Fly Fishing New Mexico Guides

New Mexico Fly Fishing Report & News

New Mexico fly fishing report, current local water and fishing conditions along with general fly fishing news and information.

Please scroll down the page to see all of the articles. Good luck fishing!
February 14th, 2012

New Mexico Trout Conclave ~ Saturday, March 3rd:
New Mexico Trout is dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of trout fishing in New Mexico's waters through restoration of riparian habitats and through the education of the public about trout fishing and the value of trout habitats. Once a year they have a large get-together called the annual Conclave. It is a great day for anyone who fishes and wants to support a good cause. There are great raffles, prizes, guest speakers, fly tying programs, casting and knot tying clinics and many other fun things to do.

The guest speakers this year are Jack Dennis and Ken Hanley. Jack Dennis is the author of "The Western Trout Fly Tying Manual, Vols 1 & 2" and many other great fishing books. Ken Hanley is a 2005 Hall of Fame Inductee, Federation of Fly Fishers (N. California Chapter) who has fished all over the world.

The Conclave runs from 8AM to 5PM on Saturday, March 3rd. It will be held at Sandia Preparatory School on Osuna Road near Edith Blvd. in Albuquerque. Registration begins at 8AM, in the entrance to the Student Center. A fully catered lunch is included in the ticket price. Children 15 years old and younger are admitted free. You can purchase tickets the day of the Conclave at the door or online on the New Mexico Trout website. For more information or to purchase tickets online, please click on the link below:

New Mexico Trout Conclave Page

Rio Chama Flow Optimization Project:
The Chama River needs our help. The best way that we, as individuals, can do something to help the situation on the Chama River is to become involved. On May 10th, 2011 a group called The Rio Chama Flow Optimization Project (RCFOP) was formed to address the many issues facing the river. The primary focus of the RCFOP is to band together concerned individuals and organizations and establish a collaborative effort to manage streamflow/discharges in the Chama River system. The project's primary goal is to reinvigorate natural functions of the Chama river while satisfying water management objectives and improving fishing and whitewater recreation. The RCFOP is funded by a grant from the River Ecosystem Restoration Initiative and managed by Rio Grande Restoration.

Please take some time to read the following report/article on the conditions on the Chama River this fall. On the last page you will find contact information for the Rio Chama Flow Optimization Project - please consider supporting them in whatever way you can. Click on the link below to open the report (PDF file):

Report/Article on Low Flows Below El Vado Dam - Fall & Winter, 2011/2012

NM Fishing Report:

The pictures were taken within the last 6 to 8 weeks...

For the last month or so, we have been fishing exclusively on the San Juan and the Chama. We have heard some pretty good reports from other spots but we can't vouch for them ourselves. The fishing on the "Juan" and the Chama has been excellent and we haven't wanted to go anywhere else!

SAN JUAN: The fishing has been superb. It seems the reduced flows have made the fishing better, especially up in the Texas Hole. Maybe all of the machinery mucking around in the river has created the largest San Juan shuffle ever and all of the fish have moved up to just below the work area. When the water is clear, both baetis and midge patterns have been working extremely well. When the water is dirty, we have been using the big and bright stuff and doing just fine. Lots of nice fish caught every day we've been there in the last few weeks.

If you want to make a trip to "The Juan", we recommend that you consider going there for at least two fishing days. You can stay at one of the hotels or lodges which will allow you to have much more time on the river (check out our Food & Lodging page for accommodations in the San Juan River area).

CHAMA: What can say - this is the time of year to be on the Chama. We have made quite a few trips to most of the spots on the river and all are fishing well. Big browns and some pretty nice rainbows as well. It looks as though the fishing will hold up for at least a few more weeks at this rate.
Nice fish Craig! See the picture on the upper right side of the homepage as well...


Brazos River Ranch 2012:

We are starting to take bookings for next season (2012) up at the Brazos River Ranch. The calendar is already starting to fill up. If you have specific dates you would like to go up to the ranch on, don't wait too long before making your reservations.
Picture: Trout eat mice!.