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Report by: Tyler Smith

February 22, 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 36 High 59

The weather has been very mild and dry. The forecast is for sunny warmer weather.

Crowd Rating

Upriver: 1 No Crowds during the week & 3 on the weekends

Walk In: 1 Nobody here during the week & 3 on the weekends

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 8,000cfs for the majority of the day and increasing to 13,000cfs 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. 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. Next month the projected flows will fluctuate from 7,000cfs to 13,000cfs. Very similar flows to the month of February.

Fishing the seams, riffles and drop offs from the gravel bars has been the most productive. We are primarily nymphing using Zebra midges, Glo-bugs Scuds, San and Juan Worms of various sizes and colors. The smaller fish tend to be higher up on the riffles and the bigger fish seem to be right on the edge of drop offs and in the deeper water just after the drop off. The best fishing has been just on the inside seam in the slower current.

Using a dry fly with a dropper such as a Zebra Midge or Glo-bug has also had some success depending on the water one is fishing. The dry dropper rig has been most productive in the shallower water. As the weather continues to warm up our midge hatches will only get better which should turn the fishing on in the back eddies. Another option as the fish move into the shallows is using a double tiny rig as described on our website.

There are some actively spawning trout in a few areas on the river. A person may consider fishing a Glo-Bug below a Scud or fishing a Glo-bug with a midge dropper especially on cloudier days. However, the spawn is much weaker compared to last spring.

Although the water has come down another good option is fishing a small streamer or wooly bugger. With these lower flows a person can wade and continue to fish streamers. The better streamer areas tend to be where the riffles drop off into slower deeper pools. Emphasizing the swing then stripping the fly up the seam has produced some good fish. The key to successful streamer fishing is varying the strip retrieve. When streamer fishing, we highly recommend a Teeny 130 or 200 grain sinking tip or a similar line. The reason for the Teeny is that the sinking tip is twenty feet which allows the streamer to cover more water effectively especially the deeper drop offs.

Walk-In Report:By Dean Windham

Fishing has been very good this week. The flows have dropped but are still fluctuating. This has made fishing in the morning the time to get the most consistent bite. During the late morning and afternoon periods the fish seem to bite then stop and then bite again. So don’t think just because the bite stops that it’s time to quit fishing. Just move around a bit or put a little more weight on to get down where the fish are at
The upper boulder field is producing good numbers of fish. Midges and San Juan worms are the first choice here. However, glo-bugs and even scuds have been working. With the lower flows the holding areas are much easier to locate and target. Also with the lower flows we can now get much farther out in the river.
The area below the big rock has been producing some really fat fish. Here glo-bugs, San Juan worms and midges are working well. The fish appear to be holding about 15 to 20 feet from the shore. If you can get a good drift you shoud be picking up some really nice fish. Remember the fish in this area are very strong and like to fight hard when hooked so be patient and don’t try forcing the issue or you will be rerigging your gear due to break offs.
Where the Paria River enters the Colorado has been a very consistent producer. There have been quite a few people fishing here and all seem to be getting plenty of fish. San Juan worms, midges, glo-bugs and even dry flies have all been working at different times. Keep in mind here if you are catching fish and then suddenly it stops, first add some weight and then if that does not work try something new. Keep in mind that the rising flows are slow and subtle so keeping on top of them means really being aware of the changes in the river. This is a fun area to experiment with large dry flies, especially in the afternoon.
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Keep in mind that with the hard fighting fish you will need to bring fresh leaders and tippetts The weather this week has been cloudy but mild and appears to not be changing in the near future. So come on up and fish when others have to walk across frozen lakes and sit on a bucket for hours at a time, we have lots of sunshine and mild weather and willing fish. Any questions give us a call at 1-800-962-9755.
The rating this week for the walk-in was a steady 8.

Spin fishing the walk-in has been good this week.

Spin fisherman have been having some luck this week below the large boulder. With flow fluctuations it does keep one guessing about how deep to run the lure. But being aware of the changing conditions will make sure that you get some nice fish. The weather has been mild and cloudy this week.
Panther Martins have been consistent producers this week. But, the Kastmaster, rapalas and drifting glo-bugs have also been working. Drifting glo-bugs has followed the same pattern as the fly fisherman. Mornings have been best witwthe afternoon being on and off again bite. However, spin fishing is better with the higher flow as you can bounce your lure more efficiently. If you have any questions about how to drift glo-bugs or set up with a spion rig, call us at 1-800-962-9755 or stop by the shop we are always happy to help you get set up.
I would rate the river a steady 7 for this week.

Spin Fishing Up River:

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

Lees Ferry Anglers Fly Shop maintains a large inventory of Abel, Sage, Winston, Temple Fork, Tibor, Galvin, Orvis, Simms, Patagonia, Scientific Anglers Mastery, Ex Officio, William Joseph, Fish Pond and Rio among others. We have been one of the largest fly tackle retailers in the southwest U.S. and we are Arizona’s oldest fly shop. We guarantee our prices to be the same or lower than any other fly shop or retail store. We offer free shipping on all orders over $100 and no sales tax on out of state sales. Call us for the best advice!

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 winter 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. Captain’s 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, Dean Windham and Andy Vincent 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.

A note from one of our customers:

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

B