Back to Fly Fishing Home 

FLY FISHING IN ARIZONA

"If you wish to be happy for an hour, get intoxicated.

If you wish to be happy for three days, get married.

If you wish to be happy for eight days,

Kill your pig and eat it.

If you wish to be happy forever, learn to fish."

                                               - Chinese Proverb

    Believe it or not, Arizona is home to some spectacular cold-water trout fisheries.  Depending on where you live or how far you are willing to drive, Arizona offers a few places where fly anglers can catch a variety of different trout species either under tall ponderosa pines or under towering thousand foot tall sandstone cliffs.

    Fly anglers in search of trout can choose from small mountain streams, cold alpine lakes, or larger scale rivers such as the Colorado at Lee's Ferry.  Besides trout, Arizona fly fishermen can find several other species of game fish to pursue, including largemouths, smallmouths, pike, striper, and bluegill.  If you're looking for power on the opposite end of your line, Arizona also offers some pretty decent carp, catfish, & sucker fishing.

    Another great attribute of this state is that the fishing season is open year round (with the exception of a few lakes on the White Mountain Apache Reservation).  Places like Lee's Ferry can be fished 365 days a year.  Although some of the lakes in the higher elevations experience winterkill occasionally because of long cold winters, there are a handful of small streams and warm water lakes to fish during our mild winters in the "valley" while the snow is falling up north.

ARIZONA GAME FISH

TROUT – Trout are the fish that first come to mind when the tem “fly fishing” is used.  They are the classic fish that are depicted in paintings and photographs of gentle old-timers with split-willow creels slung over their shoulder.  For me, trout fishing takes precedence over all other species of freshwater game fish.  They're not the biggest fish in the state, nor are they the easiest to catch, but I like them because of their beauty and the skill and understand it takes to catch them.  True, just about anybody with a bait hook and a worm can catch a trout, but this is not my preferred method of angling...I like fly angling.  I like it because of the usual opportunity of remoteness and solitude.   The thought of fishing for trout always places me up in cool crisp   air and even colder water.  This method of fishing requires a combination of knowledge, stealth, skill, and total awareness on behalf of the angler. 

Fly anglers in AZ use a variety of different line configurations to fish for trout.  A lot of this has to do with where you are fishing and what your preference is.  I have observed everything from 0 weights to 7 weights on trout waters.   Everyone seems to have their own opinion and method for doing this.  Stick to what you like and what you are comfortable with if you are catching fish with it.   However, it shouldn't hurt your ego to take a recommendation once in awhile and try something new.  After all, there are a lot of very knowledgeable fly fishers out there who have caught and released lots of respectable sized trout. 

<Rainbow Trout> Heavily stocked by the AZG&F.   These fish can be found in urban lakes during the winter months and at most cold-water lakes and streams throughout the state.  The stockers aren't too picky and can be caught pretty easily using a variety of different flies.  Those waters fortunate enough to have naturally reproducing rainbows offer some of the most colorful fish in the state.

Favorite Rainbow Trout waters: Lee's Ferry, Sunrise Lake, Big Lake, Reservation Lake, Hawley Lake, Horseshoe Cienega Lake and Oak Creek.

<Brown Trout> Considered to be a prize among fly anglers.  These fish are no longer stocked at most cold-water locations.  Because of this, many of the smaller streams and lakes that still hold these wary fish have a naturally reproducing population.   Although they are not as plentiful as the rainbows, they can be found in many cold waters and can grow to trophy size because of their predatory nature and elusive nocturnal feeding habits.  The browns are also a little more tolerant of water conditions that are unsuitable for other species of trout.

Favorite Brown Trout Waters: Chevlon Lake, Canyon Creek, Oak Creek and Hawley Lake

<Brook Trout> This is another species of trout considered by many fly fishers to be a trophy.  It's not the size of them that make them a trophy, but more the rarity and beauty of these fish.  A brookie caught on a flyrod is a memorable experience for almost all who flyfish.  Brook trout are known to be extremely selective and very sensitive to the condition of the water.  Better said, they are intolerant of severe changes to their aquatic environment. 

Favorite Brook Trout Waters: Big Lake, Crescent Lake, Drift Fence Lake and Earl Park Lake

<Apache Trout> The Apache trout is one of the only 2 trout native to the state of Arizona.   It can only be found in the waters in or near the White Mountain Apache Reservation in the northeast part of our state.  The White Mountain Apache Tribe has done an outstanding job in recent years raising these fish and releasing them into cold-water fisheries in the pristine lakes and streams in the White Mountains.  They can be found in abundance in both lakes and streams where they are stocked.  Sizes range from "pan-size" to lunkers brought in from the hatchery brood ponds.  The reservation has several special programs on selected lakes where fishermen (fly & artificial lure only) can have the opportunity to catch trophy sized Apaches.  These are delicate fish and must be played and handled carefully to ensure their survival when released.

Favorite Apache Trout Waters: Christmas Tree Lake, White River, Lee Valley Reservoir

<Arctic Grayling> The grayling is a rare fish in Arizona.  All grayling in this state were results of previous stocking efforts.  There are some lakes where grayling can be caught in abundance with a variety of different flies.  The grayling resembles the rainbow trout in it's feeding preferences.  When the fish are biting, grayling are easily caught.  Most of these fish are small compared to some of the other trout caught in Arizona.  With it's oversized dorsal fine and silvery-purplish scales, this fish adds another dimension of fly angling for residents of this state.

Favorite Grayling Waters: Lee Valley Reservoir, Bear Canyon Lake (although nobody believes that I have caught grayling here)

BASS – This fish needs no introduction here in Arizona.  I believe this is the most popular game fish here in this state because of its availability and proximity to a majority of urban populations.  For warmer waters and shorter drives, I like fishing for bass.  Bass can be found in just about any water source in Arizona, except for waters that are too cold.  There are some waters that hold both trout and bass.  They are well known as predators and will strike their prey with fury and aggression.   Often bass can even be enticed to strike a large popper or streamer when they're not even hungry.  Many large bass will not tolerate another form of life in their territory. 

I have caught bass since childhood with just about everything I have thrown in the water.  Bass are aggressive and fairly easy to catch at certain times of the year.  Although there are several different species of bass to catch in Arizona, I predominantly fish for largemouth and smallmouth bass and will occasionally catch one of the other species while fishing these warm-water lakes.

For bass, a heavier rod/reel setup is usually needed.  Since lots of these hawgs get up to the 6+ pound range, you need to be ready to hook into one of these and land it without breaking off.  My recommendations for bass fishing are anything from a 5-weight rig, up to 7 or 8 weight for the person in search of the big guys.  This is necessary in order to effectively throw the larger patterns of deer hair bass bugs and heavily weighted streamers.  One of the things I like most about bass fishing is that bass are not as picky as trout about your fly offerings and you don't have to worry about matching the hatch most of the time.  There are some times when you can catch bass on a hatch of damsels or dragonflies, but the majority of my bass success has come from surface poppers and streamers such as Clouser Minnows, Lefty's Deceivers, Foxy Minnows, and even big Woolly Buggers.

<Largemouth Bass> Largemouths are very rewarding on a flyrod because of their acrobatic nature and strength.  Using top-water deer hair poppers in the early mornings and at dusk can produce some exciting top-water action if you concentrate on the shorelines or around structures.  Equally rewarding is the strike you get from stripping a deep minnow or large bugger. 

I concentrate on smaller waters or isolated shallow water coves.  The majority of fly fishermen do not own bass boats and are challenged by fishing from shore or a float tube.   

Favorite Largemouth Bass Waters: Private community lakes, golf course lakes, Bartlett Lake, Saguaro Lake, Canyon Lake

<Smallmouth Bass> This fish fights like a pit bull!  It's strong, aggressive, acrobatic, and full of energy.  The only downfall of this fish is that it's not as plentiful as it's larger cousin and can be moody and hard to catch at times.   This species of bass likes the nasty weather that keeps most of us off the water.   Cold, overcast, & windy days that produce whitecaps on the water are the best time to fish for these fish.  I can recall several times taking the advice of more knowledgeable smallmouth fishermen and launching my float tube in big choppy waters just to be slammed into cliff walls and almost flipped over.  For those of you fortunate enough to fish from a boat, you still have to contend with gusty winds.  A heavy rod setup comes in handy during these conditions.

Favorite Smallmouth Bass Waters: Apache Lake, Canyon Lake, Roosevelt Lake, Black River (even though I haven't been here yet, I will list it because of all the excellent reports I have received from reliable sources)

<Other Bass> White bass, yellow bass, striped bass, rock bass.  All of these bass can be caught in a variety of different lakes around Arizona.  Most fly fisherman will catch these bass accidentally when fishing for largemouths and smallmouths because they inhabit the same waters.  With the exception of the striped bass, these unknown cousins of the largemouth and smallmouth are much smaller but can be equally rewarding if you can locate a feeding school.

Favorite Other Bass Lakes: Lake Pleasant, Saguaro Lake

<Bluegill and Sunfish> I have included these fish in this category because of the similarity of the flies used and because they are found in the same waters.  Most fly anglers in search of bluegill will also catch many bass in the process.  Big bluegill are like mini-smallmouths, and in some cases will put up the same fight.  For it's size, the bluegill can put up a memorable fight if you're using a light rig.  Even on a 5-weight rod, a big bluegill can still put some flex into it.  Fishing for bluegills is always fun.   Use the same methods you would for bass, just go smaller with the flies.  One reason these fish are so fun to catch is because they are not picky and are almost always eager to inhale a small surface popper or bugger.  They can be found in large numbers usually and provide the fisherman with an alternative to being skunked.

Favorite Bluegill Waters: any warm water you think there are fish!

PIKE - The Northern Pike is one of my favorite species to catch.  Landing one of these fish must be experienced personally in order for you to have a full understanding of their power and tenacity.   When a pike strikes your lure or fly, its only intent is to kill it.  Using some shock cord or some braided leader is highly recommended so that they don't cut your leader with their teeth.   These aren't particularly picky fish.  For me, throwing in anything big and ugly will usually work.

Favorite Northern Pike Waters: Lower Lake Mary, Upper Lake Mary, Stoneman Lake and Long Lake