Lees Ferry Fishing Report
By: Natalie Jensen
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Today’s Rating:
Upriver: 8.0
Walk-In: 6.50
Key: 1 = Go fish somewhere else
10 = Rent a helicopter and get here now!
Today’s Weather: Mostly clear sunny skies today with a sleight breeze. Afternoon temperatures were up into the 90’s. The low on the day was around 63 degrees. The extended forecast shows that we are amidst the first days of our heated summer. Hydration and frequent snacking is a good way to keep your bearings on summer days of fishing at Lees Ferry.
Today’s Crowd Rating:
Upriver: 5.0
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: Reportedly the fishing was exceptional today! If you’ve been to Lees Ferry, you know that fish are often wise and picky when it comes to fly delivery. My impression of today’s fishing was that the trout were unusually giddy. Fishing on the river today was a lotto day for a range of experience levels. Still knowledge of trout location and flies of choice play a big part in great success. Stop in buy the latest in best fly selections and pick up the river info as of late. Better yet, hire a guide! Zebra midges are key, along with a
Walk In: Walk in continues to fish very well. Same patterns and rigs work in this section as up river. The key is to move around from time to time. Adjust you weight accordingly. Its been fishing good lately.
Fishing Synopsis and Forecast by Terry Gunn 5/25/07
All the Lees Ferry Angler guides agree: This spring provided the best and most consistent fishing that we have seen on the river since 1999. The trout are in great shape, strong and eager to eat…at least most days. The fishing is not as “easy” as it was in 1999, as a matter of fact; I would call the current fishing conditions technical. But if you know where the fish are and can make the cast and the perfect drift, and use the right fly you just might hook the strongest trout of your life. (A Lees Ferry Anglers guide can help you with the above)
The water flow is going to change in June and this will change our approach to fishing. Most likely the midge fishing will be finished until we see lower water flows. Our focus will be shifting to drifting out of the boat and wading only in lower water flows. July will bring Cicadas and the best dry fly fishing of the year. Our cicada fishing rivals that of any other river in the country and happens most years. The summer drift fishing is often the best and most productive fishing of the year. The high summer flows will also be great for the trout by providing more drifting food. I can’t wait to see what our fish look like this fall; my bet is that they are going to rapidly grow all summer and be fat and sassy this fall.
Midge fishing at Lees Ferry continues to be the ticket for most areas of the river. The midge hatches are not as heavy as they were earlier in the month but the fish are still eating the sub-surface emergers. If you are not using 7X, you are not going to catch fish.
The water flows that began March 1 appear to be the best flows of the spring…the water is starting low and sloooowly rising throughout the morning, with the peak arriving at or near
The trout spawn is winding down. We saw the best spawn that the river has experienced in years. Most all the spawn is occurred in deep water which bodes well for fry survival and future recruitment of juvenile trout.
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!
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, Brad Shallenberger, Tyson Warren, Nathan Waggoner, Rick Smith and Natalie Jensen make up our guiding staff. Lees Ferry Anglers is proud of our flyfishing guide team! Wendy Gunn, Natalie Jensen, Sandy Willie, 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
Lees Ferry Fishing Report
By: Ted Welling
We Hope that you like our new report format. Notice that you can subscribe to receive notice when a new report is posted by clicking the “subscribe” in the above toolbar. All previous reports are archived and available by clicking “Previous Entries” at the bottom of this page.
Today’s Rating:
Upriver: 6.75
Walk-In: 6.0
Key: 1 = Go fish somewhere else
10 = Rent a helicopter and get here now!
Today’s Weather: High wind gust 25 to35 MPH
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 was a little slow today with all the wind. The fish are there and seem to be willing to eat however getting the fly to the fish was a challenge. The water is coming up in the morning slowly which gives the fish a lot more time to eat. And the angler a lot more time to catch them. Midges are doing well, zebra midges,
Walk In: This section is still producing good numbers and good healthy looking trout. Zebra midges, wd-40’s , small pheasant tails and
Fishing Synopsis and Forecast by Terry Gunn
Midge fishing at Lees Ferry continues to be the ticket for most areas of the river. 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. If you are not using 7X, you are not going to catch fish.
The water flows that began March 1 appear to be the best flows of the spring…the water is starting low and sloooowly rising throughout the morning, with the peak arriving at or near
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. I have been expecting the spawn to peak but it just keeps on going.
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.
A couple weeks back 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.
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