Tranquil waters, fine views make Rio Costilla an angler’s haven

RIO COSTILLA — This mountain stream flows through a long wide valley in the majestic Valle Vidal Unit in the Carson National Forest. Elk graze in meadows among the pine- and aspen-covered mountain slopes. It’s a beautiful view and a superb place to fish for the Rio Grande cutthroat trout.

Anglers eagerly await the July 1 opener for the opportunity to fish for the Rio Grande cutthroat, Northern New Mexico’s only indigenous trout and perfect for fly fishing. An occasional rainbow trout is caught in the river from stockings downstream and, of course the rainbow/cutthroat hybrid — the “Cutbow” is taken with great frequency. All fishing done on the Rio Costilla and other streams in the Valle Vidal is strictly catch and release with a fly or lure on a single barbless hook.

The fly-fishing on the Rio Costilla is relatively easy; wide meanders make for easy wading and very few streamside trees to snag wayward back casts. The river is on the average 12 to 15 feet wide, with a stone-covered bed. Felt-soled wading boots are suggested and many anglers elect to wet-wade the river in the summer’s warmth.

Rio Costilla is a tailwater fishery, meaning that it comes out of a dam. Tailwater fisheries are noted for the stable temperatures of their waters, which makes a good environment for the trout and other aquatic creatures living in the stream. Caddis, mayflies, stoneflies and more inhabit the rich environment of this Sangre de Cristo Mountain stream, giving fly-fishing anglers a good selection of aquatic insects from which to choose. Grassy banks line the Rio Costilla, which are loaded with grasshoppers, ants and other terrestrials that also become prey to the trout, furthering the artificial-fly selection.

The river meanders down a long valley with plenty of undercut banks, runs and riffles that hold the Rio Grande cutthroat trout.

In addition to the natural fish-holding features, anglers will notice many habitat improvements — numerous V-dams have been placed in the stream by the National Forest Service. The Rio Grande cutthroat is an aggressive fish and will readily strike at a well-presented fly or lure. But as aggressive as the fish are to hitting a well-placed fly, they are super wary — a careless cast, a heavy footstep or a shadow across the water will make the trout scurry for cover in an instant.

Fly-fishing anglers can use 4 to 5 weight rods with floating lines at the Rio Costilla. Because of the open meadows, rods can be up to 9 feet long. Leaders and tippet combinations should be a minimum of 8 1 /2 feet long tapered down to 6X.

A good selection of artificial dry flies may include elk-hair caddis, comparaduns and stimulators in sizes No. 12-18 in various colors; for nymphs, try pheasant tails, gold-ribbed hare’s ears or caddis larvae in sizes No. 14-18 .

The Rio Costilla is at an average altitude of 8,500 feet. Expect summer monsoons in the early afternoon, which cool the day off nicely. Average daytime temperatures are on the mild side and evenings are cool. Summer flows on the Rio Costilla are regulated by water demands downstream for agricultural purposes; mid-week flows are higher than weekend flows. One benefit of fishing during the week is fewer anglers on the water.

Forest Road 1900 shadows the Rio Costilla from the boundary at the entrance of the Valle Vidal almost to the end of the National Forest boundary . Pullouts along the road permit the anglers to park their vehicles adjacent to the river, which is a leisurely stroll from the road.

Off-road travel in the Valle Vidal is prohibited except on foot and vehicle traffic is limited to established and marked forest roads.