Arizona Fly Fishing – Summertime Small Stream (Part 1)

Dry Flies
Dry Flies

There is something about the sound of heavy tires crunching over a dirt road on the way to an ice-cold creek. Anticipation was running high as I had not fished these streams for over a month, and I was worried what condition the Arizona summer had put them in. Gear was sorted on the tailgate of the truck and with the last of the coffee drained, I descended into the canyon.

Rainbow
Rainbow

It did not take long for the usual suspects to find their way to the end of my fly line. The rainbows were looking up and helped themselves to dry flies all day long. The creek itself was in good shape considering it is the end of July. The water was at a good level and flowed cold and clear. I could not help but notice that the grasses and plant life in the stream was much more prolific than in years past, which I believe can only enhance habitat for fish.

Hopper
Hoppers

Bugs of every shape and color were in the water and on the banks which made the decision to fish the mini-hopper pretty easy. As I worked my way through the familiar runs and pools, I approached one particular undercut bank where I have pulled some respectable fish from. After laying a delicate cast six inches from the bank, the surface erupted as a burst of orange attacked my fly. Steering him away from several deep pockets, this beautiful 13 inch brown came to the net. His spotting is unique compared with other browns I have pulled from this creek and the picture does not do his orange belly justice.

Brown Trout
Brown Trout

The solitude of the day was relaxing and without seeing another person on the water, I was able to fish at my own pace. I reached the falls mid-afternoon and after fishing for a little while, decided to take a dip. I dried off in the hot Arizona sun and then pointed my boots back downstream.

The Falls
The Falls

I stopped and fished several of the bigger pools where I had seen some monsters earlier in the day. I latched into a big fish that took the dry long enough to put a good bend in the rod before quickly breaking off. (Story of my life.)

Rainbow
Rainbow

With daylight fading, I made my way back out of the canyon and to the truck.I bounced back over the washboarded road, exhausted but happy. A great day on the water catching tons of wild fish. I drove to a camp spot to meet Pete and Erin where I was treated to a gourmet dinner over an open fire. I felt a little spoiled…

Living the high life
Living the high life

15 Responses to “Arizona Fly Fishing – Summertime Small Stream (Part 1)”

  1. Erin Block

    Savor that spoiling. Looks divine. Beautiful fish…and I just always love the possibilities of an open fly box…

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks Erin. I have been soaking up the summertime fishing and enjoying every minute of it. Thanks for the kind words.

      Ben

      Reply
  2. Barry aka long ago

    Ben, looks like you had a great day fishing. Always a great report.

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks Barry. I enjoyed seeing those pictures from your trip to Colorado. Must be great to have your daughter be such a die hard fly fisher. Thanks again.

      Ben

      Reply
  3. Home Skillet

    Looks like a boat load of fun (minus the boat). Your fly box is one to be jealous of for sure. I’ve been super busy, but still fishing. We will have to talk soon.

    Home Skillet

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks Eric. Looking forward to talking and hearing about how things have been fishing up there. Take care.

      Ben

      Reply
  4. Ed Weddle

    Hi Ben, I live up on the rim and I have recently retired(this month).I found your website and it has sparked my fly fishing bug again. I have dug out my gear and plan to get back on the streams up here alot more often.Keep up the good work and I am glad to see the younger generation envolved in the outdoors.

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Awesome Ed. Congrats on the recent retirement and the plunge back into the fly fishing world. The rim holds some great streams and lakes to fish. Keep me posted on how things go. Thanks for stopping in and the kind words.

      Ben

      Reply
    • azwanderings

      Habit at this point. It is a little overkill, but it’s always nice to have a little selection if conditions are off. Plus I lose flies like a madman…

      Ben

      Reply
  5. Rohan

    How many flies do you have!!!

    Hey what flies would yo use for a winter lake? Nymph with anything else?

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Rohan,

      To be honest, my fly box is not usually this full. I tied like a madman in the spring to get ready for all the trips I took this summer. This is my one all around trout box and it is much fuller than usual. To answer you question, I don’t do too much lake fishing, but most of the stuff I’ve had experience with or read involves streamers and nymphs. If fish are not rising, you can strip leeches or streamers or fish nymphs suspended beneath an indicator. What type of fish are you after?

      Ben

      Reply
  6. David G

    A little spoiled!? Pfft! A great trip always ends with great food. Someone knows how to do it right!

    Reply
  7. Jay

    Love it. I’ve been fishing New Zealand for the last two and a half years, and have developed a serious passion for it. I’d mostly considered fishing in Arizona to be restricted to stocked White Mountain and Rim country lakes. I’m stoked to see all the stream caught wild trout available in Arizona. Makes me hardly able to wait getting home. Thanks for the site.

    Reply
    • azwanderings

      Thanks Jay for the kind words. I’m afraid you may be a little disappointed in Arizona after roaming around New Zealand, but we do have some great small stream fishing here. Enjoy.

      Ben

      Reply

Leave a Reply