This 12-mile tailwater
in the northeastern part of the state ranks among the finest brown
trout streams in the West. The Cimarron doesn't act like a tailwater.
Except for its slow upper mile as it flows out of Eagle Nest Lake, the
stream bounces and tumbles through the scenic canyon, rushing past the
overlooking Palisades, bunching up in flatter sections, providing
pocket water, glides, bend pools, perky riffles and undercut banks —
all attractive trout lies. What sets the Cimarron apart from most
southern Rockies fisheries is the varied and abundant insect
population. The stonefly hatches in May and June can cloud the sky.
During the day, anglers can experience multiple hatches of caddisflies
and mayflies, making the Cimarron a first-rate dry fly destination.
Walking upstream under the canopy of overhanging brush, marveling at
simultaneous hatches and casting to rising wild trout is the allure of
this gem of a river. State Highway 64 runs beside the winding stream
for most of its course, but anglers can find solitude by walking away
from bridge crossings and parking areas to cast dry-fly attractor
patterns on soft water for plump browns all day long.
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