Lees Ferry Fishing Report
By: Tedd Welling
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Today’s Rating:
Upriver: 7.00
Walk-In: 6.0
Key: 1 = Go fish somewhere else
10 = Rent a helicopter and get here now!
Today’s Weather: It was another clear and warm day. We had a high of 85 and a low this morning of 54. Not a cloud in the sky and only just the slightest breeze from the west.
Today’s Crowd Rating:
Upriver: 3.5 Walk In: 1.0
Key: 1 = Sleep late and fish where you want.
10 = Very crowded, get up early!
.Today’s Fly Fishing:
Up River: Fishing remains strong. Anglers did well today with a number of different flies. Warm weather and plenty of sunshine is improving their food base. They are particularly interested in midge patterns. Bead head zebra midges, laser midges, midge-X and red-hots are all working well. Use them with the right amount of weight to get them bouncing off the bottom. Look for trout in shallow riffles and inside seams.
Walk In: This section is still producing good healthy trout, I have not seen this many trout in that area in some time, and I’ve been here quite a while. Once again the Zebra midge is the hero. The brassie has been very effective here as well.
Fishing Synopsis and Forecast by Terry Gunn
Fishing at Lees Ferry has picked up from earlier in the month probably due to the fish adjusting to the change in flow regime that began April 1. The midge hatches are getting heavier each day and the fish are starting to move into the riffles and shallow water to feed on the sub surface emergers.
The weather has been difficult, lots of cold fronts have been moving through the last two weeks making for windy and breezy condition. If you can hit the weather right more than likely you will see some great fishing
This past week I saw a 27 to 30-in rainbow in the river. I got a good look at this fish and it was the largest trout that I have see at the Ferry in many years. Hopefully I’ll be able to post a picture of this fish in the hands of a smiling angler in the near future.
Fishing has been better in some spots than others but as the spring midge hatches increase in abundance, fishing success throughout the river should continue to improve.
The trout are still spawning and we are seeing the best spawn that the river has experienced in years…fish are spawning throughout the river. Most all the spawning is occurring in deep water which bodes well for fry survival and future recruitment of juvenile trout. The spawn began in Dec. and has been building in strength the past few weeks and is peaking now.
Word has it that the “walk-in’ is fishing very well. There are times in the spring that this area actually fishes better than upriver. Look for this area to continue fishing well until the summer high water arrives.
Spin Fishing: Egg patterns are still producing down deep when drifting. Make sure that you have the proper weight on so that the flies are bouncing the bottom and not dragging bottom. Consider a scud dropped below the glo bug about a foot and a half. Kastmasters and Rapalas are also productive while back trolling.
Projected River Flows:
Releases from Glen Canyon Dam in April 2007 will average 10,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) with a total of 600,000 acre-feet scheduled to be released for the month. On Mondays through Fridays in April, daily release fluctuations due to load following will likely vary between a low of 6,500 cfs (during late evening and early morning off-peak hours) to a high of 12,500 cfs (during daylight and early evening on-peak hours). On Saturdays and Sundays, release fluctuations will likely vary between a low of 6,500 cfs to a high of 12,000 cfs. Releases from Glen Canyon Dam in May 2007 will be similar to the April pattern. A total of 600,000 acre-feet are scheduled to be released in May of 2007.
The water supply picture in the
Lees Ferry Anglers - Fly Shop Specials:
*****CLOSOUTS******
GALVAN REELS-Discontinued- OB-1 spool/clear $56.95, & one OB-4 spool/clear $65.95
SIMMS WADERS- Travel Waders $89.95, Lightweight Waders $109.95, Guide Waders $179.95, Half-finger Gloves $13.00, Women’s Classic Guide Waders $180.00, Wading Boots $50.00
EXOFFICIO- Men’s & Women’s Amphi Shorts $46.00
SMITH/ACTION OPTICS POLARIZED SUNGLASSES- 2006 discontinued models at 50% OFF
ROSS SPOOLS- 50% OFF
**ORVIS SPOOLS ½ PRICE with the purchase an ORVIS REEL!
***Galvan SPOOLS 50% OFF with the purchase of a reel!
Cliff Dwellers Lodge
Our lodge has rooms with cable TV (20 channels), in-room coffee, and the basic amenities. Choice of rooms are ONE king-size bed $75 plus tax, TWO doubles $70 plus tax, and TWO queen-size beds $80 plus tax for 1 to 2 people. Also our group unit we call the HOUSE, sleeps six with two baths, dining area, kitchen, patio with a view, and cable TV. We are excited about the cool fall season and have some great “black board” specials planned. Patio dining 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, Kevin Campbell, Skip Dixon, Chad Bayles, Brad Shallenberger, Tyson Warren, Nathan Waggoner, Rick Smith Natalie Jensen and Jim Veller make up our guiding staff. Lees Ferry Anglers is proud of our flyfishing guide team! Wendy Gunn, Natalie Jensen, Sandy Willie, Aaron Logan, and Ted Welling work in the flyshop to provide you with the best customer service in the industry.
Email: anglers@leesferry.com
Lees Ferry Anglers
HC-67 Box 30
Toll Free 1-800-962-9755
Direct 1-928-355-2261
Fax 1-928-355-2271
Copyright © 1996-2006 Lees Ferry Anglers and Flyshop
All rights reserved Lees Ferry Fishing Report
Terry Gunn
Lees Ferry Anglers Fly Shop, Guides, & Rentals
Cliff Dwellers Lodge
http://www.terrygunn.com
http://www.leesferry.com
http://www.cliffdwellerslodge.com
800-962-9755