Arizona Fly Fishing: Cold Mornings

Morning Fire
Morning Fire

Saturday morning dawned frigidly cold in the north country. We sat huddled in the truck looking at the 29 degree mark (a cold temperature for Arizona boys) that blinked on the dashboard of the truck, and we thought twice about our decision. In the end there was no way we were turning around, so we geared up, put on all available clothing, and headed towards the water. After spotting fish in the first pool and attempting to fish to them, we realized it was far too cold even for the fish to be moving, so we built a small fire and waited for the sun to come up over the canyon walls and warm the water.

Arizona Brown Trout
Arizona Brown Trout

Fishing was slow, but around eleven o’clock, I coaxed the beautiful brown above from underneath a large boulder. The fight was brief and Antonio swung the net underneath him. As beautiful as the photo is, it does not do this trout justice, as the yellows and oranges glistened in the sun.

Trees
Trees

The fishing continued very slowly and we saw/spooked a few big fish. As the sun disappeared, I was worked a long pool and sailed an orange mini-hopper to a likely looking spot. After a slow boil, I lifted the fly rod to find life on the other end. Within seconds, I realized that is a was a large fish and quickly fought him to the shallows, where I stared down at a beautiful beefy brown trout. With a few quick photos, he swam quickly back into the deep green water.

Arizona Brown Trout
Arizona Brown Trout

I felt blessed to hold, not one, but two beautiful fish out of this creek. The cold weather is going to put the kibosh on the stellar fishing soon, but until then, I’ll continue to push my luck and try to fool another of these big browns.

Mountainsmith Lumbar Pack
Mountainsmith Lumbar Pack (Review to come soon...)

14 Responses to “Arizona Fly Fishing: Cold Mornings”

  1. Royal Wulff aka Mike

    those are some stellar browns there my friend.! It would appear great minds think alike, however I caught nothing like that big-headed monster in pic #2. hoo boy! mike

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks Mike. I’m looking forward to seeing your pics from the NM high country.

      Ben

      Reply
  2. Zach

    Beautiful fish, Ben!! BTW, I picked up the shoulder straps for my Mountainsmith and it makes all the difference!! I’m gonna need to talk to you again soon about my vice options…I’m itching to get started!

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks Zach. Good to hear about those shoulder straps. I absolutely love that pack. Give me a call so we can talk about a vice. I’ll hook you up with some hides too.

      Ben

      Reply
  3. Western Lands Journal

    I find myself with reservations a few times myself on a cold morning…but when I finally get out there I tell myself how foolish I was to even think such thoughts. When many others are stuck in the city…I’m out enjoying the great outdoors. That’s a great brown! For sure worth braving the cold!

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks WLJ. It’s just like you said. I almost feel bad for the people who never get out of the city.

      Ben

      Reply
  4. Iain Emmons

    Ben,

    Beautiful browns, and that is marvelous you were able to coax the second guy to one of your mini-hoppers–nicely done! Hmm, the look of the stones and the browns makes me think we might have fished the same stream one day apart, as my wife and I just returned from an overnight backcountry trip this evening; the morning was cold for us too…

    Iain

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Iain,

      Thanks so much. That’s funny that we just missed each other. I hope you did well and I look forward to reading about it on OCA. Hope all is well.

      Ben

      Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks Rohan. I thought so too, but this creek is just too fragile. I’ve been enjoying reading through your book. Review to come soon.

      Ben

      Reply

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