Lees Ferry Fishing Report

September 24th, 2007 by post

Lees Ferry Fishing Report

Monday September 24^th 2007

Report by: Ted Welling

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Today’s rating:

Upriver: 4.00

Walk-In: 4.00

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

Today’s Weather: Sunny and mild light breeze, 75 Degrees

Today’s Crowd Rating:

Upriver 1.0

Walk In: 1.0

Key: 1 = Sleep late and fish where you want.

10 = Very crowded, get up early!

Today’s Fly Fishing: Today’s activity was a little better than yesterday, still not quite as we would expect this time of year. Scuds midges and san juan worms.

Spin Fishing Tips: Fishing with a gold panther martin has been the magic lure lately. Another good all around pick would be the marabou jig, best used from a boat and cast toward the shore. Back trolling a rappalla was the way to go today,

Walk In: I just got a good report about the walk-in area today. He got down there late in the afternoon without much action until the sun went behind the cliffs. He stayed until he could no longer see his indicator

What does that tell you???????

Fishing Synopsis and Forecast by Terry Gunn 9/12/07

On September 1^st the high water flows of summer ended and the lower fall flows began. The fish responded the same way that they did last year by being unhappy with the change. Last year the fishing in early September was slow and as the month progressed the fishing became better each week…I expect the same thing to happen this year. The water flows are near perfect for wading most of the popular spots on the river as well as the walk-in section. The fish continue to look good and are strong and in great physical shape. The weather is finally cooling off and the remainder of September and October is normally the best and most comfortable weather of the year. We are seeing a tremendous number of fingerling trout in the river as a result of the terrific spawn that we saw this past spring which bodes well for the future.

The AZ Game and Fish Department recently detected whirling disease in a small percentage of Lees Ferry trout that were collected for a random sampling. For those of you who are not familiar with whirling disease; this disease only affects fingerling trout and limits their survival. Adult trout can harbor the disease but in all respects appear healthy and normal. The arrival of whirling disease at Lees Ferry isn’t good news nor is it necessarily terrible news. Whirling Disease has infected many of the Western State’s fabled trout streams with greater and lesser affects depending on the watershed. The Madison comes to mind as one river that was severely impacted while the San Juan suffered no noticeable impact from Whirling Disease. Lees Ferry has more in common with the San Juan than the Madison…both Lees Ferry and the San Juan are Tail-Water rivers with clear, cold water which is a consistent temperature year-around. Consistent cold water temperatures are believed by most experts on the disease to keep the spread and severity of the disease in check. I’ll be sure to keep you informed as more data becomes available. In the mean time when you do come to Lees Ferry be sure to clean your wading gear thoroughly before you leave to prevent the spread of Whirling Disease. For more information visit: http://www.whirling-disease.org

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:

Glen Canyon Dam Operations

Releases from Glen Canyon Dam in July 2007 will average 13,100 cubic feet per second (cfs) with a total of 804,000 acre-feet scheduled to be released for the month. On Mondays through Fridays in July, daily release fluctuations due to load following will likely vary between a low of 9,000 cfs (during late evening and early morning off-peak hours) to a high of 17,000 cfs (during daylight and early evening on-peak hours). On Saturdays, release fluctuations will likely vary between a low of 9,000 cfs to a high of 16,000 cfs. On Sundays, release fluctuations will likely vary between a low of 9,000 cfs to a high of 15,000 cfs. Releases from Glen Canyon Dam in August 2007 will be similar to July. A total of 804,000 acre- feet are scheduled to be released August 2007, which is an average
flow of 13,100 cfs. Releases are scheduled to be decreased in September. The current schedule shows 603,000 acre- feet of release in September 2007.

Upper Colorado River Basin Hydrology

Inflow to Lake Powell in June was much below average, but was greater than the volume forecasted. Unregulated inflow to Lake Powell in June 2007 was 1,307,500 acre-feet (42 percent of average). Projected unregulated inflow for June 2007 was 1,100,000 acre- feet, so while actual inflow was much below average, it was 207,500 acre- feet above the level forecasted. April through July unregulated inflow to Lake Powell in 2007 is expected to be about 4.2 million acre- feet which is 53 percent of average. Water year inflow to Lake Powell for 2007 (October 2006 through September 2007) is projected to be 70 percent of average. The 2007 water year inflow was boosted by the heavy storm events that took place in October 2006 resulting in Lake Powell increasing by 6.2 feet during that particular month. Lake Powell reached a seasonal peak elevation of 3,611.7 feet on June 25, 2007.

Lees Ferry Anglers - Fly Shop Specials:

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

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

PATAGONIA- Women’s Stretch Jacket was $315.00 now $175.00, Women’s GO II Pants $40.00, Men’s GI II Pants $35.00, Men’s GI II Shorts $46.00, Wade Boots $50.00

EXOFFICIO- Men’s & Women’s Amphi Shorts $46.00

SMITH/ACTION OPTICS POLARIZED SUNGLASSES- 2006 discontinued models at 50% OFF

MAUI JIMS 50% OFF

ROSS SPOOLS- 50% OFF

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 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, Kevin Campbell, Skip Dixon, Tyson Warren, Rick Smith and Natalie Jensen make up our guiding staff. Lees Ferry Anglers is proud of our fly-fishing guide team! Wendy Gunn, Natalie Jensen, Sandy Willie, Ted Welling, Jennifer Osgood, and Kris Stoudt work in the fly shop to provide you with the best customer service in the industry.

Email: anglers@leesferry.com

Lees Ferry Anglers

HC-67 Box 30

Marble Canyon, AZ 86036

Toll Free 1-800-962-9755

Direct 1-928-355-2261

Fax 1-928-355-2271

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

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