Rio Chama River, New Mexico Fishing Report: 12/20/24 (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
Tailwater
Species
Rainbow Trout (stocked with some
holdovers)
Brown Trout
Size
Medium
Location
Northern New Mexico
Nearest Towns
Taos
Chama
Season
Year-round
Access:
Good
Weather
National Weather Service Link
USGS Stream real-time stream level:
Below El Vado Reservoir
Seasons:
The best part of the season starts in March and April. Summertime usually means high water.
Spring:
Springtime is the best time for fly fishing the Rio Chama River hatches.
Summer:
The water stays cool in the canyon all summer long and fishing remains good.
Fall:
Fall can be the best time to fish. The brown trout spawn during the Fall. October and November are prime months.
Winter:
The river runs off color much of the winter and late fall and early spring.
| 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 the Rio Chama River New Mexico – El Vado Reservoir Tailwater
The Chama River (also called Rio Chama) is Wild and Scenic River that flows through the Chama Wilderness Canyon for about six miles in northern New Mexico. The stream originates in Colorado in the San Juan Mountains. It is a 130 mile tributary to the Rio Grande River. High sandstone bluffs line the Chama Wilderness Canyon providing a beautiful setting for the fishing. This section of the stream is a tailwater that flows from El Vado Reservoir Dam.
This river holds the New Mexico record for brown trout. Brown trout average from 12 to 18 inches in the Chama River tailwater. Some exceed 20 pounds. The stream has a good population of caddisflies, midges and mayflies. Most of the trout are caught on nymphs and streamers but the dry fly fishing can be good a certain times of the year during hatches. Much of the time you are better off with streamers. By the way, water color doesn’t have to be clear. Fish can be taken in water slightly off color and that happens often. Anglers should pay special attention to the dam discharges prior to fishing. They fluctuate wildly.
Mule deer, elk, coyote, black bear and other animals can be seen while fishing the canyon. Access to the river is provided via state highway #112 off of U. S. Highway #84. This leads to Tierra Amarilla Ranch which has cabins and a very small parking fee. It’s best to hike downstream at least a mile or two. There are other ways but they are difficult and may require a 4 wheel drive vehicle. They are involved so you would need to acquire a good topo map of the area.
The Chama River has some very good pocket water as well as long runs, pools and riffles. It has plenty of large boulders. It flows range drastically from slow to very fast. It may change several times during the day.
04/25/21 The discharges and resulting stream level is normal and the water clear and about 52 degrees. There are good hatches of Midges, BWOs, skwala stoneflies, and little Black Caddis.
05/01/21 Stream levels are still in good shape and we continue to get good reports. The water is gradually warming and we should have some new hatches soon.
05/08/21 Excellent reports coming in from customers. They are catching some nice brown trout. Lots of insects are hatching. Give us a call or send us and email for a recommended fly list.
05/16/21 The discharges and stream levels are near a normal level and in good shape. We are getting some good reports from customers. Very good hatches are taking place.
05/23/21 The discharges and levels are a little below normal but we are still getting good catch reports from customers. Lot of insects are hatching. Call or email us for a fly list.
05/31/21 The river continues to be in good shape with good hatches taking place. We received two good reports this past week. You should be able to catch plenty trout.
06/08/21 The discharges and stream levels remain low. We received one good report. There are good hatches taking place. 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 flows are at 506 cfs at 2.76 or near normal level. We received one good report from a customer this past week.
07/04/21 The discharges and stream levels are up to normal levels and we are getting good reports from customers. Good hatches are taking place. Send us an email or call us for a recommended fly list.
07/15/21 The stream is still very low. Rain is really needed. We received a couple of good 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 up to a normal level in good shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing yesterday.
08/08/21 Stream is still flowing at a normal level in good shape with good hatches taking place. We continue to get good reports from customers.
08/22/21 The stream levels are just a little above normal level and in good shape. We should start getting good reports again. There are some decent hatches taking place.
08/29/21 Discharges and stream levels down below normal again. Lots of insects are hatching. We received two good reports from customers this past week.
09/06/21 The discharges and stream levels are very low again. You can catch trout below the damn. You just have to stay hidden from them. They still eat in low water.
09/15/21 The discharges are down a little below normal. We received two good report recently. Get ready for October Caddis and Mahogany duns.
09/25/21 The stream level is up a little above normal and the river in good shape. We should start getting good reports. Good hatches continue to take place.
10/03/21 The stream is still a little below normal but in good shape. We are getting good reports from customers. Good Fall hatches are taking place.
10/15/21 The stream is back rather low but we are still getting some good reports from customers.
10/29/21 Stream levels remain low but we are getting some good reports. You just have to stay low and hidden from the trout as best you can.
11/05/21 Stream levels are currently near normal and the river in good shape. We just received two good reports from customers.
11/14/21 The stream is flowing a little below normal level. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches continue to take place and our sculpin streamers are working good.
11/23/21 The stream is still below normal but okay. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
12/11/21 The stream levels have been normal but dropped to below normal again. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
12/19/21 The stream is still low but it didn’t stop the “catching”. We received two good reports this last week.
12/27/21 The stream levels is still low but we continue to get some good reports from customers – two this past week.
01/04/22 The stream is just little below normal. We received one good report from a customer this past week. Good midge and BWO hatches and our articulated sculpin streamers are working good.
01/12/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and in good shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
01/20/22 The river is flowing just a little under normal level and in good shape. We received two more good reports this past week from customers.
01/28/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level in good shape. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good midge and winter stonefly hatches are taking place.
02/05/22 We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week. Stream levels are normal.
02/13/22 We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week. Stream levels are normal and good hatches continue. Skwala stoneflies are starting to hatch as well as Winter stoneflies.
02/21/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level in good shape. Good hatches continue to take place.
03/01/22 The stream is still at a normal level and clear. We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week. Fish blood midge larva and pupa in tandem.
03/09/22 The stream is down a little below normal level but okay. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
03/16/22 The stream is still a good bit below normal level but turning out good numbers of trout for our customers.
03/24/22 The stream is still low. There are good hatches of Blue-winged olives and Cream and blood midges. You should be able to catch plenty trout.
04/01/22 The stream is still below normal level but okay. We received a good report recently. Good midge and Blue-winged olive hatches are taking place.
04/09/22 The stream is up to a normal level and in good shape. You should be able to catch plenty trout. Good midge and Blue-winged olive hatches are taking place.
04/18/22 The stream is back up to a normal level and lightly stained. There are good hatches taking place and you should be able to catch trout.
04/26/22 Discharges and stream levels are high. Give it a day or two to drop. We have been getting good reports when the levels were okay.
05/04/22 The stream is still well above normal level. Give it some time to drop and clear. Good hatches are taking place including Pale Morning Duns.
05/12/22 The stream is down to just a little above normal levels in much better shape.
05/20/22 The stream is flowing just a little below a normal level in good shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
05/28/22 The stream is flowing well below and normal level and clear. We are still getting good reports from customers. Lot of insects are hatching.
06/05/22 The stream is up a lot from last week but still below normal level. It is still in okay shape and we are still getting some good reports from customers.
06/12/22 The stream is still flowing a good bit below normal level but okay. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Very good hatches are taking place.
06/19/22 The stream is very low. You can still catch trout, you just have to stay hidden from them as best you can and make good presentations. It helps to use Perfect Flies as they look like the real things.
06/26/22 Stream levels are still very low. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing this past week.
07/03/22 Discharges and stream levels are up to normal levels and the river in good shape thanks to some recent rain. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
07/10/22 Stream levels are back down to just a little below normal. Good hatches continue to take place and our terrestrial patterns like Japanese beetles, sandwich hoppers, and carpenter ants will work.
07/17/22 The stream is down a little low again but okay. We continue to get good reports from customers.
07/24/22 The stream is flowing near a normal level and in good shape. Good hatches are taking place.
07/31/22 Stream levels are up to just a little above normal and in good shape. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout. Good hatches continue to take place.
08/07/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level in good shape. There are good hatches continuing to take place and we continue to get a few good reports from customers.
08/14/22 The stream is still near a normal level in okay shape. We received two good reports this past week.
08/21/22 Flows and levels are still okay. We received another good report from a customer fishing last week.
08/28/22 The stream is a little below normal but in better shape thanks to recent higher discharges and rain. Good late summer hatches continue to take place.
09/05/22 Conditions remain about the same as last week. e received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
09/13/22 The stream is flowing a little above a normal level and clear. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week. Lots of insects are hatching.
09/20/22 Stream levels are still near normal and the tailwater in good conditions. We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week.
10/11/22 Stream levels are below normal level but okay. We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good late season hatches are taking place.
10/27/22 The stream is flowing just a little below normal level and in good shape. We continue to get good reports from customers.
11/28/22 The stream is still just a little below normal level with clear water. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches are still taking place.
11/15/22 Stream levels are below normal but okay. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good late season hatches are taking place.
12/29/22 Stream levels are still running below normal levels, but conditions remain good. We are getting good reports from customers and good winter hatches are taking place.
02/12/23 The USGS gauge has some ice but the stream is flowing at a good level. Water nearer the dam discharge is slightly warmer and better to fish that downstream sections.
03/05/23 The river is flowing at a normal rate and clear. We are getting good reports from customers catching good numbers of trout. Good hatches are taking place.
03/15/23 The river is flowing just a little above normal level and mostly clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches are taking place.
04/03/23 The stream level is still in good shape and good hatches continue to take place. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
04/16/23 The stream is a little high but can be fished with caution. There are good midge hatches taking place. Fish our cream midge larva and pupa in tandem.
04/26/23 Stream levels are a little above normal and the water lightly stained. Midges are still king. Our pre-rigged midge lava and pupa are very popular here.
05/07/23 Stream levels are high right now. Give it two or three days to drop and clear.
05/15/23 Stream levels are very high due to runoff. Give it some time and stay in touch. We will keep you informed.
05/28/23 The stream is very high and badly stained. Give it some time to drop and clear.
06/08/23 Stream levels are just a little above normal and the water mostly clear. Good hatches are taking place.
06/16/23 Stream levels are normal and the water is clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
06/28/23 The stream is still flowing at a normal level and clear. We received another good report from a customer this past week.
07/10/23 Conditions remain good. The discharges and stream levels are in good shape. Good hatches are taking place and we are getting good reports from customers.
07/15/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level in good shape. We are getting some very good reports from customers.
07/29/23 The stream is just a little below level in good shape. We received two good reports from customers this past week. Good hatches are taking place.
08/05/23 The stream is a little above a normal level in good shape. We received another good report from a customer this past week.
08/17/23 The stream is in very good shape with normal levels and good hatches continuing to take place.
08/21/23 Good conditions still exist. Stream levels are just a little above normal.
08/28/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing it this past week. Good hatches continue to take place.
09/05/23 Good conditions continue to take place. The stream is just a little below normal and clear with good hatches.
09/12/23 The stream is flowing just a little below normal level and in good shape. Good late season hatches are taking place. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
09/19/23 Stream levels are low but we continue to get good catch reports from customers fishing the tailwater.
09/26/23 The stream is low due to low discharges but still okay to fish. Trout still eat in low water. Good hatches continue to take place.
10/03/23 The stream level is still low but again, okay to fish. Just make effort to keep from spooking the trout.
10/10/23 The usgs stream site isn’t working but we understand the stream is very high. Give it some time to drop and clear. We received another good report from the past week from a customer.
10/25/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. Good late season hatches continue to come off. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
11/02/23 The stream is running a little below normal and is in good shape. We continue to get good reports.
11/10/23 The stream is way above normal level due to recent heavy rain. Give it some time to drop and clear.
11/17/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. Very good midge and little BWO hatches continue to take place,. Our tandem rigged Midge larva and pupa are working great.
11/26/23 The stream is flowing below a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing it this past week.
12/07/23 The discharges and stream levels are just a little below normal and the water clear. Good midge hatches are taking place.
12/17/23 Stream levels remain slightly below normal, but conditions are good.
12/28/23 The stream is still flowing a little below normal level and clear. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout on our pre -rigged midges.
01/10/24 Discharges and stream levels are at a normal level and the water is clear. Good winter stonefly hatches as well as our pre-rigged red and light green midges are hatching.
01/18/24 The stream is still flowing at a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good midge hatches continue to take place.
01/26/24 The stream is still in good shape flowing at a normal level and clear. We received another good report from the previous week.
02/05/24 Conditions are still very good. We continue to get good reports. Our pre-rigged in tandem midge larva and pupa are very effective in the tailwater.
02/18/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Our sculpin streamers are catching some good ones.
02/25/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout. Our pre-rig midge larva and pupa flies and our winter stonefly nymphs are working good.
03/04/24 The stream is flowing a little below normal level with clear water. Good hatches continue to take place.
03/11/24 The stream is still flowing a little below normal and clear. Good midge and Skwala stoneflies are hatching.
03/18/24 The stream is flowing well below normal and clear. Good hatches continue to take place. You should be able to catch good numbers of fish.
03/25/24 The stream is still flowing below a normal level and clear. Good hatches of Blue Winged olives, Midges and Skwala stoneflies are taking place.
04/01/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level with clear water. Good hatches are still taking place.
04/08/24 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. We are getting good catch reports.
04/16/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. There are good hatches taking place.
04/23/24 The stream is flowing well above a normal level and stained. Give it some time to drop and clear.
04/29/24 The stream is still flowing above a normal level and stained. Give it some more time to drop and clear.
05/06/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level with clear water. Good hatches are taking place and we are getting good catch reports from customers.
05/13/24 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday. Good hatches continue to take place.
05/20/24 Conditions are good. We are getting good reports from customers. Stream levels are okay and good hatches continue to come off.
05/27/24 Th stream is flowing well below a normal level and clear. We received two good catch reports from customers fishing this past week.
06/03/24 The stream is flowing a little below a normal level and clear. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
06/10/24 Conditions are good. Good stream levels are taking place and good hatches are coming off.
06/17/24 The stream is still flowing well below normal and clear. Good hatches continue to come off. The water stays coolest near the discharges.
06/26/24 The stream is still flowing a little below normal but okay. Good hatches are taking place and we continue to get good reports from customers.
07/01/24 Conditions are good. We are getting good catch reports from customers. Good hatches continue to take place.
07/08/24 The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear. Good hatches are taking place and we are still getting good catch reports – two this past week.
07/17/24 The stream is flowing a little below a normal level and clear. Good hatches continue to take place and we continue to get good reports.
07/23/24 Conditions are good. The stream is flowing at a normal level and we are getting good reports from customers. Very good hatches are taking place.
07/31/24 The stream is still flowing near a normal level with clear water. Fish near the dam discharge, meaning within the first few miles, where the water is coolest. Good hatches continue to take place.
08/08/24 The stream is flowing a little above a normal level and clear. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday.
08/19/24 Good conditions exist. Good hatches of Spotted sedge caddis, Little Sister caddis, PMDs, Mahagony duns, and other insects are taking place.
08/30/24 Good conditions still exist. The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear.
09/03/24 The stream is in good shape turning out some good catches for our customers.
09/10/24 The stream is flowing well below a normal level and clear.
09/17/24 Conditions are good. The stream is flowing just a little below a normal level and clear. Good hatches are still taking place.
09/24/24 Conditions remain good. The stream is still flowing below a normal level but not low enough to adversely affect your odds of success. Our pre-rigged tandem midge larva and pupa work great here.
10/01/24 The stream is flowing below a normal level and clear. Good hatches continue to take place. We received two good reports from customers fishing it this past week.
10/08/24 Conditions are okay. The stream is a little low and clear. Good hatches are still taking place.
10/17/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches continue to take place.
10/30/24 The stream is flowing a little below a normal level and clear. Good hatches are taking place. We received another good report from a customer fishing this past week.
11/14/24 The stream is flowing a little below a normal level and clear. We are getting good reports from customers – two this past week. Good hatches are still taking place.
11/21/24 The stream is still flowing a little below a normal level and clear. We received three good reports from customers this past week. Our pre-rigged midge larva and pupa flies are working very good.
11/28/24 The stream is flowing just a little below normal and clear. We received another good report from a customer fishing yesterday.
12/06/24 Conditions are good. The stream is flowing a little below normal level and clear.
12/13/24 The stream is still in good shape with clear water and good hatches taking place.
12/20/24 The stream is still flowing below a normal level and clear. Wading is easy and you should be able to catch plenty trout. Our pre-rigged in tandem midge pupa and larva flies, BWOs, and Winter stoneflies are working good.
Send us an email at sales@perfectflystore.com for fly and gear recommendations.