Silver Creek Catch & Release Section Now Open

15” Apache Trout caught and released on Silver Creek using a #16 Yellow Humpy (10/27/01).

Winter fishing at Silver Creek is now open to Catch & Release.  The Catch & Release section opened on October 1 and will remain open until April 1, 2002. 

The Catch & Release section of Silver Creek is managed carefully by the Arizona Game & Fish Department as a special regulation trophy trout fishery during the winter.  Within this upper section of the creek, only FLIES and ARTIFICIAL LURES may be used and ALL fish must be released immediately.  There are approximately three miles of stream dedicated to Catch & Release, with 2 of those miles running through Arizona Game & Fish property so that it can be closely monitored and regulations can be strictly enforced.

Silver Creek is a spring creek with plenty of casting space and many different holes and runs to explore.  The 2 miles of stream that run through the Game & Fish property provide anglers with many different types of water to pursue the Apache and Rainbow Trout in, including pocket water, deep pools, shallow riffles, and undercut banks.  In September, there were several large 3-5 lb. Apache and Rainbow Trout stocked throughout the creek that are being caught and released by fly fishermen using a variety of different techniques.

The creek is extremely silty, which discourages wading, but easy shoreline access for anglers makes the entire creek accessible to fly rodders.  From the parking lot, there is approximately a 1 mile hike back to the creek.  Resident Game & Fish employees who live at the trailhead to the creek have done an excellent job maintaining the area as well as discouraging would-be poachers from using bait and filling their coolers with these trophy sized trout.

Chip Chipman, licensed guide and owner of Arizona Mountain Flyfishing has caught and released over 80 trout from this creek since it opened.  He frequents this creek several times a week and consistently catches Rainbows over 20”!  During my trip to Silver Creek on 10/27/01, Chip’s help made the difference between a good day and skunked trip. 

The White Mountain Fly Fishing Club in cooperation with Game & Fish have been and are continuing to improve stream habitat by planting trees and adding structure to the stream.

If you go:  Silver Creek is located 12 miles north of Showlow.  Expect a 3 – 3.5 hour drive from Phoenix.  An 8’6” – 9’ rod (3wt – 5wt) with floating line would be ideal.  Plenty of open space allows for easy casting with a longer rod.  There is a kiosk located at the trailhead with helpful information and a log book for fishermen to record their catch (used by Game & Fish to study the creek…please remember to fill it in!).

Guiding information:

Chip Chipman (owner)

Arizona Mountain Flyfishing

Nutrioso, AZ

(520) 339-4829

Terry Chia

AZOD Fly Fishing Editor