Santa Fe Area Fishing Report, 8/6/2026

It's too darn hot.  I won't be guiding the Rio Grande any more until it cools down.  I've been off the Jemez area streams and the Caldera for a while.  For Santa Fe area anglers, the best option is the Pecos.  It is making new records for low flows almost daily. Fishing can be pretty good if we have afternoon rains bumping up the flow, but if not the fish tend to be pretty spooky.   Note:  I measured 70 degrees on the Pecos yesterday at 3pm.  If you are going, be mindful of the temps and stop fishing above ~68 degrees or so.

Because the water is so low, stocked fish are tending to hold very close to each other, making for pockets of really fast fishing (for stockers).  The wild fish are spread out and holding in almost any hole 1 foot deep or deeper.  The slow, low water means they can see you coming, so wade carefully if you want to approach a nice hole.

Lots of these little guys hiding in riffles and small holes.

Smaller chubby's have been pretty effective.  Try different flies, I have had really streaky success with caddis dries (sometimes great, sometimes nothing) and different droppers.

Other places that are fishing OK or better include Cooper's (Chama below El Vado), just check flows before you go as they have started the high flow regime, and Santa Cruz lake if you want something closer to wet a line.