Rio Grande Fly Fishing Report - November 8, 2026

Fly Fishing Report

RIO GRANDE

Report
NOV 8 — 15, 2026
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Flow
2960CFS
RIO GRANDE NEAR CERRO, NM
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Water Temp
—
Updated 2026-11-07
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Weather
20–58°F
Mostly Clear
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Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
Flow is elevated at 2,960 CFS (gauge height 9.88 ft) at the Cerro gauge — well above the 1,070 CFS reported just a week ago, indicating a fresh pulse of high water pushing through the system. Expect off-color to slightly turbid conditions; target slower inside seams, eddies, and soft pockets where trout are stacking to escape the main current.
Best Time Window
  • 9 AM - 11 AM: Pre-hatch nymphing in eddy seams and inside bends with heavy tungsten patterns before the sun hits the water.
  • 11 AM - 2 PM: Prime BWO and midge hatch window — watch for rising fish in protected slack water and switch to emergers or dries.
  • 2 PM - 4 PM: Afternoon light brings a brief caddis flicker; continue nymphing soft pockets before temperatures drop sharply after 4 PM.
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith flows pushing nearly 3,000 CFS, forget the main channel — your fish are stacked in the soft water. Wade the inside bends and look for foam lines, back-eddies, and the slack water directly behind mid-river boulders; that's where trout are holding to conserve energy and intercept food. Set your indicator depth so your lead fly is ticking the bottom, and use enough split shot to stay there — in this current, most anglers are fishing too shallow. The midday window from 11 AM to 2 PM will be your best shot as temperatures climb into the 50s and BWOs and midges come off; get there early and work the nymph rigs until you see surface activity.
Main Species
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout
Report generated November 8, 2026 — Next update: November 15, 2026