Trout Fishing — A Year-Round Madness

Someone once said that Arizona trout fishermen have to blow the dust off the fish they catch in order to determine the species. Well, don't you believe it. Although the state was once shy of significant trout waters, such is not the case today, with a wide variety of lakes and streams plus five species of trout beckoning anglers.The major difference between Arizona trout fishing and that found in many of the more famous northern states is that fishing here is a year-round proposition. Excellent action can be found somewhere in the state every month of the year.

During spring, summer, and fall, anglers turn their thoughts to high mountain streams that tumble through forests of pine, spruce, and fir. Added to these clear mountain brooks are alpine lakes, most built since the 1950s, that provide top fishing and an escape from summer heat for Arizona's growing herd of trout fishermen.The winter season boasts many seaBass, catfish, and other warmwater species most of the year, but receive heavy plantings of trout after the waters turn cold.

Finally, on a year-round basis, there are icy tailwaters below Glen Canyon, Hoover, and Davis dams that have recently captured the fancy of trout fishermen all over the nation because of the spectacular catches of rainbowstreaked heavyweights in the tento twenty-pound class.

The hub of Arizona trout fishing lies in the majestic White Mountains. Here

a host of sparkling streams spill down from the rugged heights of 11,590-foot Mount Baldy and 11,860-foot Mount Ord. Those waters, flowing easterly, find their way into Apache National Forest, with the upper Black River and Little Colorado River drawing most of the attention. Generally speaking, the farther away from a road you fish on these streams the better the results.

Even greater trout riches are found in streams flowing westerly off these peaks into Fort Apache Indian Reservation. There are some 300 miles of streams to discover in this land of the Apaches, with Big and Little Bonito creeks, portions of Black River, Reservation Creek, Paradise Creek, and both forks of White River among the better known brooks. All are excellent choices for the angler who enjoys lonely pools and wild trout and uses a light flyrod or spinning rod.

Excellent campgrounds are found both on and off the reservation, with many situated either alongside or close to major trout waters. My special favorites are those campgrounds high up on the east and west forks of Black River where the browns and rainbows clamber over each other to nail a floating fly. Good trout catches also come from Blue River below Alpine, with the tributaries of K P and Grant creeks challenging the backpacker in quest of rare native trout. The Little Colorado River, from Mount Baldy to below Springerville, is "blue ribbon" trout water, with big trout and plenty of room for the fisherman to stretch out a long cast. Brilliantcolored brook trout are taken from beaver ponds high on the slopes of Mount Baldy, while bragging-size rainbows and browns largely come from the deeper pools and riffles in the Little Colorado, above and below Springerville. The once popular campground at Sheep Crossing on the edge of Mount Baldy Wilderness now is closed, but this still is a perfect jump-off spot for hiking and fishing upper reaches of the Little Colorado River.

While stream fishing attracts many fans, even more anglers pack up the family flivver and head for White Mountain trout lakes. One of the most popular reservoirs is Big Lake. All five trout species, plus grayling, are found in this 480-acre lake, cradled in a grassy basin beneath the shadow of towering Mount Baldy. During summer months, Big Lake campgrounds are loaded, but this isn't the case in spring and fall, when serious anglers know the fishing is best. Late fall is especially productive because at this time of year brookies are at their colorful best and spawning in the shallows within easy casting distance of shoreline fishermen.

Tiny Lee Valley Lake is a special favorite of mine. This is the place to be when high winds have larger lakes rolling in whitecaps. Being out on Lee Valley during an insect hatch can be an unforgettable experience, with the voracious feeding brookies breaking the surface everywhere, as they gorge on midges and other insect life. Such moments are what flyfishing is all about. The greatest time I ever spent at Lee Valley was one mid-October weekend a few years ago, when two of us caught and released 160 brook trout in two days.

Crescent Lake has a reputation for growing big trout... fast. The same is true of Luna, Nelson Reservoir, and Concho Lake. All are first-rate trout impoundments, as is 100-acre Becker Lake on the outskirts of Springerville.

There really is nothing pretty about Becker Lake, but this irrigation impoundment off the Little Colorado River is in a class by itself when it comes to big rainbow trout. Opening day is a social event that attracts flyfishermen from all over the state. Some spread out along the shoreline while others troll in boats, generally using the springtime favorite fly, a black and gray wooly worm called the Becker Lake Special. Special "quality fishing" regulations at Becker Lake limit the catch to four fish a day, 14 inches or larger.

Other non-Indian White Mountain trout lakes that produce good catches are Mexican Hay, Rainbow, Scott's Reservoir, Show Low Lake, Lyman Lake, and Dagg's Reservoir. The three Greer lakes-Tunnel, Bunch, and River Reservoir produce some phenomenal catches of big brown trout, with lots of hard-hitting rainbows adding to the action. The Greer lakes are prized by summer vacationers because of the splendid campgrounds and nearby lodges and cabins in the village of Greer. The lakes are located five miles south of Arizona 260, midway between Eagar and McNary.

Fishing also booms on Fort Apache Indian Reservation lakes, where waters are heavily stocked with trout. One of the best reservoirs is Reservation Lake. Although the road to the lake is rough, the ease in which you can fill a stringer with rainbow and brook trout should

make the trip worthwhile. The Apaches operate a store at Reservation Lake, and a pretty campground overlooks this bluewater gem.

Other sparkling jewels in the Fort Apache crown include Horseshoe Cienega, Hawley, Earl Park, A-1, and Cooley Lake. The largest impoundment on the reservation is sprawling 200-acre Sunrise Lake, located along Arizona 273. On the western side of Fort Apache Reservation, Cibecue and Canyon creeks appeal to the stream fisherman who wants to get away from crowds and camp in the rough.

The Rim Country above Payson boasts its own brand of fine trout fishing. This is the land of historic sheep and cattle wars that Zane Grey helped publicize in his many novels. The famous author had both a ranch and cabin below the rim and caught his share of trout from such waters as Tonto and Haigler creeks, plus the East Verde River. All these waters now are well stocked by the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

Another top Rim Country stream is Canyon Creek, which bursts from springs below Canyon Point in Tonto National Forest and meanders through open meadows of OW Ranch before losing itself on the Fort Apache Reservation. The upper portion is strictly reserved for flyfishing.

The upper end of Tonto Creek gets hit hard by vacation throngs from Phoenix and the Valley, but the middle portion rtion at Hell's Gate Canyon produces some giant trout that are only accessible to those willing to pack in and out of a 1000-foot-deep chasm. There are pools in Hell's Gate over 20-feet deep, harboring trout big enough to splinter a light rod.

Another classic Rim Country stream is Chevelon Creek. The creek flows some 60 miles on a lonely odyssey through a deep canyon cloaked in pine and inhabited by deer, bear, elk, and tassle-eared squirrels. Expect big trout here, too. Other off-beat streams for the hiking fisherman are Barbershop Creek, Dude Creek, and the West Fork of Clear Creek.

Trout fishing really came into prominence atop the Mogollon Rim back in the 1960s, when seven new lakes were built by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, in cooperation with the Forest Service. All are situated in pretty pine forest, with close-by campgrounds and hiking trails designed for family fun. These impoundments are: Bear Canyon Lake (natives, graylings, and cutthroats), Black Canyon Lake (rainbows and brookies), Blue Ridge Reservoir (rainbows, brookies, browns, and a smattering of grayling), Chevelon Lake (rainbows and browns), Knoll Lake (rainbows plus a few natives), Willow Springs, and Woods Canyon lakes (rainbow trout).

The Flagstaff area also is rich in prime fishing waters. Ashurst Lake can be very good or very bad, but always seems to be popular. The best action at Ashurst comes early and late in the season because summer heat sparks a heavy algae "bloom" that clings to hooks and frustrates anglers. Kinnikinnick Lake is a rainbow fishery, while Long Lake offers a potpourri of rainbows, northern pike, bass, and panfish. Northern pike are the bonus biggies in upper and lower Lake Mary, with the upper reservoir also supporting some fishing for rainbow trout.

Fishing-type citizens up Williams way point with pride to Whitehorse Lake and its fine campground. J.D. Dam is smaller and more isolated, but it grows some big rainbow and brown trout. The major trout water in Pres-cott Forest is 55-acre Lynx Lake, which is heavily stocked with rainbows.

It may come as a shock to learn that southern Arizona also lays claim to some respectable trout waters. Reservoirs like Peña Blanca, Patagonia, and Parker Canyon lakes get seasonal trout plantings during the winter, but Sabino Creek and Rose Canyon Lake in the Catalina Mountains high above Tucson support trout all year long. So, too, does tiny Rucker Canyon Lake in the far off Chiricahuas.

The best trout fishing in the Safford area is found up in the clouds on 10,800-foot Mount Graham (Pināleno Mountains). You'll find lots of hungry rainbows to battle by following the snowplow up the Swift Trail in the spring and casting a Mepps spinner from the snow drifts. On the north side of the mountain, Frye Mesa Reservoir is lower down, easier to reach and has plenty of trout. The narrow trail leading to this main water source for the town of Thatcher is a bit hairy, especially if you aren't accustomed to mountain driving.

Hikers in the Grahams also will discover a bonanza of finny riches by following the "Round-the-Mountain" trail and dropping a fly on Marjilda, Ash, Deadman, Gibson, and Post creeks. All are brushy waters that are tough to fish.

No story on Arizona trout fishing would be complete without mentioning the superb big-trout waters scattered across the lonely expanse of two-million-acre San Carlos Indian Reservation. Most of these are backcountry ponds that vary in size from one-half to one hundred acres. One of the largest and perhaps the best is Dry Lake perched in a piney forest high atop the Nantac Rim, eight miles from Point O' Pines. Expect to catch rainbows here in the twoto four-pound class.

Some 40 other San Carlos tanks are tucked away in secluded draws off the main reservation roads. A map will help, but many ponds still are difficult to find. However, the San Carlos is the place to go for quality fishing untainted by crowds.

Several excellent trout waters also provide action on the Navajo Reservation. The most notable of these are 275-acre Wheatfields Lake, 260-acre Tsaile Lake, Round Lake, Asaayi Lake, Antelope Lake, and 700-acre Red Lake, that lies on the Arizona-New Mexico state line.

This rundown on coldwater streams and lakes proves one important point: Arizona doesn't have to take a backseat to any western state, when it comes to fine trout fishing.