Lees ferry is the ancient settlement of mormon pioneer john d. Fishing at lee s ferry comes with the added benefit of breathtaking views of natural scenery. Spencers attempt to extract gold from the clay hills here in 1910. Twothirds of the map includes the navajo indian reservation. This tailwater, just below glenn canyon dam and at the start of the grand canyon, is one of the most beautiful places on earth to fish. It was one of the rare sites for some 250 miles where one could cross the colorado river. It flows clear and cold from the glen canyon dam providing the.
This has created a great tailwater trout fishery for fifteen miles from the dam to lees ferry, where the paria river flows into the colorado. Terrys wildlife and fly fishing photographs have appeared in most all of the outdoor magazines as well as books, journals, newspapers, calendars, and. Koffler jet boat, fuel, lunch from the marble canyon lodge, fly rods and at least 8 hours on the water typically starting at 7 am. Book a day with a lees ferry guide and get handson experience on everything fishing as well as catch fish. Lees ferry page 2020 all you need to know before you. Lees ferry is about three hours north of flagstaff and a little over five hours north of phoenix. Wendy gunn, a professoinal guide on the colorado river, introduces you to fly fishing lees ferry. Tips for fly fishing the lees ferry az walk in area. The hatch was normal by historical standards but not the bumper crop of last year. Current water conditions are good for both wading and drifting. This includes stream conditions, trout flies, strategies, techniques and tips. Conditions may change so best to check before going.
It feels good to have a day off to reflect on everything that has happened this month. Today lees ferry is a wellknown fishing and boat launching point, including for. Marble canyon outfitters at lees ferry is operated by dale gauthier and shaun riding. Regional fishing reports all casting types sportsmans. We fish for rainbow trout below glen canyon dam on the colorado river with lees ferry anglers. The turnoff is just west of navajo bridge that crosses the colorado river. We are arizonas largest fly fishing outfitter and oldest fly shop at the crown of the grand canyon. Well dave foster is the man when it comes to lees ferry, this book covers it all from local history to a mile by mile break down of the river, gear and tips. A good way to get a great overview of the river and how to fish it is to hire an outfitter. The complete guide to fishing and boating the colorado river below glen canyon dam no nonsense fly fishing. Each of our guides are patient and competent instructors, with passion for sharing their experience and knowledge of fishing. We cover safety, knots and rigging, equipment, casting, flies, entomology, and drifting. Lees ferry is a site on the colorado river in coconino county, arizona in the united states. Lees ferry, auch lee ferry oder lees ferry, ist eine ansiedlung am colorado river im coconino county, arizona.
Lees ferry is a site on the colorado river in coconino county, arizona in the united states, about 7. Lees ferry subscribe rating good as of 4920 lees ferry is open for day use only. You pretty much have to experience lees ferry fishing for yourself at least once if rainbow trout is what youre chasing after. Lees ferry is a site on the colorado river a few miles below glen canyon dam. Lees ferry is arguably the most beautiful place i have ever fished. Fishing at lees ferry comes with the added benefit of breathtaking views of natural scenery. The cicadas began singing in june and by early july the trout were starting to key on this winged meal. We me, my wife lori and my sisinlaw terri were using fleshcolored rubber worms cut in about 2 inchlong segments about 20 inches from the sinkers, which were pencil leadstyle weight secured with surgical tubing. The ferry itself operated for 55 years as the only crossing point along 600 river miles of the colorado with a road on each side. Lees ferry is a premiere fishery located in northern arizona on the colorado river above the grand canyon. Stay tuned for part 2 where i will provide more in depth actionable tips about recommended lees ferry flyfishing gear, flys, and proven tactics to use at the ferry to help maximize your. Grand canyon boating and rafting access along with excellent fishing opportunities on the colorado river at lees ferry. Fly fishing on the colorado river lees ferry in arizona.
Northern arizona guide service lees ferry trout fishing. You can easily drive down to the parking area and find great fishing at the walkin, or you can go upstream to some more of the secluded areas. Located at the intersection of the echo and vermillion cliffs, lees ferry. Lees ferry anglers and cliff dwellers lodge serves flyfishers, grand canyon rafters, hikers, and travelers from around.
We were about an 1 12 car ride away from it, but just couldnt fit it in our schedule. The history of fishing on the colorado river in lees ferry, arizona. The paria river enters the colorado river at lees ferry. The deep blue water flows over green moss covered rocks and beneath towering cliffs of pink, orange, and red. Lees ferry anglers was established in 1989, and since then we have expanded to include cliff dwellers lodge and cliff dwellers restaurant in order to provide a complete fishing lodge experience. The apex of the colorado river known as lees ferry is home to more than 20,000 wild trout per mile. Explorers, emigrants, missionaries, promoters, ministers, writers, politicians, even notorious outlaws all helped turn lees ferry into a corridor and supply point for the men and women who shaped much of the. Lees ferry is home to some of the most breathtaking fly fishing scenery in the world. Lees ferry is famous for its estimated 12,000 fish per mile. Plus we delve into the brown trout controversy and the park services plan to electro fish lees ferry. Different ferryboats and pioneers, miners, indians, and tourists crossed here from 1872 until 1928. This year, the river seems to boast an even better than usual population, with a wider range of fish sizes than in recent memory. Gps coordinates, fishing tips, historical notes, and other special information. A storied stretch of river predating fly fishing because of its access, it remains famous today because of that same trait.
Lees ferry, the namesake of arizonas most famous fly fishing destination, is 15 miles of glorious colorado river tailwater. Lees ferry anglers is a 30 acre complex situated on the colorado river, between glen canyon dam and grand canyon national park. Below the dam the colorado river flows into the remnant of glen canyon with icy water from the bottom of lake powell. Lees ferry history the story behind this ferry is one of tragedy and triumph, hardships and homesteading.
Foster also wrote fly fishing lees ferry arizona the complete guide to fishing and boating the colorado river below the glen canyon dam isbn 1892469073. Dale has been serving as a full time fishing guide at lees ferry for several years and shaun has years of experience fishing the colorado river and lake powell. The complete guide to fishing and boating the colorado river below glen canyon dam no nonsense fly fishing guides. Also a campground is at lees ferry with a short hiking trail leading to the river for fishing and wading. Long, good drifts using midge larva and pupa imitations is the best way to go about catching trout. Lees ferry was a girls only trip and my first time traveling and fishing with jane and holly. Jordan b fished with guide mike roth of the northern az guide service. Lees ferry on the fly lees ferry fishing guides trout. Fly fishing the colorado river at lees ferry ask about. Lees ferry sits at the base of vermilion cliffs national monument in one of the western united states most spectacular settings.
Cost for eight hours of fishing is about the same for most outfitters. The complete guide to fishing and boating the colorado river below glen canyon dam no nonsense fly fishing guides foster, dave, chadwell, pete on. Current fly fishing reports and conditions for colorado river, lees ferry in arizona. This is a tailwater that flows from glen canyon dam to lees ferry. Jay and chase go fishing for rainbow trout at the worldclass tailwater lee s ferry beneath the glen canyon dam on the colorado river. Angler guide provides fishing enthusiasts with relevant information about fishing lees ferry and the rivers, streams and lakes in arizona. Lees ferry also known as lees ferry, lee ferry, little colorado station and saints ferry is a site on the colorado river in coconino county, arizona in the united states, about 7. Coast guard licensed captain as your guide, our 22. Lees ferry drive to the colorado river in arizona my. Just upstream from the lees ferry launch ramp is the ferry crossing site and several historic buildings.
Visitors are often surprised to learn of the rich and turbulent history surrounding lee s ferry, a significant story of adventure and danger. The cold, clear water and deep red cliffs of the river are. Lees ferry marks the beginning of the grand canyon, and the tailwater emanating from the glen canyon dam is beautiful. Get the latest up to date fly fishing report for trout fishing in colorado river with the top producing flies and recommended equipment to get you into fish. Lees ferry anglers, for one, rates walkin fishing at a 610 and the upriver fishing a 710. Find out where the action is, what the water conditions are and everything you need for a successful day on the water. Reillyexpert riverman, backcountry explorer, river chroniclerpublished articles on the history of the colorado river, but he died in 1996 before his big work, a detailed and dramatic history of lees ferry was published. He discovered lees ferry in 1978 and has been fishing here ever since. The lees ferry name comes from the fact that it is the former location of a river crossing rowboat ferry operation that was established in 1871 by john doyle lee september 12, 1812 march 23, 1877, a mormon settler who had nineteen wives, sixtyseven children and was a principal in the september 1857 mountain meadows massacre of roughly 120 victims some. In march of 1864, mormon pioneer jacob hamblin and his men built a raft at the mouth of the paria and made the first successful crossing at the point on the colorado that would become lees ferry, transporting all fifteen men, their supplies.
Most fishing on the 14mile stretch of water between the put in and the glen canyon dam is accessed via boat, as we did the next day. Lees ferry history glen canyon national recreation area. He also designed and published the first comprehensive river map of the lees ferry section of the colorado river. I have taught three fishing schools, guided 14 days, spent 3 days at lees ferry and 6 days in idaho. When traversing the colorado river in search of rainbow trout, its easy to feel like youre the first person whos ever experienced the magnificence. His love for this amazing fishery is probably exemplified most by the calendars he singlehandedly photographed and published in 1990 and 91. My fishing buddy, larry garfinkel, and i left at first light from the dock at lees ferry with our guide, jeff parker of lees ferry anglers and his dog otis, a nine year old german shorthair pointer. The site contains current fishing conditions along with articles of interest, lees ferry weather conditions. A fishing report for fly fishing the colorado river at lees ferry, arizona. It was worth the side trip back because we could stop in marble canyon also to take in the changing landscape. With the sleepless night and the mornings misadventure firmly in our rearview mirror, its time to get down to business. Visitors are often surprised to learn of the rich and turbulent history surrounding lees ferry, a significant story of.
The mighty colorado river and its tributaries carved an extraordinary landscape, with intricate mazes of canyons, delicate arches and massive rock monoliths. Combine that with the outstanding rainbow trout fishing and beautiful weather, and you have an unbeatable spring fishing destination. His passion for the history and fishing in lees ferry was first published in 1992. Sandy beaches are great for afternoon picnics and hyper dogs or children. Lees ferry fishing arizona american west travelogue. You can also camp upstream from lees ferry at designated spots accessible by boat. Fishing is extremely popular and it is also a great location to spend time along the banks of the river. Fly fishing guide for the colorado river lees ferry arizona fly fishing the lees ferry colorado river tailwater is mostly nymph fishing.
View map find local fishing spots on the interactive map. Lees ferry also known as lee s ferry, lee ferry, little colorado station and saints ferry is a site on the colorado river in coconino county, arizona in the united states, about 7. Lees ferry is located in the glen canyon national recreation area. A part of the colorado river system and nestled within glen canyon national recreation area just north of the grand canyon, lees ferry should be near the top of every anglers bucket list. There are several reports that fishing in the lower 3 mile walkin section of lees ferry arizonas premier blueribbon trout fishery below glen canyon dam has been excellent. Fly fishing the colorado river with lees ferry anglers. Lees ferry is the beginning of the grand canyon and serves as the primary launch point for grand canyon river trips. Gin clear water between towering 700 foot red rock cliffs. Created with the completion of glen canyon dam in 1963, this tail water is crystal clear and a constant 47 degrees, providing anglers with an.
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