Rio Chama River Fishing Report (Bottom of Page) 12/20/24
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: We can get flies 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. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They 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 Stream
Species
Rainbow Trout (Stocked)
Brown Trout
Kokanee Salmon
Size
Small
Location
Northern New Mexico
Nearest Towns
Chama
Season
Year-round
Access:
Good in State managed areas but
hiking is required
Non-Resident License
State of New Mexico
Weather
National Weather Service Link
USGS Stream Data:
Rio Chama Above Chama
Seasons:
The season last year-round
Spring:
The fishing is best before the runoff begins and just after it ends.
Summer:
Summertime can be a good time to fish the canyon area. The water is generally very cool in the canyon area.
Fall:
Fall is the best time to catch the large brown trout due to the spawn.
| Recommended Tackle & Gear Fly Line: 5 or 6 weight Leaders: Dry fly: 9 & 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 Superb Five or Ultimate Six Fly Reels: For 5/6 fly line Fly Floatants and Misc Items: Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators Tools & Accessories: Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc. Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: 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. Copyright 2016 James Marsh |
Fly Fishing On The Middle Rio Chama River In New Mexico
The Rio Chama River starts at the Sargent Wildlife Area boundary in Colorado near the New Mexico border and flows downstream through the Rio Chama Valley for about twenty-five miles. All of this is private property except for a four-mile long MNDGF easement south of the town of Chama. This section is mostly “put and take” and is heavily stocked but it does have holdover trout. Fly fishing the Rio Chama River is great in places. This section of the river sometimes called the Middle Rio Chama River.
Below the twenty-five mile segment of water south of Chama that’s mostly on private property, the river enters the Rio Chama State Wildlife Area. Only Dirt roads enter the RCSW area and they can get very muddy during rains, so a 4 wheel drive may be required.
The State Wildlife area is eight miles long with a four mile long canyon section in the middle of the area. You have to hike in to get to most of the water. This is an excellent stretch of pocket water that runs though a gorge with plenty of wild browns and holdover rainbows. There’s one tributary sizable in this section – Willow Creek. It flows into the Rio Chama River from Heron Reservoir not far above the El Vado Reservoir.
This section of the river provides the best fishing. It also has some terrific hatches of stoneflies, caddisflies and mayflies. Dry fly fishing can be excellent at times in the gorge section’s pocket water. The brown trout spawn in the Fall and some large ones can be caught on streamers and nymphs.
Various species of Blue-winged olives, Pale Morning Duns, Pale Evening Duns, Dark Red Quills, Tricos, and Speckled wing Quills are some of the most plentiful mayflies. Spotted Sedges, Green Sedges, Little Short-horned sedges, Little Black Caddis and October Caddis are the most plentiful caddisflies. Little Yellow stoneflies, Golden stoneflies and Winter stoneflies are the most plentiful stoneflies. During the late spring and summer months, terrestrial insects become important. Ants, beetles and hoppers work good in most sections of the river.
Kokanee Salmon run upstream to spawn in the River from the reservoir during the last part of September. Fly fishing the Rio Chama River can be a lot of fun during this run.
Please not that the upper three miles of the Rio Chama State Wildlife Area is managed as special trout water and requires barbless hooks. You are allowed to squeeze the barbs down on the hooks.
The lower Rio Chama River in this section ends where it flows into El Vado Reservoir.
04/25/21 The river is in good shape at a good level and clear. There are multiple hatches taking place and we are getting good reports from customers.
05/01/21 The river is near normal level and easy to wade. There are good hatches taking place and we are getting good reports.
05/08/21 Very good hatches are taking place. we are still getting some good reports from customers. Fish the highest section of the river.
05/16/21 More good reports. The stream levels are a little low but trout are being caught in good numbers. There are some very good hatches. Give us a call or send us an email for a recommended fly and gear list.
05/23/21 The stream levels are normal and we are getting good reports from customers. There are some very good hatches taking place.
05/31/21 The river continues to be in good shape. We received more good reports. Call or write us for fly recommendations.
06/08/21 Stream levels are still low but trout are still being caught. Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.
06/21/21 The stream levels are very low and the water warm. We recommend fishing one of the two nearby tailwaters.
07/04/21 The stream levels are low but we are still getting some good reports. You have to make extra effort to stay hidden from the trout. Good hatches are taking place. Send us an email or call us for a fly and gear recommendation.
07/15/21 The stream levels are still very low. We received no reports this past week. There are still good hatches and trout eat in low water. You just have to stay hidden from them.
07/31/21 The stream is still flowing below a normal level but up from where it has been. You should be able to catch trout.
08/08/21 Stream levels are currently normal. Let us have some reports please. It should be fine.
08/16/21 The stream levels rose yesterday but are back down a little low today. We did get some good reports this past week.
08/22/21 Stream levels are near normal thanks to recent rain. We should start getting good reports. There are some good hatches.
08/29/21 The stream levels are a little low. We did receive two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
09/06/21 The stream is still low. You can still catch trout. You just have to stay hidden from them. They still eat in low water.
09/15/21 Low water levels continue. We are still getting a few good reports from the few anglers and customers who are fishing.
09/25/21 The stream levels are still below a normal level but we continue to get a few good reports. You just have to stay hidden from the trout.
10/03/21 The stream is flowing at a normal level and in good shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches are taking place.
10/15/21 The river is low again but we still received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
10/29/21 Stream levels are still low. We received two good reports this past week. Stay low and as hidden as you can. Good hatches are taking place.
11/05/21 Stream levels are still a little low.
11/14/21 Stream levels are low so you have to stay low and hidden from the trout. We received one good report this past week.
11/23/21 Low stream levels still exist. Trout still eat in low water. You just have to stay hidden from them and make good presentations.
12/11/21 Sorry for the missed report. Conditions are okay again and you should be able to catch plenty trout with the right flies.
12/19/21 The stream levels are low but not too low to fish and catch plenty if you make some effort to stay hidden from the trout.
12/27/21 The stream is still low. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone this past week but probably due to the holiday.
01/04/22 The stream level is okay and we received a good report from a customer this past week. Good midge and little BWO hatches.
01/12/22 The stream is flowing a little below normal level but not to low to catch trout. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week.
01/20/22 We receive one good report from a customer this past week. Stream levels are still a little low but okay with good midge hatches taking place.
01/28/22 We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week. Midges and winter stoneflies are hatching. Our sculpin streamers are also working good.
02/05/22 We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week. Conditions are good.
02/13/22 We received two more good report from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches continue.
02/21/22 Stream levels are still a little below normal level but okay. There are good blood midge and little BWO hatches taking place.
03/01/22 The stream is still low but okay. You may be better off fishing one of the nearby tailwaters.
03/09/22 Stream levels are low. We recommend fishing one of the two tailwaters nearby.
03/16/22 Stream levels remain low but the stream continues to turn out some fish for the few anglers fishing it.
03/24/22 The stream is quite low but if you stay low and hidden you still should be able to catch trout. Good midge and BWO hatches are taking place.
04/01/22 The stream levels is still low but you can still catch trout if you stay low and hidden as possible. There are good hatches taking place.
04/09/22 The stream level is up to normal and the river in good shape. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout. Good midge and Blue-winged olive hatches continue to take place.
04/18/22 The stream is back up to a normal level and in good shape. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout. Good hatches continue to take place.
04/26/22 The stream is still at a normal level and in good shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
05/04/22 The stream has been a little high but back down to a normal level. Good hatches including Pale Morning Duns are taking place.
05/12/22 The stream is still high but dropping and should be in good shape very soon.
05/20/22 The stream is flowing near a normal level in good shape. We are getting some good reports from customers fishing it. Good hatches are taking place.
05/28/22 Good hatches are taking place including Pale Morning duns, spotted sedge caddis, little yellow stoneflies and others. Stream levels are low so be careful to not spook the fish.
06/05/22 Stream levels are a little low but otherwise, in good shape. You should be able to catch trout.
06/12/22 The stream is quite low and warm. We recommend fishing one of the nearby tailwaters where the water is cooler.
06/19/22 Upstream rain should be a big help. It is bringing the low water levels up and making the trout much more active. Good hatches are taking place.
06/26/22 The stream levels are still very low. We received no reports this past week. There are still good hatches and trout eat in low water. You just have to stay hidden from them.
07/03/22 Stream levels are normal and the river in better shape. You should be able to catch trout. Good PMD and other insects hatching and our terrestrials are working.
07/10/22 Stream levels continue to be at the normal level. Good hatches are taking place and our Japanese beetles, carpenter ants and sandwich hoppers are working good.
07/17/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level in good shape. There are good hatches and our terrestrials are working good.
07/24/22 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday.
07/31/24 Stream levels are up above normal level and the water stained from recent rain. It should drop and clear quickly.
08/07/22 Stream levels are near normal and the water clear. Good hatches continue to take place. We didn’t get any reports but one should be able to catch trout.
08/14/22 Good conditions continue. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone but you should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
08/28/22 Sorry for the missed report. Stream levels are just a little above normal and in good shape. Good late summer hatches are taking place. It should be good.
09/13/22 The river is in good shape with good late summer hatches. We received two good reports from customers this past week.
09/20/22 The stream is near a normal level and mostly clear. Two more good reports came in this past week. October caddis are hatching.
10/10/20 Good late season hatches continue to take place. We received one good report this past week.
10/28/22 Stream levels and flows are not available due to gauge not working but the stream is flowing a little below normal and clear. We received two good reports from customers this past week.
11/15/22 Stream levels are still low but okay. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
12/29/22 Stream levels are still a little low, but conditions are good. There are good winter hatches taking place.
01/26/23 Conditions are good with good winter hatches taking place. Sorry for the missed reports. I had hospital stay but back in good shape.
02/12/23 The stream is very cold with lots of slush ice. We recommend fishing one of the two tailwaters nearby where the water is warmer.
03/05/23 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. Good hatches are taking place and you should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
03/15/23 The stream is flowing near a normal level and mostly clear. Good hatches are taking place. We didn’t get any reports from anyone fishing this past week. Let us hear from you.
04/03/23 Conditions are still good. We received one good report from a customer this past week.
04/16/23 The stream is flowing a little above normal level but okay. Good BWO and Midge hatches are taking place.
04/26/23 The stream is still a little above normal level. Very good Skwala stonefly, BWOs, March Browns and other insects are hatching.
05/07/23 We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday. Good hatches are taking place.
05/28/23 The stream is high and stained, too high to fish well. Give it some time to drop and clear.
06/08/23 The stream is still above normal but can be fished successfully. Good hatches are taking place.
06/16/23 The stream is still high. Give it some more time to drop and clear. Good hatches continue to take place.
06/28/21 The stream is down to near a normal level in okay shape. There are good hatches taking place.
07/10/23 The stream is still in good shape with good hatches taking place. We received two good reports from the past week.
07/17/23 The stream is turning out some good catches for our customers. Good hatches continue to take place.
07/29/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
08/05/23 The stream is flowing near a normal level. Good hatches are still taking place. We received two good report this past week.
08/17/23 The stream is still at a normal level and in good shape. Fish early and late in the day for the best results. Some hatches continue to take place and our terrestrial fly patterns are working good.
08/21/23 The stream is still flowing at a normal level and clear. Good hatches including Tricos are taking place.
08/28/23 The stream is in good shape but we still didn’t get any catch reports from anyone. Good hatches continue to take place.
09/05/23 The stream continues to be in good shape. We received one good report from a customer fishing yesterday.
09/12/23 The stream is still in good shape with good hatches taking place. Kokanee Salmon are starting to come into the river from the lake.
09/19/23 We are getting good reports on both trout and salmon. Stream levels are low and you need to use caution to stay hidden as much as possible.
09/26/23 More good reports on both salmon and trout. The water is low and you have to stay hidden from the fish but they can be caught.
10/03/23 Stream levels are still low but we are still getting some good reports on salmon and trout.
10/10/23 The stream is still turning out some trout and salmon for our customers.
10/25/23 The stream is still in good shape flowing at a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
11/02/23 Stream levels are unavailable, but the stream should be okay.
11/10/23 Stream levels are very high. Give it some time to drop and clear.’
11/17/23 Stream levels are down to near a normal level and the water is clear. Good midge and BWO hatches continue to take place.
11/26/23 Stream levels are below normal but okay. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout on cream midges.
12/17/23 The stream is a little low and clear. Midges are hatching good.
12/28/23 Stream levels are still low and you have to stay hidden to catch them. Good midge hatches continue to take place.
01/10/24 Conditions are good. We received two good reports from customers fishing it this past week. Winter stoneflies are starting to hatch.
01/18/24 The stream is still in good shape with good hatches taking place.
01/26/24 The stream is still turning out good catches. Levels are good and the water clear.
02/05/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. Aquatic worms, pre-rigged light green midge larva and pupa, and sculpin streamers are working good.
02/18/24 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday.
02/25/24 The stream is turning out some good catches for our customers. Stream levels are good and there are good Winter stonefly and Light Green midge hatches taking place.
03/04/24 The stream is in good shape turning out some good catches for our customers.
03/11/24 The stream is still in good shape flowing at a good level and clear. We received one good report from a customer.
03/18/24 The stream is flowing well below a normal level and clear. Good midge, Blue-winged olive and Skwala stonefly hatches are taking place.
03/25/24 The stream is still flowing below a normal level and clear. We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week.
04/01/24 Conditions are good. The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. Good hatches are taking place.
04/08/24 We are still getting some good catch reports. Good hatches continue to take place.
04/16/24 The stream is in good shape turning out some good catches. Good hatches are taking place.
04/22/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. Good BWO, Little Black caddis and Skwala stoneflies are hatching.
04/29/24 The stream is still flowing near a normal level with clear water. We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week.
05/06/24 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. Good hatches are taking place and we are getting good reports from customers.
05/13/24 Conditions are good. We are getting good reports. Stream levels are okay and good hatches are taking place.
05/20/24 Conditions remain good. Good hatches are taking place. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
05/27/24 The stream is below a normal level and clear. Good hatches continue to take place.
06/10/24 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. Good hatches are taking place and terrestrials are working.
06/17/24 The stream is flowing below normal level and clear. Hatches are coming off and our Carpenter ants, Japanese beetles and sandwich hoppers are working.
06/26/24 The stream is still a little below normal level but okay. Good hatches are taking place and our terrestrial patterns are working good.
07/01/24 The stream is flowing at an okay level and clear. Good hatches are still coming off.
07/08/24 Conditions are good in the canyon sections. Good hatches are taking place and we are getting good catch reports.
07/17/24 Conditions are okay. Our terrestrial patterns of Sandwich hoppers, Carpenter ants and Japanese beetles are working good.
07/23/24 Conditions remain good. We are still getting good catch reports.
07/31/24 We received one good report this past week. Hatches have slowed down but there are still some taking place. Terrestrials are working good.
08/08/24 Conditions are still good. Let us hear from you.
08/18/24 The stream is still in good shape with good hatches taking place. Get ready for Kokanee Salmon as they should start coming into the river from the lake soon.
08/30/24 Salmon are starting to come into the river. Trout fishing is good. Good hatches are still taking place.
09/03/24 The stream is still flowing near a normal level and clear. Good hatches continue to take place.
09/10/24 Conditions are fair. The stream is flowing a little below normal and clear with good hatches continuing to take place.
09/17/24 We received one good report from a customer fishing yesterday. The stream is just a little low and clear.
09/24/24 Conditions remain good. It is flowing just a little below normal level and clear.
10/01/24 We are getting good reports from customers on both trout and salmon. Stream levels are low and you need to use caution to stay hidden as much as possible.
10/08/24 Salmon and trout are being caught in good numbers. The stream is low and clear and you must use caution to stay hidden from the fish.
10/17/24 The stream is near a normal level and both salmon and trout are being caught in good numbers.
10/30/24 The stream is flowing a little below a normal level and clear and still turning out some good catches of trout and salmon.
11/04/24 Conditions are good. The water is still a little low but okay.
11/14/24 The stream is flowing a little below normal level and clear. Both trout and salmon are being caught by our customers. Good hatches are taking place.
11/21/24 The stream is flowing below normal level. The USGS gauge isn’t working but it is a little low. Good hatches continue to come off.
11/28/24 Okay conditions exist. Trout are being caught in good numbers by our customers.
12/06/24 Good conditions exist. The stream is flowing a little below normal level and clear. Good Cream Midges, BWOs, Winter stoneflies and other insects are hatching.
12/13/24 Conditions are good.
12/20/24 The stream is flowing below a normal level and clear. Good hatches continue to come off. You should be able to catch good numbers.
Perfect Flies are designed and tied to to imitate and behave like the natural foods the trout rely on to survive as much as possible. The more your fly looks like and moves through and on the surface of the water like the real things, the higher your odds of success.
Send us an email at sales@perfectflystore.com for fly and gear recommendations.