I had a nice change of pace this weekend and was able to head to the high country with my wife Michelle and our good friends Dan and Kera. We camped for the night in one of my favorite spots and enjoyed the cool September night with campfire food. The next morning after laying around…
It still is difficult for friends, and especially my wife, to fully grasp the reasons that I get up so early on Saturday mornings to hike my way back into some creek on the off chance I will have a shot at a nice fish. Luckily, I have fishing friends who have the same compulsions…
What is in my small stream fly fishing pack? It is always interesting to see what other fly fishermen deem as “must haves” in their pack or vest. I have been getting quite a few questions over the past few months about the gear that I pack in to some of the backcountry spots that…
It’s been raining in the high country and the creeks are in pristine condition. From even a week ago, everything is very green and the water looks healthy. Due to the storms the night before and the sky threatening more of the same, the fishing was very slow in the morning. Antonio and I both…
There’s not much to really say as the photos do most of the talking. I left home at 2:30 and met Antonio before heading up north. We hiked in early and found some willing fish to rise to foamy hoppers. Things are definitely slowing down from a few weeks ago and I think the high…
The story goes: I hiked for a long ways. Spotted a big fish. Against all odds, my 20 minute stalk worked, with the big boy taking a brown mini-hopper. About 15 minutes later, I paid the price for this monster with a #8 hook in the face. My fault. Had my good buddy Antonio push…
I spent Saturday on the Rim flinging flies to small stream trout. It never ceases to amaze me that we have such beautiful places to fly fish in Arizona. Knowing that it will be a while until I get back up to the high country, I opted to maximize my time and fish three of…
Looks like there is going to be some serious pockets of hoppers across the west this summer. I like thinking that those dark red spots in AZ are right over the Rim creeks. Make sure to stock your fly box with a fistful of Mini-Hoppers (aka the “ultimate small stream dry fly”) Mini-Hoppers – Available…