“Recreational” Trout Fishing

November trout fishing at Saguaro Lake, only 20 minutes from home.

Once again, the time of year has come when urban fly anglers can quench their thirst for waving graphite casting sticks on a weekly basis.  During the first few weeks of November, AZ Game & Fish will begin their aggressive winter trout-stocking schedule.  From November to March, fly anglers who reside in metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson can fish for Rainbow Trout without having to spend half the day drinking coffee behind the steering wheel.

The thought of slipping on the waders after work is life’s richest enjoyment for some.  Catching trout and then being home on a Saturday morning with fresh Krispy Kreme and Starbucks before the wife wakes up is even better (the donuts and expensive coffee are to ease the pain in case she is awake when you get home and is wondering where you went)!  If you’re quiet enough, stealthy enough and don’t smell like fish, you may even get away with sneaking back into bed without her ever noticing you left.  Arizona’s winter trout stocking program brings these types of opportunities to every household with a fishing pole.

Although the thought of catching strange-looking hatchery-raised trout isn’t very appealing to a population of the experienced feather-flingers, it’s a great opportunity for those that are just learning or want to brush up on their fly fishing skills.  It’s no secret that hatchery ‘bows are not very difficult to entice with a fly, or anything else for that matter, but they’re still trout, and we don’t have to drive far to catch them.  Having a great day while fly fishing for stocked trout in urban and other trout sustaining waters is common.  Some would even say that it all depends on what time you get there after the hatchery truck has left.  Every year I hear stories of people who have 100-fish days while fishing some stretch of the Verde or Salt River.  Many of these people are very experienced anglers who do it for the fun, not for the challenge.  However, 100-fish days, or even 30-fish days have a pretty strong correlation with the day those waters were last stocked.  Timing is a factor to consider because nobody likes getting skunked, especially by hatchery trout.

Winter trout fishing in the Valley takes many shapes and forms.  For a little seclusion and richer atmosphere, some of the popular summer recreational areas on the outskirts of town, such as Canyon Lake, Saguaro Lake, the Verde River, and the Salt River are stocked bi-weekly.  For a chance at catching stockers on your way home from work, there are the designated urban lakes located in just about every suburb of Phoenix and Tucson (don’t forget to buy an Urban License).  Keep in mind that fly fishermen aren’t the only anglers that pursue these trout!  I’ve noticed that once the trout arrive in town, fishermen of ALL genres come out and play.  Expect to compete for casting space and have run-ins with those that could use a lesson in basic fishing etiquette.  Give way to the 2-pole folks claiming an entire shoreline in a lawn chair and the guys just trying to take the kids out for a good time.  I find it hard to believe that these things are done purposely, but rather because they don’t know any better.  After all, these are their home waters and not ours.  In the event these things happen (and they WILL), just keep in mind that these fish were put there by Game & Fish, destined for the frying pan and to be enjoyed by ALL.  Just remember that these are “Recreational Areas”, so expect recreational behavior from the people you will be sharing the waters with.

 IMPORTANT DATES :

The following lakes have received bonus trout stockings the past couple of weeks: Woods Canyon, Willow Springs, Black Canyon, Big Lake, Becker, East Clear Creek, Concho, Rainbow and Show Low.

NOVEMBER 5

·        Canyon Lake is being stocked the week of Nov. 5.

·        The Lower Salt River (below Stewart Mtn. Dam), will be stocked every two weeks starting the week of Nov. 5. 

·        The Verde River between Cottonwood and Camp Verde is being stocked the week of Nov 5.

NOVEMBER 12

·        Deadhorse State Park in Cottonwood will be stocked the week of Nov. 12.

NOVEMBER 14

·        Tucson area urban lakes will be stocked Nov. 14.

NOVEMBER 19

·        Saguaro will be stocked the week of Nov. 19.

·        Phoenix area urban lakes will be stocked Nov. 19

·        The Phoenix and Tucson urban lakes are stocked with trout during the winter from November through March.

NOVEMBER 23

·        Starting Nov. 23, trout will be stocked in the Tempe Town Lake (you will need a state fishing license to fish there).

Terry Chia

AZOD Fly Fishing Editor