Species You Fish for by Season

There are four main species of trout to be caught while fly fishing in Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado's rivers, lakes and streams. These are rainbow, brown, brook, and Rio Grande cutthroat. In some locations you can catch the odd cut-bow (a rainbow/cutthroat hybrid), Kokanee salmon, lake trout, smallmouth bass, carp and/or a pike.

Not all species are found in every area. If you are interested in fishing for a particular type of trout, Land of Enchantment Guides can take you to a spot where you will have the best chance of catching the one you are looking for. If you check the descriptions of the spots listed on their website's Rivers & Streams page, you will get a good idea of what species of trout are found in the various waters. In most of the locations, an angler will be able to catch more than one type of trout during a typical fishing day. If you go to the correct spot and you are very lucky, there is the chance of catching three or possibly all four of the main species of trout in Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado - a "grand slam"! For more detailed information and pictures, please go to the New Mexico Trout page on the Land of the Enchantment Guides website.

The best dry-fly fishing is typically in the summer and early fall seasons. Nymphs, midges and streamers work well throughout the year. All of the trout species are generally available to be caught throughout the year, depending on the fishing location. Typically pike fishing tends to be better in the winter months and Kokanee salmon only run up the rivers in the fall. Carp are easier to target in the summer and the fall.

Region/Terrain Where You Fish

Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado is at the southern end of the Rocky Mountains which gives the area incredible diversity within a relatively small distance. An angler can be fishing spots at altitudes of over 10,000 feet down to 5,000 feet, all within 20-30 miles of each other. The landscape is breathtaking, offering everything from mountains with alpine forests of pines and aspens to canyons and mesas of sage, cactus and juniper. Land of Enchantment Guides can take you fly fishing on many types of fly fishing waters - high mountain meadow creeks and lakes, steep gradient freestone streams, small headwaters, larger rivers and/or tailwaters below dams are all available. If you have any particular type of fly fishing you want to do (i.e. nymphing vs. dry flies) or type of water you are most interested in, they can almost always accommodate your wishes.

For those who may want a more exclusive fly fishing experience, Land of Enchantment Guides offers guided trips on private water at select fly fishing ranches and lodges in Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado. These guided trips often become one of a fly fisherman's most memorable experiences. Along with beauty and seclusion, private fly fishing ranches and lodges usually offer a fisherman the best chances at catching and landing trophy sized fish. Each location has a different rod fee per angler, which will be added onto the cost of the trip.

Typical Weather by Season

The weather in northern New Mexico is generally very nice throughout the year. In the summer months, one can usually wet-wade. If it gets too hot in July and August, anglers can go to any number of higher altitude fishing locations to find cooler temperatures. Spring and fall are gorgeous and often you are fishing in shirtsleeves by mid-day. In the middle of winter, you may need to pick your days more carefully but, with the proper clothing, you can still have a wonderful day on the water. Land of Enchantment Guides will be honest with you about current weather and water conditions and strive to take you to an area where you will have the optimum chances of catching fish, during any season.

For more information, check out our website.

Date Range

Noah Parker & Land of Enchantment Guides is open year-round.

What is Provided to Customer

Full-day trips include hors d'oeurves, a nice lunch, snacks, and beverages. Half-day trips include snacks and beverages. Multi-day, all-inclusive packages that cover guiding, meals and lodging for the whole trip are also available. All fishing gear, terminal tackle and flies are provided at no extra cost. Transportation to and from the fishing locations can be arranged for most trips. If need be, your guide will usually be able to pick you up and drop you off wherever you are staying.

For the very best fly fishing experience, please consider having one guide for every two fishermen going on a trip. The maximum number of fishermen per guide is 3. More than 3 fishermen on a trip will require an additional guide or guides, depending on the size of your group.

The questions and answers below are excerpted from the Land of Enchantment Guides website. For more information and answers to many other questions, please check out their FAQs page.

What level of skill is required to go on a guided fly-fishing trip?

None. We guide novices as well as experienced anglers alike. All of our guides are great teachers and enjoy helping clients to learn about fly fishing. All of our trips are set up taking each client's skill level into consideration. We also offer individual and group classes covering all aspects of fly fishing and fly casting.

How do we get to the fishing spot?

Depending on where you are staying or located, we usually can pick you up and drop you off for no extra charge. Transportation is included in the price of the trip, within reason, depending on the location of your fishing trip. We often arrange to meet clients along the way to the fishing spots. This can work out very well for the clients, giving them more time fishing.

Are your guides certified in CPR and First Aid?

Yes, all of our guides are certified in both CPR and basic First Aid.

Is Land of Enchantment Guides permitted and insured?

Yes, we are permitted for guided fishing trips by the Santa Fe National Forest, the Carson National Forest, the New Mexico State Parks, the Federal Bureau of Land Management and the Valles Caldera National Preserve. We are also a permitted Colorado outfitter/guide service (permit #: OUT-2808).We carry full liability insurance and are bonded. As well as being ORVIS endorsed, Land of Enchantment Guides is a Trout Unlimited endorsed business.