Fly Fishing Rio Grande - Orilla Verde

Overview

The Rio Grande at Orilla Verde runs from Taos Junction Bridge toward Pilar, where the deep gorge gives way to a more open river valley. Basalt canyon walls, cottonwood-lined banks and sagebrush-covered hillsides frame riffles, runs and deeper pools. Compared with the confined water farther upstream in the Taos Box, this stretch offers a broader view of the river and its changing current lanes.

Brown and rainbow trout are the focus here. Stonefly and caddis nymphs beneath an indicator can explore riffles and pockets, while hopper-dropper rigs offer a summer approach to bank edges and seams. Spring runoff can color the water; as clarity returns, adjust the drift and depth to the run. Caddis and fall Baetis patterns give surface options when insects and feeding fish make them a useful choice.

Read the riffles, seams and deeper pools

Nymphing with stonefly and caddis patterns beneath an indicator is a useful way to explore the riffles and pocket water. Adjust the weight and indicator depth as a shallow riffle opens into a deeper run. Follow the fly's current lane rather than letting the faster neighboring water pull it across the seam.

Boulders, undercut banks and deeper pools add different presentation problems. Break a broad run into smaller drifts, giving the softer water beside a boulder attention as well as the main current. In a deeper lie, let the rig settle before it reaches the feature you want to cover.

Hopper-dropper rigs offer a summer way to search the bank edges and the water below them. Change dropper depth to suit the run rather than carrying one length through every riffle. When fish are feeding on the surface, an Elk Hair Caddis or X-Caddis in sizes 14 to 18 offers a more focused presentation during caddis activity.

Adjust to runoff and seasonal feeding

Spring runoff can add color and reshape the current lanes. Falling water exposes different edges, bars and pockets; choose the presentation from the clarity and depth in front of you. A slower bank seam and a faster riffle call for different drift lengths and nymph weight.

Late-spring and summer caddis activity gives you a reason to watch the riffles toward evening. Through summer, terrestrial patterns can explore the cottonwood-lined banks and open edges. Fall brings changing cottonwood foliage and smaller Baetis mayfly choices. Watch for insects and feeding fish before moving from a searching rig to a dry fly.