Santa Fe Area Fishing Report, 9/17/26

Late summer skies at Abiquiu

There's a lot going on this week.  After months of almost no rain, we have had several days of significant rains in northern New Mexico.  The immediate impact of rain on each of the area rivers is different.  Since things are changing day to day, I will give a general overview.

Rio Chama at Abiquiu

Rio Chama below Abiquiu dam has seen some fish mortality lately, with rainbows dying and washing ashore.   The temperatures are fine, speculation suggests something is wrong with oxygen levels.  Rains won't really change this much, as the river is a tailwater.  I would stay away for now.

Rio Chama at Cooper's

Below El Vado remains one of the best opportunities right now, with wild browns, large holdover bows and recent stockers providing something for everyone.  Flows should remain stable for a while now that the weekend 'high flow' is over.

El Vado holdover rainbow--this is the most consistent river section nearby to get into 18"+ fish

Pecos

The Pecos drainage, after going nearly all summer with very little precipitation, has gotten dumped on in the last week.  This can be good or bad.  Mostly it is good, but the very low flows of the summer have no doubt lowered numbers of wild browns in the system.  However, they will be more active as high waters start to recede.  Usually the Pecos doesn't get blown out too badly, but if it is off color worm patterns seem to work well.

Rio Grande

The Rio is benefitting from lower temps and higher flows from the rain and cooler nights.  However, this can change from day to day as the river has a tendency toward chocolate milk after storms along some of its tributaries.  Still be thinking about going early, and check if there were storms above Embudo or in the Taos area before heading out.

There have been some concerns about blue green algae.  It is present, but it should not impact fishing.  Don't drink the water and I'd avoid eating fish, but fishing should be fine.

Have fun out there,

James