Successful Fenton Lake Fishermen
Fenton Lake reopened with a bang Saturday, July 30th. Most anglers reported catching limits of nice sized Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout. Some up to eighteen inches.
Most baits were working Saturday and Sunday but worms and Salmon/Peach Powerbait seemed to be the hottest.
The water quality at the lake is very good right now and after a months rest the fish are active and hungry. Now is a good time to be at Fenton Lake.
Spence Hot Springs Parking Lot
The new Spence Hot Springs parking lot and access trail were opened today (Sat July 30th) in conjunction with the reopening of the Santa Fe National Forest. The parking area has been improved, paved and striped for seven parking spots. This renovation has greatly reduced the parking capacity of this popular area and according to the forest service, will greatly reduce the use and overuse of the Spence Hot Springs. It is also designed to reduce the threat of flooding and trail erosion.
In addition, a new trail head has been constructed on the east side of the parking area. The new trail is a bit shorter, a bit more direct and will also reduce erosion on the trail itself. The old trail head at the south edge of the parking area has been closed and blocked.
Some may love these changes….many others will dislike them.
Just in time for the forest reopening tomorrow (Sat July 30th) we are receiving more beneficial rain. Slow, steady and widespread rain has been falling for at least two hours. The best part is that the west side of the Jemez is getting soaked today, which has not really been the case so far during this monsoon season.
It is still raining and I have measured nearly .70 inches so far. These are not heavy cloudbursts that can cause damaging flooding in the burn areas, but wetting, soaking, steady rains.
Oh…..and BTW temperature at the store right now….56 degrees.
According to sources, a decision was made yesterday (Wed Jul 27) to reopen the Santa Fe National Forest effective Saturday, July 30th.
The forest will revert to stage I fire resrtictions. All campgrounds will be opened, all forest roads will be opened, all picnic areas and fishing access areas will be opened. Stage 1 fire restrictions will be in place, which means campfires will be allowed only in designated campgrounds and picnic areas. Gas and propane stoves, and grills are allowed throughout the forest.
Exceptions are: Paliza Campground will remain closed indefinitely due to the close proximity to the Las Conchas fire. Jemez Falls campground will re-open, Monday, August 1st.
Fenton Lake State Park will also open for fishing and camping effective Saturday July 30th. Stage II fire restrictions will be enforced at Fenton. No campfires or charcoal grills anywhere within the park. Gas and propane grills and stoves are ok.
In my opinion, the delay in reopening the forest, is caution, caution, caution. With the Las Conchas Fire ( the largest in the State’s history) still smoldering after consuming nearly 157,000 acres, the last thing the Forest Service wants to do is open the forest prematurely. Should another fire erupt, it would be a public relations nightmare.
That being said, most of the forest has had enough rainfall to greatly reduce the risk of a wildfire spreading quickly. Last week we had three new fire starts (lightning caused) and the fires were contained quickly. Relative humidity, winds, temperatures and fuel moisture levels have all been favorable.
The Forest Service is meeting again tomorrow (Wednesday) and I think a decision will be made to reopen the forest with restrictions. This is just my opinion….so do not make plans until we receive official word.
Stay tuned to JemezCentral.com for the latest word.
The trend the last week or so is for better rain chances in the Jemez Mountains. So far it has been pretty spotty. Feast or famine….some getting a few sprinkles and some getting significant amounts. Here in La Cueva at the store, yesterday I measured eight tenths of an inch. The first measurable rain that we have had here in more than two weeks.
The forecast is favorable for rain for the foreseeable future. More is needed to get the forest back open.
I’m confident that we will get it.
There are rumblings that Fenton Lake State Park may open back up on Monday August 1st. Perhaps the forest as well. There is nothing official on this so don’t make plans until we know for sure. Stay tuned for the latest information here at JemezCentral.com.
Because of the large amount of smoke in the area being generated on the southwest edge of the Las Conchas Fire, concerns have been raised and questions asked.
This smoke is from a backburn operation that is going as planned. Yesterday evening beginning about 6 pm, fire personnel lit a 400 foot wide strip of vegetation on the east side of FR 266, west of Ruiz Peak. Approximately two miles of roadside were ignited. The backburn operation will help firefighters secure this section of the fire perimeter, making the fire much less likely to escape its “box”.
“The burning operation is going well, with a good understory burn, good black line established, and all within the lines as planned.”
In short….it looks worse than it is.
Not a lot of changes up here in the Jemez.
There is still a full closure of the Santa Fe National Forest, Jemez Ranger District.
Fenton Lake State Park remains closed as well.
Everything is quiet…too quiet.
We have had some rain, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Total of about half inch here at the store. Pretty spotty storms and not nearly enough. The high pressure ridge has moved back over the state, temporarially shutting off the moisture flow.
Pray for rain and hope the creek does rise.
From the Jemez Mountain Electric Co-op…”Due to the recent Las Conchas forest fire in the Jemez Mountains and the state mandated closure of all NM state parks, the JMEC Board of Trustees has made a decision to hold this year’s Annual Meeting in Espanola.
This year’s Annual Meeting will take place in Espanola, New Mexico. The meeting will be held at the Espanola Valley High School gymnasium located 1111 El Llano Road in Fairview.
The Annual Meeting will take place on Sunday July 17. Registration will start at 10:00 am and lunch will be served at noon followed by the business meeting at 1:00pm.
Due to the extreme fire danger, the forest closure and the Las Conchas fire, the 21st annual Kids Fishing Day scheduled for Saturday July 23rd has been cancelled.
Hosted by NM Department of Game & Fish, Santa Fe National Forest, US Fish and Wildlife Service and others, Kids Fishing Day has always been a popular day for kids 4-11yrs. This event is held annually at the Seven Springs Fish Hatchery kids pond.
“The purpose of the event is to provide youths with a fun fishing experience and to aid in the development of their appreciation of nature, outdoor recreation, and the conservation and management of ecological resources”, according to the USDA Forest Service, Jemez Ranger District.
Next year is not that far away.