Welcome to Santa Fe’s premier Fly Shop and Guide Service! We specialize in guiding public and private waters throughout northern New Mexico. Our full-service fly shop is conveniently located inside the De Vargas Mall and stocks everything you need to make your next fishing trip successful.
Our staff of patient and professional instructors can help you maximize your time on the water while improving your Fly Fishing skills. We guide full and half-day trips on the Pecos, Chama, Rio Grande, Brazos, Jemez and more!
In March of 2014 The Reel Life was purchased by Ivan Valdez and Nick Streit and the store was moved to its current location inside the De Vargas Mall at 526 North Guadalupe St. in Santa Fe NM. After a 10-year run as co-owner of The Reel Life, Ivan bought out Nick in August of 2024 and is now the full fly shop owner!
Our goal at The Reel Life is to ensure that all of our guests have a great experience both at the fly shop and out on the water! Customer service is our number one priority, and we leave no stone unturned!
TIGHT LINES!!!
Latest News
Fishing Reports
12/22/2024
Hi Reel Lifers,
We are constantly giving up-to-the-minute reports on our social media pages Facebook and Instagram, so be sure to give us a follow! We also provide a lot of information in our newsletters, which you can sign up for on our website. Fall fishing is here! Winter ffly fishing is upon us here in Northern NM! The air temps have been ridiculously warm and that has meant some really good fishing. We have mainly been guiding the Rio Chama and the Rio Grande. Flows have been fluctuating on the Rio Grande and they are currently at 570cfs, flows are rising about 100cfs from the morning to the afternoon. Fishing has been really good using crane fly larva, perdigons, micro mays, yodas, eggs and worms. The pike bite has been decent and definitly worth a try. Pike hunt by feel, so using a bigger pike fly with a wire bite will get you going. The Rio Chama below Abiquiu is at 400 cfs. DOn't let the high flows turn you away. Fishing has been good using the same flies listed above for the Rio Grande. I would also throw in zebra midges and run some streamers as well. Go up to Coops below El Vado. The flows are at 100cfs and the fishing has been good in the afternoon.Wooly buggers, cranes, red larva, and streamers are the flies that you will need. For up to the minute reports feel free to call us at the fly shop 5059958114.
Tight lines!
Ivan
