Report by: Tyler Smith

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Recent Fish rating

Upriver: 6.5 to 7.5

Walk-In: 7.0

Spin-Fishing: 7

Key: 1 = Go fish somewhere else 10 = Rent a helicopter and get here now!

Today’s Weather: Sunny, Low 30 High 48

The weather has been very mild and dry. The forecast is for more of the same with some clouds moving in.

Crowd Rating

Upriver: 1 No Crowds

Walk In: 1 Nobody here

Key: 1 = Sleep late and fish where you want. 10 = Very crowded, get up early

Be sure to take a look at our new website, it is vastly improved and full of great information about fishing Lees Ferry wwww.leesferry.com

Fly Fishing:

Fishing upriver has been good the last few of days. The river is running 9,550cfs for the majority of the day and increasing to 16,000cfs in the evening, but dropping back down by the morning. These new flows have really opened up the river creating an abundance of wading opportunities. Beginning in February the river will be running around 7,000cfs for the majority of the day and increasing to 13,000cfs in the evening and dropping back down by the morning. The key to a successful fishing day is to follow the sun. Where ever the sun is hitting on the water should make for better fishing.

Fishing the seams, riffles and drop offs from the gravel bars has been the most productive. We are primarily nymphing using Scuds, San Juan Worms, Zebra midges and Glo-bugs. The fish tend to be right on the edge or in the deeper water just after the drop off. Using a dry fly with a dropper such as a Zebra Midge, Glo-bug or Scud has also had some success depending on the water one is fishing.

There are more actively spawning trout in a few areas on the river. A person may consider fishing a Glo-Bug below a San Juan worm or a Scud. The spawn should only improve as we get later into January and February. However, the location of the spawning beds will change depending on the current river flows.

Although the water has come down another good option is fishing a small streamer or wooly bugger. Stripping the wooly bugger has been successful but the key is to vary your strip retrieve. This particular method may produce some larger fish. When streamer fishing, we highly recommend a Teeny 200 grain sinking tip or a similar line. The reason for the Teeny is that the sinking tip is twenty feet allows the streamer to cover more water effectively especially the deeper drop offs.

If this is your first time fishing at Lees Ferry or if it has been a long time since you last fished the Ferry we strongly recommend hiring a guide for the day. Not only will hiring a guide improve your chances at catching fish they will also give you advice on how to fish, where to fish and help improve your skills and techniques. It is a great way to learn the water.

If you’re contemplating a trip to Lees Ferry, I would say go for it. Fishing has been good. We have had a really mild winter thus far with comfortable temperatures. The crowds have virtually disappeared for the season it is as though you have the whole river to yourself. Weekends tend to have a little more traffic than during the week days. We have rooms available. Our winter rates are fifty dollars a night for one or two people from now until February 29th, 2012. If you have any questions please give us a call at 1-800-962-9755.

Walk in:

Fishing has been good and fairly consistent. Nymphing with San Juan Worms, Glo-Bugs and Zebra Midges has been effective. Scuds tend to work better upriver, but are worth a try. Another great option is fishing a woolly bugger like a streamer using a Teeny T-130 or a T-200 sink tip. Dead drifting a bugger with a dropper below an indicator on a floating line may also produce some good fishing.

The fishing was better in the softer water up in the boulder field as well as from the bottom of the boulder filed to the Paria Riffle. The best way to fish the area is to start fishing in close and systematically working your way out.

Stop by the Fly Shop for more tips and to pick up some local fly patterns. We’ll see you then.

Spin Fishing:

Spin fishing is good! It’s all about bouncing Glo bugs, San Juan Worms and Scuds off the bottom.

You can also try fishing with gold Kastmasters, black and gold Panther Martins #5s or Rapalas in Perch or trout.

Also definitely don’t forget about the marabou jig, this one has been working great and has been very reliable.

Report from one of our customers:

I rented a boat from you all and fished the river on Sunday with 2 friends. First off the boat ran great. We had some issues the last time out and we appreciate that they are all resolved.

On to the fishing – 3 words — Best Day Ever. The weather cooperated wonderfully. Our party had 2 experienced Lees Ferry fisherman and one total noob. Our noob got a fish on the third cast and ended up with at least 20 to hand for the day. I got a fish on the first and second casts, missed the fish on the third and had one on the fourth. I had only two casts all day that did not have a strike or a fish and on those I had the flies stuck to the indicator. We each had over 100 fish to hand easily. It was truly and incredible day. I give the up river rating a 10 (maybe an 11).

Fish were hitting eggs, midges and worms with the eggs getting the most fish. We’ll be back soon.

Rusty

• If you have some news you would like to report about fishing lees ferry, the walk-in section or up river please e-mail your report to: anglers@leesferry.com Attn. Lees Ferry Fishing Report

• We would be happy to have your input, and pass it along.

For details on Lake Powell conditions and snow-pack, go here: http://lakepowell.water-data.com/

For a real time graphic view of water releases and ramp rates go here: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/az/nwis/uv?09380000

The AZ Game and Fish Department has detected whirling disease in a very small percentage of Lees Ferry trout that were collected for a random sampling. More recent samplings have turned up no sign of the disease, which may mean that it was a “one time” exposure, where the disease was not established or that the disease is present but at a very low prevalence. Anglers should still use caution in cleaning their equipment both before and after they have fished here or in other waters. For more information visit: http://www.whirling-disease.org

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE!!

*****CLOSEOUTS******

PATAGONIA- Women’s Stretch Jacket was $315.00 now $175.00

Call for all current sale items as they change quickly.

Cliff Dwellers Lodge:

Our lodge has rooms with cable TV (20 channels), in-room coffee, and the basic amenities. Choices of rooms are ONE king-size bed, TWO doubles and TWO queen-size beds. Also our group unit we call the HOUSE, sleeps six with two baths, dining area, kitchen, patio with a view, and cable TV. Rates vary with season. We are excited about the winterl season and have some great “black board” specials planned. Patio dining is available. (Enclosed in the winter months)

Meet the Guides:

THE GUIDES AND STAFF OF LEES FERRY ANGLERS have thousands of days on this water, and over 100 years combined fish-guiding experience. Captains’ Terry Gunn, Jeff English, Skip Dixon, Natalie Jensen, Tyson Warren and Tyler Smith make up our guiding staff. Lees Ferry Anglers is proud of our fly-fishing guide team! Wendy Gunn, Ted Welling, Tyler Smith and Dean Windham work in the fly shop. We strive to provide you with the best customer service in the industry. All of our prices in our shop are the same or less than any of the Big Box stores and we really do appreciate your business.

Subject: Thanks

Greetings,

My name is Bill and I had the opportunity to fish Lee’s Ferry a few weeks ago while on vacation. My wife and I stopped by your shop to buy a fishing license and talk about the fishing. The salesman behind the counter was a great help, I wish I could remember his name. He suggested a lure, size and color, that I bought. And told me a good place to go fishing in the walk in area. He also told me the best time to be there on the water. He was right on. I caught several nice trout the largest being about 16 inches all released. The fishing was good, the scenery was assume, the weather was COLD and WET. I was not dressed for it.

The best part I looked up river and there was the salesman from behind the counter fishing about 50 yards from me, with a friendly wave.

Can’t wait to come back.

Thanks again

Bill