Fishing Season: Mid April through October

Cimarron River - NM

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

70

Doc Thompson's Tip of the Week

Flows out of Eagle Nest have been steady over the last several weeks and are good fishing flows. Better fishing has been in the mornings until 11:30am-Noon. Starting to see some slightly cooler temps. Still please keep an eye on water temps as noon approaches, if temps are warm please don't fish the warmer temps after 11:30-Noon.

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Map of Cimarron River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Doc Thompson

5-Day Outlook as of 8/13/26

Expect the Cimarron to continue to fish good in the mornings. Might see a little decrease in flows over the next week as irrigators start slowing down. Be on the look out for some Tricos and Caddis. Please keep an eye on water temps as noon approaches, if temps are warm please don't fish the warmer temps after 11:30-Noon

Techniques & Tips as of 8/13/26

Mostly fishing dry-droppers. Please keep an eye on water temps as noon approaches, if temps are warm please don't fish the warmer temps after 11:30-Noon.

Local Species Available Mid April through October

  • Fish Icon

    Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout

Doc Thompson's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Adams Parachute Dry Fly N/A 14-16
Indicator Spinner - Trico N/A 18
Smith’s Crippled Emerger N/A 18
Bead Head Hare’s Ear Nymph Natural 16
Tunghead Pheasant Tail N/A 14-16
Tactical Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Jig N/A 16
Copper Johns red 16-18
MIcro Mayfly Nymphs N/A 16-18
Pheasant Tails natural 16-18
Midges gray black 18-20

Adams Parachute Dry Fly

The light-colored post on the classic Adams Parachute Dry Fly pattern ensures good visibility in a variety of conditions.

2.49

Item #0356

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Doc Thompson's Recommended Gear

Description: About Cimarron River

The Cimarron River is located in Northern New Mexico and flows east from Eagle Nest, NM, through the Cimarron Canyon State Park and continues eastward to Cimarron, NM. There is 8-10 miles of public access in the Cimarron Canyon State Park. Three miles of private water can be accessed through Orvis Endorsed Guide, Doc Thompson. The Cimarron River is technically a small tailwater that fishes and looks more like a mountain freestone stream. The water features include riffles, pockets, bend pools, undercut banks, beaver ponds, drop-offs, runs and everything in between. These water characteristics, along with a dense aquatic insect population, make the Cimarron one of the best wild brown trout fisheries in the Southwest. New Mexico Game and Fish does stock rainbows throughout the Cimarron. The best time to fish the Cimarron is from May through mid October. Key hatches include Golden Stoneflies, PMDs, Tricos, Caddis, BWOs, Midges and Terrestrials. The Cimarron Canyon State Park has three maintained campgrounds with tent and RV sites. The small communities of Eagle Nest and Cimarron are the closest towns with basic amenities of restaurants, places to stay, gas stations, groceries and fishing licenses. The larger towns of Taos, Red River and Angel Fire offer more amenities but with a little longer drive.

Nearest Airport:

Major airlines fly into Albuquerque International Sunport, private planes can fly into Angel Fire

Hatches:

Multiple mayflies and be on the look for Caddis

Best Time to Fish:

Morning through afternoon

Best Stretch:

Cimarron Canyon State Park and the lower private water.

Best Access:

Cimarron Canyon State Park