Pecos River Basin
About the Pecos River Basin
The Pecos River Basin drains the western slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, creating one of New Mexico's most beloved trout fisheries. The upper Pecos near the villages of Pecos and Terrero has been a fly fishing destination since the early 1900s, offering accessible mountain stream fishing for wild brown and rainbow trout in a beautiful ponderosa-and-spruce canyon.
Key Fisheries
- Pecos River (Upper): The classic mountain freestone section near Terrero and Cowles, with good road access and wild trout.
- Pecos tributaries: Smaller streams in the Pecos Wilderness hold Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout for backcountry anglers.
Iconic Hatches
Caddis emergences drive the summer fishing on the Pecos, with PMD hatches providing excellent dry fly opportunities in June and July. Stoneflies appear in early summer in the faster canyon water. BWO hatches in fall create technical but rewarding dry fly fishing.
Fly Fishing Rivers in the Pecos River Basin
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best fly fishing rivers in the Pecos River Basin?
The upper Pecos River near Terrero and Cowles is the primary fishery, with excellent wade fishing for brown and rainbow trout. The smaller tributaries of the upper drainage hold Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout.
When is the best time to fly fish the Pecos River Basin?
Late spring through fall (May–October) is prime. The river fishes best after spring runoff subsides in late May. Summer caddis and PMD hatches are excellent. Fall brings BWO hatches and brown trout spawning activity.
What fish species can I catch in the Pecos River Basin?
Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout are the main species in the upper Pecos. Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout — New Mexico's state fish — inhabit several of the smaller tributaries in the headwaters.
