Jemez River Fly Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes that make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone
Species
Rainbow Trout (Stocked)
Brown Trout (Wild)
Size
Small
Location
Northern New Mexico
Nearest Towns
Jemez Springs
Season
Year-round
Access:
Good
Non-Resident License
State of New Mexico
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Seasons:
The season is year round.
Spring:
Springtime is the best time for fly fishing the Jemez River as long as the water isn’t too high..
Summer:
There can be some fish caught but the water usually gets too warm for good fishing opportunities.
Fall:
Fall can be the best time to fish. The brown trout spawn during the Fall.
Winter:
Some of the better fishing is during the Winter. The water rarely freezes.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Copyright 2016 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Jemez River New Mexico
The Jemez River drainage is made up of several small streams. The Rio San Antonio and Rio Guadalupe are two that are covered under separate sections of this website. The Jemez River is formed by the Rio San Antonio and the East Fork of the Jemez River at Battleship Rock. The stream runs through a steep canyon.
The first stretch of water below Battleship Rock has little public access. It begins and Battleship Rock and extends for only a mile downstream. There’s also a section that lies between Soda Dam and Jemez Springs. The longest section of approximately four miles lies from Jemez Springs downstream to State Highway #485.
This small river averages about 20 to 25 feet in width. Most of the water is shallow but there are a few pools with deep water. The banks are lined almost continuously with alders cottonwoods, and willow trees. There are undercut banks, runs and riffles. Some sections could be described as pocket water.
Access to the Jemez River if from State Highway #3 which follows along the river. The river is stocked with rainbows during the Winter. The brown trout are wild.
The East Fork of the Jemez River runs through the Valles Caldera National Preserve. There are miles of water open to the public to fish and the fishing is great. The only problem is the stream runs through some deep canyons and many places are tough to reach. The East Fork does cross State Highway #4 a few times. Access is easy at the crossing but it’s also the most popular places to fish the stream. The best fishing comes by putting forth the effort to hike into the canyons.
Fly fishing the Jemez River can vary from easy to tough depending on the time of year. When the water gets low and clear, the fish are tougher to catch. Longer, lighter leaders are usually required to catch the wild browns. The stocked rainbows are rarely picky.