Copyright 2011 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
covered under separate sections of this site. 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.
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.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies
The Jemez River drainage is made up of several small
streams. The Rio San Antonio and Rio Guadalupe are
covered under separate sections of this site. 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.
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.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies
| 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 Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies |
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Photo Courtesy Steven Lamb
| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |