few weeks but solid reports from friends say its been fishing well the past couple weeks. Seeing some stoneflies but mostly fishing with dry-droppers. The only thing to really contend with is the crowds.

LOWER RED RIVER
The Lower Red is still a little high, about 90cfs, but dropping. Water is clearing up. If you venture down look to fish dry-droppers, using adult stonefly patterns or hoppers and a long tippet to droppers. Once the afternoon rains start the Lower Red can easily stain so usually don't fish it much until late August/early September.

RIO GRANDE
Flowing 810 cfs. High and unfishable. Don't look to fish the Rio until early September.

2ND ANNUAL FIREHOLE RANCH TRIP
Six of us ventured up to Firehole Ranch, an Orvis Endorsed Lodge, near West Yellowstone, MT. Everyone had a grand time and the fishing was solid. The above average snowfall had the rivers up but still fishable. Not much dry fly fishing, however the guides worked hard with all of us on our nymphing and streamer techniques and it paid off. The ranch and lodge are in beauitful shape and Chefs Kris and Bruno once again turned out incredible meals. Below is a short photo slide show from the trip.

STONEFLIES!!!!

2011-06-02T19:50:00.007-06:00

CIMARRON RIVER-Stoneflies are here, seeing a few goldens and giants last couple days and the browns are starting to look up and take dries on the edges (thanks Colin)! Also seeing some PMDs and Drakes. Flows dropped yesterday to 32cfs out of Ealge Nest Lake. Water temps are good, water is slightly stained. June is a fun time on the Cimarron with stones and mays coming off, the stones usually last until early July. Later July typically sees good Tricos, Caddis and terrestrials.

RIO COSTILLA-Flowing about 79cfs near town of Costilla, this is a real good fishable flow. Seeing good numbers of stoneflies on RCCLA section which is fishing good. The mornings have been a bit slow with best fishing from late morning through afternoon. Seeing some rises to the dry fly like Stimulators and Doculators, but mostly fishing dry-droppersRemember the Valle Vidal section doesn't open for fishing until July 1.

RED RIVER-Flowing 116 below Questa, NM, a high flow. Fishing is picking up above and through the town of Red River, already seeing steady numbers of people. Probably won't look to fish Lower Red until end of August or early September.

RIO GRANDE-Flowing 269 just below the NM/CO state line. Probalby won't expect to fish the Rio until end of August or early September.

Mid May Report

2011-05-11T08:07:00.005-06:00

CIMARRON RIVER
The Cimarron is flowing about 45 cfs out of Eagle Nest Lake. The browns are active and starting to spread out. Water conditions are good, slightly stained with temps ranging from mid 40s in morning to mid 50s in afternoon. Seeig a few small mayflies, an occassional caddis and early season hoppers. Best using dry-droppers (Pheasant Tails, Cliff's Crazy Cranefly larva, Prince Nymphs) with most of the takes being on the droppers. Should start seeing a few golden stoneflies the end of May, this hatch typically continues through June into the first week of July.

RIO COSTILLA-RCCLA-The Costilla is flowing about 23 cfs down in town, no real releases out of the reservoir yet but the water conditions in the RCCLA are goodd. Water is on clear side with morning temps in the low 40s reaching low 50s in afternoon. Starting to see a few stoneflies in the late morning through aftenroon which has been providing some fun dry fly fishing in the afternoons with Stimulators, Doculators and small hoppers. This section of the Costilla normally fishes good this time of year and will only continue to fish better as the stonefly hatch continues through June. Remember the Valle Vidal section of Rio Costilla doesn't open until July 1.

LOWER RED-Flowing about 48 cfs in near Questa, this is a good fishable flow. The trout are active along the edges, in pockets, riffles and runs. Water conditions are holding good right now. Look for stonelies and small hoppers but most fish are taking nymphs so be sure to use dry-droppers. The Lower Red normally isn't fishable in mid May due to runoff, it's been a slow steady runoff this spring but should start to increase soon. Summer can be hit and miss because of murky water from runoff and afternoon rains.

RIO GRANDE-Flowing about 360 cfs near Cerro. Water is murky from the runoff.

PRR-The Pecos is flowing about 100cfs near town of Pecos. This is a fishable flow, it's a little stained from runoff which is good but I expcect it to become unfishable soon so its day to day for now.

COW CREEK RANCH-Cow Creek Ranch has been fishing good in May. Water conditions have been good during the last few weeks and should continue to be good. The ranch allows some guided day trips in until mid May then is only open for summer lodgers. June should be a fun time at Cow Creek with some early season hoppers and some stoneflies providing some dry fly action.

Spring Fishing

2011-04-14T08:18:00.005-06:00

Spring is here in Northern NM. Low elevation runoff is providing some good fishing conditions right now. The private water on the Pecos is fishing really well right now as is the Cimarron and Rio Grande. Here are a few pics from the past couple weeks.

RIO GRANDE-Caddis hatch is on! Seeing great fishing conditions this spring on the Rio with 109 cfs near NM/CO border and 242 cfs Taos Junction Bridge. Look for fish rising and slashing to caddis, may also see some taking BWOs. Best spring caddis hatch conditions in a number of years.

PECOS PRIVATE WATER-The private waters on the lower end of Pecos are still seeing godd conditions, about 71cfs near town of Pecos. The larger fish are active, mostly using nymph techniques in the deeper pools and runs, seeing some dry-dropper action in the riffles. Cow Creek Ranch, high in the Pecos Mountains, is start to fish and is available for day trips now through mid May.

CIMARRON-Flowing about 20 cfs out of Eagle Nest Lake. This is a good fishable flow for this time of year, the browns are starting to spread out some. Seeing some BWOs in mid mornings to ealry afternoons. If not seeing many fish rise or if windy go with dry-dropper set ups.

2011-03-09T06:23:00.003-07:00

SNOW

Yesterday and this monring I have heard the media report on NM being dry. Obviously they haven't checking around the Taos area. We have had good snows since early February, in fact yesterday morning I had 4-5 inches of new snow along the Cimaron and it snowed throughout the day. Here is the run down of snow fall as of yesterday. The Cimarron Basin is only 9% below average. The Costilla Basin is 100% of average, the Upper Rio Grande Basin is only 1% below average. The Cimarron handles runoff exceptionally well making it a go to stream during runoff starting as early as late April with the quality of fishing increasing first of May. The Costilla typically is on the downhill side of runoff when the RCCLA section starts fishing in early to mid May, remember the Valle Vidal section of the Costilla doesn’t open for fishing until July 1.. All signs indicate that the Red River runoff will be about normal, starting in mid April with the upper Red River starting to fish in mid to late May. The Pecos Basin is currently light and if this continues we could see the PRR fishing in well into April if the runoff is light with a great Sept and Oct. Cow Creek Ranch is always fun and should see good fishing conditions in late April through May for day trips with solid fishing during the summer lodging season. March and early April can be heavy snow months here. Albeit hard to predict Mother Nature, things are shaping up to be a fun fishing year.

Chile 2011 Slide Show

2011-02-25T18:55:00.013-07:00

Chile Trip Feb 2011

2011-02-25T08:32:00.014-07:00

I recently returned from a hosted trip to Chile. Five of us spent 10 days in the heart of the Patagonia Andes regions of Chile with Chile West’s mobile fly fishing program. Airport closures due to snow made for an interesting exit out of the States, fortunately we were all able to make our LAN flight out of Miami on time. We enjoyed a much welcomed layover night in Coyhaique before beginning our journey to the Palena area. In Palena we spent three days float fishing and wading in solitude and exploring some new water for brookies and browns. From Palena we drove to La Junta where we had 3 sunny days of floating and wading with dry fly fishing for healthy rainbows and browns. From La Junta we continued our journey along the Carretera Austral (Southern Highway) which took us along the fiords around Puyuguapi to Coyhaique. We had several days of great dry fly fishing for thick browns and rainbows around the Coyhaique area including the Valle de La Luna. The weather was wonderful, mostly sunny with blue skies, only a couple days of rain. The great thing about this mobile program was the ability to adjust our fishing plans based upon our interests on any given day and current water conditions. The fishing opportunities were endless with never ending scenery and first hand cultural experiences. Manager/guide Chris Price, guide Trevor Covich and driver Javiar Mancilla were great guides and hosts with their knowledge of all the waters, travel and cultural aspects of the trip. For additional information on this trip please contact me.