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Ed Adams
575.586.1512
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Rio Grande Fly Fishing

When the Rio is "on" it is fantastic!! At other times it is known locally as a "stingy river." Thunderstorm activity and irrigation upstream make summer on the Rio unpredictable. From mid September through October flows reach their natural level and water clarity improves. Fish are very active and accessible during this period. Fish dry flies in pocket water and nymphs in deeper runs. Best fishing here is in the upper gorge, above the confluence with the Red River, a one mile hike into the 800 vertical foot gorge. Fish here are mostly Browns with some good size Cuttbows in the deeper runs.

 

 

*Spring Caddis on the Rio Grande*
The spring Caddis hatch is an annual event that begins in mid-April in the Pilar area and progresses slowly upstream. April is also the start of spring run-off and in most years the two events are simultaneous. In years when the run-off is late due to cooler than normal weather, or when lack of high mountain snow pack (Spring 2000?) makes for minimal runoff, some excellent dry fly fishing can be had.

This is a "blanket" hatch with millions of bugs literally blanketing the water. The key is to stay on the leading edge of the hatch as it works it's way upstream into the Taos box.

Fishing can be feast or famine depending on where you are on the river. Too many bugs? Move upstream.

*Fall: Generous Time on a Stingy River*
Besides the spring Caddis hatch, the Rio Grande is very unpredictable. When flows normalize in mid-September (300 to 400cfs at the New Mexico - Colorado State line) through October the fishing in "The Box" can be excellent. Browns love the shallow pockets and can be taken on large dries, Caddis and Stones. In deeper runs, a large peacock bodied nymph fished through the deepest spots often yield large Cuttbows.

Rio Grande Dry-Fly Chart (Type of dry flies that are working best, by month)

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

BWO

CADDIS

STONE

HOPPER

MOTH

PMD

• BWO = "Blue Winged Olive"
• STONE = "Stone Fly"
• CADDIS = "Caddis Fly"
• MOTH = "Moth"
• HOPPER = "Grass Hopper"
• PMD = "Pale Morning Dun"