When it comes to outdoor activities it is vital to understand what flows are good and safe to float through any type of river. To attract tourist in any part of a river especially the Rio Chama specifically below Abiquiu it is important to manipulate the flow to create an experience that is safe and comfortable. The average flow that is best to float the river would be between 600 cfs and 1000 cfs. With this type of flow not only is the experience enjoyable but fishing is also at its high.Water that is released from El Vado Dam is timed to allow the floaters that come to visit the Rio Chama and float through the Rio Chama without any uncertainty in the way the water flows. The flows are managed by the Bureau of Land Managment. Recomendations
Recommended minimum flow for Kayaks and canoes less that 12' is 300 cfs.
Recommended minimum flow for Kayaks and canoes over 12' length is 500 cfs.
Seasons
The summer season starts in May and ends on Labor Day in September.
The winter season starts on Labor Day and ends on April 30th.
Rio Chama Fishing
The Rio Chama is not only great to enjoy floating, and kayaking but is also great for fishing. The Rio Chama constantly produces brown trout, rainbow trout and kokanee salmon. The Rio Chama holds the New Mexico record for trophy size brown trout 12'-18', some of the brown trout population exceed 20 pounds. The river also has a great population of caddisflies, and mayflies. The range of flow optimal for fishing is the same range that is great for floating the river which is around 600 cfs through 1000 cfs. Seasons
Spring: Great for fly fishing.
Summer: The water stays cool and is in good condition for fishing.
Fall: October and November are the prime months for brown trout.
Winter: severe weather not a prime time to fish.
Management
In the recent years recreational floating and the overall use of the Rio Chama has increased. Due to the dramatic increase, the U.S. Department Bureau of Land Management has created a system that limits the amount of visitors visiting the Rio Chama making it mandatory to have a permit as well as apply to a lottery. Social and environmental problems have been created due to the increase of people visiting the Rio Chama. The U.S. Department Bureau of Land Management has enforced a lottery system to reserve the weekend for launch dates starting from May till Labor Day weekend. Before May 1 and after Labor Day weekend reservations do not need to be made in advanced, because the demand for trips decrease as the season gets cooler. All the people that do apply for the lottery in May 1 through Labor Day weekend must have a permit in advance. According to the Bureau of Land Management the maximum group size is 16 people in order to maintain the Rio Chama.