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New Mexico's Premier Fly Fishing Shop Since 1985
Stream Report
Updated November 1, 2024
Fall has arrived and fishing is good throughout northern NM.
As we enter Fall be on the lookout for areas or patches of cleaned river bottom called a Redd, This where trout are spawning, and are typically found in shallow water.
PLEASE DO NOT FISH or WALK THROUGH THESE AREAS!
Fishing has been good on the Pecos, Upper Chama, Costilla, Valles Caldera, San Juan, Cimarron and the Rio Grande.
Pecos River
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Hatches: Baetis, Midges, Caddis, and Terestrials.
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Patterns: Hares Ear, Zebra Midge, HDA Fave Variants, Frenchie, Parachute Adams, Low Water Baetis.
The river is in great shape and fishing is good, lots of bugs flying around with cold water temperatures. The Rio Mora and tributaries of the Pecos are also fishing well if your looking to escape the crowds. The water temps are cooling and the river bed is slick, use caution while wading or use a wading staff. No need to rush to the river, give the fish some time to warm up.
The Pecos National Historical Park's Fall 2024: September 5 to November 11.
Remember: Fishing takes place from Thursday through Monday and must be reserved on the Pecos page of Recreation.gov.
See the Park's website at http://www.nps.gov/peco/planyourvisit/fishing.htm for more info on the fishing seasons.
Chama River
Village of Chama
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Hatches: Baetis, Midges, Mayflies & Caddis
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Patterns: Pheasant Tail, Salvations, CDC Pheasant Tails, Mop Flies, Stimulators, Elk Hair Caddis, Irresistible, Chubbies.
Above Heron
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Hatches: Baetis, Midges, Mayflies & Caddis
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Patterns: Pheasant Tail, Salvations, CDC Pheasant Tails, Mop Flies, Stimulators, Elk Hair Caddis, Irresistible, Chubbies.
Below El Vado
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Hatches: Baetis, Midges, Mayflies & Caddis
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Patterns: Pheasant Tail, Salvations, CDC Pheasant Tails, Mop Flies, Stimulators, Elk Hair Caddis, Irresistible, Chubbies.
Below Abiquiu
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Hatches: Baetis, Midges, Mayflies & Caddis
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Patterns: Pheasant Tail, Salvations, CDC Pheasant Tails, Mop Flies, Stimulators, Elk Hair Caddis, Irresistible, Chubbies.
Village of Chama: The upper Chama in the Sargent Wild Life Area is the best option, stretches through town are being stocked, flows are good.
Near Heron: Fishing is good with lower flows and cooler weather.
Below El Vado: Fishing will be fair until repairs on the dam are completed.
Below Abiquiu: Low flow, low lake level, and muddy water here.
Look elsewhere.
Abiquiu Reservoir: Good for Smallmouth Bass and Carp.
The Chama River above El Vado Reservoir in the Rio Chama Wildlife Area, downstream of the stream gauge at Cooper's Ranch, and below Abiquiu Dam are Special Trout Waters with reduced bag limits or catch and release only rules. Please report anyone to New Mexico Game and Fish at 1-800-432-4263. The Chama River below Abiquiu Dam has a daily bag limit of 3 fish.
Rio Grande, Taos Area Waters
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Hatches: Midges, Baetis, Mayflies, Caddis.
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Patterns for the Rio: Crane Bombs, Warden's Worries, Mop Flies, HDA Fave Variants, Blow Torch, Pink Tags, Pike flies, Meat Whistles, Dunk and Disorderlies, Sculpzillas, Peanut Envy, Barely Legal.
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Patterns for Tributaries: Stimulators, PMX, Chubbies, Elk Hair Caddis, Frenchies, Pink Head Marys, Copper Johns.
The Rio Grande is muddy from the recent rains, but should clear if the rain stops. Flows are dropping quickly, but will rise as irrigation return begins. Fishing for trout is good due to the higher water temperatures subside and number of rafters on the river has significantly decreased.
Conditions are good for smallmouth bass! Fish for bass during the warmest part of the day.
The pike bite is fair, big streamers with a wire or a shock tippet will keep you from losing fish or flies.
The surrounding mountain streams are good as flows stabilize and temperatures cool. The Pueblo de Taos, the Santa Barbara, Hondo and the the Rio del Pueblo are all good options for fishing with dry flies.
The Cimarron below Eagle Nest is dam controlled and has a decent flow. The water is a little murky, but fishing is good.
Cochiti Reservoir has been good for Bass, Pike and carp.
Jemez Mountain Streams
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Hatches: Baetis, Midges, Mayflies, Caddis.
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Patterns: HDA Favorites, Frenchies, Crystal Caddis, Tag Nymphs, Zebra Midges, Stimulators, Humpys, Royal Wulfes, Parachute Adams, Comparadun, Hi-Vis Caddis.,
The Jemez Mountain streams are fishing decent with the best fishing in the Valles Caldera. Water temps will cool with the cooler weather, dry fly fishing will be good. Fenton Lake has been good with regular stocking.
The Valles Caldera Back Country Access is now open. You must have a angling permit to fish in the Caldera. Gates open at 9:00 am.
For more information on fishing Valles Caldera, please see their website for info at http://www.vallescaldera.gov/comevisit/fish/index.aspx. Reservations are made through Recreaton.Gov.
The Fishing Program on the Valles Caldera National Preserve is now under National Park Service rules. Please see the Preserve's website for more details.
San Juan River
The San Juan is at 306 cfs.
Hatches: Blue-Winged Olives, Midges.
Patterns: Red Annelids, San Juan worms, Zebra Midge, Bling Midge, RS2, Foam Wing Emerger, UV Emerger. Leaches and Buggers.
The flows on the San Juan have stabilized over the last several days, fishing has been good. Midges and Baetis are the main bugs but don't discount fishing hoppers along the banks, leeches and streamers for the meat-eaters. .
The Special Trout Water section is all catch and release and has a two fly only rule. If you see someone in violation, turn them into Game and Fish at 1-800-432-4263. Officers have been checking people for licenses, barbless flies, and the number of flies on your rig! File those barbs or go barbless, as the fines are steep!
Conejos River
Mogote
Platoro
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Hatches: Baetis, Caddis, Midges.
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Patterns: Salvation, HDA Fave Variant, Hares Ear, Mop, Frenchie, Tag Nymph, Blow Torch.
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Hatches: Baetis, Caddis, Midges.
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Patterns: Salvation, HDA Fave Variant, Hares Ear, Mop, Frenchie, Tag Nymph, Blow Torch.
The release out of Platoro is at a decent flow, maybe a little low, but fishing is good. Smaller midges, caddis and mayflies are abundant. Smaller nymphs are the ticket these days with the bigger bugs gone until next year. Much of the river is fishable and has good clarity. Best with a double nymph rig for fish in the deeper lies.
