In Pursuit of the Wary Trout

In Pursuit of the Wary

Behold, the fisherman! He riseth up early in the morning. He disturbs the entire household. Mighty are his preparations. With the night he returneth Smelling of strong drink, And the truth is not in him.

IN THE EASTERN border of Arizona, southwest and southeast of Springerville, lies seventy square miles of play ground, combining the White, Blue and Escudilla mountain ranges. This large recreational area, known to most people as the White Mountains, really comprises three dis tinct ranges. Most of the trout streams are located in the White Mountains, al though the Blue Range, which is rough and rugged, also has many trout streams. Both the Blue and Escudilla ranges are noted for hunting, and here in season is found black and white tail deer, wild turkey in abundance and bear and mountain lions.

There are approximately 350 miles of trout streams in the White and Blue ranges, which comprise the Apache Na tional Forest and Apache Indian Reser vations. During the past two years the Forest Service has placed over 1,000 dams in many of the smaller streams, forming pools and making the fishing more desirable. The Forest Service has also constructed two large trout lakes directly south of Springerville, which have been fed from the winter snows during the past year and already form lakes of considerable area. It will take possibly three years to fill them to capacity and when that is accomplished Big Lake will cover an area of about 800 square acres with depth of twenty feet and Crescent Lake will extend over 600 square acres with a depth of fifteen feet. Both of these lakes will be stock ed with trout during this summer and it is contemplated to construct two or more lakes of this type during the next year.

There are other lakes where good fishing is enjoyed located near Greer, seventeen miles from Springerville, which have been in existence for more than thirty years.

The White Mountain and Blue Range recreational area is yearly becoming more of an asset to Arizona. This section is enticing vacationists and hunters from Southern California, Texas and Oklahoma, and Arizonians also are beinginning to realize the beauty and close proximity of this playground within their state.

There are many delightful lodges scattered through the mountains, where excellent accommodations and food may be obtained. There is the Butler's Lodge at Greer, Diamond Rock Lodge on Buffalo Creek, the Coronado Lodge near Alpine, Sprucedale Lodge on Beaver Creek, Beaver Head Lodge on the Coronado Trail, and Kenwood Lodge near Black River, all within twenty to thirty miles of Springerville.

While lodges with their accommoda tions, their guides and horses, appeal to those who wish "all the comforts of a home" on their vacation, the more hardy may prefer one of the many excellent camping places to be found throughout the area, in forests of spruce, fir, yellow pine and quaking aspen. Some vacationists prefer to make their headquarters at the hotels and camp ground in Springerville from whence they may visit the numerous points of interest, not only the fishing

Trout ARIZONA HIGHWAYS Northern Arizona Trout Season Beckons Isaac Waltons to Enjoy Best Fishing in Southwest

and hunting grounds, but the Valley of Dwarf Trees, K. P. Point on the Coronado Trail, Bottomless Volcanic Crater Lake, Mt. Ord and Mt. Baldy above timber line, the Apache Indian Reservation, the Fifty Extinct Volcanoes, Zuni Indian Villages, Hopi and Navajo Indian Reservations, Petrified Forest, and, farther away but within easy reach, over excellent roads, Inscription Rock in New Mexico and the Grand Canyon of the Colorado in Arizona.

Springerville is located at a strategic place with reference to this recreational area, at the foot-hills and just outside of the mountains. The U. S. Forest Service has built forest highways from Springerville into every section of this playground, which has caused Springerville to be called the "Gateway to the White and Blue Ranges." It is estimated that by December 1 there will be over 100 miles of first class forest highways within this region, beside the main routes, such as the Coronado Trail, the Globe-Springerville highway, etc.

Highways have been and are being constructed into Springerville from all sections, and upon the completion of Highway 60 between Springerville and Globe via Showlow, the town will be accessible from all points of the compass. At the present time vacationists entering the White Mountains travel over temporary Highway 60 or State Route 73, from Globe via Whitewater and McNary; over U. S. 260 from Holbrook, via St. Johns and Concho; over the Coronado Trail or State Highway 71 from Clifton; over the El PasoGrand Canyon route from El Paso, via Deming, Silver City, Alpine, Nutrioso and Eagar into Springerville; over U. S. 60 east, into which there are possibly 25 to 30 good feeder roads from the Rio Grande east.

By order of the State Fish and Game Commission the following water will be closed: All streams and lakes in the Catalina Mountains.

Tunnel Reservoir, River Reservoir, and the Little Colorado for one-quarter mile below River Reservoir near Greer in the White Mountains.

Fulton Canyon and Ranger Station Canyon at Mormon Lake.

Dick Williams Creek, a small tributary to Tonto Creek in the vicinity of Payson.

The short fork of Oak Creek on which the state rearing ponds are located.

Clover Creek, Tom's Creek and Pivot Creek in the Long Valley vicinity.

Chiricahua Mountain area, all streams closed until August 15.

Fort Apache reservation, the following lower parts of streams will be open for fishing and camping: North fork of White River, Paradise Creek, Williams Creek, Blue Lake, trout Creek, Diamond L Creek, East Fork of White River, Deer Creek on east fork, Rock Creek on east fork, Bonito Creek, Little Bonito Creek, Tonto Creek, Pacheta Creek and Reservation Creek.