Blue Wing Olives
September-April: Best to fish when the weather is bad. Afternoon hatches on cold, overcast days.
Fly Fishing in Arizona
A Gem of a Fishing State!
While most folks do not think of Arizona as a fly-fishing hotspot, thousands of Southwesterners would disagree. Arizona's high plateau boasts some fantastic lake and stream fishing, with some of the most remote, challenging locations in the lower 48.
The most famous locations are Lee's Ferry in the Grand Canyon and Sedona's Oak Creek.
If you need some help, we have and will continue to recommend Sedona Fly Fishing Adventures to get you into some fish if you are in the area.
Flies By Species - Arizona
Popular Hatches/Patterns in Arizona
Caddis
March-May: (but present in small numbers evenings through the summer)
Midges
Present year-round, but most effective late in day or when other hatches are not happening
Scuds/Sowbugs
Year-Round patterns that must not be overlooked!
Terrestrials
May-September; Hoppers, Crickets, Beetles, Ants. Fish these patterns!
Sculpins / Streamers
Streamer fishing is very productive in Arizona
Hatch Charts for Popular Arizona Fisheries
Black River
This quaint little stream boasts wild native Apache trout in the upper reaches of the White Mountains
Blue River
This little gem features tough access, wild trout and little pressure. No stocking means that it sees few anglers.
Lee's Ferry
Fishing on the Colorado in Marble Canyon (at the start of the Grand Canyon). Healthy rainbows, epic scenery...
Verde River
A popular trout fishery not too far from Phoenix. This river is stocked regularly and provides good fishing and easy access.