Red River New Mexico Fishing Report: 04/29/24 (Bottom of Page)
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
Species
Rainbow Trout (Stocked)
Brown Trout (Wild and Stocked)
Cuttbows (Hybirds)
Size
Small
Location
Northern New Mexico
Nearest Towns
Questa
Red River
Stream flows:
Red River below fish hatchery
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 Red River.
Summer:
The water usually gets too warm.
Fall:
Fall can be the best time to fish. The brown trout spawn during the Fall.
Winter:
The best fishing starts in mid February and last through
the late Winter into Spring.
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.
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 The Red River New Mexico
The Red River is a tributary of the Rio Grande in northern New Mexico. Its headwaters flows from near Wheeler Peak in the Carson National Forest to the Rio Grande. The locals divide the Red River into two areas. Section one is the section above the town of Red River. Section two is the section below town. Fly fishing the Red River can range from easy to difficult depending on when and where you fish.
The upper section of Red River is a relatively small stream that flows through a canyon to the town of Red River. It is easily accessible from state highway #586. It is stocked on a regular basis with rainbow trout. There are a few brook trout as well as wild brown trout but the majority are rainbows.
The lower section of the Red River flows below the town of Questa. It’s a heavy pocket water stream that flows through a four, mile-long canyon. It has a good population of wild brown trout and cuttbows.
The stream can be accessed without any trouble from the Red River Fish Hatchery which is located on the stream. The other access areas requires hiking down to the river. Hiking isn’t easy. It requires effort because it’s steep and rugged country. The stream isn’t that easy to fish but is great when you get into the right locations. This section of the stream is a BLM Wild and Scenic River area.
The majority of the trout are wild browns. They probably average about 12 inches but there are much larger ones. In the late Winter and early Spring, cuttbows migrate into the Red River from the Rio Grande River. It is best fished before the spring runoff which usually takes place in late April. Fishing isn’t that great during the Summer but gets better in the Fall.
The wild browns aren’t near as easy to catch as the stocked rainbows in the upper section of the Red River but they are not very picky. Fly Fishing the Red River’s fast, pocket water, plunges and runs makes it difficult for the trout to get a good look at your fly most of the time.
We do recommend matching the natural nymphs, larvae and adult flies that hatch. That will produce the best success.
Blue-winged Olives hatch from January through March. Pale Morning duns hatch in April and May. Little Yellow stoneflies hatch from June through July. There are also a few Golden stoneflies that hatch in June.
Different species of Spotted Sedges hatch from February through April and again from late July through October. Green sedges hatch in April and May.
Terrestrial insects are plentiful during July, August and September. Imitations of ants, beetles and grass hoppers work well during that time period.
Fishing Reports:
04/25/21 The river is in very good shape with good levels and clear water. We are getting good reports from some of our regular customers. There are some good hatches of BWOs, Skwala stoneflies, Little Black Caddis and other insects.
05/01/21 Pale Morning duns are hatching along with some spotted sedge caddis. The warm weather is creating some earlier than normal hatches. You should be able to catch plenty trout.
05/08/21 We are getting good reports. Good hatches are taking place including Green Sedge caddis. Now is the time to be on the river.
05/16/21 More good reports come in this past week. Good hatches are taking place.
05/23/21 We didn’t get any reports this past week but conditions are good.
05/31/21 The stream is low and you do have to use caution to catch trout. Dress to match the background and stay hidden from the trout as best you can. They are good hatches taking place.
06/08/21 Stream levels remain very low. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week.
07/04/21 The water is too low and warm to fish.
08/08/21 We still think the stream is too warm to fish. Wait until it cools down some.
08/29/21 The stream levels are way up thanks to recent heavy rain. It should drop, clear up and be cooler very soon.
09/15/21 The stream level is a little below normal and clear. We received two good reports from customers this past week. Good hatches continue to take place.
10/29/21 Stream levels are still very low and the water too warm.
11/14/21 The stream is flowing near a normal level and in good shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches are taking place.
11/23/21 We received two more good reports from customers. Good midge and BWO hatches are taking place and our streamers are catching some nice ones.
12/11/21 The stream has been at a normal but just dropped down a little below normal. We received one good report from a customer.
12/19/21 The stream is still low but not too low to catch trout. We received another good report this past week.
12/27/21 The stream is still low. We didn’t get any reports this past week but likely due to the holiday.
01/04/22 Stream levels are okay, running a little below normal. We still didn’t get any report maybe because of the new year holiday.
01/12/22 The stream is still a little low but not to low to catch trout. The water is cold but midges are hatching good and little BWOs are hatching on warmer days.
01/20/22 The stream levels are still low but okay. We received one good report this past week.
01/28/22 Three good reports came in from the past week. Good midge and winter stonefly hatches are taking place as well as small BWO’s.
02/05/22 We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week. Conditions are okay.
02/21/22 The stream is still okay. We didn’t get any reports from anyone fishing this past week. There is snow forecast through Thursday.
03/01/22 Conditions are good. The stream levels are normal and the water clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
03/10/22 We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week. Stream level are a little low but okay.
03/16/22 Stream levels are still low but okay. We continue to get a few good reports from the few anglers fishing it. Good hatches continue to take place.
03/24/22 The stream is in good shape with near normal water levels and good hatches. The water is warmer and the trout actively feeding on BWO’s, cream and red or blood midges, little black caddis and little brown stoneflies.
04/01/22 We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Conditions are fine. The water is a little below normal.
04/09/22 The river is up to a normal level in good shape. We didn’t receive any reports but you should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
04/18/22 The river is a little below normal but in much better shape than it has been lately. We received one good report from a customer fishing recently.
04/26/22 The stream is at a normal level and clear. We didn’t get any reports this past week but you should be able to catch good numbers of trout. There are good hatches taking place.
05/05/22 We received three good reports from customers this past week. Conditions are good, including good stream levels. There are multiple hatches taking place including Pale Morning duns and many others.
05/12/22 Good reports continue to come in. There are a lot of insects hatching. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
05/20/22 Stream levels are just a little below normal level and clear. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday. Very good Pale Morning dun and Spotted sedge hatches as well as others.
05/28/22 Stream levels are low and the water clear but we are still getting some good reports from customers. Good hatches continue to take place.
06/05/22 More good reports have come in from customers fishing even though the stream levels are still low.
06/13/22 Stream levels are very low. You can still catch trout if you can stay hidden from them. Good hatches are taking place.
06/26/22 Stream levels are up to normal and good hatches are taking place. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday.
07/10/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level in good shape. Our terrestrials like the sandwich hoppers, Japanese beetles and carpenter ants are working good.
07/17/22 The stream is flowing a little below normal level and clear. There are some good hatches continuing to take place as well as the terrestrials listed above.
07/24/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and in good shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing recently. Good hatches continue to take place.
07/31/22 Stream levels have been up but back down to near a normal level and mostly clear. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout. Good hatches continue to take place.
08/14/22 The stream is just a little above a normal level. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week. Let us hear from you.
08/21/22 The stream above normal level but normal at this time of the year is low, so it is in good shape. We received two good reports this past week. Good hatches are taking place.
09/13/22 The river is in good shape flowing above the normal low summer levels thanks to recent rain. We received two good reports from customers fishing very recently.
09/20/22 Conditions remain okay. We received two more good reports from this past week.
10/10/22 The stream is flowing a little above normal levels but okay. We received two good reports from customers this past week. Good late season hatches are taking place.
10/28/22 The stream is shown a little above normal but keep in mind normal at this time is usually low. It is in okay shape. We are getting good catch reports from customers.
11/15/22 Stream levels are okay flowing a little above normal and the river in good shape. Good late season hatches are taking place and we continue to get good reports from customers fishing it.
01/03/23 Stream levels remain above normal with good winter hatches continuing.
01/26/23 Discharges are stream levels are okay along with good winter stonefly and midge hatches.
02/12/23 Good hatches continue to take place and we continue to get some very good reports from customers.
03/05/23 The stream is in good shape flowing near a normal level. We received a good report from a customer fishing this past week. Good hatches are taking place.
03/15/23 We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. There are very good midge hatches taking place.
04/03/23 Stream levels are normal and the water clear. We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week.
04/16/23 The stream is flowing a little above normal level but okay. We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week.
04/26/23 We received another good report from a customer this past week. Very good hatches are taking place.
05/15/23 The stream is flowing near a normal level. Good hatches are taking place. We didn’t get any reports this past week but you should be able to catch trout.
05/28/23 The stream is in good shape. There are good hatches taking place. We received two good reports from customers fishing just below the dam recently.
06/08/23 The stream is still in good shape. Good hatches continue to take place. Let us hear from you.
06/16/23 The stream is near a normal level and clear. We received one good report from a customer this past week. Good hatches are taking place.
06/28/23 The stream is still near a normal level with clear water. Good hatches are taking place.
07/17/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. Very good hatches are taking place including PMDs, spotted sedge, green sedge caddis, and others.
07/29/23 Stream levels are good and we are getting good reports from customers. There are good late season hatches taking place.
08/05/23 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. Fish early and late for the best results. There are good hatches of PMDs, spotted sedge caddis, little sister caddis, little yellow stoneflies, yellow quills and our terrestrial patterns are working.
08/17/23 Stream conditions remain good. As mentioned above, fish early and late and water that is below 70 degrees.
08/21/23 The stream is still turning out some good catches for our customers. Good Trico hatches are taking place as well as others.
08/28/23 Good conditions still exist. We received two good reports from customers fishing it this past week. It is best to match the hatch and that’s what Perfect flies are for.
09/05/23 Two more good reports came in. Good late season hatches are taking place.
09/12/23 Fishing is best in the canyon. Good late season hatches are taking place.
09/26/23 The stream is low but trout still eat in low water. We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week. Good late season hatches are still taking place.
10/03/23 The stream is still in okay shape with good hatches.
10/10/23 The stream is flowing near a normal level and mostly clear. God hatches continue to take place. Let us hear from you.
10/25/23 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. Good late season hatches are taking place. Cream midges, BWOs, and October Caddis are the main ones.
11/02/23 Stream levels remain near normal and in good shape. Midge patterns are working well.
11/10/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. Good hatches of BWOs and Midges continue to come off.
11/17/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday.
11/26/23 The stream is still flowing at a normal level and clear. Good BWO and Cream Midge hatches are taking place.
12/07/23 The stream is still flowing at a normal and clear. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday. Our Cream midges with the larva and pupa rigged in tandem works great here.
12/17/23 Stream levels are a little below normal, but in good shape and we are getting good reports.
12/28/23 Conditions remain good with good midge and BWO hatches taking place. You should be able to catch some good fish.
01/10/24 The stream is still in good shape with good light green and red or blood midge hatches taking place.
01/18/24 The discharges and stream levels are normal and the water clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing it this past week. Our light green and red or blood midges are working good.
02/05/24 Conditions are very good. Good hatches are taking place including Blue-winged olives, light green and red or blood midges. Our sculpin streamers are also working good.
02/18/24 Condition remain very good with good discharge rates and stream levels. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
02/25/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We continue to get good catch reports from customers. Good light green midge hatches are taking place.
03/04/24 Conditions remain good. We are getting good catch reports from customers. Our sculpin and leech articulated streamers are working good as well as our light green midge larva and pupa.
03/11/24 The stream is still flowing at normal level and clear. Good midge and Skwala stonefly hatches are taking place.
03/18/24 We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches continue to take place.
03/25/24 The stream is flowing near a normal level and mostly clear. Good hatches continue to take place.
04/01/24 The stream is still flowing at a normal level with clear water. Good hatches continue to take place.
04/08/24 Conditions are good. Good stream levels and good hatches are coming off and we are getting good reports.
04/16/24 Good conditions exist. The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We are getting some good reports from customers. Good hatches are coming off.
04/22/24 The stream is still flowing at a good level and mostly clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches are taking place.
04/29/24 The stream is still in good shape flowing at a normal level with clear water. We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches continue to come off.
Send us an email at sales@perfectflystore.com for fly and gear recommendations.