View Full Version : Santa Rosa, NM (Pecos River below the dam)
Fished the river below Santa Rosa lake for the first time on 2/24. Never fished this area before, but was impressed with the activity from what looked to be very unihabited water. We walked the shores for about 3-4 miles carrying one rod and some minor cranks and softs. The cranks didn't work until almost sundown when the wind died. The river is dried up in most spots but there are deep holes still holding water and fish.
We would cast about a half-hour in each hole and then move onto the next. Each hole produced a mix of eyes, smallies, and largemouth. The fish were aggressive and active. The best seemed to be a drop shot rig with a powerworm cast and dragged back across the bottom.
They are going to be draining the lake on March 4th. Anyone with insight into how this might affect fishing both above and below the lake would be welcomed.
I will be there again on 3/2-3 to take advantage of the pre-season action.
BRS1
Neal/CO
02-27-2002, 04:15 PM
Why are they draining it?
I don't know. Atomic Eye had a post last week talking about the Conchas problem and there was an article in the paper in ABQ that talked about the whole water issue, but I'm not sure to be honest.
BRS1
Rick Soto
02-28-2002, 08:55 PM
I'm no expert on the subject, but basically New Mexico owes Texas water.In addition to this, most New Mexico lakes primary functions are flood control and irrigation.I've never recalled irrigation starting this early though. Also I heard that Brantley lake is already full, this lake is the last lake on the Pecos just south of Carsbad,New Mexico.
Rick,
Are you going to be able to fish this weekend?
Ross said he is not going. I thought about trying the Rio below Cochiti spillway the same way.
Brian
Atomic Eye
03-01-2002, 08:16 PM
Santa Rosa gets drained for irrigation below it. This is pretty early to be draining it. That's a very bad sign attributable to the drought we're having in New Mexico. You can probably kiss off Santa Rosa for the rest of the season once they drain it because there's not much snow pack to melt to feed it this year!
We'll probably have very high fire danger season again (my town, Los Alamos, got burned in 2000). The city of Santa Fe watershed is in extreme danger because the "greeners" filed a lawsuit that prohibited the cutting of the overgrown forests above the Sanata Fe watershed. When those forests burn this year, Santa Fe, NM probably will have to go on water rationing.
Bring your own bottled water, because the restaurants charge "an arm & a leg." Sorry for the bad prognostication.
Atomic Eye (New Mexico) -- "Gone Fission!" ~~~<}}}:>
goldtooth
03-05-2002, 02:49 PM
BRS1, Atomic eye do you guys fish any tournments in NM?
Haven't yet, but I will this year.
Haven't fished since I moved from WI in 93. Discovered that NM had fish last year and decided to give it a try. Now I can't stop. Might try the TWT at Conchas/Lake Meredith but it sounds like the water problem may send me to WI on "business" more than I realized.
Addicted,
BRS1
goldtooth
03-05-2002, 03:13 PM
I have fished both and wouldn't recommend Meredith. Very few fish.
Conchas is a good tournment in terms of fishing. They need more boats and don't have much else in terms of a gathering of any sorts. But they are really nice people. Hope to see ya out there.
Goldtooth,
Where are you located? Where do you fish?
Always looking for new anglers to hook up with.
BRS1
goldtooth
03-05-2002, 03:24 PM
I'm here in ABQ. I fish Abiquiu, Conchas, Summner, Santa Rosa, Lake McConaughy, Fort Peck, and Glendo. How about yourself?
email me at brian@hanseaticgroup.com and we can exchange info
Are you interested in fishing anytime soon?
I am dying to get out.
Brian
Atomic Eye
03-06-2002, 08:25 PM
Brian and Goldtooth,
Whta's the deal with the WE tournament at Conchas? When is it? Where can I get details? That might be fun to try for Fission Female & me, and to hook up with (no pun intended, wink) other "Land of Enchantment" WE folks.
Atomic Eye (New Mexico) -- "Gone Fission!" ~~~<}}}:>
Atomic Eye,
I am sending an email today for info on the TWA info. I will copy you on the email.
BRS1
Texeye
03-07-2002, 08:21 AM
Hey guys,I thought I would jump in here and welcome all of you to our first walleye tournament out at Conchas on March 23.You can e-mail me at audheatcool@aol.com or the other sponsor at CottonTop33@aol.com,and we will send you entries and info.It looks as though we will have 20 plus boats at the present and have a lot more interest so hope it keeps growing. I wrote a little bit about our tournaments on Mel Phillips web page.We give away a couple of nice reels,have 80% payback and have a big fish pot.We will pay four places with 20 teams and first place pays $455.00,so come out and have some fun.Conchas has a lodge with electric hook-ups for $45.00 a night for two people.Oh yea,next time any of you want to fish Meridith give me a call,and maybe I can help you get on some walleye. Have a good one ,and hope to see some of you out at Conchas.
Texeye,
We must have been typing at the same time. I sent J.D. a request for info 15 minutes ago.
BRS1
Atomic Eye
03-07-2002, 09:29 PM
Please tell me what is the entry fee and what is the name of the lodge? Thanks.
This seems a little early for the eyes as the NM G&F Dept will have just finished netting them for spawning operations!
Atomic Eye & Fission Female (New Mexico) -- "Gone Fission!" ~~~<}}}:>
Atomic Eye,
I am scanning the docs sent to me by TWA and will forward the PDF to you via email. They sent a fax.
BRS1
The fee is $75 per team (non-member) or $60 (members). It's never too early for eyes at Conchas! We've fished in March and there's always a good bite.
Walltex
03-08-2002, 10:32 AM
We would sure like to have you fish with us in TWA. Don't sell Meredith short for tournaments either. The bite from mid May to the end of June is tremendous! Virtually every tournament boat will weigh in a limit during that period. Come fish with us!
Waltex-
What's the secret? We've fished Meredith for two days last year and only caught 1 fish. Oh wait let me guess>>Slabs.
Atomic Eye
03-08-2002, 12:49 PM
Please tell me which lodge has the $45 rate at Conchas? The May Conchas tournament might be real fun and by then, I should know how to operate my new boat. Thanks.
Atomic Eye (New Mexico) -- "Gone Fission!" ~~~<}}}:>
I didn't know I needed to know how to run my boat?!
BRS1
Walltex
03-08-2002, 03:17 PM
No! I won't give you the slab story! Slabs are not the thing for May and June. Jigs tipped with a short crawler or slip rigging minnows or crawlers are popular. Rogues sometimes are still hot early against the bank especially early spring. Feel free to contact me if you need more info. Meredith maybe a year behind Conchas in the low water forage problem. If we don't get some good rains this spring, it maybe our last good year for a long long time.
Texeye
03-08-2002, 04:37 PM
Atomic,the name of the lodge is South Conchas Lodge and Restaurant.The rooms are pretty basic but nice people and nice restaurant with a great view.Ph.#(505)868-2988