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New Mexico's Premier Fly Fishing Shop Since 1985
Stream Report
Updated March 15, 2025
Winter is still upon us and fishing has not changed much throughout northern NM.
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, Chama, San Juan, 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 as good as can be for winter conditions with cold water temperatures, however, there is quite a bit of ice on the water with the cold temperatures we have been experiencing. The Rio Mora and tributaries of the Pecos are less desirable. 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.
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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: Cold with low flows, better fishing elsewhere.
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Near Heron: Cold with low flows, better fishing elsewhere.
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Below El Vado: Fishing will be fair until repairs on the dam are completed.
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Below Abiquiu: Lower than normal release for this time of year, flows have stabilized and fishing has been good.
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Abiquiu Reservoir: OK 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 the beat fishing in the area. Flows are stable and the river is clear. Fishing for trout is good. Conditions are poor for smallmouth bass!
The pike bite is fair, big streamers with a wire or a shock tippet will keep you from losing fish or flies.​
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Cochiti Reservoir has been fair for Bass, Pike and carp.
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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 ok with the best fishing in the warmest part of the day.
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The Valles Caldera Back Country Access is closed until nest spring. 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 413 cfs.
Hatches: Blue-Winged Olives, Midges.
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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 weeks, fishing has been good. Midges and Baetis are the main bugs but don't discount 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 winter levels and flows are low, and fishing is slow. Flows at mogote are fluctuating daily with the warm days and cold nights. Smaller midges and mayflies are sporadic. Smaller midges and nymphs are the ticket these days with the bigger bugs gone until next year. Much of the river will have ice on the edges and will be very clear. Best with a double nymph rig for fish in the deeper lies.
