I will be there with the family for a week starting Aug 3rd. We will be camping along the Red River and along the Cimarron as well. I will be stopping at a local fly shop to ask questions but any info from our experienced natives here would be appreciated, especially for the Red.

Thanks

For the Red head out of town on the side road that runs upstream. One mile past the golden eagle lodge is where the special regs water starts. You can catch smaller browns all along that water. It's narrow and shallow. Pulled an 18+inch brown out of a deeper hole one day. Also for the red head to questa and go south towards Taos. A couple miles south of Questa you'll turn right to go to the NM freshwater fishery. There is a fresh water tank to fish for the kids (if you have any) and the red river cuts through there. Hike down the river as far as you'd like then fish back up. If you hike far enough you'll reach the confluence with the Rio Grande. Alot of nice fish in that stretch of the Red.

Cimarron holds a lot of Rainbows. Up and down. Look for deeper water near downed trees. Pretty close quarters fishing on the Cimarron.

A good friend of mine guides out of Red River if you're interested let me know.

The Red River near the hatchery is a heavily fished area, seeing how its easy access. I will tell you right now...you will NOT hike to the confluence of the Rio Grande from the hatchery....you will be gone for 3 days if you try!! JScott......check your PM box!!!

Must be a slow hiker?!

No, but he is wanting to fish, not hike!! The Red River stretches 3.5 miles between the end of the hatchery to the confluence with the Rio Grande. The first 1.5 miles or so downstream from the hatchery to the end of the El Aguaje trail is extremely thick with trees, shrubs and rocks. That section alone would take a full day to hike and fish from the hatchery. The second section, from El Aguaje to the confluence isn't as bad. Its a little more open, and easier access to the river, but still pushin 2 miles. If you think you can fish this entire section of river, in a day, and still enjoy yourself.....no offense but your delusional!!

Whether or not I'm delusional isn't the question here. The question is where can he fish. I've hiked the upper 1.5 miles you refer to several times and fished back. It certainly doesn't take all day. The better fish are below that. I guess yours and my ideas of spending time fishing are different. I like to find quality water and fish it. I don't look for easy access picked over access. Now what offer ye in the needs of this guy looking for fish?

To original poster,
If you hit the hatchery area the upper section does have a trail. It may
lead up and over a rock or two and around trees but I trust you will have shoes on and a sense of balance that will get you through it.

You can also hike into the Rio Grande just northwest of Questa. Several trails head into the canyon, but get in early because the sun sets quick in the canyon.

Alot of people run into issues fishing waters they are unfamiliar due to the simple fact that they are mis-informed. Telling somebody that they are able to do something, when the reality is they probably cant, is that misinformation. Ive been fishing and guiding these waters for a long time, and there are not a lot of people that are willing to make the trip you suggested....especially in a day. A PM has been sent to the OP, making sure the info he receives is up to date and accurate so hes not chasing his tail.

Well good on you and your clarification. My info isn't misleading. Hiking 3.5 miles isn't undoable. Simple statement of fact. Just giving him options. It's the guys choice to factor in his needs or abilities. I don't mislead people as is your notion. I just don't predigest people's information for them. People are free to make their ultimate decisions. Options were given. The guy can fish where he wants. Now he is informed and has several options. I've caught quality fish in all places suggested with not much effort exerted!

Good luck to OP. give us a report when you get back. I'll be up there the week after. Then up to Durango.

Not to beat a dead horse here, but how can this individual factor in his needs/abilities on an area he has never been?? That was the whole point of the post....to gather info on a place he has never been. He is relying soley on information supplied by other members to get enough intel to fish an area. Yes, you provided great advice, I do not deny that.....but when this gentleman attempts to hike from Red River Hatchery to the confluence in a day, all the while fishing every hole he comes across.....you know as well as I do its going to be 11pm and he's still 2.5 miles into the canyon!!! I NEVER said hiking 3.5 miles was undoable.......hiking 3.5 miles in THIS canyon while fishing as much as possible in one day IS undoable!! I would hope that him, and anybody else, would keep track of the time, and be responsible enough to head back out before getting themselves into trouble. Either way......like sexycarpenter said, give us a report and I hope you have a great time. You have a TON of water to fish and Im looking forward to your reports!!

I've fished below the hatchery several times myself. I don't know how far I've hiked, but easily 1.5 miles. I hike WAY past the last "easy access" hatchery fisher, and then fish back up. Great fishing. Plenty of serious hiking. If you're up to a little climbing over big rocks and through brush, it's very doable. Most people won't do it.

I've done what WoolyBugger is saying. You can pull out fish...most of mine have been small browns. Lot's of fun. We just got back about two weeks ago.

I'll be up there about the same time with the family and grandkids.

Thanks for the info guys. There were many areas that I was not able to fish because of time and the little ones we had with us. I look forward to putting in some long days on a future trip. I ended up exploring the Cimarron and the Red above Questa. Can't wait for a solo trip that includes the lower Red and the Rio.