DJ and I had been talking about doing this trip for quite a while, and it was a bit surreal when we finally rolled into camp at midnight. We set up tents and made short work of getting to sleep knowing that morning would come quickly. Waking early, we donned bird vests and shouldered our shotguns for our day afield. We put some serious miles on our boots without much luck, but our hike took us through some of the prettiest country in Arizona.
We broke for lunch and decided to shift our focus from the birds and dropped 2000 vertical foot into a remote canyon in search of wild Apache trout. We found the golden beauties in a small trickle of a stream, eager to take a well placed fly. On our hike out, we debated how many other anglers walked the small canyon trail to this tiny creek. With the trail being so faint and overgrown, we concluded that the fish here did not often see a fisherman’s fly.
The roaring fire we built that night warded off the evening’s chill and provided a bed of coals to grill steaks and cook potatoes over. But the miles put on that day had taken their toll and we headed to bed for another early morning. The next morning, we worked some different country and were able to flush one grouse, but no shot opportunity presented itself.
Heading back to town, Ranger dog crashed on the back seat for a well earned rest, and we sat up front recounting the beauty of the country, the hard work we had put in, and the overall success of the weekend.
We’ll be back.
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Really cool Ben! Didnt know there were Apache up there. Congrats on a good time, birds or not. Almost Mearns time!
Hi Ben, very cool post and a great website. We are shooting the slam this January with Steve Hopkins down in Patagonia area – I’ll send some pics. South Texas is saturated with bobwhite quail this year. Come on down.
Love the short story. Keep the stories coming and keep DJ in line!
Tough luck on the grouse, but beautiful dog, beautiful trout and beautiful country. Thanks for sharing your adventures!
Looks like a great weekend. I’m always impressed with the fish that come out of little trickles out there in AZ.
Thanks for sharing. That is beautiful country. Who needs to go to Wisconsin.
I need to go back home to Wisconsin a couple times a year. Something about the woods you grew up in does the body good, and visiting family doesnt hurt either.
Fantastic writing and photos – your depiction of AZ is right on… great, beautiful country and quarry. Will be in Patagonia, AZ in December to attempt the SLAM with proven outfitter. Great job!
Nice work Ben. Your words and and pictures really do justice to a very unique and beautiful place.
Thanks Cody. Good meeting up with you there. See you next time.
Ben