Chama River | New Mexico Fly Fishing Reports & Conditions

Fishing the freestone stretch is slow with all of the cold weather recently. Fish the tailwaters! Fishing below Abiquiu is good, fishing up high for smaller fish and down lower fin the trophy secton. Flows have dropped below El Vado and the fishing has been good. flows have dropped dramatically

Fishing Report Last Updated:

1 / 16 / 2019

Choose A Different River Here

Cimarron River
Pecos River
Rio Costilla
Rio Grande River
San Juan River

Fishing Conditions

Fly Fishing Chama River is currently Good

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby:
The Reel Life

Water flow: 141 CFS below Abiquiu, 24 CFS below El Vado, 19 CFS at La Puent

Visibility: 8 inches

Water temperature at mid-day: 47 Degrees F

Water condition: Moderately Turbid

Best time of day to fish: Mid morning

Best stretch: El Vado spring thru fall, Abiquiu fall thru early spring, La Puente Late June- August

Best access point: Below Abiquiu Dam and below El Vado Dam

Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:

Stoneflies (freestone section) Baetis Craneflies Caddis Midges olive may nymph patters

Fish species: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Rio Grande Cutthroat

Fishing season: Year Round

Nearest airport: Santa Fe

Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 Foot Leader

Recommended fly fishing tippet: 4X Tippet

Best fly fishing rod: 9' 5 Weight Fly Rod

Best floating fly line: WF Trout Fly Line

Best sinking fly line: Bank Shot Sink Tip Fly Line

Fly Name:	Fly Color:	Fly Size(s):
TH Zebra Midge	blk	18-22
Griffith's Gnat	griz	20
Micro Egg	pink	18
Flashback Hares Ear Nymph	grey	16-18
I Can See It Midge Fly	griz	20
RS2	grey	18-20

Sculpzilla	olive	8
Cranefly Larva	olive	8
Master YODA	grey	18
Warderns	peacock	8

Techniques & Tips

Deep indicator nymph rigs will be the most effective method of targeting fish in the tailwaters below Abiquiu and El Vado. Use the above nymphs listed. If you see a riser put on a dry or two. Both tailwaters have been fishing good.

7-Day Forecast

Fishing below El Vado is good even with low flows of 60cfs. River below Abiquiu is fishing well. Feel free to throw some bigger bugs in the water to get their attention, mix it up with your nymphs and water depth.