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Tight Lines at Lees Ferry

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Tight Lines at Lees Ferry Outdoor Tips ■ Trout Fishing ■ Story by Aaron Bunch and Bill Stewart, Photographs by George Andrejko Tight Lines at Lees Ferry It is hard to believe a it a day trip, but you would be pressed for place like Lees Ferry time and may not get the full experience. Those on multiple-day trips can stay at one exists in Arizona, but of three lodges within minutes of the boat this is one of the best ramp, camp at the Lees Ferry campground or along the river at designated camp spots, blue-ribbon rainbow trout or stay at a hotel in Page, 45 miles away. fisheries in the nation. You need an Arizona fishing license and trout stamp before you wet your line. It is also important to know the fishing regu- Picture yourself in waders lations, because they vary depending on waist-deep in crystal-clear water that glides what part of the river you are fishing. Cur- by at a peaceful pace. You are surrounded rent regulations from Glen Canyon Dam to by Navajo Sandstone cliffs jutting up some the Paria riffle are: 1,000 feet that seem to change shades of Rainbow trout over 14 inches may not red every 15 minutes. Your fly slowly drifts be possessed. The limit is four rainbow across the water — then, out of nowhere, a Lees Ferry is a tailwater trout per day and eight rainbow trout in rainbow trout gracefully surges at your fly, fishery. This is the type possession; artificial fly and lure only; barb- looking for a meal. You reel her in, snap a less hooks only. Rainbow trout taken from photo, release the fish or save it for a tasty of fishery created by the this portion of the Colorado River shall meal, and repeat. Fifteen minutes later, outflow from a large dam. be killed and retained as part of the bag another strike. It is hard to believe a place limit or immediately released; there is like Lees Ferry exists in Arizona, but this is no limit on other sport fish species, Fe one of the best blue-ribbon rainbow trout es rry which includes all species of bass e R Boat Ramp fisheries in the nation. L d . Lees Ferry is located along the Colorado . d River in northern Arizona. The Arizona Prior to 1991, the Glen Canyon Dam flow R Glen Canyon Dam y 89 r r e Game and Fish Department established regime was characterized by extreme F s Best walk-in Page Municipal e e fly fishing area this fishery following completion of Glen fluctuation, which prevented or limited L Airport Canyon Dam in 1963. The fishery stretches natural fish reproduction. Since 1995, the Paria River about 15 miles from below the dam near dam has produced modified low fluctuat- Page Page, Ariz., to the Lees Ferry boat ramp in ing flows intended to reduce flow variation. lvd. S el B Paria Riffle Lees Ferry Boat Ramp . Lake Pow Marble Canyon. Now is a great time to fish Other experimental flows have been tried, and Walk-in Area the Ferry, whether you’re new to the game most notably the high-flow experiments or an experienced angler. conducted in 1996, 2004 and 2008. The most 98 recent high-flow experiment, and high flows Why the Fishing is Great in 2011 following a very high snow pack in 89 Lees Ferry is a tailwater fishery. This is the upper Colorado River basin, have created the type of fishery created by the outflow a quality food base and ideal conditions for from a large dam. Water in the Ferry is trout production. released from Glen Canyon Dam at a con- Lees Ferry From stant temperature: frigid. These conditions You need an Arizona How to Get There and Glen Canyon Dam allow aquatic insects such as black flies and What you Need Boat Ramp To Boat Ramp fishing license and Area midges to flourish, providing trout with a Lees Ferry is only a half-day’s drive from reliable food source, which allows for great trout stamp before Phoenix. There are multiple options for fish- year-round fishing. you wet your line. ing it, but advance planning is a must. First, Dam operations play a major role in figure out how long a trip to take. Depend- Lees Ferry in northern Arizona is accessed from the south via U.S. Highway 89 and 89A. There is walk- influencing tailwater trout populations. ing on where you come from, you can make in fishing just below the Lees Ferry boat ramp, or anglers can bring their own boat or hire a guide. 12 A R I Z O N A W I L D L I F E V I E W S ■ January–February 2012 January–February 2012 ■ A R I Z O N A W I L D L I F E V I E W S 13 Outdoor Tips ■ Trout Fishing The History of This The Arizona Game and Fish weighing 8 pounds, and some Outstanding Fishery Department managed the Lees Ferry weighed more than 19 pounds. fishery as a “put-and-take” until Because of the enormous trout, 1976, then switched to a fingerling- along with improvements to access, stocking (“put-grow-take”) program. angling pressure skyrocketed. Strin- Flow regimes following a 1995 gent regulations were enacted (e.g., environmental impact statement reduced bag limit) to maintain were set to make it possible the “trophy” fishery. Other regu- to establish a self-sustaining lations (e.g., gear restriction, size rainbow trout fishery, so rainbow limits, etc.) also have been enacted trout stocking ceased in 1998. throughout the years. Over the years, the trout popu- Trout catch rates peaked in 1998 lation has shown patterns of high (1.4 fish/hour) and subsequently and low abundance, and the size declined through 2006 (0.6 fish/ composition has drastically changed. hour). Today, the trout are not For example, in the late 1970s, catch nearly as big as they were in the rates were low (0.2 fish/hour), but late 1970s, but their abundance is the average rainbow trout harvested unprecedented. Catch rates through weighed more than 3.5 pounds. It August 2011 were 1.6 fish/hour, with was common to catch trophy fish 60 percent over 14 inches. of the more popular walk-in spots for fly- ever, expect to pay between $375 and $425 tions, as it can become very windy. fishermen are just below the boat ramp in for two anglers and a full day of fishing. Preparation is key: Bring plenty of gas the cobbles. Spin-fishermen like the sandy- Option 3. Bring your own boat (if using a motorboat), food and water. rocky shoreline near the Paria riffle. Boat anglers have the option of fishing One of the best aspects of Lees Ferry is the Up for a short hike? Cathedral Wash is from the boat or anchoring up and wading. available camping areas along the river that a beautiful slot canyon that runs about 1.5 Both can offer fine opportunities to catch also have restrooms. Please only camp in The rainbow trout are Lees Ferry’s star attraction, but even non-anglers enjoy the area’s spectacular miles from near the top of the Lees Ferry fish. Look for flowing water over cobble bars, designated camping spots. These are first red-rock scenery. road down to the river. If you decide to known as riffles. These areas are preferred come, first served, and do not currently hike it, bring a friend, because certain by many anglers, and often produce good require permits. (including sunfish and stripers), all species of azgfd.gov/FishingReport) or signing up to parts can be difficult, but once you reach numbers of fish. Drift fishing is also a great catfish, all species of trout other than rain- receive weekly updates (www.azgfd.gov/ the river, you will likely have the place to option, and you can cover a lot of area. Great Fishing! bow trout, and walleye. signup) a must. yourself. Just remember regulations are dif- The Glen Canyon National Recreation Fishing at Lees Ferry is a unique experi- From the beginning of the Paria riffle to ferent above and below the Paria riffle. Area provides a boat ramp and ample park- ence for anglers of all ages to enjoy. Angler Navajo Bridge, the regulations change: Fishing the Ferry Option 2. Guide services ing that allow you to drop your boat in. It surveys conducted by Arizona Game and The limit is six rainbow trout per day There are three options for fishing the There are several excellent fishing-guide is recommended that you use a minimum Fish biologists show that catch rates in 2011 and eight rainbow trout in possession. Rain- Ferry: use the walk-in area, hire a guide or services at Lees Ferry to choose from. of 25 horsepower to navigate the flowing were as high as they have ever been. This bow trout taken from this portion of the take a boat out on your own. Many of the guides have fished there for water, but larger engines will prove more trend is expected to continue for the next Colorado River shall be killed and retained Option 1. Walk-in area decades, and know the area very well. In effective. The main thing is to avoid the year or two. In fact, 93 percent of anglers as part of the bag limit or immediately This is a great option for beginning and fact, based on 2011 angler survey data, many rock outcroppings, cobble bars and caught at least one fish during their trip.
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