Fishing Taos, New Mexico

[Roc N Rol]

Any body in the Taos area? I am in the area for a few months finishing a remodel job on a house. Never been here before, up from Florida. I have heard of the Red River below the hatchery is still fishable, and the target in the Rio Grande River now is Pike. I forgot and left my waders in Fl. but they are on there way. Any body fishing the area now? Looking for a few tips, or any info.
Don

 

[dnellans]

For winter fishing the Rio Grand or heading over the Farmington to the San Juan are probably your best bet. Off the cimmeron river (out of eagle nest resi) below the campgrounds there are a set of beaver ponds that might not be frozen over, potentially some fishing there but likely to be very slow this time of year.

You could also head up into southern colorado but the fishing is likely to be slow on the Gunnison river and outside pagosa springs as well. Talk to the fly shop off the taos plaza up there on the southwest corner, they should be able to steer you to the best winter fishing on smaller streams if there is anything worthwhile.

I'm heading out this weekend for 2 days to farmington :wings: i'll try to remember to check in when i get back.

 

[Ursidae69]

I'm an hour south of you on highway 285. For winter fishing, I'd stick with the Rio Grande or the Rio Chama. The Rio Chama is pretty nice and the scenery around Lake Abiquiu is stunning. The Game and Fish has an updated fishing report page and if you happen to go to Albuquerque, the Sportsman's Warehouse has a fishing report board at the entrance. Don't forget your license and good luck!

 

[Fireman78]

If anyone does come to Albuquerque, don't forget to give your local Alpacka Raft dealer Glenn a call if you want to take an- in person look at these awesome boats!!! I am doing the Rio Chama in June with mine., I can't wait. :rappel: www.packraftnewmexico.com

 

[dnellans]

I'm heading out to the san juan this afternoon so I'll report back next week. The guys at high desert angler said the san juan is fishing great in the first 1/2 mile or so down to Texas hole and the weather is keeping people away. Hopefully should be nice.

Those alpaca rafts look pretty cool, but at $775 it sure seems pricey!

 

[flywgn]

The Lower Rio Grande Gorge can be good during the cold months. Afternoon sun will bring about midge hatches by the handful. Try a cluster pattern. You will definitely need waders; cleats too. The rocks are treacherous. I hesitate to fish the Gorge w/out a partner, though I've done it.

See if Taylor Streit is in town. Taylor is a guide and a super guy. He's helpful and full of good information. If you can't find him in the phone book, just stand on a corner and ask the first ten locals you meet. Someone will know him.

You say that you'll be in the area for a few months, so you might be able to hit the Little Rio Grande or even the Conejos River in southern Colorado, one of my favorite western rivers, though I've not fished it in the winter/spring. Early summer on the Conejos can be productive.

Bunch of good restaurants in town, but a favorite of ours has been Tapas of Taos, just north of the Plaza on Bent St.

Have fun and tight lines.

Allen R.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

For some strange reason..........

I can smell......

FISH TACOS!

......Yes!


......Now I know why!

If you say "Fishing Taos".......10 times Really Fast............

You have.............Fish Tacos!:bigbossHL: :friday:


......hehe






.

 

[Hltoppr]

The Cimmarron (sp) outside of Eagles Nest is in my top best trout/fly fishing rivers.....

-H-

 

[Hltoppr]

Eske's brew pub....mmmmm. Just to the East of the Plaza.

-H-

 

[Roc N Rol]

Thanks

Thanks for the help everyone. I emailed Taos Fly Shop before I left Florida and got a reply from Chris Streit. I saw there shop the other day and will be stopping by today to check them out. I need new line on my real as it has not been used in many decades. I am a newbie to te fly fishing comunity. I mainley fish salt water with spinners and heavy tackle. My fly rod was my dad's and though I fished with him many years I did not know he even had a fly rod till a year ago. Driving through the Rio Grande Gorge the other day I saw a lot of places to park with access to the river and will be trying them out soon. Thanks again and I will let you know how it all goes.
Don

 

[Fireman78]

I'm heading out to the san juan this afternoon so I'll report back next week. The guys at high desert angler said the san juan is fishing great in the first 1/2 mile or so down to Texas hole and the weather is keeping people away. Hopefully should be nice.

Those alpaca rafts look pretty cool, but at $775 it sure seems pricey!

They are expensive. But I can tell you guys, they are VERY worth it. I am absolutley addicted to packrafting. This spring/summer I plan on getting a "helmet cam" and posting "first person" videos on Youtube. The thing folds up to the size of a small backpacking tent and weighs less then 5 pounds! You can take it anywhere. Here is a link from Animas Vally Anglers- they teamed up with Alpacka for some hardcore winter fishing! http://gottrout.com/Gear/Alpacka Raft.htm

Here is an excerpt from their article-- "There is nothing like an Alpacka Raft. They are the lightest and smallest packable pack rafts in the world. They are like inflatable kayaks (duckies) but better. A lot better. Imagine were you can go with a durable 4 pound raft. Now you have limitless back country access into the most remote rivers and lakes around the world. Not only are they light, but also very durable. Will Blanchard teamed up with a couple other adventure anglers to test out Alpacka Rafts in the wilds of north-central British Columbia."

 

[GaryMc]

So, how was it?

 

[dnellans]

Overall it was a good weekend up at the San Juan but COOOOOLD! We parked in the Texas Hole lot both saturday and sunday and fished about 6 hours Sat and 4 Sunday. The temps were about 20 degrees when we started at 10ish every morning but bright sun kept us warm through mid day.

Saturday we fished the flats above Texas hole and worked up towards kiddie hole and a bit further. While there were fish it was pretty slow. We ran into several groups of 18+ inch fish which was exciting and while I didn't manage to land a single one I got one close enough to see that it was larger than my 18 inch net I was trying to scoop with before she took off again and finally managed to break off.

Sunday we fished Texas hole proper hoping for better luck than on the flats but got skunked :shakin: Streamers, nymphing, dries.... I tried it all and only got a few nibbles that I couldn't set on. No one else was having much luck except for the floaters on the far side of the hole.

So overall the fishing was really slow but there were definitely big fish to be had. They were as brave as ever giving both me and my father the San Juan bump to try and get us to move our feet. I wish I could give you a pattern that was working, but I got 1 or two bites on some real small midges (28) a 16 copper john, a 12 wooly bugger, and even a parachute dunn (ish) dry. I tried everything I had with me over the two days an nothing seemed to be better than anything else.

All that said, having a 20 inch rainbow on is exciting even if its only once or twice a day :wings: The San Juan is world class fishing and worth the trip no matter what time of year if its your only chance!