Our mid-morning change of plans put us on to a different part of the same creek. From the ponderosa pine, drop and plunge water, we entered a completely different world of steep canyon walls and deep pools.
The rainbows we were catching here were equally as beautiful as the ones above.
I switched over to the streamer as we fished these deep pools and fish started to come out to play. As the sun climbed higher into the sky, the fishing slowed considerably, but heavy streamers and patience payed off.
We continued to work the stream back up towards the truck and encountered several of the slot canyons that this creek meanders through. We had two options. One, we could hike around and skip about a half mile of productive untouched water. Two, suck it up and go for a swim.
The swim was cold but refreshing and gave us an opportunity to test out Antonio’s Patagonia dry pack. The water we were able to access was beautiful and several small fish came to hand. We were both slightly disappointed that nothing of size could be found. The water was slightly off color and not its normal crystal clear quality. Overall, the swim was completely worth the view.
Above the canyon we fished till we found more pocket water which gave me a reason to go back to the mini-hopper. The sun started to make its way towards the canyon walls and the creek came alive with bugs and fish coming to the surface.
The mini-hopper reigned supreme and got pounded by fish after fish who were feeding greedily on anything floating by.
The truck was a welcome sight and with a couple of dry t-shirts and a cup of camp coffee, we were feeling pretty good. Bouncing our way over the backcountry washboard road we made our way into town for the standard Mexican food/Dairy Queen fan fare which always leaves me smiling but uncomfortably full. I will never learn. It was a beautiful day in Arizona.
Wow, that swim…brr! Looks like great fun though, and great fish! I’ve been having a lot of luck lately with micro-streamers too.
Erin,
It definitely was a little chilly but nothing the Arizona sun couldn’t dry out pretty quick. I am definitely seeing the positives of fishing with streamers. They seem to work really well in those deep pools…
Ben
You guys swam – that is awesome! I am so glad you made it back to this spot. It gorgeous. I have to agree with you, I am okay if I don’t catch a huge fish – any wild trout on the end of my line is beautiful!
Stephanie,
Wild fish is always a plus in my book. The swim and scenery helps to make a memorable day too. Thanks for the kind words.
Ben
Fantastic outing for sure Ben. I’m sure glad you guys decided to go for the swim, the walls of that small canyon are really cool. Thanks for sharing the adventure.
Thanks Benny. Arizona has some pretty amazing canyons. That rugged country seems to weed out alot of the other anglers too which is a big plus. Glad you liked it.
Ben
Excellent trip report Ben. Really great shot with the mini hopper. I’m still jealous of your warm weather, we got more snow yesterday here in Idaho.
Thanks Paul. If you need a break from all that snow we got plenty of sun to share. If you make it down this way let me know.
Ben
Another shameless plug for the mini hopper. 😉
Thanks for the pics and I look forward to the next post.
Chris,
You know I’m not above the shameless mini-hopper plug. It’s fishing too good not to talk about. Thanks for the kind words.
Ben
Swimming for bows, how can you not love that!
Can’t help it. It was a great day in the water. Gotta love the wild bows.
Ben
That water screams buggers! Great fish and the swim looked like it payed off. Although, this place looks very familiar. Have you been up there before?
Mexican food and DQ? That’s an interesting combination. Looks like an awesome trip AGAIN!
Thanks David. I haven’t been into this particular spot. Most of the creeks here in Arizona eventually wind through some gnarly slotted canyons. It is amazing to see what that water has done to the rock over time. Creates an excellent backdrop to fish in. Give the Mexican food and DQ a try. You won’t regret it no matter how full and uncomfortable you feel. Tight lines
Ben
Full and uncomfortable is the mark of a good day.The place really looked like where you stopped a few weeks back.
Yeah I know. Same watershed. Different creeks…
Ben, Arizona sure has some stunning looking fishing holes!
We are pretty lucky. You have to do some walking to get to most of them, but they sure are worth it when you get there. When you finally make it out this way, I’ll show you around.
Ben
gotta be that mexi place right on the confluence whose name always escapes me. it’s excellent.
I’d rather have a dollar iced frosty pbr in that little cowboy dive in star valley than dq.
Sounds good. But the peanut butter sundae at DQ really does the trick… Might be over your way on Saturday morning. I’ll shoot you a text if it happens…
Ben
Great stuff Ben, you always take me to one of my favorite places in your posts. I could spend a month poking around Arizona looking for those hidden gems. Love the pictures.
Thanks Jason. Glad you’re liking the posts. Fishing these remote spots is really rewarding and fun. I’ve had some time to really put your leaders through the paces and really really like them. Top quality stuff. A little later in the summer once I get a chance to use the heavier ones, I’ll be putting a review together for you. Thanks again.
Ben
Awesome. I know those pictures can’t bring me there but I want to be there. Those walls, the steep grade, beauty rainbows. Thanks man.
Thanks man. Appreciate the kind words. We have some pretty cool stuff to fish here in AZ.
Ben