Silver Creek

Overview

Silver Creek is a unique fishery located in Show Low, AZ. The creek is a smallish spring-fed stream and is a special regulation water. From Oct. 1st to March 30th it’s catch-and-release fishing using artificial flies or lures with single barbless hooks, no bait, and no scents.

April through September fishing opens up to bait fishermen and fish may be kept. Always check the most recent regulations as they can change. For the fly fisher that makes the fall and winter months interesting and the allure is that Silver Creek has a hatchery right on the property and is heavily stocked with large broodstock fish. Fish in excess of twenty inches are regularly caught during these months. Big trout with easy trail access can generate a bit of a crowd, especially on fair weather days.

Be prepared to share the water with friends and lend a hand by helping fellow anglers net and get that coveted trophy trout photo. The fishing can really start out with a bang on October 1st catching gets a little tougher as time goes by and the fish seem to get a little educated to the sting of a hook. Most any day though the season, however, there is the possibility of landing and releasing a bruiser fish or three. It’s worth mentioning that this season due to some late summer flooding and some issues at the hatchery fewer fish and slightly smaller than average fish were stocked into Silver Creek in 2021. It is still a worthwhile destination if you’re looking for some bigger fish in the winter months. Pro-tip, lots of flies will work a Silver Creek but for some reason, red is a standout color, also try white bunny leeches and pink squirmy worms.

Anglers Report

Silver Creek 2/10/23

Angler: Marc, AZ Fly Shop

Overview:  Silver Creek is a cakewalk of a place to fish. Highly user-friendly and a good place for beginners. There are fish spread throughout the whole creek from the footbridge at the lower end all the way to the top end that’s marked as the upper boundary to the fishing area.

Weather Conditions: Sunny and cool

Hatch off the water: Hatches that bring fish up to the surface are highly sporadic on this stream. An occasional midge hatch will bring fish up top in the upper pools.

Flies that were working:  Flies that work in the lower section that opens to catch and keep in April through Sep. include red and brown squirmy worms, assorted Mop flies (Chartreuse is a great choice) assorted color glo-bugs and Clown eggs, Floss worms, smaller bunny leeches, and unweighted wooly buggers all work (white is a good color).

The fish in the lower section really like smaller nymphs with some red in them like a size 16 red Copper John or a red Zebra Midge. The really big hawgs in the upper pools that are posted catch and release for six months of the year and closed the other half of the year will get really picky for the right fly. They will key in on really small midge and Baetis patterns. Use size 20 Epoxy Baetis, Craven’s Two Bit Hooker’s in olive and darker colors. Size 20 and 22 Zebra Midges and Cheeseman emergers.

Recommended Gear: 9 Ft. 5Wt. rod with a floating line and a large arbor reel with a smooth drag. 9 Ft. 4x and 5X leaders with corresponding tippet. Waterproof breathable waders with warm water-wicking underlayers. A long-handled net is a good thing to have at Silver Creek since the banks can be steep and entering the water is not an option on much of the creek.

Angler’s advice: It might pay off to get up here a bit earlier as it sees a lot of fishing pressure. Be friendly on the water and respectful of people’s fishing space. Have fun!