Chama River | NM Fly Fishing Reports & Conditions

Ivan Valdez's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name:	Colors:	Size(s):
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer	CAMO	10-14
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer	OLIVE	10-14
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer	BLACK	10-14
Tunghead Hare's Ear Flashback	grey	12
Sculpzilla	olive	8
Cranefly Larva	olive	8
Micro Egg	pink	16
Higa's S.O.S.	black	18
Mayers mini leech	black	14
Warderns	peacock	8

Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer

Every angler needs an assortment of these weighted attractor Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer flies.

Ivan Valdez's Recommended Gear

Best Leader:

Super Strong Plus Leaders
Best Tippet:

SuperStrong Plus Tippet in 30- and 100-meter spools
Best Fly Fishing Rod:

5-Weight 9' Fly Rod
Best Floating Fly Line:

WF Trout Fly Line
Best Sinking Fly Line:

Bank Shot Sink Tip Fly Line

Description: About Chama River

The Chama is one of NM’s most dynamic rivers, running from its source in the southern Colorado high country to its junction with the Rio Grande among the red and orange mesas made famous by Georgia O'Keefe. In spite of its relatively small size, there are big fish in the Chama, primarily browns and rainbows. There are two tailwater stretchs of the Rio Chama, one below Abiqui lake and the other upstream below El Vado lake. Above El Vado, The Chama is a classic freestone.

Chama River - NM

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

Ivan Valdez's Tip of the Week

Directions open in app

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

5-Day Outlook as of 11/22/25

Techniques & Tips as of 11/22/25

Local Species Available Year Round

Ivan Valdez's Recommended Fly Patterns

Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer

Ivan Valdez's Recommended Gear

Best Leader:

Best Tippet:

Best Fly Fishing Rod:

Best Floating Fly Line:

Best Sinking Fly Line:

Description: About Chama River

Nearest Airport:

Hatches:

Best Time to Fish:

Best Stretch:

Best Access: