Jicarilla Fishing Blog
07 October 2019
Folks,
Luckily for you, the Fisheries Tech has been hounding people, because not a soul has submitted a fishing report since this spring/summer. I know many folks read the blog, but it seems many do not understand how this is put together. Despite the rumors, the fisheries crew does not fish for a living. All of the information provided in the blog is from reports submitted by anglers. I really would prefer not to hound folks who are fishing, as that's not why folks go fishing. Therefore without angler reports the quality and quantity of information being provided in the blog suffers. I think some folks are trying to keep these lakes a secret or may feel they are protecting their honey hole. But who knows.
We get constant calls and e-mails requesting sometimes very specific information but are not getting reports in return. So consider submitting a report.
The Tech talked to two anglers and one reported lots of fish in the 14-16" range and another reported an 18" fish. Both on unspecified bait at Mundo Lake.
The mornings have been cold and the colors are starting to change quickly.
Regardless of reports, If I wasn't working I'd be fishing,
J.
27 September 2019
Folks,
No reports were received from anglers.
The night time temperatures have cooled significantly this week, despite higher than normal daytime temperatures. We were even fortunate enough to get a nice afternoon of rain on Monday. Roads are dry now of course.
I have a great feeling about this year's fall fishing.
Get out, submit a report, be happy,
J.
Updates
Folks,
No fishing reports have been submitted, but requests for specialized reports are on the rise. I guess fall fever has hit some off our anglers. The Fish Crew went sleuthing around and found anglers reporting consistent action in the mornings with it slowing significantly during the afternoon. Fish reported have been in the 12-17" range with one angler mentioning losing a fish that jumped three times at the better part of 21". You know what they say about fish tales, no pictures, no proof. The angler was quite sure it was the best fish she had hooked in a long time, so who am I to argue. Anglers from boats have been doing best but one angler indicated the east side dock was fishing well.
Fall has been delayed, so I would imagine peak fishing will be the starting early to mid-October. Those are just the Fish Crews predications.
Get out and go fishing football can wait,
J.
Fishing Time
Folks,
No reports have been submitted. I did see a very nice bass photo posted online from Mundo Lake. Though it is hard to get an accurate measurement from a photo the fish appears to be in the 18" range, which with how fat it was could be close to five pounds.
The Nation will be on Administrative Leave from 11th of September and will return to their offices on the 18th of September. So you will not be able to purchase a permit at the Game & Fish office during this time. The Casino and Hotel will be open.
Get out and go fishing,
J.
Fall is...almost...kind of...
Anglers have been out and about, slowly but surely. I have not received any reports from them, but folks in town have mentioned float tubers and bank anglers on a few of the lakes the last week. Two anglers yesterday at Mundo were catching 12-14" inch Rainbow Trout in the morning, but larger fish were elusive. Temperatures are still getting very summery during the day, but it is finally cooling off nicely at night. If you are into Catfish this might be the last few weeks of the active bite before they slow down for winter.
Of course hunting season has started and obviously that takes precedence for many of our part-time anglers. I told my wife I wouldn't be home much and for most of September, she would be a fishing-widow. Now she just laughs when I tell her such things.
Get out and enjoy the remainder of the season, before you know it I'll be posting ice thickness and snow reports.
J.
Quick Update
Folks,
Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are currently spreading at incredible rates throughout the United States, but in particular in the Southwest. Obviously, if you are an angler you have seen signs about clean, drain, dry and disinfect your fishing equipment before fishing new waters as it has been in the news and boat ramps for the better part of a decade. Aquatic invasive species including New Zeland Mudsnails, Quagga Muscles, Zebra Muscles, and many aquatic plant species pose a huge risk to fisheries.
Currently, the State of New Mexico and the Jicarilla Apache Nation are clean and do not have populations of AIS species. We would all like to keep it that way.
All boats must be clean, drained, and dried before launching at Jicarilla Lakes. Equipment like waders and float tubes need to be sterilized/disinfected before entering our waters, as should be common practice for traveling anglers.
We here at Jicarilla Game and Fish would like to remind anglers that the introduction of any of these species to the Nation would severely impact the fisheries you all come here to enjoy. So each and every one of you must do your part to limit the risk of accidentally transporting invasive species.
We will be implementing inspections of watercraft and equipment in the near future to further prevent the chances of any accidental introduction.
If you have questions on how to do your part contact the fisheries crew at (575) 759-3255 or jicarillafishqs@gmail.com
J.
Summer Heat Wave
Folks,
No fishing reports were submitted in my absence.
The Game Wardens did contact a few anglers and the theme was bait fishing was slow, while spinners and flies were fishing better. It has been very hot and sunny, and the monsoon seems to have taken a break.
Stay out of the sun if you can, evening fishing is better fishing this time of year.
J.
Updates
Folks,
No fishing reports have been submitted.
Which is not to say no fishing has been done, just everyone is keeping it to themselves. There really are not too many secrets around fishing, lots of rumors of secrets, but no real secrets. If you don't submit a report, you are not keeping your favorite lake from blowing up in popularity. Everyone wants up to date reports, but no one seems to want to submit them. Just as a reminder reports can be submitted on the website or by e-mailing jicarillafishqs@gmail.com
To the young man I excavated a treble hook out of last week, did your thumb heal up okay?
No one went out and tried the damsel hatch?
The Fish Crew will be on leave starting this afternoon and will return to the office Monday the 19th. If you have an emergency please call Jicarilla Police Department at 575-759-3222. I will respond to all e-mails and voice mails when I return.
Get out and enjoy,
J.
Quick Updates
No fishing reports have been submitted. I'm starting to sound like a broken record but it seems everyone wants updates but no one wants to give one. I know some folks have been out but I have not heard from them.
Last week someone asked me how I would go about fishing the lake during this time of the year. First I wouldn't be caught out before 6:00 pm and I would probably wrap up at 10:30 pm or when my tummy told me it was grub time. By 5:00 most evenings (that I have been on the lake) the damselflies are cruising low and getting seriously hammered by trout. I'd focus on that bite after the monsoons have been hitting and the temperatures cool since the fish are getting active.
Now I know some of you are saying "but, but, I don't like dry fly fishing...", but the person asked me how I would go about it. I'd also be at the river, hiking habitat to habitat covering miles of water capitalizing on those browns. Using Clouser minnows and some form of crayfish pattern. It is not for the faint-hearted or the weak ankled, but most trophies don't come easy.
Stay home in the A/C or get after it and use some nontraditional times/patterns/techniques to catch big fish. My house doesn't have A/C so I'm going to choose the getting after it approaches!
Get out, and get after it,
J.
Big Browns
Folks,
Have you been bummed about the lakes slowing down in the heat? For those adventurous anglers, the river should be fishing very well. I heard a rumor that crayfish flys are the ticket. Actually, I know for a fact crayfish flys are the ticket.
