The Cimarron River is a small tailwater located in northern New Mexico. It starts at Eagles Nest Lake in the eastern side of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and flows through the Cimarron Canyon State Park on its way to Cimarron NM. It has often been called the best small stream brown trout fisheries in the Southwestern United States as it contains as many as 4,000 wild brown trout per mile. These wily brown trout will average about 12 to 14 inches with a few that can be much larger. In addition to the wild browns, it is stocked with rainbows by the New Mexico Game and Fish.
The Cimarron River flows moderately through pools, riffles, pocket water and just about anything that you can think of including beaver ponds, but most of it is smooth flowing. The Cimarron River is lined with cottonwood trees and willow trees. It is mostly narrow averaging only about fifteen feet wide. Many of the banks are undercut providing cover some of the browns. However, be prepared to lose some flies as you search the undercut banks.
The Cimarron Canyon State Park and the Colin Neblett Wildlife Area just east of Eagle Village, provide about nine miles of public access to the stream. The state park section of the stream begins at US 64 bridge just upstream of the Tolby Campground. It ends near the little town of Ute Park New Mexico.
Fly Fishing the Cimarron:
The fertile waters of the Cimarron provide for an abundance of aquatic insects including mayflies, caddisflies midges and stoneflies. We recommend 4 and 5 wt fly rods nine feet length with light 4 or 5 wt. floating lines coupled with 5X or 6X nine foot leaders and a range of tippets for the dry flies. You may want to go to for 3X or 4X rigging for nymphs. It is fun to fish the Cimarron with dry flies however the nymphs will usually be more productive. Not to be over looked are the streamers and the terrestrials.
Spring:
Springtime starting in early May is the best time for fly fishing the Cimarron River. Hatches start with the early Blue Winged Olives and end with the second breed of the BWO’ in October. Along the summer, there will be
Summer:
The water stays cool all summer long and fishing remains good through the summer. The stream can be higher during the summer as the farmers use the water for irrigation. Terrestrials, like ants, beetles, and hoppers will also be effective dry flies. Fish them near the banks and undercuts.
Fall:
Fall can be the best time to fish as the brown trout will be spawning. Midge nymphs and streamer will be a good try. By late fall and winter the water levels drop.
As previously mentioned about 9 miles of the stream are available for anglers via the Cimarron Canyon State Park and the Colin Neblett Wildlife Area just east of Eagle Village.
Hatches start in April and May. Look for Blue Winged Olives, followed by the Pale Morning Duns and the Tricos.