Copyright 2011 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, the section
above the town of Red River and the section below the
town. Fly fishing the Red River can range from easy to
difficult depending on 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. Its 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 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 gt
into the right positions. 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.
Seasons:
The season is year round.
Spring:
Springtime is the best time for fly fishing the Red River.
Summer:
There can be some fish caught but 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.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies
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, the section
above the town of Red River and the section below the
town. Fly fishing the Red River can range from easy to
difficult depending on 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. Its 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 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 gt
into the right positions. 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.
Seasons:
The season is year round.
Spring:
Springtime is the best time for fly fishing the Red River.
Summer:
There can be some fish caught but 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.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies
| 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 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. |