Pecos River - Pecos - New Mexico
Fly Fishing River Report & Conditions
Pecos River – Pecos - Water Flow Chart
Pecos River – Pecos - Weather report & radar
Pecos River – Pecos - General hatch chart
| Month | Hatch | Time of Day | Recommended Fly Sizes | Popular Fly Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Midges | Anytime | #20-22 | Zebra Midge, Tiny Black |
| February | Midges | Anytime | #20-22 | Zebra Midge, Black Beauty |
| March | Blue-Winged Olive, Midges | Afternoon | #18-22 | Pheasant Tail, Barr’s Bwo Emerger |
| April | Blue-Winged Olive, Caddis | Afternoon | #14-20 | Elk Hair Caddis, Bwo Parachute |
| May | Caddis, Stoneflies | Afternoon | #8-16 | Stimulator, Elk Hair Caddis |
| June | Stoneflies, Caddis | Evening | #8-14 | Stimulator, Elk Hair Caddis |
| July | Yellow Sally Stoneflies | Mid-Afternoon to Evening | #14-16 | Hot Butt Sally, Yellow Stimulator |
| Grasshoppers | Mid-Morning to Mid-Afternoon | #6-12 | Dave’s Hopper, Parachute Hopper | |
| Caddis | Evening | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis | |
| August | Grasshoppers | Midday | #6-12 | Madam X, Parachute Hopper |
| Mayflies | Afternoon | #16-20 | Parachute Adams, Hares Ear | |
| September | Mayflies, Midges | Afternoon | #18-24 | Parachute Adams, Brassie |
| October | Blue-Winged Olive | Afternoon | #18-24 | Pheasant Tail, Bwo Comparadun |
| November | Midges, Blue-Winged Olive | Anytime | #20-24 | Red Midge Larva, Brassie |
| December | Midges | Anytime | #22-24 | Black Beauty, Zebra Midge |
Pecos River – Pecos Access Points
Fly fishing on the Pecos River offers numerous access points, including:
- Terrero Campground: Fly fishing access is quite easy here. You’ll have a variety of river sections to choose from, including flat water, riffles, and deep holes.
- Pecos Benedictine Monastery: This location asks for a small donation from visitors but provides highly productive fly fishing waters.
- Pecos National Historical Park: You’ll need to apply for a permit, but the waters in this park are stocked with rainbow trout making it ideal for fly fishing.
- Jamie Koch Pavilion Recreation Site: This spot provides access to a tranquil stretch of the river, excellent for fly fishing.
- Field Tract Campground: This campground offers direct access to the river, and it’s particularly good for brown and rainbow trout fishing.
Pecos River – Pecos Fishing Spots
The Pecos River, located in Pecos, boasts a myriad of stellar spots for the fly fishing enthusiast. Here are some of the top recommended locations:
- Monastery Lake: An exquisite and peaceful haven known for trout fishing due to its cold water temperatures.
- Pecos National Historic Park: This location offers access to a 3-mile stretch of the Pecos River, renowned for its abundant trout.
- Cowan Fishing Access: This site is perfect for fly fishing enthusiasts who love to camp and fish. Expect to catch rainbow trout and brown trout.
- Villanueva State Park: This spot offers a variety of fish such as catfish, bass, and crappie, in addition to the usual trout.
- Terrero Bridge: Upstream from the Terrero Bridge a little ways, the fishing can yield some sizable trout.
Pecos River – Pecos Local Fish Species
- Rainbow Trout: Rainbow trout is one of the main species targeted by fly fishers on the Pecos River because of their natural abundance and willingness to bite a wide variety of flies.
- Brown Trout: Brown trout can be a bit more elusive, which makes them especially rewarding for fly fishers to catch. They can often be found in deeper water or hiding under cover.
- Brook Trout: Native to eastern North America, Brook Trouts are now also making their home on the Pecos River, providing another thrilling challenge for fly fishers.
- Golden Trout: The beautiful, brightly-colored golden trout is a popular catch with fly fishers. However, they are a rare and exciting find in the Pecos River.
- Cutthroat Trout: Named for the tell-tale red slash on their throat, cutthroat trout offer a thrilling challenge to fly fishers on the Pecos River.
- Rio Grande Perch: Though not a trout, the Rio Grande Perch is a popular fly fishing target. This species can be a challenge to catch, adding to the thrill of the sport.
- Longnose Dace: These small fish are a common target for novice fly fishers or for those just looking to enjoy a relaxing day on the water.
- White Sucker: These bottom-dwelling fish can grow quite large, making them a prized catch for fly fishers on the Pecos River.
About the Pecos River – Pecos
Flowing over 900 miles through the American Southwest, the Pecos River has a rich and colourful history. Born in the majestic Sangre de Cristo mountain range of northern New Mexico, the river winds its way southeast towards Texas, granting life to arid landscapes.
Here are key events in the river’s history:
- Inhabited by the Pueblo people as early as 1,500 years ago; ruins of their grand cliff dwellings still exist.
- The river served as an important landmark during 16th-century Spanish explorations in the Southwest.
- In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Pecos River was vital for the iconic American cattle drives.
Today, along with its ecological significance, the Pecos draws tourists for fishing, boating, and Pecos River-style rock art– a style of painting attributed to Archaic people who left their mark in pictographs and petroglyphs adorning riverside cliffs and shelters.
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