rcdinaz Report post Posted March 16, 2014 I have never been but I am trying to put together a trip to take my dad in April. He went as a kid a long time ago and has always wanted to go back. I have read a few sites about the trip and I have a boat but I am not quite sure how to tackle the trip. Probably fish for 2-2.5 days and stay at a campground. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I did not plan on getting a guide but if a couple of my buddies make the trip as well two of them said they were going to get a guide for at least one day. Thanks for any help! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ready2hunt Report post Posted March 16, 2014 You can't go wrong there! Anywhere there is shade and large boulders you'll find big fish. I am a huge fan of the muddled minnow if you have a fly set up. We caught so many fish out flies began to call apart no joke. It's so unique to see a river in 110 degree weather that can be crystal clear and so cold it'll give you a headache. Bring lots of water/sunscreen and a good pair of polarized sunglasses. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rcdinaz Report post Posted March 16, 2014 Sounds great! Thanks for the advice, hopefully I will have some great pics to post by the end of April. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr.smith Report post Posted March 16, 2014 April is a great time to go. The giant trout your dad remembers are not there anymore. Replaced by high numbers. If fly fishing bring lots of midges, scuds and eggs fished under an indicator with a small shot. If spinfishing small spinners or spoons as well as fishing flies under a float. Haul your camping gear upriver and camp up there. No permit needed. For fishing spots: 4 mile bar is good, 8 mile, Horseshoe bend, Duck Island, Ferry Swale, pretty much all of it. I usually see the most fish at Ferry Swale. Good luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mpriest Report post Posted March 16, 2014 Are you using a fly rod or spinner? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rcdinaz Report post Posted March 16, 2014 Two guys with Fly rods and two with standard tackle. We do an annual trip to the Black River but last year it was extremely slow so we are changing it up. I have never been to Lee's Ferry so this is my first shot at it. Thanks for the great info MrSmith! Where did all the giant trout go? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ForkHorn Report post Posted March 16, 2014 The way back to big trout is to start keeping the little ones. Say if for example the carrying capacity of a water is 100 pounds of fish.... you could have 100 - 1 lb fish or 10 - 10 lbers. Or anywhere in between. Lees ferry is stuck at the lots of little fish phase... The problem with lees ferry is you have a bunch of trout that will never reach maximum size because there are so many of them competing for a limited food source. The catch and release culture has a hard time understanding that sometimes the best thing to do to get more big fish is to keep some smaller fish. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seldom Drawn Report post Posted March 16, 2014 I haven't been there for a few years,but watch the water level,what kind of boat are you taking? I have seen many boats anchor at the camp sites, only to see them stuck untill the water rises we use to always take 2 anchors and tie up out a ways from shore,but I don't know if they flucuate the water level much anymore fly fishing is the only way to go at Lees Ferry,good luck to you guys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yotebuster Report post Posted March 16, 2014 The way back to big trout is to start keeping the little ones. Say if for example the carrying capacity of a water is 100 pounds of fish.... you could have 100 - 1 lb fish or 10 - 10 lbers. Or anywhere in between. Lees ferry is stuck at the lots of little fish phase... The problem with lees ferry is you have a bunch of trout that will never reach maximum size because there are so many of them competing for a limited food source. The catch and release culture has a hard time understanding that sometimes the best thing to do to get more big fish is to keep some smaller fish. Must be some big eggs those 10#er's hatch outa...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rcdinaz Report post Posted March 16, 2014 I have a Tracker Grizzly 1860 so it can go in some pretty shallow water. Good advice though on making sure it is in plenty of water. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mr.smith Report post Posted March 17, 2014 It is a food issue more than a numbers issue. Pretty complicated. Mostly midges to eat and midges don't make big fish. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rcdinaz Report post Posted March 17, 2014 That makes sense. I was wondering if there was some big change in the water that wouldn't let them get as big as they used to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seldom Drawn Report post Posted March 18, 2014 Last time I was there i let a 24 inch long 6 1/2" wide and 9 1/2" tall go what an awesome catch and realease ,it's was my best fish ever. caught him on a fly rod he jumped at least 6 times out of the water, I will never forget it, it was amazing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HuntHarder Report post Posted March 18, 2014 6 1/2" wide? Sounds like a fisherman's ruler! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elkaholic Report post Posted March 18, 2014 It's been a few yrs and I mostly fished from shore but the fake crawlers in a jar like power bait were great - just used a split shot and little gold treble hook or salmon egg hook - caught some nice fish Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
