Everything Jemez
Last Saturday and Sunday eight year old Kendrik Johns caught and released over a hundred rainbows each day using dark colored nymphs and Elk Hair Caddis. “If I had not seen it happening with my own eyes, I would not have believed it”, according to Kendrik’s dad Erik.
Labor Day weekend is upon us. Four days in the beautiful Jemez Mountains at a most beautiful time of the year.
The forest is open with no fire restrictions. It is gorgeous, green and inviting. All of the areas that folks normally use for recreation are accessable and unaffected by the Las Conchas Fire. Hiking trails, forest roads, hot springs, fishing access and all campgrounds are open for use.
Read more about Here’s the Skinny – Labor Day in the Jemez Mountains …
As of Friday August 19 Stage I Fire Restrictions have been lifted within the Santa Fe National Forest…Jemez Ranger District.
Fire restrictions at Fenton Lake State Park will be lifted effective 8:00am Friday (Aug 19th).
The Kid’s Pond at the Seven Springs hatchery is a wonderful place to take your kids to experience a successful day fishing. To access this fishery, drive approximately three miles past Fenton Lake on Hwy 126 and turn right onto FR314. After a short distance you will see the parking lot for the Kid’s Pond. Their is no charge to park or fish. Fishing is restricted to children eleven years old and younger. There is a nice bathroom facility and the pond is open for fishing daily from 8:00am till 5:00pm. Catching fish at the Kid’s Pond is not a “sure thing” but it’s pretty close. Normal bag limits apply to the kids at the pond…five fish per day. Right now, fishing has been fabulous for Rainbows to 16 inches and the occasional Brown up to 20 inches.
Read more about Kid’s Pond Warning …
Although the Las Conchas fire had, and continues to have, a devastating effect on the forest and peoples’ lives on the eastern side of the forest….this side of the mountain is unscathed. With the recent rains, the forest is beautiful. It is green and wildflowers are appearing. Your sense of sight and of smell will be rewarded. Read more about The Other Side of the Mountain …
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 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.
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.
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.