Copyright 2010 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 right. The water is often too high but if it's being
discharged at good rates and the levels are good, the
trout fishing is usually good. The river 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.
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 the 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.
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 tailwaters. There
are good hatches of Blue-winged Olives and Pale
Morning Duns. Still most of the fish are probably caught
on nymphs and streamers.
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.
Click Here For Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies
Reservoir Tailwater - New Mexico
Fly Fishing the Rio Chama River Abiquiu Reservoir
Tailwater can be great provided the discharges from the
dam are right. The water is often too high but if it's being
discharged at good rates and the levels are good, the
trout fishing is usually good. The river 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.
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 the 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.
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 tailwaters. There
are good hatches of Blue-winged Olives and Pale
Morning Duns. Still most of the fish are probably caught
on nymphs and streamers.
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.
Click Here For Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies
| Type of Stream Freestone Stream 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 Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Flies |
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Photo Courtesy Steven Lamb
Photo Courtesy Steven Lamb
Rio Chama River
New Mexico
New Mexico
| 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. |