Sanchez/Mt. Home Reservoirs

[lucky7]

Any word on the water level in these two reservoirs? I was hoping to go after pike at Sanchez.

------------------
lucky7

[Guest]

The last time I was there, the water was REALLY REALLY low. Next week I'll contact a engineer in Alamosa, I know and get the real scoop. You'll have to wait until next week because of Turkey Day.

[lucky7]

Thanks Avalanche:

I was hoping to get after some pike down there. I have had some fun at Sanchez before.

------------------
lucky7

[lucky7]

Avalanche:

Any word from your friend in the valley?

------------------
lucky7

[Guest]

Here is the scoop from the engineers in Alamosa:
Last year during this week there was 1070 surface acres. As of Monday there is 1254 surface acres, there is ice around the edges (3 inches or so) but there still is open water. But it won’t be long considering how cold it gets there.

PS
Sorry it took SO long

[lucky7]

That sounds like good news! Thanks for checking. Are you going to road trip there this season? Also, I have heard that the ice comes off earlier there because of fluctuating levels. Is that true?

------------------
lucky7

[Guest]

Well if we get into one of those mild winters the ice never gets very safe. It stays fairly warm there through out the cold months. Some years its possible to drive out on ice but the last couple of years no way. Can't wait for Sanchez to close up it will be fun trying for some northers and perch. I haven't had any luck getting a walleye through a hole there, but I'm going to give it another try. Does anyone know of someone who has caught some hardwater walleye's at Sanch.

[Guest]

Sorry but I have to disagree with Giles. I can’t comment on last year since I didn’t fish it as much as usual, but in my experience the ice is usually safe until late March, that valley is one of the three coldest spots in the state. In fact I’ve made a few trips where we chased flags at Sanchez and then on the way back we hit Lathrop (Horseshoe) for some casting for tigers. I’ve caught a few baitfish, I mean walleyes through the ice while search jigging for northerns. I’m heading down there A.S.A.P., my northern fever is starting to peak.

[Guest]

Ya but last year in late Feb. the whole back side of the island was open water and the ice that was stable enough was 6 inches. Like I say I've seen people drive out there as well but it all depends on the type of winter. Whats the story anyway how much ice is on Sanchez?

[EXNJ]

Has anyone fished Sanchez yet this winter? Ice thickness, species caught, etc? Planning on going the 1st weekend in Jan. Any reports would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[lucky7]

EXNJ:

I plan to fish Sanchez on the 28th. I will let you know.

------------------
lucky7

[Don In Denver]

Does Sanchez still have a decent walleye population? Back in the early '90s I took a lot of really nice walleyes out of there, not to mention lots of perch and a few really big northerns. If anyone knows(and is willing to disclose) info on the walleye fishery I'd sure appreciate it. I still haven't caught a decent sized walleye through the ice. I'd like to break that barrier this Winter.

[Guest]

Lucky7, be sure to let us know how you do at Sanchez. I'm ready for some of that action as well. You might want to call the Alamosa DOW for ice conditions, sometimes its not safe until mid Jan.

[This message has been edited by Gilles (edited 12-22-2003).]

[lucky7]

Gilles:

Thanks for the advice...I will call. If we can fish I will let you know how we come out.

------------------
lucky7

[lucky7]

Called the DOW in the valley. The lake is mostly frozen but no thickness given. I am going to try it and see this weekend. Avalanche any word from your buddy in Alamosa?

------------------
lucky7

[Guest]

No word from him, but she has to be frozen or really close to it. It has been REALLY cold down there. I'm going to break into the new year down there.

[This message has been edited by Avalanche (edited 12-26-2003).]

[Guest]

Is there any new word on the conditions at Sanchez?

[lucky7]

I was supposed to fish Sanchez yesterday but came down with some sort of bug. The guy at WalMart in Alamosa told me that the lake is mostly forzen but the fishing is slow. Evidently all the perch have been eaten and the pike are real sluggish.

------------------
lucky7

[Guest]

Thanks for the report, sorry to hear about your illness. I'm thinking about trying Sanchez this weekend, even if its slow at least it will be a change in scenery. I'm looking forward to some hardwater blue mesa macs.