Arizona Fly Fishing Report — Fall Season
As we move deeper into fall and come off recent rains, many of Arizona’s Rim lakes and creeks are in great health, setting the stage for some fantastic fishing. Cooler temperatures and stabilized water levels are creating ideal conditions across the high country, and anglers can expect productive days whether they’re fishing from a float tube or the shoreline.
Rim Lakes & Stillwater
Fishing the Rim lakes from shore this time of year can be very effective. With trout feeding actively in the shallows, patterns such as egg imitations, leeches, and large streamers are producing consistent results. For shore anglers, a strong roll-casting setup is essential—tree lines can make overhead casting tricky.
When targeting fish near drop-offs or in shallow bays, try using an intermediate or slow-sinking “hover” line to keep your fly in the upper water column. While full-sink lines dominate during the warmer months, slower-sinking options will now keep your fly “in the zone” longer, enticing more strikes from cruising fish.
Salt River
Closer to home, the Salt River continues to fish well following the elevated flows. Success right now is all about weight and depth control—getting your flies down to the trout is key. As flows gradually settle in the coming weeks, expect the fishing to stabilize further, with improving opportunities for Sonoran suckers as well.
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