10/16/26 Santa Fe Fishing Report

Rivers in the area are finally getting back into shape after the massive rains a few weeks ago.

Clear October skies and clear Rio Grande water.

After weeks of high and blown out conditions (not to mention months of low water and high temps this summer) Northern New Mexico Streams are finally getting back to fishable conditions.

Rio Grande

The Rio is looking a lovely "Rio Grande Green", and is almost ideal in terms of flows and temperatures. The long, hot summer probably had a negative effect on the wild brown trout populations, so this may not rate as the best October ever, but it is still great to be able to fish in relatively normal conditions. From what I can tell, the high flows have washed away the harmful algae that we were seeing in the OV. I still wouldn't drink the water!!

Rio Chama at Cooper's
If you want to head up to Cooper's, do it soon. I hear that after October, flows will be very low this winter.

Rio Chama at Abiquiu

Flows are good, and they put a bunch of 'bows in there, but the clarity is not great. Fishing has been slow. That's not to say you can't run into fish, even nice wild fish, but you have to work for it.

Chama below Abiquiu is still muddy

Pecos

The Pecos is easing back into fishable ranges. I haven't spent much time up there recently, but the one time I did go last week the water was 44 degrees above Mora at 9 am. I'd think about going later in the day, and you may run into some nice dry fly opportunities.

Please call/text/email if you want to set up a tripor if you have questions about what's going on out there in Northern NM. This email is what you get if you sign up for the fishing report at the Farmer's Market or similar, if you want to talk to me directly, feel free to reach out.

Have fun out there,

James | 505-412-7380 | james@truchasoutdoors.com