The yellow Gila trout tucked away from humanity in a tiny trickle of water greedily ate our flies and made us forget about the thorns and brush that tore at our clothing. We fell on the slippery rocks and bushwhacked through the dense undergrowth to cast our lines for this rare Southwestern trout. and it was a bit surreal to hold a fish that has been on the brink of extinction for so long. The habitat didn’t allow for much in the way of casting, but bow-and-arrow casting small streamers seemed to do the trick.
Thanks to the work of Trout Unlimited and the Arizona Game and Fish Department, there is now a wild fishable population of Gila trout back in Arizona, and efforts continue to be made to stock Gila trout back in their native drainage. Stay up to date on new fishing regulations and future habitat work.
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Outstanding!
Thanks Rob.
That last one is hands down the best gila trout I have ever seen. Just a few more years and the rest of the Pinalenos have recovered well enough to be reopened too. Great work, Ben!
Thanks Max. Great looking blog by the way.
Ben
Thanks, Ben! If you look carefully you’ll see a couple of your quail hats floating around in there…
Right on Max. I’ve added your link to my blog list. I look forward to following along.
Ben
Thanks, Ben– after years of people saying “you should have a blog,” reading yours was what inspired me to go for it. See you on the trail!
Beautiful trout and of an amazing size. Almost as rare as a Gila Trout are the streams of that size that hold trout (of any species) of the dimensions pictured. A real treasure and so much to be thankful for.
Couldn’t agree more Phil. Thanks for the comment.
Ben
Awesome fish…thanks for sharing!
Vince
Thanks Vince
Wow, Ben, thanks for the great pictures of those beautiful trout. I am pretty sure I will never see one of those in the wild. So, I am grateful for you sharing your experience. It just feels good to know they are there, healthy, and that you were there to make the connection. Also, thanks for caring so much about their habitat.
Thanks Alan for the kind words.
Ben
Excellent report and fish Ben! One of these days I hope to make to that creek to check it out. In the mean time, thanks for sharing you trip! Looks like you and DJ knocked it out of the park! What streamers did you guys use! Simi’s?
Thanks Simon. I used a small simi seal bugger variation that I tied up specifically for the trip. I found the fish to not be that picky though. Good luck if you head down there. Take care.
Ben
Beautiful creek and catches…
Thanks Scott.
Just now saw this, gorgeous fish! You could get into some serious back country adventures along that creek!
Thanks Pete. It is some serious country for sure.
Ben
Awesome fish and pictures. Fishing areas like that is a great time.
Thanks for the kind words Ben.
Beautiful fish… I’ve spent a lot of time in that canyon. It’s crazy to see it on the internet like that. It’s so easy to feel like your the only one who goes there. Glad you made it out there. By the way, you didn’t happen to find a trekking pole up there did you? Lol.
Thanks Benjamin. Sorry man, no trekking pole was found.
Looks awesome! That is a trout I hope to pursue someday. Glad to know it is an attainable goal.
Thanks David. Next time you’re out this way let me know and we’ll get out.
Ben
Wow. Love that species of trout. But, I don’t think that I want to try to get into those areas to fish for it! Great photos.
Thanks Emily. It was fun to cross them off the list but a pretty tight stream to fish. Thanks for the kind words.
Ben
Most beautiful gila I’ve ever seen!
What stream?
Great fish Ben! I am planning on making my first trip down there this weekend. Hoping to cross the Gila off the list. I have a bunch of your mini hoppers to try out.
Good luck Danny.
This was a spur of the moment decision to go. Wish I had time to order some of your Frye Creek Special streamers. Those look like a great option for getting down in those plunge pools.
Good luck on your trip, Danny.