Fishing Reports

Take a look at our most recent fly fishing report for the Taos area. If you have any questions about current fishing conditions, hatches or what waters are fishing best, don't hesitate to give us a call—we're always happy to help.

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7-5-2026

Most of my fishing lately has been focused on smallmouth bass and carp on the Rio Grande. Our lower stretches south of Taos have become too warm to fish for trout. You may get an hour or two of decent fishing at first light, but without any rain, water temperatures climb pretty quickly.

Fishing in the gorge is still an option early in the morning, but even there the water warms up fast as the day goes on. It's a good time to switch your focus to warmwater species like smallmouth bass and carp. We've been having some great days targeting smallies with baitfish imitations, topwater poppers, and hoppers.

Smallmouth are aggressive, curious fish, so I wouldn't get too hung up on matching a specific pattern. Instead, focus on your retrieve and the depth you're fishing. If they aren't willing to come to the surface, start working progressively deeper through the water column until you find where they're holding. Don't be afraid to switch colors either. Going from white to olive, chartreuse, black, or another color in your box can make a difference.

Most of our mountain streams have been running extremely low with the lack of precipitation. Flows on the Rio Costilla have been reduced, with no word yet on when they'll be bumped back up. Low water has fish concentrated in the deeper pools, so they're easier to locate but also a little more cautious. The Red River has been fishing well, with water temperatures staying in good shape. We've also been seeing some solid hatches down by the fish hatchery.

I've also heard some good reports from the Rio Chama, both below El Vado and above the reservoir. Weekend summer releases have started below El Vado, so if you can fish during the week, you'll likely find lower, more manageable flows and better conditions.

Past Fishing Reports

  • Fishing in the Taos area continues to be excellent. We have been fishing everything from high-country streams to smallmouth bass on the lower Rio Grande.

    It is very important to monitor water temperatures and stop fishing for trout when temperatures reach 66 degrees. This helps protect the trout, as their stress levels increase significantly during periods of warm water. Further upstream on the Rio Grande, including the Middle Box and Wild Rivers areas, trout fishing can remain productive throughout the day because of the cold water supplied by our springs. However, that will not last all summer, so be sure to keep a close eye on water temperatures as air temperatures continue to climb.

    This is the perfect time of year to explore our high-mountain streams, where water temperatures stay cool. A single dry fly, such as a caddis, mayfly, or small hopper, can be very effective. Adding a small dropper in the deeper holes will often entice trout that are not willing to rise to the surface.

    Smallmouth bass fishing on the lower Rio Grande has really picked up and continues to provide a lot of excitement. It's hard to beat the aggressive strikes these fish offer, and we are catching many bass on the surface using poppers and hoppers.

  • Water temperatures on the Rio Grande are beginning to reach their upper limits for trout fishing. As a general rule, it's best to stop targeting trout when water temperatures reach 66°F. Carry a thermometer and check temperatures throughout the day. If you're planning to fish the Rio Grande, start early and be prepared to wrap things up before the heat of the afternoon sets in. Consider changing targets and pursuing smallmouth bass or carp on the lower stretches of the river.

    The Wild Rivers area will continue to offer some productive trout fishing during the morning hours thanks to the many cold-water springs that feed into this section of the Rio Grande. Even so, anglers should be prepared to hike out and give the fish a break during the hottest part of the day.

    This is an excellent time of year to head into the mountains and explore some of our smaller streams. The Rio Costilla has been fishing very well through the RCCLA stretch, and with the opening of the Valle Vidal on July 1, anglers will soon have access to one of northern New Mexico's most unique and rewarding fisheries. Small hoppers, caddis, mayflies, and tiny tricos are all producing fish right now.

    Fish in the RCCLA section see a fair amount of pressure, so a stealthy approach can make all the difference. Longer leaders, careful presentations, and a drag-free drift will help bring fish to the surface. In the deeper bends, try suspending a small beadhead nymph below your dry fly. Frenchies, pheasant tails, copper johns, perdigons, and caddis larvae are all solid choices. For anglers looking to mix things up, swinging a small beadhead streamer can produce some exciting takes.

    The Rio del Pueblo along Highway 518 is another excellent option, offering convenient access and outstanding dry-fly and dry-dropper fishing. The same tactics that work on the Rio Costilla will serve you well here.

    Smallmouth bass fishing on the lower Rio Grande remains one of the most enjoyable opportunities of the season. While I prefer targeting them from a raft, anglers fishing from shore can be just as successful. Baitfish imitations and topwater frog patterns can trigger aggressive strikes, and these fish are known for their hard-fighting nature. Focus your efforts around weed beds and structure where bass tend to hold. This is also a great time of year to book an evening float and experience the river as it comes alive during the last hours of daylight.