Rio Chama
river in New Mexico
Flows from the high forest near Chama into Heron and El Vado reservoir influences, the Chama supports quality Rainbow and Brown trout fishing with excellent dry-fly opportunities in spring and fall.
What's working on Rio Chama
- 01Clear skies and moderate 51°F temperatures create pleasant fishing conditions on the Rio Chama.
- 02Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) are the most anticipated hatch, particularly on overcast afternoons, with emergers and adults being key.
- 03Midges remain a consistent year-round food source; target subsurface larvae and pupae, or clusters on the surface.
- 04Streamers are effective for enticing aggressive Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout targeting baitfish and leeches in the cooler fall waters.
- 05Opportunistic feeding on egg patterns can occur, especially in deeper pockets.
- 06Focus efforts on the productive tailwater sections below El Vado Dam and Abiquiu Reservoir.
- 07Look for trout holding in slower runs, current seams, and deeper pools.
Past reports week by week
9 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Higa's S.O.S.
This technical midge/mayfly imitation has been explicitly noted for its effectiveness on the Rio Chama during fall for selective trout.
Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph
A versatile searching nymph that imitates various aquatic insects active year-round, making it a reliable choice for subsurface feeding in the Rio Chama during fall.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Blue-Winged Olives are a classic fall hatch in New Mexico, and this low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.
Zebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source year-round, especially as water temperatures cool in the fall. This weighted pattern gets into the strike zone effectively.
Buy at AmazonJujubaetis
An excellent and highly effective Baetis nymph pattern that is a year-round producer, particularly strong during fall BWO hatches.
Buy at AmazonBead Head Woolly Bugger (Olive)
Streamers imitating leeches and baitfish are highly effective in fall for enticing aggressive strikes from actively feeding trout in the Rio Chama.
Blood Dot Egg
While Rainbows and Cutthroat are the target, they will often key in on opportunistic egg patterns during the fall egg season, especially below any potential spawning areas.
Buy at AmazonOctober Caddis (Dry)
The October Caddis represents the largest caddis hatch of the fall in many western rivers, providing an excellent dry fly opportunity for trout.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
El Vado / El Vado Tailwaters
Tailwater and immediate outflow below El Vado Reservoir that holds concentrated trout and is a frequent guided trip destination.
Heron Lake Inlet / Heron Campground
Where feeders join Heron Lake and the Chama below — good access and shoreline fishing for trout that move between lake and river.
Get Rio Chama reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
New Mexico season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
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Quick answers
Common questions about Rio Chama.
What flies work best on Rio Chama?
Our top scored fly patterns for Rio Chama right now are Zebra Midge (85% confidence), Beetle (80% confidence), Yellow Sally (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Rio Chama?
Rio Chama holds Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Rio Chama fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Rio Chama each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.