The mighty Colorado River and its tributaries carved an extraordinary landscape, with intricate mazes of canyons, delicate arches and massive rock monoliths. And nowhere is the landscape more extraordinary than around Lees Ferry. As you wade the incredibly clear waters casting to football-thick rainbow trout, tilt your head back, look up at the 1,000-plus-foot tall sandstone cliffs, and view it as Col. John Wesley Powell, Lee and the other American pioneers found it. The word you seek to describe the scene is breathtaking.

Janet and I would like to thank you and your guides for a fabulous three day fishing trip. We knew we'd get some great fly-fishing, but never expected a lesson in history, geography, geology, wildlife and Americana. And the 22-incher on a 4-weight rod and 6X tippet wasn't bad either . . .

--Loren B. Walker

Cleveland, OH

To the fly-fisher more accustomed to a traditional meadow or mountain stream, the Colorado River is often initially intimidating. However, in reality, it is much like a giant limestone river or spring creek with diverse fishing opportunities. The gravel bars, backwaters, eddies and main river channel offer opportunities to fish dries, nymphs and streamers within a few hundred yards. Stalk rainbow trout in water only a few inches deep or cast size #18 or #20 midge or pupae patterns to trout feeding in deep, dark runs. It's hard to believe that a very large trout in the massive Colorado River will seek and eat such a tiny fly. They do.

While the Colorado River at Lees Ferry is ideally suited to fly-fishing and is our primary emphasis, spin casting with appropriate barbless lures can be equally rewarding.

Lees Ferry is managed as a trophy trout fishery. The river yields rainbow trout from 16 to 22 inches. And larger.

No matter what the regulations say, Lees Ferry Anglers practices catch and release.

Our philosophy of caring for this treasure of a river as a living resource will provide angling adventures for the next generation . . . and the next.

I hooked what was very likely a double-digit fish just below the dam on a 5-weight rod and that guy cleaned my clock. What power! I never had a chance. Next time.

--Arnie J. Moroni

Lake Forest, IL

This is a tailwater fishery (water that flows from a dam) with consistent temperature of 46-48 degrees. It is a 365 days a year trout fishery. And, because of the constant water flow with enormous quantities of insects, scuds and other food, the growth of rainbow trout is extremely rapid.

We drove up after the conference in Las Vegas. What a great afternoon through the Southwest desert. (I had to keep reminding myself that I had to be back in New York on Monday.) Everything was just as you promised . . . even the weather cooperated. I don't think I'll ever come West again without budgeting two or three days at Lees Ferry.

--Morton Stern, M.D.

Poughkeepsie, NY

NOVEMBER - FEBRUARY

Cold mornings, cool and pleasant days giving way to an afternoon chill. This is spawn time, providing great opportunities to sight-cast to large trout using egg patterns and small attractors. There will often be midge fishing, both wet and dry.

MARCH - MAY

Cool nights in March and April, giving way to warmer weather by early to mid-May. Mix of spawners and feeding fish will test your skills at both sight-casting and nymph fishing traditional riffles and runs. It's the season of sight casting tiny midges to trout as they drift in and out of feeding lanes.

JUNE - AUGUST

Warm nights and hot days. The spawn is over, so you'll be sight-casting to feeding fish with dry flies; nymph fishing runs and riffles. A nymph fished through riffles and runs can be very rewarding. Very rewarding.

SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER

Cooling weather can be anticipated, but essentially the same techniques as in summer. By mid-October, your guide will be looking for the nests of early spawners.

Not that I keep records and not that it matters, but I caught approximately 40 trout between 15 and 21 inches long and very broad of shoulders. It was a wonderful day and I can't thank you enough . . .

--Carlos Krolos, Ph.D.

Stockton, CA

Summer: Lightweight, light colors, light jacket.

Spring and Fall: Medium weights, light sweater or sweatshirt, warm morning and evening jacket, wool or polypro hat for riding in boat.

Winter: Very warm clothes to be layered. Ski-type parka, hats, gloves, boots, et cetera.

All year: A good long-billed cap with sun protection, rain gear.

The fishing potential I'd read about . . . the wildlife, birds and stark landscape far surpassed my wildest expectations. Thank you for doing more than your share to keep this part of America a national treasure.

--Edgar B. Beeler

Anaheim, CA

Lees Ferry Anglers is located off Highway Alt.89 on the west side of the Colorado River in Marble Canyon, at Cliff Dwellers Lodge.

The shop and the river are approximately a five hour drive from either Las Vegas or Phoenix; five hours from the San Juan River; seven hours from Salt Lake City; and about two hours from Flagstaff. There is commuter flight service to nearby Page, Arizona. A group of four anglers can economically charter a flight from Phoenix or Las Vegas to Page.

We will be happy to assist you with local motel and campground accommodations.