The winding dirt road led to a cattle guard, followed by a break in the fence. Through the break in the fence was a trail and at the end of the trail was a river. This particular river held brown trout, and when a streamer swung through the current with the perfect blend of speed, depth, and the right amount of movement, a brown trout ate it with conviction. After a few fleeting hours it was over. Back up the trail, through the hole in the fence, and up the winding dirt road, River X faded into the rearview mirror.
It’s been weeks since I walked down that trail and stood on the banks of the river, but I can still see the mountains, smell the sage, and feel the line come tight on a fish like it was yesterday.
Sign up to receive email updates from Arizona Wanderings
Good times. Wish we had more time there.
Agreed my friend.
Rivers running through sage brush filled canyon with snow capped mountains as a back drop. Classic western fishing in spring! Lovely photos and fish!
Thanks Mark. I grew up on the east coast and the West has always had that allure for me. It rarely disappoints.
Ben
Hmm, looks kind of like a place I used to go quite a bit, River “O”…
Nice to hear from you Eddie.
Ben
Beautiful Ben. My brother and I fished a very similar river yesterday, the Sevier River in southern Utah. Kingston Canyon with snow on the mountains looks just like your river X.
Thanks, Alan
Thanks Alan. There are some pretty spots out west.
Ben
Great write up. Love the solitude out there.
Thanks Kyle. I couldn’t agree more.
Ben
Awesomely beautiful country and trout…what is location of mysterious “river x”?
Thanks Steve.
It does look like the “o” river watershed not too far from where they filmed the final scene of Nevada Smith.
It’s all beautiful country up that way. Wish I could have spent more time up there.
Ben
Nice Ben! Looks like it was a wicked trip, must have been difficult to fish with such a beautiful backdrop
Thanks Anthony. It surely is a beautiful spot.
Ben
Nice pics! it’s time for trout fishing, a beautiful place for coming this summer.
Ben
daught coming home from UofA for summer thinking about sneaking in some fishing Payson? that area any help would be appreciated .