The late Sarge Wethington, father of longtime New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Fisheries Biologist on the San Juan river at Navajo Dam, Marc Wethington, shows how it was done on the San Juan back in the day. Photo courtesy of the Wethington family.
It’s the first day of spring in New Mexico and recent warm temperatures should be bringing the fish out so it’s a good time to unpack your gear and get out there.
Here are a few tips for fishing this time of year.
Do your homework first by checking stream flows that can be found on the US Geological Service website at http://nm.water.usgs.gov/.
Lake and reservoir levels can be checked here http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/cgibin/resv-graph.pl?state=NM.
And a good statewide fishing report can be found here http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/recreation/fishing/documents/fishing_report.htm.
High quality weather forecasts and current conditions can be found at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/abq/.
For fishing on New Mexico’s rivers and streams anything flowing below 150 cubic-feet-per-second (CFS) is probably going to be fine to fish.
Watch the peak high and low water flows to determine the best time of day to fish your favorite water.
This time of year it’s usually from 10 a.m. to about 3 p.m. on a stream like the Jemez which typically is “on” long before any others in northern New Mexico.
Consider fishing waters in southern New Mexico this time of year too as they’ve already warmed up down there.
And don’t be put off if you arrive at a favorite stream or river to find to find it off-color. Put that to work to your advantage instead as it’s much easier to get close to your work without spooking a fish.
Fish areas methodically under murky water conditions and use high visibility patterns like a prince nymph with a gold bead head or a black woolly bugger laced with crystal flash.
Spinners are notoriously effective this time year too and single, barbless, blades can be had from http://www.fisher-chick.com/.
A Fisher-Chick barbless, single hook, spinning lure at work on a Rainbow trout.
Work the edge of currents, up close to the banks and in spots where trout may be resting and the current brings food to them.
Trout won’t waste a lot of time chasing food this time of year so it’s important to put your fly, lure or bait right in front of them.
And remember to fish open areas of water that have been exposed to the sun as fish may be more active in these warmer waters.
Those fishing with bait such as worms and salmon eggs have an added advantage when fishing murky water as trout and other fish rely more on their powerful sense of smell to detect food under those conditions.
For those who want to try out the San Juan’s premier quality waters this time of year can obtain tips from the pros in the following article “Spring Fishing Tips and Tricks for the San Juan River”.
Those who prefer to fish our many ponds, lakes and reservoirs will find that the last few years of drought have really brought the water down at many popular fisheries.
This has also proven to be a boon for many bank fishermen and women as the fish are are more concentrated and easier to get at.
Reservoirs are way down these days but many have been reported fishing well.
Fishing waters at many tribal and private operations are also good places to try during the spring time as stocking is well under way.
Shady Lakes near Bernalillo is a great place to chase bass in the spring while the lake at San Ildefonso Pueblo is usually well stocked and an enjoyable place to visit this time of year.
The real key to a successful early spring fishing outing is to do some homework, take a day off and get out there!