The bite is heating up here in Arizona as fish prepare for the winter
Lee’s Ferry - Average
Now is the time of year to keep throwing bigger bugs on our northern tailwater. Sink tip lines with streamers are the ticket, especially in deeper pools and around shadow lines on the water.
When fishing nymph rigs, continue targeting deeper water that is exposed to the sun. If you aren't catching fish, try different depths before switching flies. When fishing the small stuff, you'll need to add extra splitshot or a heavy attractor nymph to get your rig in front of fish.
Best Bets:
#20 Fulling Mill Micro Perdigon
Rim Creeks - Excellent
Water levels are in great shape after our heavy October rains, and the fishing has been hot across all the Rim creeks. Terrestrials are still moving fish, especially in the afternoon. Caddis have also been plentiful throughout the day.
It's still a great time to focus on the streamer game, especially when the water levels are elevated. Big fish are on the prowl, especially those that have yet to begin spawning.
Be on the lookout for browns spawning. These fish will be holding over redds in the gravel of tailouts. Don't target them and avoid crossing creeks in shallow areas that hold redds so we can keep our fisheries strong! However, this is a great time to observe the larger fish that inhabit some of our state's smaller water.
Best Bets:
Oak Creek - Excellent
Like the Rim, Oak Creek has benefitted from heavy October rainfall. The fish are active throughout the day. Dry dropper rigs are still catching fish in the riffles and streamers have been productive, especially after weather events. Try stripping streamers behind a sink tip in some of the deeper pools.
Browns will start showing up on redds any day now (if they haven't already). Keep an eye out for these fish and avoid stressing them further.
Best Bets:
Silver Creek - Good
Silver Creek season is in full swing and offers Arizona anglers the chance at netting a tank rainbow. Silver Creek can get crowded when it first opens for the winter, but now is an excellent time to get there before the fish have seen too many flies. Small midges work well, as do woolly buggers and eggs if the fish are more active. Once exposed to a certain level of pressure, expect the fish to become pickier and pickier. Consider downsizing flies or focusing on natural patterns.
Best Bets:
Verde River - Good
Trout stocking is set to kick off the week of November 10. Check the stocking schedule here to stay up to date on the AZGFD stocking program. Stocking primarily occurs between Cottonwood and Camp Verde. Target trout with attractor patterns like worms above a more natural fly fished on an indicator rig. Swinging woolly buggers and wet flies down and across riffles is a productive technique as well. Keep an eye out for BWO activity. The longer the stocked fish are in a natural environment, the more they'll tune into natural food sources.
Best Bets:
San Juan - Excellent
With shorter and shorter days and cooler weather, expect big fish to stay on the prowl. November is an excellent time to commit to the (big) streamer game on the Juan. Streamer fishing is particularly effective during low light periods, but can still work throughout the day (especially if it's overcast).
If nymphing, focus on natural patterns in the clear water. Small baetis and midge larva fished below attractors (like a mop or worm) are quite productive. Before switching flies, consider changing depths first.
Best Bets:
#4 Articulated Cone Head Bugger
Salt River - Excellent
Flows on the Salt River are below their summer highs but still above the expected winter lows (holding around 350 CFS). Trout continue to be stocked and are plenty active. Try throwing a mix of junk (worms and mops) and natural nymphs. Fish have also been on the surface eating small BWOs.
Flows are still a bit high to effectively target carp and suckers, but some of the deeper pools have decent clarity. Suckers are best targeted by sight fishing from ledges above deeper pools. Approach carp from the banks downstream of feeding fish. In both cases, it can help to bring a spotter!
Best Bets:
Dead Horse Ranch- Average
In November, trout will be added to the mix in the lagoons, alongside largemouth bass and catfish. Slowly stripping woolly buggers and floating worms under an indicator is a successful way to target these fish. After a recent stocking, you'll find the trout schooled up in a large ball cruising the lagoons.
Although bass are typically pursued with streamers and baitfish patterns, these fish fill a huge portion of their diet with bugs. Leggy nymphs and junk flies are a great way to catch bass, especially in the smaller stillwater found at Dead Horse.
Best Bets:
White Mountains Lakes - HOT
This is the best season to hit the numerous stillwater options in the White Mountains. Fishing is currently heating up, and we're expecting it to really get going as we move into November. If you're fishing under an indicator, leeches, eggs, and chironomids will net the most fish. If you're looking to land a late-season trophy, now is the time to throw big streamers, especially towards the end of the day.
White Mountain Lakes are best fished from the water, not the shore. We are fully stocked with an awesome selection of NRS rafts that are perfect for all your Arizona stillwater fishing needs. Check 'em out here.
Best Bets:
Black River - Good
Caddis and BWOs are still prevalent throughout the day. Dry dropper rigs have been catching fish. However, now is an optimal time to go subsurface and fish streamers and leeches. For larger fish (both smallmouth and brown trout), crayfish are the primary forage in the Black River. Patterns that mimic escaping crayfish are extremely effective this time of year, especially when water levels rise a bit.
Fish are actively in spawn mode on the Black. Avoid walking through redds when you cross the river in shallower gravel sections.
Best Bets:
#10 Tungsten Pat's Rubber Legs
Phoenix Urban Waters - Good
The canals are fishing well, if you can find some clearer water. The Grand and Western canals are fishing best. When visibility is low, look for fish feeding up on the surface.
Stillwater fishing in the reservoirs remains solid. The bite is best during late afternoon. Target fish in the top 10 feet of the water column. Strip baitfish patterns and make sure you give a long pause between strips. Bass will typically eat on the pause - be ready to set the hook as soon as you strip.
Best Bets:
#8 MFC Chan's Las Vegas Booby Leech
That's a wrap on the October Arizona Fishing Report.