Rio Chama River 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
Tailwater
Species
Rainbow Trout (Stocked)
Brown Trout
Size
Medium
Location
Northern New Mexico
Nearest Towns
Taos
Season
Year-round
Access:
Good
Non-Resident License
State of New Mexico
Weather
National Weather Service Link
USGS Stream Flow below Dam:
Real time data
Seasons:
The season last year-round
Spring:
Spring is a good time for fly fishing the Rio Chama River Abiquiu tailwater because of the hatches of aquatic insects.
Summer:
Summertime fishing can be good provided the releases are suitable. The water levels are often too high to fish. The water remains cool.
Fall:
Brown trout spawn in the Fall and presents a good time to catch a large one.
Winter:
Winter fishing can be good provided the weather isn’t too cold. The water temperatures below the dam are usually good all winter.
| 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 – Abiquiu Reservoir Tailwater – New Mexico
Fly Fishing the Rio Chama River – Abiquiu Reservoir Tailwater, can be great provided the discharges from the dam are suitable. The water is often too high but if it’s being discharged at good rates and the levels are good, trout fishing is usually good. The Rio Chama has some nice sections of riffles, runs and pools. It also has some islands that divert the water into channels and add interesting areas of good habitat for the brown trout. There’s about five miles of public access on one side of the stream and just over two miles on the other side.
Wading can be a little tricky due to the algae but this means the pH levels of the water is good for aquatic insects. This tailwater even has a good population of stoneflies, including Golden Stoneflies which is quite unusual for tailwaters. It’s fairly easy to wade other than for its slick bottom. You do have to be extremely cautious about the discharges. They are very erratic.
Access is great from a road that follows along the river for over two miles. There are several places to park and fish the stream. Wading conditions all depends on the discharges from the dam.
The State of New Mexico stocks the stream heavily with rainbow trout and there are some large holdovers to be caught. The dry fly fishing can even be good at times, something again, not all that common for tailwater trout streams.
There are some very good hatches of Blue-winged Olives and Pale Morning Dun mayflies on the Rio Chama. There are other mayflies and al;so plenty of caddisflies and stoneflies. The majority of the caddisflies are Short-horned sedges, Green Sedges and Spotted Sedges. The stoneflies consist mostly of Little Yellow Stoneflies and a not so common species short-winged Golden Stonefly. Midges are also very important, especially during the colder months of the season
Terrestrial insects can become important food to imitate during the summer and early fall months. Grass hoppers, ants and beetles are plentiful along the banks of the winter and they often get into the water for the trout to eat. Most of the fish are probably caught on nymphs and streamers. Sculpin are the most plentiful fish species in the Chama.
Fishing Report:
04/25/21 The river is in good shape with normal discharges and water level. There are multiple hatches taking place. We are getting some good reports. Send us an email or call up for an list of fly and gear recommendations.
05/01/21 Conditions are good and the reports indicate good numbers of trout are being caught. Give us a call or email for recommended flies.
05/08/21 The river is in good shape except still low. Trout are being caught in good numbers by our customers. There are multiple hatches taking place.
05/16/21 The stream is in very good shape although the discharges and stream levels are low. We are getting good reports from customers. Call or send us an email for fly and gear recommendations.
05/23/21 The river is still in good shape in all respects. Good levels and good hatches equals good fly fishing. We continue to get good reports.
05/31/21 More good reports have come in. Stream levels are okay and there are good hatching taking place. Call or send us an email for fly and gear recommendations.
06/08/21 The stream is low but we are still getting some good reports. 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 discharges are low flowing at 427 cfs at 3.01 feet. The water is still cool near the dam and we are still getting some good reports from customers thanks to the good hatches.
07/15/21 The discharges and resulting stream levels are still very low. We received one good report 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 levels are up to normal thanks to some recent rain. We are getting some very good reports from yesterday.
08/08/21 Stream levels are still low due to low discharges but okay. We are still getting good reports from customers thanks to good hatches.
08/16/21 The stream levels are very low and you will need to use a lot of caution to stay hidden from the trout. Fish still eat in low water.
08/22/21 Stream levels are still low. There is a slight chance of rain today and tomorrow.
08/29/21 The discharges and stream levels are still very low. We didn’t receive any reports from anyone fishing it this past week.
09/06/21 The stream is very low again with only a trickle discharge. You can still catch trout you just have to stay hidden from them.
09/15/21 The stream level is still very low. You will have to use caution to stay hidden but trout can be caught.
09/25/21 The stream is still low but we continue to get a few good reports. Hopefully, they will be releasing some more water soon.
10/03/21 The discharges and stream levels are still low but we did receive a good report from a customer fishing day before yesterday.
10/15/21 The river is low again but we did receive a good report from a customer fishing yesterday.
10/29/21 Stream levels are still very low. We didn’t get any reports from anyone fishing this past week.
11/05/21 The stream is still very low. We still don’t have any reports.
11/14/21 We received two good reports from customer fishing this past week. The discharges and stream levels are low and you have to use caution to stay low and hidden from the trout.
11/23/21 The river is still low but we are still getting some good reports, two this past week. Midges and BWOs are hatching good and our articulated sculpin streamers are working.
12/11/21 The stream is down to a normal level and in good shape. It has been high and we didn’t receive any good reports this past week but it should be very good now.
12/19/21 The stream is low again, flowing about half the normal level. We received one good report from a customer this past week.
12/27/21 The stream is still a little low but okay. We received one good report from a customer fishing yesterday.
01/04/22 The stream has been above normal this week but back down to a good bit below normal. We received one good report this past week.
01/12/22 The discharges and stream levels are just a little below normal levels and in good shape otherwise. There are good hatches taking place. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
01/20/22 The discharges and resulting stream levels are still just a little below normal level and clear. Those are okay levels during the winter months. We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week.
01/28/22 The stream is still flowing a little below normal level and in good shape. We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good midge and winter stonefly hatches are taking place.
02/05/22 We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week. The stream is flowing just a little below normal levels.
02/13/22 We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Stream levels is still a little below normal but fine.
02/21/22 We received another good report from a customer fishing this past week. Stream levels are still a little below normal but in okay shape.
03/01/22 The stream is still a little below normal level, clear and okay. We received two good reports from customers fishing the tailwater last week.
03/09/22 Stream levels are down a little low again but okay. We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week.
03/16/22 Water levels are still low but the tailwater is still fishing well. Good hatches continue to take place.
03/24/22 The stream is still low but okay. Hatches of Blue-winged olives and cream and red or blood midges are taking place.
04/01/22 The stream level is low but okay. There are good hatches of Blue-winged olives and Cream and red or blood midges.
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 hatches continue to take place.
04/18/22 The stream is back up to a normal level in good shape. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout. There are good hatches taking place.
04/26/22 The discharges and stream levels are back up high. Give it a day or two to drop and clear. We have been getting good reports when the levels were okay.
05/05/22 The river is still high. Give it some time to drop back down to safe wading levels.
05/12/22 The river is down below normal levels in good shape. You should be able to catch plenty trout. Good hatches are taking place.
05/20/22 The discharges and resulting stream levels are just a little below normal and the water clear. There are some very good hatches taking place. Shoot us an email for a list.
05/28/22 Stream levels are low and the water clear. We are still getting good reports from customers thanks to some very good hatches taking place.
06/05/22 The stream is up some but still below normal. There are some very good hatches and we are still getting some good reports from customers fishing.
06/12/22 The stream is still flowing well below normal level but okay. We are still getting some good reports thanks to some very good hatches taking place.
06/19/22 The stream levels are very low. You can catch trout if you can stay hidden from them and make good presentations. There are good hatches taking place.
06/26/22 Trout still eat in low water. You just have to stay low and as hidden as possible. Good hatches are still taking place.
07/02/22 The stream is up in better shape and you should be able to catch good numbers of trout. There are good hatches taking place and our terrestrial imitations like the Japanese Beetles, Carpenter Ants, and Sandwich hoppers are working.
07/10/22 The discharges and resulting stream levels are very low. You will have to stay hidden to catch trout.
07/17/22 Stream levels are still low but we did receive one good report from a customer this past week. Good PMD and spotted sedge and geen sedge hatches are taking place.
07/24/22 The stream level is still low. You have to stay hidden as best you can to catch them. Good hatches continue to take place. \
07/31/22 Stream levels are just a little above normal level 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 near a normal level and clear. Lots of cream midges as well as Spotted sedge caddis.
08/14/22 Conditions remain good with okay stream levels and clear water. Good hatches are still taking place.
08/21/22 We received one good report. Stream levels are still a little below normal but hatches continue to take place. Fish near the dam discharge.
08/28/22 Stream levels are still below normal but okay. There are good late season summer hatches taking place.
09/05/22 Conditions remain about the same as last week. We received one good report from a customer.
09/13/22 The stream is well below normal level and clear. Fish still eat in low water but you will have to stay low and hidden from the trout.
09/20/22 The level is up a lot and nearer to normal than it has been. We received one good report this past week.
10/10/22 Conditions are okay. We received another good report from a customer this past week.
10/28/22 The stream is flowing just a little below and normal level and clear. We received one good report this past week. Good late season hatches are taking place.
11/15/22 Stream levels are below normal levels but okay. Good late season hatches are taking place and we are getting good reports from customers fishing it.
12/29/22 The stream is running a little above normal and conditions are good. We are getting good reports of fish being caught and there are good winter hatches taking place.
01/26/23 Sorry for the missed reports. I had a stay in the hospital but back in good shape I hope. Stream levels are good and the water clear with some good hatches.
2/12/23 The river is in good shape except for the cold water. Fish near the dam where it is warmer. There are some very good winter hatches taking place. We received two good reports from customers this past week.
03/05/23 The stream is flowing a little below normal level in good shape. There are good hatches taking place. We received a good report from a customer fishing this past week.
03/15/23 The stream is flowing above a normal level but could be fished with caution. We have been getting some good reports – two this past week.
04/03/23 The stream is flowing a little below normal level and in good shape. We received one good report from a local customer this past week.
04/16/23 The discharges and stream levels are little high but okay. There are good hatches taking place and you should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
04/26/23 The discharges and resulting stream levels are high but should fall down soon. We get good reports when they are at a good level.
05/07/23 Stream levels are in good shape at a normal level and the water clear. Good hatches are taking place. We received three good reports from customers.
05/15/23 The stream is still high and stained. We recommend giving it some more time.
05/28/23 The stream is still too high to fish well. Check back with us. It should be in good shape soon.
06/08/23 The stream is still above normal but can be fished successfully.
06/16/23 The stream is still well above normal. It can be fished but is more difficult than if it were down and it should be very soon.
06/28/23 The stream is down to a level that can be fished. Good hatches are taking place.
07/10/23 The stream is still at a good level and we are still getting some good reports from customers.
07/17/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good PMD hatches are taking place.
07/29/23 The stream is just a little above normal level in good shape. We received one good report from a customer fishing it this past week. Good hatches are taking place.
08/05/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received another good report this past week.
08/17/23 Stream conditions are still good and good hatches continue to occur. We didn’t receive any reports this past week but it should be very good.
08/21/23 Good conditions continue to exist. Good Trico hatches are starting among others.
09/05/23 We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday. Good late season hatches are taking place. Stream levels are fine.
09/12/23 The stream is still in good shape with okay flow and good late season hatches.
09/19/23 The tailwater is low but you should be able to catch trout. There are hatches taking place.
09/26/23 Low water levels still exist. Trout still eat in low water and they can be caught.
10/10/23 The discharges and water level is very high due to recent rain. Give it some time to drop and clear.
10/25/23 Discharges and stream levels are very high. Give it some tome to drop and clear.
11/02/23 Stream levels remain very high and need more time to drop and clear.
11/10/23 Discharges and stream levels are very high. Give it some time to drop and clear.
11/17/23 The stream is down to a little below normal level and clear.
11/26/23 The discharges and resulting stream levels are below normal but an okay level to fish. Midges and little BWOs are hatching good.
12/17/23 The discharges are pulsing and low at this current time. It is okay to fish much of the time.
12/28/23 The stream is flowing a little below normal. Good midge hatches are taking place.
01/10/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing it this past week. Winter stoneflies and light green midges are hatching.
01/18/24 The stream is flowing below a normal level and clear. Good midge hatches continue to take place.
01/25/24 Stream levels are normal and there are good midge hatches taking place.
02/05/24 Conditions are very good. Good midge hatches continue to take place.
02/18/24 Stream levels are normal and the water clear. We received two good report from local customers fishing this past week.
02/25/24 Conditions are good. The stream is flowing near a normal level and clear.
03/04/24 Good conditions continue to take place. We are still getting good catch reports from customers.
03/11/24 The stream is in good shape flowing just a little below normal level and clear. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
03/18/24 The stream is low and clear. Good hatches continue to take place. Let us hear from you.
03/25/24 We still didn’t receive any catch reports. The stream is still running a little low and clear.
04/01/24 The stream is in good shape with a good level and clear water. Good hatches are taking place.
04/08/24 Good hatches are taking place and we are getting good catch reports from customers.
04/16/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. Good hatches are taking place.
04/22/24 The stream is flowing above a normal level and stained. Give it a day or two to drop and clear.
04/29/24 The stream is down flowing near a normal level with clear water. Good hatches are taking place.
Send us an email at sales@perfectflystore.com for fly and gear recommendations.