The New Mexico State Game Commission has enacted a two fly only rule for the quality waters of the San Juan. This rule will go into effect on July 1st. As a result, Game and Fish officers are starting to make their appearance on the San Jaun. They are informing fly fishers of the "two fly" rule, but also checking licenses and for barbed flies. They recommend that you completely file the barb down or risk a citation. They check for a barb by running you tippet over the bend of the hook. If the tippet catches on your "pinched" barb you may get cited.
The release schedule for Navajo Dam into the San Juan River has been changed! As the 2008 Spring Peak Release from Navajo Reservoir comes to an end, the Bureau of Reclamation will begin ramping down the release starting Thursday, June 19, 2008. Please note that the ramp down duration has been slightly modified from the previous schedule distributed on May 8, 2008. The release will remain around 4000 cfs through the 22nd. It will drop to 1700 cfs on the 23rd, then down to 1000 on the 24th, and finally to 500 cfs on the 25th. Once the ramp down is complete on June 25, 2008, the release will remain at 500 cubic feet per second (cfs) until further notice. Releases are made for the authorized purposes of the Navajo Unit, and to attempt to maintain a target base flow through the endangered fish critical habitat reach of the San Juan River (Farmington to Lake Powell). It is likely that increases in the release will be necessary later in the summer in order to maintain the target base flow. The San Juan River Basin Recovery Implementation Program recommends a target base flow of between 500 cfs and 1,000 cfs through the critical habitat area. The target base flow is calculated as the weekly average of gaged flows throughout the critical habitat area. Reclamation will provide updates to the release schedule if any changes occur. If you have any questions, please contact Pat Page at (970) 385-6560 or e-mail him at ppage@uc.usbr.gov.
New Mexico Trout is seeking volunteers for their next project this weekend on Saturday June 21st. It involves fencing in Mushroom Basin. For more information contact Derek Padilla or Amanda Webb (505) 829-3535 of the Jemez Ranger District. Other projects needing volunteers are:
>July 12-13th, 2008: Rio de las Vacas stream restoration and exclosure project.
Contact: Julie Walker, NMENV (505-476-3069)
>July 26th, 2008: 18th Annual Kid’s Fishing Day at the Seven Springs Fish Hatchery.
Contact: Kimberly DeVall USFS (505-829-3535)
>August 2-3rd, 2008: Rio de las Vacas stream restoration and exclosure project.
Contact: Julie Walker, NMENV (505-476-3069)
>September 27th, 2008: Oat Canyon Erosion Control and Stabilization.
Contact: Jo Wargo USFS (505-829-3535)
The fall fishing lottery on the Valles Caldera closes on Sunday June 29th. The fall fishing season on the Valles Caldera runs from August 14th to September 29th. If you haven't had a chance to fish the Caldera, get in on one of the available dates left. There are limited number of anglers and the scenery and wildlife is stunning.
The 18th Annual Kids' Fishing Day at the Seven Springs Fish Hatchery is on Saturday July 28, 2008. Share the joy of fishing with the young one you know -- a friend or family member -- at the 18th Annual Fishing Day for youths ages 4-11 years old. There will be fishing and interactive educational booths, along with exciting hands-on activities to learn about our state fish, fly tying, casting, fishing and creative fish art. The first 250 participants who attend the required number of booths will receive a prize. This event is FREE to the public. For more details see New Mexico Trout's website at http://www.newmexicotrout.org/
