Rio Vallecitos Fishing area is a great destination for fly fishing enthusiasts in northern New Mexico. The area is situated in the Carson National Forest and offers breathtaking scenery, crystal-clear streams, and plenty of trout. The most common fish species in the area are brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout.

Apart from fishing, visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, and wildlife watching in the surrounding areas. The best time to visit the Rio Vallecitos Fishing area is from June to October when the water levels are ideal for fishing, and the weather is pleasant. The average temperature during this time is around 70°F (21°C), making it comfortable for fishing and outdoor activities.

For fly fishing, anglers can use dry flies, nymphs, and streamers to catch the trout. It is advisable to use light tackle, as the trout in this area are generally smaller. Experienced anglers recommend using small hooks and light line to increase the chances of catching fish.

In conclusion, the Rio Vallecitos Fishing area in New Mexico is an excellent destination for fly fishing enthusiasts looking to catch brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. Visitors can also enjoy hiking, camping, and wildlife watching in the surrounding areas. The best time to visit is from June to October, with an average temperature of 70°F (21°C). Anglers should use light tackle, small hooks, and light line to increase their chances of catching fish.

Featured Fish - Apache Trout

iving in lakes and streams, this fish will eat insects, invertebrates and small minnows. They are typically targeted using very light spinning or fly tackle using nymphs, wet or dry flies, worms or salmon eggs. These fish may also strike small spinner baits or spoons but some areas where these fish can be found have enacted policies where anglers may only use artificial lures so check all regulations before targeting these fish. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish: The body coloration is golden-yellow or olive yellow, with a golden belly, and Parr marks (vertical bars) can be seen on juveniles, but these marks typically disappear in larger individuals. Spots can be seen in an even distribution of pronounced, moderate-sized, rounded or oval black spots on the sides of the body and on top of the head. These spots may sometimes extend below the lateral line and onto the dorsal and caudal fins. The top of the Apache trout’s head and back is typically dark olive to brown and a black stripe appears to go through each eye because of the presence of two small black dots on either side of the pupil. Below the lower jaw, there is a dash of color that will range from yellow to darker gold. The dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins are tipped with a white to orange color and the adipose fin is usually bordered with a black margin.