The Northern California Fly Fishing Board

Awful quiet around here. Well, I'm off to New Mexico Monday, with two nights in Taos, then two in Jemez Springs. I'm driving up from Albuquerque Monday, stopping for lunch in Santa Fe at Cafe Pasqual for huevos rancheros. Has anyone ever fished the Rio Grande south of Taos and the gorge? Any reason to stop before I get to Taos? If not I'll probably just go through to the Rio Hondo for some late afternoon fishing. Also, has anyone ever fished the Jemez Springs watershed? It will be new for me, have done some reading and have a decent idea of where to go, but any particulars anyone's willing to share will be appreciated.

Andrew,

I lived in Albuquerque for a couple of years and I really enjoyed fishing those obscure desert streams...

Regarding fishing downstream from Taos...this time of year I'd probably just go straight up to the Taos area depending on water temps near Pilar...basically there is a canyon south of Santa fe that I believe you can access from a road that branches off somewhere between Pilar and Santa Fe...I had a fantastic time catching Brown trout in the 11-14" range and small maouth bass.

If you like small streams their are some fun tributaries to the Rio just north of Taos, the which I can't remember their names, but the fish are decent size for the small size of the streams.

I like fishing Jemez Creek from Battleship rock upstream up the eastern branch...I would recommend hiking way up before starting though their are browns throughout the creek. Using dries this time of year will work well.

If you get a map and want to try something very unique to NM, but this only applies if you really like smaller creeks and trout 6-8"...go on up to Rio Cebolla...its like 4 ft wide and meanders through the flowery meadows and under hard to cast tree'd areas...but it has 6000 brown trout/mile!!! Just plop a bead head under the undercut banks!

Be sure to post and let us know how it goes!

-SST

Exactly what I was hoping for in a reply. I think the stream north of Taos you're talking about is Rio Hondo. I fished the portion West of the highway one year, had a surprisingly great time. I'm thinking I should head East from the highway this time. But I figure I might have more time on the water if I fish Monday afternoon before getting to Taos, so I'll check the DeLorme for the road between Santa Fe and Pilar. I was definitely thinking of Rio Cebolla as well, so you pushed me further in that direction.

Thanks again.

Some more particulars: Jemez Springs bath house for a hot springs soak. Deb's for coffee. And I think there's a saloon on the same street. Live music on weekends. That's all I remember from my time based in abq. That was before I fly fished.

my deepest condolences on your trip to "Trout Hell"



Paul

Yeah, and the food sucks, too.

Thanks, Chick.