What flies are hatching on the Rio Chama right now?

Current and seasonal hatches on the Rio Chama include Midge, Blue-Winged Olive, Caddis. Use the AI Hatch Advisor on this page for a live, temperature-aware recommendation.

What's the current flow on the Rio Chama?

The Rio Chama is running at 185 CFS at the Below El Vado Dam gauge. Readings update every 15 minutes from the USGS Water Services API.

Is the Rio Chama fishable today?

Yes — Rio Chama is rated fishable right now. Current flow is 185 CFS at the Below El Vado Dam gauge.

Rio Chama Fly Fishing Conditions

Live Conditions

Rio Chama — Below El Vado Dam

Fishable

185CFS

Discharge

2.43ft

Gauge Height

—

Water Temp

Updated 1 hr agoView on USGS ↗

7-Day Flow

→ Stable

RisingFallingStable

24-Hr Pressure

23.73 inHg · → High/stable

Falling (good)RisingHigh/stable

Local Weather

77°FMainly clear

Wind 6 mph23.73 inHg Low & stable

Tough conditions — fish deep

Today

🌤️

Partly cloudy

99° / 68°

Tomorrow

☁️

Overcast

88° / 64°

Sun

☁️

Overcast

94° / 62°

Mon

☁️

Overcast

97° / 70°

Cold front incoming — go deep with nymphs, surface activity likely slow.

Weather by Open-Meteo · No API key · Updated every 30 min

What should I fish today?

⚡ AI

AI-powered recommendation using today's live flow, temperature, and hatch data.

9

Time of Day

Using: 185 CFS · Hopper season peak

What should I pack?

Rod, flies, tippet, and safety gear specific to today's Rio Chama conditions.

🪰 Hatch Calendar

Rio Chama · August · Late Summer

Full calendar →

Showing typical dates — water temperature data unavailable for live hatch predictions.

Select month

JanDec

Hopper season peak (size 8-12). PMDs continue. Caddis evenings. Beetles, ants productive. Wild browns in the canyon hammer terrestrials.

PMDCaddisTerrestrials

River Map

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USGS Gauge (click for site ID)Fishing Access / SectionScroll to zoom disabled — use map controls

About Rio Chama

Scenic tailwater below El Vado Dam flowing through red-rock canyon country. Diverse hatches and good public access through Wild & Scenic stretches.

MidgeBlue-Winged OliveCaddisPale Morning DunHopper

Regulations

Standard New Mexico trout regulations apply on the Rio Chama; brown and rainbow trout are the primary species. New Mexico fishing license required. Verify current regs at wildlife.state.nm.us before fishing.

Learn More

Guides to help you fish Rio Chama with more confidence.