21 Main St, Pecos, NM 87552
Pecos River Outfitters serves one of New Mexico's most beloved and overlooked wild trout fisheries — the Pecos River, a mountain stream that carves through the Santa Fe National Forest in the Sangre de Cristo range northeast of Santa Fe. The Pecos holds exceptional populations of native Rio Grande cutthroat trout alongside stocked rainbows and wild browns in its upper canyon reaches, all within a two-hour drive of the state capital yet feeling entirely remote. The outfitter specializes in wade-fishing the Pecos drainage, from the meadow stretches above Terrero to the pocket water below the Pecos Wilderness boundary, guiding clients through one of the most scenic river corridors in the Southwest.
The shop provides guided half-day and full-day wading trips tailored to the Pecos's technical character — small dries and nymphs, delicate presentations, and a patient approach that rewards careful reading of the water. Staff can also arrange multi-day backcountry trips into the Pecos Wilderness, where high-alpine streams hold pure-strain Rio Grande cutthroat trout in roadless drainages accessible only on foot or horseback. Gear and fly selection focus on the specific hatch sequences of the Pecos drainage, including caddis, PMDs, and the attractor patterns that perform well in the turbulent canyon stretches.
“Guided trip on the Pecos canyon was spectacular. Our guide knew every pool in the upper canyon stretch and put us on wild Rio Grande cutthroat and browns all morning. The river corridor is absolutely gorgeous — sheer red rock walls, clear cold water, total solitude. The guide was patient and technically excellent. We'll be back every year.”
“Arranged a two-day backcountry trip into the Pecos Wilderness to fish for native cutthroat. The logistics were seamlessly handled and the fishing was everything they promised — small wild fish in pristine mountain water with zero other anglers. If you want to experience New Mexico fly fishing the way it used to be, this is how you do it.”
“Small but well-run shop with genuine local knowledge of the Pecos drainage. The guide service is the real draw — the staff are serious anglers who care about the river's conservation and it shows in how they guide trips. Good fly selection for local conditions.”
