Summer is still here and so are the fish! Read this month's Arizona Fishing Report to see what's working.
Lee’s Ferry - Good
The cicada action may be dying down as we head into August, but there is still plenty of opportunity to catch big trout on topwater bugs. Dry droppers and double nymph rigs have been productive, especially close to the banks.
Midges are the primary food source in this tailwater and the summer months are no exception. Try double nymph rigs with a heavy attractor fly. Worms will catch plenty of fish as well. As the temperatures increase in other trout waters across the state, now is a great time to road trip up to the Ferry for a weekend of rainbow action.
Best Bets:
#18 Bead Head Biot Midge Emerger
Rim Creeks - Average
As water levels fall in the late summer, you can expect fishing to get more difficult across the Rim. In these conditions, fish are extra wary. Focus your efforts in low-light hours and make sure your approach is stealthy and your first casts count! Pack plenty of terrestrials, along with darker colored caddis.
Make sure you continue to monitor water temperatures in August. While monsoon rains have been replenishing the watersheds, water temps can still spike below the headwaters. As a general rule of thumb, temperatures above 65 degrees are very stressful on fish and anglers should avoid catch-and-release fishing in these conditions.
Best Bets:
#16 Bead Head Flashback Pheasant Tail
Oak Creek - Good
Like the Rim, Oak Creek is fishing decent but subject to warmer water. Focus your efforts towards the top of the canyon. BWOs are typically present and dry droppers will be productive. If the fish are finicky, try dead-drifting leech patterns.
Be on the lookout for monsoons. Heavy rain by Flagstaff can increase water levels and improve the fishing. If the creek rises, target cut banks and deeper pools with streamers.
Best Bets:
Silver Creek - Poor
The winter catch-and-release season on Silver Creek has closed as of March 31. The creek is now open to barbed hooks and bait fishing.
The action is probably better at nearby White Mountains lakes.
Best Bets:
Verde River - Average
In the summer, the Verde is a warm water fishery. Although the trout stocking is long over, plenty of bass call this muddy water home.
Try stripping and swinging small streamers across the edges of seams and around structure. In low light hours, work poppers near shore.
Trout stocking does not take place over the summer. Bookmark this page to stay up to date on the AZGFD fish stocking schedule.
Best Bets:
San Juan - Excellent
If you’re dead set on finding trophy trout during the peak of the summer, you should definitely consider a drive up to the San Juan. In August, you can expect fun dry fly fishing throughout the river. Midge clusters, BWOs, and terrestrials will all producing fish on the surface.
Don't forget - the fish in this system are large and will take an articulated streamer. Swing streamers through riffles and tailouts during low-lights hours to switch things up from the nymph fishing during the day.
Pro tip: pack some bug spray! Mosquitos can be thick on the Juan this time of year, especially when fishing near shore.
Best Bets:
Salt River - Average
August fishing will remain pretty similar to July. It’s a fun time of year to fish for bass – if you can dodge the tube crowd. If you plan to fish, try going very early or late and avoid the weekend altogether.
Using a float tube or a small raft is a great way to see more water on the Salt. Try throwing poppers in mornings and evenings. Stripping leeches and streamers can be productive right on the banks under overgrowth.
Best Bets:
Dead Horse Ranch- Average
This state park has great access and is an awesome spot to learn how to fly fish or hone your casting skills. During the summer, you’ll have the opportunity to catch a variety of species, from channel catfish and largemouth bass to bluegill.
The water is really warm, and fish are most active during low-light hours. If you're planning to fish, go early or late to find the fish that are willing to eat. Topwater poppers and small streamers are the best bets for bass.
Best Bets:
White Mountains Lakes - Good
As Rim creek water temps climb and the fishing becomes more challenging, there is still plenty of trout-filled cold water at Arizona’s highest elevations.
Jig leeches remain a deadly rig in the Whites. Try stripping them on an intermediate sinking line. You can also fish a double nymph rig under an indicator; if the surface is choppy, that movement provides plenty of action for a bite.
Best Bets:
Black River - Good
While the Black River stays cooler than it’s Rim country neighbors, it’s still subject to warming water this time of year, especially in the lower stretches. Focus your fishing efforts in the morning and evening and pack a thermometer just in case.
On the water, try fishing dry droppers with terrestrials for trout. Plenty of caddis and mayflies are also present.
If you're going after smallmouth, bring a box filled with poppers. These fish fight hard for their size and are aggressively eating surface flies.
Best Bets:
Canals - Excellent
Now is a great time to give the trout a break and focus on warmer water species. Canals are fishing well across the city. Fish are still most active in the mornings and evenings.
First time venturing out for carp? Stop in the shop for intel on the best spots around Phoenix!
Best Bets:
That's a wrap on the August Arizona Fishing Report. Stop by the shop to get set up for your next outing!