The Pecos River begins its life as a cold, spring-fed stream tumbling down from the high spruce-fir forests of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Santa Fe, New Mexico. In its upper reaches within the Pecos Wilderness — one of the most pristine landscapes in the American Southwest — the river harbors three species of trout including the native Rio Grande cutthroat, New Mexico's state fish and one of the most stunning trout in North America.
The wilderness sections of the upper Pecos are accessible only on foot or horseback, requiring miles of trail hiking into 10,000-foot mountain terrain. That effort is the price of admission for a fishery that sees remarkably little pressure and rewards it generously — wild browns and rainbows average 10-14 inches in the wider pools, while the cutthroat in headwater tributaries are smaller but explosively colorful, their crimson slash marks vivid against golden flanks in the crystalline water.
Below the wilderness, the river transitions through the Pecos Valley with a mix of public and private water. Pecos National Historical Park contains a short fishable stretch with brown trout, managed under state license. The lower accessible sections on National Forest land near the village of Pecos offer the most convenient entry for day anglers driving from Santa Fe — roughly an hour's drive on NM Highway 63, which parallels much of the quality water.
Hatches are classic Rocky Mountain: caddis rule the evenings in May and June, golden stoneflies bring big fish to the surface in early summer, and terrestrials — ants, beetles, and hoppers — dominate July and August when the afternoon thunderstorms have the meadow grasses humming with insects. Dry fly fishing is the method of choice; nymphs work but the Pecos rewards patience and presentation on top.
The Rio Grande cutthroat program on the Pecos is actively expanding, with NMDGF planning new restoration reaches in the watershed to increase their range and provide more angling opportunity. The Pecos is thus not just a great fishery today — it's one that is actively getting better, making now an ideal time to explore this exceptional New Mexico wilderness river.
