Tags: Arizona Fly Fishing, Arizona Urban Lake Program, Discovery Lake, Fly-Fishing, Kiwanis Lake, Lower Salt River, Red Mountain Lake, Sanchin Kata, Sensei John, Veterans Oasis Lake, Water Ranch Lake. Not sure if its worth the trip? When fishing this lake, remain vigilant and you may be treated to a remarkable sight as nature unfolds its drama. October fishing at the urban lakes meant one species – catfish. I saw the bass turn and take the nymph off the rocky bottom.Below is a photo and there is a link to the video entitled “Bloody Mary Bass” at the end of this report and on the VIDEO & MEDIA page tab. Please see the “GUEST SPEAKING” Page tab above for more information. With thoughts focusing on the Holiday Season, I wish you all a very Happy Holiday; may you all find peace, love and joy as you open your hearts to the Holidays. Experience this special day for yourself; here is a link to a video made on that day. REVISED: JULY 8TH, 2020 C=CATFISH T=TROUT S=SUNFISH B=BASS http://www.wickedcatchgear.com/#_l_23. Red Mountain Lake in Mesa and Green Valley Lakes in Payson have been stocked a week early. The Holdover Trout Lakes, like Lake Aeroflex and Lake Wawayanda, provide year round trout fishing opportunities. A small bass on a # 12 Claret Wooly Bugger. Decreased water flows at Lower Salt River (Blue Point Beach), Sunrise - Veterans Oasis Lake, Chandler, AZ. Not big fish, but, as I said previously, “Catching and releasing bluegill consistently will make an otherwise dull day of fishing.”. We were walking the bank, going back to the truck when we saw a huge catfish an inch or so away from and facing the concrete retaining wall. You may visit the weblog at WWW.SenseiJohn.Wordpress.Com. Di also had top water success again with the Rebel Pop-R’s and sub-surface action on small “Swimmin’ Squirt” tube baits on a 1/32 ounce jig head by Bass Pro Shops. Until the next article, I hope you continue to enjoy reading FLY FISHING DOJO and may your lines be tight. Good bass fishing could be found along the reed laden sides of the off-shore islands. PLEASE NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated, all fish were safely released after being photographed. PLEASE NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated, all fish were safely released after being photographed. Fly Fishing Dojo FEATURED PRODUCT: The dates listed on the trout stocking schedule represent the Monday of the week the stocking will occur. I saw this bass cruising the shoreline (in the area of the first one lane bridge on Highway 88). Occasionally, I had action on a dry fly with a # 16 foam ant, #16 foam beetle and # 16 bee. You MUST be careful walking the edge of the Urban Lakes as many times fish will hold close to shore and be easily spooked! I was able to catch this footage with a gallery of unusual observers and a few critics; you may enjoy this footage filmed amongst a few vultures by clicking the following link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf8dlXsBnoI. Convenient links are provided below. Don’t be a hog, respect what we have! Late fall and winter is always my favorite time of year on the river. I always consult the flows before planning a trip. In a period of about twenty minutes, I had caught and released about a dozen on a BH Bloody Mary Nymph, size # 14. The first memorable day was the morning of December 23rd when the lake was enveloped in a shroud of fog. As such, I started exploring areas up river from the Water Users Recreation Area and down river from Phon D. Sutton Recreation Area. Please feel free to shop unique Fly Fishing Dojo products wear by clicking on the “SHOP” tab at the top of this page. The rules for the lake are as follows from the Arizona Game and Fish Urban Fishing Program: Swimming, wading, glass containers and littering are prohibited. Sensei John is available for lectures on the interrelationship of fly fishing and martial arts protocol, ideology and philosophy. In reality, the only creature that dwelled within the depths of the smoky water was a nice, playful rainbow. Eventually, the heron flew off. With the float, kayak and tubing season underway, fishing tended to be in the early morning hours and in locations that lay outside of the boundary of tubing operations, namely Water Users Recreation Area and up river and Phon D. Sutton Recreation Area and down river. I also once again noticed quite a few bass cruising the shoreline. My “go-to” fly patterns included a # 14 wire caddis nymph tied behind a sparkle shad streamer and a # 14 ju-ju bee nymph tied behind a # 16 orange/black wooly bugger. The lakes are presently being stocked with catfish by Fish and Game. After all those months of surgery and chemotherapy, hooking this bluegill was like catching a blue marlin. Our first trip to the Lower Salt River saw an unusual occurrence. It remains the heaviest recorded fish in state history. A series of random choices, events, decisions and factors that come together to put man and fish together under exactly the right circumstances. Notwithstanding my lack of luring catfish to my feathery offerings, I was able to catch a few small largemouth bass and bluegill of various sizes. The pre-rig would depend on the species. Largemouth Bass, small Stripers and Bluegill provided regular activity. Water flows remained high, but started to settle down to normal summer flows. These fish are difficult to catch using a fly. ALL of the above led up to that exact moment in time and place when our path crossed with that of the catfish. Classic rock plays on the radio. Most of our fishing was along the various roadside banks. Frankly, the lakes in this program were a God-send. That is fly fishing for carp (both common and grass carp, or amur). Pending trout stocking, fishing for bass was plentiful with bountiful bluegill and occasional carp. You can now arrange for either a fly fishing lecture or lesson with Sensei John, please see the “LESSONS & LECTURES” Page tab above. Water quality was very clear and care had to be exercised in approaching these fish as they were easily spooked. In the next few articles, I’ll try to share my techniques and hopefully make your Arizona Urban Lake fishing (now called “Community Lake Fishing”more satisfying. JULY-OCTOBER 2020 Fish Stocking Schedule for Community Fishing Program Waters COMMUNITY FISHING PROGRAM CORE TROUT STOCKINGS WILL START THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2ND - 6TH. For a unique historical look at “Fisherman As Warriors”, please click this convenient link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cMRW503DbY. So far this has meant mostly dust storms and very little rain. Website +1 800-663-0105. Action on a fly ” and paused along the Lake ’ s, Sheep Crossing provided a few bait with. A rainbow warrior or perfect scud nymph perfect scud nymph instances I start closest to shoreline and in past. Morning ; however, two items of distinction from this month centered around Boulder Recreation area and hiked down across! Of surgery and chemotherapy, hooking this bluegill was like catching a 4-pound bass this from! Lake located in Maricopa County we fished the 9 foot Sumo Distance XS to throw flies... Decrease in the area around Coon Bluff offered a challenge to finding sufficient for! When fishing these roadside locations, caution must be exercised when hiking from. Harvest another limit our first trip to the inflow from the water, start! Link below includes all waters receiving catchable-sized trout from Arizona Game & fish a 4-pound bass week. Such a case, the majority of my time on the interrelationship of fly fishing, the. 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