Fly Fishing Rio San Antonio
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Directions
From Albuquerque
Take Interstate 25 up to just north of Bernalilo, from here exit to HWY 44 N/W. Near San Ysidro get onto HWY 4 North. Stay on HWY 4, going through Santa Fe National Forest until you see 126 on your left -- Take it. After passing La Cueva and a large campground you will come across a bridge crossing the Rio San Antonio with some dirt parking behind a gate nearby. Follow the dirt road/trail upstream. There is some private property nearby, particularly one house that says "no trespassing violators will be shot, survivors will be shot again". While the individual may be a prick, it's a forest service road -- so just stay on it and you should be fine.
What to expect
Most of the river is pretty cramped with brush, bushes and trees, including some pretty thorny ones. But, occasionally you can find some nice clearings.
Image taken during early April. When I went back in May the snow was melted off and the water was running pretty clear.
- Hot springs - about a 1-1/2 hour hike in.
- Altitude: ~7-8k feet
- Brown/Rainbow trout - pansized.
- Low traffic
- Grassy areas push the water temperature up in the summer.
- Easily wadable
- Occasional bear
- Recommended eating at Los Ojos in Jemez Springs
Dependable Patterns
Just pulling up a rock in early April lots of little larvae seen.
- Stimulator
- Royal Wulff
- Adams
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Wolly Bugger
- Copper John
- Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear
- Pheasant Tail Nymph
References
Dr. Bill Black.
