Here's how things are fishing across the state of Arizona. This is our monthly Arizona Fishing Report for November.
Lee’s Ferry - Average
Fishing has been steady up on the Lee's Ferry stretch of the Colorado. The fishery appears to have weathered the warm water of the summer, and the fish are in good condition heading into the winter months. Dam releases have been fluctuating, but the water has been exceptionally clear.
Moving into the winter season, sunlight becomes a major factor in fishing. Try to find sunlight-exposed sections of water throughout the winter. Bug activity and feeding activity will increase in these areas. The usual suspects are still catching fish on the Ferry. Midges and San Juan worms are great for a nymph rig. The streamer bite has been solid, and streamers in a number of sizes are producing fish.
Best Bets:
#20 Bead Head Biot Midge Emerger
#10 Bead Head Flashabou Bugger
Rim Creeks - Good
Creeks have been running high and muddy with the recent rains and flooding, but are settling down. If you can time it right and catch conditions as the water comes down, now is a great time to streamer fish. Strip small streamers off the banks and into the current. Make sure you're getting as close to structure as possible. If you aren't almost getting tangled, you're probably not fishing close enough!
Best Bets:
#16 Tungsten Soft Hackle Caddis Pupa
Oak Creek - Average
You've probably seen the videos of extensive flooding on Oak Creek, which was hit hard. While the flooding undoubtedly impacted the fishery, fish can and do survive major flooding events.
Water levels are back down on Oak Creek, and the flooding resulted in lots of new runs/structure opening up. Now would be a good time to explore some of this new water. Streamer fishing should be decent, as well as your typical nymphing setups for the canyon.
Best Bets:
Silver Creek - Good
It's still early season on Silver Creek, which means the trophy-size trout in this White Mountain stream are active and less picky than they will be later in the year.
Fishing is best on calm, cool days, especially in the morning. Try drifting a mix of natural patterns and junk (worms, mops, etc.) under an indicator. You can also slowly strip smaller streamers, like leeches, off the banks.
Best Bets:
Verde River - Poor
The Verde is blown out below Bartlett from heavy dam releases. If you want to fish near the valley, the Lower Salt River above Phon D Sutton is a better bet.
Best Bets:
#10 MFC Rowley Balanced Baitfish
#12 Bead Head Flashabou Bugger
San Juan - Average
After recent flooding on the upper San Juan, there have been heavy releases from the Navajo Dam, and the water is turbid and filled with sediment. However, as the water levels continue to drop and clear, the fishing should really pick up. The influx of sediment and mud will add a substantial amount of food into this already food-filled bug factory. Expect to see great fishing in the latter half of November. For now, focus on throwing streamers and bigger nymphs like worms and mops.
Best Bets:
White Mountains Lakes - Excellent
The prime stillwater season in the Whites is upon us, but some areas are still difficult to access after recent flooding. Check with the shop to see which roads are open before driving up! These waters hold some of the largest trout in the state and are best accessed with a float tube or raft. Check out our favorites HERE.
Water is up in these lakes and the fishing is very good. Fish nymph rigs with leeches, eggs, and chironomids. Now is also a great time to throw streamers, especially on a sink tip that can get your fly down. It's time to break out the meat and throw some big flies!
Best Bets:
Black River - Good
Post spawn fish are off their redds and back in the feeding lanes and deeper pools up on the Black. This is still prime streamer season. Make sure to target structure as close as possible. Often, the larger fish will be holding in a very small soft spot in close proximity to faster moving water. Strip streamers into and around these soft spots and the big browns will chase them into the riffles and runs.
Best Bets:
Salt River - Good
Weekly trout stocking is back on the lower Salt River and the flows are back to normal after the floods. Trout are primarily holding in the pools and riffles near stocking sites and can be caught on a mix of natural presentations and worms and small streamers. Be on the lookout for BWO activity in the mornings.
Lower flows also mean the start of carp and sucker sight fishing. These fish are best targeted from an elevated rock above a clear pool using nymphs under an indicator. Make sure to add a bit of weight to get down where fish are holding.
Best Bets:
Dead Horse Ranch - Good
With higher, muddy water, expect the bass to be more willing to chase a streamer. Fish tight to structure and try changing your retrieve speed until you figure out what the fish want.
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:
Phoenix Urban Waters - Excellent
The canals are still off-color and muddy, but the fishing has still been great. Chartreuse is the magic color currently, and carp are eating and even chasing mop flies.
Best Bets:
#8 MFC Chan's Las Vegas Booby Leech
That's a wrap on the November Arizona Fishing Report.