Looking down at the Rio Chama from near the top of the Heron Dam June 13, you could tell that the river was in prime condition for fishing.
Less than a month ago, the Chama was swollen with snow run-off and blasting along at over 2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs). But the runoff since has subsided and the water flows have dropped to less than 500 cfs at La Puente, about five miles above Heron, according to the United States Geological Survey.
Getting to this prime fishing destination takes a little work. The only way to access this stretch of the Rio Chama is to walk down, and eventually up, the Rio Chama Trail, which accesses the river canyon by way of steep hill.
But once you hit the river there’s a little over a mile of river to fish before you hit the headwaters of El Vado Lake. The inflowing river seems to attract fish out of El Vado Lake and that could account for the good size of the rainbow trout here.
The first pool yielded a strike from a really nice rainbow and the fish put on an aerial display. It looked to be about 16 to 17 inches long, but that’s just a guess because the fish managed to escape just as I was about to slide it on the bank.
Although disappointing, it was an encouraging start to the day. Drifting nightcrawlers through the deep pools and casting Panther Martin spinners yielded some rewarding results.
This section of the Chama has many different types of water. There are deep pools, fast riffles, large boulders that break up the flow and some slower water that holds some large carp. Walking along the bank can be tricky because of rocks, brush and driftwood. You also have to keep an eye out for poison ivy and rattlesnakes.
Farther downstream, a pair of nice brown trout went on the stringer. Brown trout reproduce naturally in the Rio Chama and grow to good sizes. The state-record brown trout (20.5 pounds) was caught in the Rio Chama below El Vado Dam in 1946.
The next fish hooked fought hard, which is typical of the fish that live in this section of water. The fast current breeds strong fish. This one got into the fast water and headed downstream, forcing me to scramble along the rocks and through the water to keep up with it. It turned out to be a handsome, deeply-colored male rainbow.
A little farther downstream, another good-sized fish hit and this one took me on another scrambling trip down the river . Several times I nearly lost my balance on the slippery rocks, but I managed to land it.
This fat rainbow was a shining silver, bright as a newly-minted coin. Its colors indicated that it had just recently moved up the river from El Vado Lake.
With four fish in hand, I decided to head back to the car. I could have stayed and tried for one more fish to fill out my five-fish limit, but four good-sized fish was plenty.
This stretch of the Chama is one of my favorites, but there are other areas to try. Upstream from Heron, the river flows through the Rio Chama Wildlife Area. This 2.9-mile stretch of water is limited to flies and hard lures with a single barbless hooks — there is a two-fish, 16-inch or longer bag limit. Right now, a fly fisherman adept at drifting nymphs and San Juan worms should hook some good-sized fish.
Later in the season, the water will drop even lower and dry fly fishing should become effective.
To reach this area of the Chama, take Highway 84 to Tierra Amarilla and a few miles north of town take the left turnoff to Heron Lake State Park. Just before you cross Heron dam, look for a road to the left that accesses the Rio Chama. Pay your $5 fee at the self pay station and park.
If you wish to fish below Heron Dam towardsEl Vado, walk down the closed service road that leads to the spillway below the dam. If you want to fish the Chama above the dam, use the trail that leads down to the river and a bridge across the Chama.