Guided Fly Fishing
Guided Fly-Fishing
New Wave's New Mexico fly fishing, in northcentral New Mexico, centers on the Rio Grande River. The Rio Grande River is a cold-water fishery, which contains the game species rainbow trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass and great northern pike. All of these species have been introduced into the Rio Grande River. The indigenous trout of the river was the Rio Grande cutthroat trout, which could not compete with the introduced species.
Pike have been recently introduced into the world of New Mexico fly fishing as a new and interesting species to pursue. Rainbow trout are currently stocked in the Rio Grande. Brown trout, smallmouth bass and pike are self-sustaining. 
The basis of New Mexico fly fishing in the Rio Grande River are good populations of caddis flies, mayflies, stoneflies and crane flies, along with baitfish species. Standard fly patterns include: Double-hackle peacock (a.k.a. Warden's Worry), Bitch Creek and other stonefly nymph imitations; Beadhead Hare's Ear, Prince nymph, Pheasant Tail, Zug Bug and other mayfly nymphs; various caddis pupae imitations; Miracle and other small nymphs; large Cranefly larvae imitations; Wooly Buggers and other streamers; terrestrials and dry flies appropriate to the hatch.
The river fishes well at all times of the year except during the late Spring/early Summer run-off. During the heat of summer fishing is usually best in the evening, when fish are more likely to be rising, or susceptible to taking streamers.
Float fishing takes place in two sections of the Rio Grande. The first (and most upstream) is in the Orilla Verde (Green Banks) Recreation Area, found adjacent to NM 570, upstream of Pilar. This 7-mile stretch is extremely scenic, set into a 700' deep canyon cut into black basalt rock. Gentle sections alternate with riffles, with only three small Class 2 (“easy”) rapids. Developed campgrounds adjacent to the river are found throughout this stretch. They are administered by the federal Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This stretch ends at Quartzite site, on NM 68 in Pilar.
The second is the 9-mile Bosque (Cottonwood Grove) stretch, which starts at the Taos/Rio Arriba County Line and finishes at the Embudo Station Restaurant or near the Velarde diversion dam. Large cottonwood groves alternate with orchards and some riverside homes. More smallmouth bass are found in this section than above. There are no rapids on this stretch. Gentle sections alternate with riffles. In places public land borders the river and the highway is not in view. This stretch is especially scenic in the Fall when the cottonwood leaves change color. The Bosque stretch is administered by the BLM.
Float fishing is done from rafts equipped with fishing frames, with swiveling seats located in the front and back both. Like dories, the rafts also have anchoring systems. New Wave Rafting Co. guided fly-fishing trips are done in conjunction with The Reel Life, Santa Fe's Orvis-endorsed fly fishing shop. Other guided fly-fishing destinations are available through The Reel Life as well.
Guided Fly Fishing, one guest: $275 two guests: $375 
or call us today at 1 (800) 984-1444.
