Red River
river in New Mexico
The Red River’s steep gradient, cold water and abundant insect life produce aggressive Rainbows and Browns; most productive from town upstream into national forest reaches.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
Consistent Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches expected
- 01Consistent Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) hatches expected, especially on overcast days.
- 02Midge activity prevalent, particularly in slower sections and warmer parts of the day.
- 03Trout are keying into egg patterns due to fall spawning activity.
- 04Larger stonefly nymphs are an important subsurface food source.
- 05Focus on deeper pools, slower runs, and current breaks for holding trout.
Past reports week by week
9 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Travis Hi-Vis BWO Para Emerger
BWO emergers are crucial during fall hatches, and this high-visibility pattern helps spot subtle takes from trout feeding in the film.
Baby Brown Trout
Larger brown trout become more aggressive in the fall, actively feeding on smaller baitfish like juvenile trout.
Zebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source for trout year-round, especially as water temperatures cool in the fall.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
This versatile streamer effectively imitates leeches and baitfish, perfect for eliciting aggressive strikes from larger, predatory trout in the fall.
BWO Comparadun
Fall Blue-Winged Olive hatches provide consistent dry fly opportunities for selective trout.
Tungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs
Large stonefly nymphs are a year-round, high-calorie food source, and weighted patterns are excellent for getting deep to actively feeding trout in fall.
Buy at AmazonBlood Dot Egg
With trout preparing for or undergoing fall spawning, egg patterns are a crucial and opportunistic food source.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Columbus Basin / Above Town Wades
Less pressured upstream runs and pocket water that hold aggressive trout and excellent streamer opportunities.
Red River Town Access (upper stretches)
Multiple public access points in and above town; convenient wade fishing and frequent dry-fly action in spring and summer.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Sitzmark Sports & Lodge
Los Pinos Fly Shop
Dos Amigos Anglers
Eagle Nest Fly Shack & Lodge
Get Red River reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
New Mexico season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
How to Pick the Right Fly Rod Weight for Any Situation
Master fly rod weight selection with expert guidance on matching rod power to fish species, water conditions, and fishing techniques for optimal performance.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Fly Fishing Nets – Rubber vs. Nylon & Why It Matters for Fish
The net you choose dramatically impacts fish survival. Here's why rubber nets are superior to nylon for catch-and-release success.
Quick answers
Common questions about Red River.
What flies work best on Red River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Red River right now are Woolly Bugger (Olive) (80% confidence), Travis Hi-Vis BWO Para Emerger (80% confidence), Baby Brown Trout (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Red River?
Red River holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Red River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Red River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.