Lees Ferry Anglers — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:01:12 +0000

January 9, 2012
Upriver Report By: The guys at Lees Ferry Anglers
Fishing upriver has been good the last couple of days with an upriver rating of 8 out of 10. We are experiencing fluctuating flows with a low around 13,000cfs and a high around 19,000cfs. Beginning January 10th the flows will be reduced with a low around 9,500cfs and 16,500cfs. The river has been starting off low and coming up gradually throughout the day. The water temperature is back to normal for this time of year.
Even with the fluctuating flows the water is still a little. There are a few more wading opportunities, but drifting is still a viable option. Nymphing with Scuds, Glo-Bugs and San Juan Worms have been highly productive. When drifting with a nymph rig we are still using a longer leader anywhere from twelve to fifteen feet with heavier split shot anywhere from a BB to AAA depending on the water one is fishing. Due to our mild winter and the rather comfortable temperatures we have been seeing a few midges coming off, but today we had a good hatch. I would Keep a few Zebra Midges handy.
The trout are beginning to stage for the spawn and a few have started to drop their eggs. A person may consider fishing a Glo-Bug below a San Juan worm or a Scud. The spawn should improve as we get further into January and February.
Another option is fishing a streamer or wooly bugger either dead drifting below an indicator or stripping. 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 which allows the streamer to get down effectively through the water column with a slow swing on the bottom. Do not forget to add some action and vary the action to the fly on the retrieve. Many times the fish will take the wooly bugger on the pause.
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. 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.
Fly Fishing WALK-IN:
Walk-In Report By: The guys at Lees Ferry Anglers

Fishing has been good and fairly consistent with the new flows. Nymphing with San Juan Worms, Glo-Bugs, scuds and Zebra Midges has been effective. 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. With these fluctuating flows it is really important to pay attention to your surroundings especially as the water comes up to avoid becoming stranded while out wading. 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 off the bottom.
You can also try fishing with gold Kastmasters, black and gold Panther Martins or Rapalas.
Also definitely don’t forget about the marabou jig, this one has been working great and has been very reliable.

Lees Ferry Fishing Report