Difference between revisions of "Lees Ferry Sport Fishery"

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'''Description'''
 
  
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The Colorado River running through Grand Canyon once hosted one of the most distinctive fish assemblages in North America. The wild Colorado River presented fish with a challenging and variable aquatic habitat: very large spring floods, near-freezing winter temperatures, warm summer temperatures, and a heavy silt load.
 
  
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Note that only eight fish species were native to Grand Canyon. Of the eight species, six are endemic, meaning that they are only found in the Colorado River basin. (NPS) [[File:Additions and Remaining Native Fishes Slide 9.jpg |thumb]]
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! style="width=33%; background:#cedff2;" | [[Table- Fish Species of the CR- GLEN and Grand| Fish Species of the Colorado River in Lower Glen Canyon and Grand Canyon]]<br>(See Fish Table)
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! style="width=33%; background:#cedff2;" | [[---]]<br>
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! style="width=33%; background:#cedff2;" | [[TBD|TBD]] <br>(TBD)<br>
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! style="width=33%; background:#cedff2;" | [[TBD|---]]  
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! style="width=33%; background:#cedff2;" | [[TBD|---]]
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! style="width=33%; background:#cedff2;" | [[TBD|TBD]]<br>(TBD)
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! <h2 style="margin:0; background:#cedff2; font-size:120%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #a3bfb1; text-align:left; color:#000; padding:0.2em 0.4em;">GROUP MEMBERS</h2>
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! <h2 style="margin:0; background:#cedff2; font-size:120%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #a3bfb1; text-align:left; color:#000; padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Updates</h2>
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No Ad-Hoc Group currently assigned
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*[[Media:141029 USFWS HBC Downlsting.pdf |141029 USFWS HBC Down listing -Topic]]
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APRIL 26 , 2016
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! <h2 style="margin:0; background:#cedff2; font-size:120%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #a3bfb1; text-align:left; color:#000; padding:0.2em 0.4em;">News</h2>
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*[http://azdailysun.com/news/local/razorback-sucker-turns-up-in-grand-canyon-after-years/article_c394491f-3afa-5ff7-870d-a5aa5cdb90c1.html?comment_form=true AZ Daily News_ Razorback Sucker turns up in Grand Canyon after 20 years]
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FISHING REPORT: http://leesferry.com/river-report/?utm_source=+12%2F15%2F14&utm_campaign=Lees+Ferry+Mailing&utm_medium=email:
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**The last one recorded had been caught in 1990.
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**Caught October 9th, lower part of Grand Canyon believed to have traveled upstream some 50 miles from Lake Mead.
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UPRIVER REPORT
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*'''[http://gcdamp.com/index.php?title=Whirling_Disease Whirling Disease Page]'''
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4
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WALK-IN REPORT
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4
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SPIN REPORT
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4
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 +
1 = GO ELSEWHERE
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10 = GET HERE NOW!
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 +
CROWD REPORT
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 +
UPRIVER CROWD
 +
1 WEEKDAY
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2 WEEKEND
 +
 
 +
WALK-IN CROWD
 +
1 WEEKDAY
 +
1 WEEKEND
 +
 
 +
1 = SLEEP LATE AND FISH WHEREVER
 +
10 = VERY CROWDED, GET UP EARLY
 +
 
 +
UP-RIVER SUMMARY
 +
The spring fishing season at Lees Ferry has thus far been very interesting.
 +
 
 +
We have not been blessed with good weather;
 +
it has been many years since we have seen strong winds like the ones we have experienced, with many days too windy and dangerous to launch our boats.
 +
Good news is that the river saw an epic spawn this year. Up until the middle of April, just about every fish in the river was spawning and all was in the deeper water. This is good and bad … it made for tough fishing conditions: when fish spawn in the deep water it is tough to get a fly down to them and there were few fish in the shallows to fish to.
 +
 
 +
The good news is that the future is bright for the trout population to rebound since the survival of young trout is much better when the spawn is in deeper water. The spawning activity is decreasing and as this happens, the fish begin to assume more normal behavior. It takes awhile after fish spawn for them to begin normal feeding patterns and move back into the shallow water to feed on the emerging midges. The midge hatches are increasing daily and we are beginning to see a few more fish move back into the shallower water. This should continue to improve in May.
 +
 
 +
Most of our fishing has been from boats since the majority of the fish are still holding in deeper water. The best flies are midges and scuds. Long leaders and fine tippets along with adequate weight to get the flies to the bottom are the ticket to catching fish. Our best success has been using a 12- to 14-foot leader with a strike indicator near the fly line. Couple that with a #4 or BB spilt shot 18-inches above a #14 or #16 ginger scud with an #18 or #20 bead-head zebra midge underneath.
 +
 
 +
The water flows on the weekend are lower and the fishing has been much better. You can wade and reach areas where the fish are holding. The best fishing day of the week has been Sunday as the water starts low and rises very slowly during the day. We have fewer fish in the river today than we did 2 years ago, but we are seeing many more larger fish than in several years … the only problem is getting them to eat our flies.
 +
 
 +
This winter’s El Nino has been a big disappointment. The amount of snow delivered to the Lake Powell drainage basin sits at 80% of normal estimated snow pack. Last year, the situation was the same, but massive snow accumulation occurred late in the spring in what was dubbed the “Miracle May.” Perhaps we’ll get lucky and end up with a normal or above normal snow pack. Lake Powell is currently at 45% of capacity and at an elevation of 3,592 feet. Current runoff projections call for the lake to rise about 20 feet, very close to the same conditions that occurred in 2015.
 +
 
 +
The river looks great with abundant algae covering most of the bottom of the river. The algae indicates that there is a good nutrient flow from the water above the dam; these nutrients serve as the foundation the for macroinvertibrates that support the food web in the river.
 +
 
 +
Just because you caught fish in a certain spot in years past, don’t think that you are going to experience the same success in the same spot this year. Fishing changes daily. Stop by the shop to see the flies that are currently working. They change on a near-daily basis and the LFA guides let everyone at the shop know the top producing flies and how to use them. We are anxious to share this knowledge with you … even where to fish.
 +
 
 +
There has been an ongoing aquatic food base study over the past couple of years. The study’s purpose is multifaceted: the relationship of flows on food production, taking inventories of and monitoring populations of aquatic insects and invertebrates that live in the river and other important aspects of the aquatic food base. I believe that this is by far the most important study that has ever been conducted on this river. Previously, hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent studying sediment while ignoring the aquatic food base and resource. Common sense dictates that fish, birds and animals do not live off of dirt or sand. The aquatic food base and habitat are the foundation for all that lives in the Colorado River. One of the long term goals of the food base study is to determine how to enhance the populations and production of aquatic insects in the river which will benefit native fish, trout and migratory bird populations. This is a study and a goal that we can all embrace!
 +
 
 +
Quagga mussels have become established in Lake Powell and we are now seeing some in the river below the dam. Their arrival in the river happened sooner than I expected. So far, there has not been a major infestation and there is some thought by experts that they will not become very well established in the river due to the current. Be aware and remember to dry waders and boots before using them in any other body of water. Also, all private boats should drain all water from the boat and live-wells as soon as you exit the river. We all need to do our part to limit the transport of this and all invasive species.
 +
 
 +
WALK-IN SUMMARY
 +
We are hearing a more positive reports on the walk-in fishing. The fishing has been improving weekly and keep in mind that the best fishing is on the lower water days…Saturday and Sunday. Seeing some epic midge hatches which should increase into May. Just got this via email:
 +
Hi,
 +
 
 +
I saw your new fishing report. Thought I’d let you know that I was up last Thursday fishing the walk in and landed 8 or 9 fish… and hooked and lost probably twice as many!
 +
 
 +
I attached a photo… all that I caught were brightly colored (just finishing spawning like you said in your report). They were all fat, healthy fish between 14
 +
and 16 inches. I am really excited about the trout population right now! I’ve been fishing Lee’s Ferry for over a decade, and this was as healthy a bunch
 +
of fish as I’ve seen. The midges were very active, and the trout are really moving back into the “normal” water of seams and pockets near the shore.
 +
 
 +
Can’t wait to get back!
 +
 
 +
Thanks,
 +
Greg
 +
 
 +
SPIN FISHING SUMMARY.
 +
Spin fishing continues to be OK but the large amount of algae in the river is making it difficult to keep the lure clean and a trout will rarely eat a lure or fly that has algae attached.
 +
 
 +
[https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwY-Z2c3NTUGUnMyazlBQUVSaXc/view '''Mercury levels in Glen Canyon trout''']
 +
 
 +
[[2015 News about the declining fish status at Fishery|2015 News about the declining fish status at Fishery]]
  
  
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===''Quick Facts''===  
 
===''Quick Facts''===  
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*Diet studies of Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout in Grand Canyon indicate that these species do eat native fish.
 
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*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/amwg/mtgs/11aug24/Attach_06.pdf Rainbow Trout are less piscivorous than Brown Trout, but there are more RBT than BRT]
 
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**"Brown Trout consumption rate '''20 times''' that of Rainbow Trout..." (MYard)
 
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*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/amwg/mtgs/11aug24/Attach_06.pdf Rainbow and Brown Trout disporpotionately prey on native fish]
 
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*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/amwg/mtgs/11aug24/Attach_06.pdf Warming increases the growth rates of Humpback Chubs]
 
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*'''75%''' of the fish species were endemic to the Colorado River basin; this is the highest degreee of endemism of any large river basin in North America.  (SDM Workshop Aug 2013)
 
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===''Work in progress''===
 
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*[[Image:Little Colorado River PIT-tag arrays.jpg|thumb|left|250px]]
 
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*[[Media:RValdez Talus shoreline habitat used by HBC.doc| RValdez_Talus shoreline habitat used by HBC]]
 
  
  
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**'''[[GCDAMP Fish| Fish]]'''
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*[http://www.ehow.com/facts_5498153_kind-fish-lake-powell.html What type of fish are found in Lake Powell?]
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*1.Endangered
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◦Four types of fish that frequent the Colorado River and Lake Powell are officially endangered because of the construction of dams and introduction of non-native species: the razorback sucker, Colorado pikeminnow, humpback chub and bonytail.
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'''Visitor Use and Experience'''
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Native
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◦In addition to the above, Lake Powell is naturally home to the bluehead sucker, flannelmouth sucker, roundtail chub and speckled dace.
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*Visitor Experience as it relates to fisheries, include opportunities to fish for rainbow trout in GCNRA's Glen Canyon Reach, which has been referred to as '''[[GCDAMP- Blue Ribbon Trout Fishery| Blue Ribbon]]''' by the State of Arizona, and to fish for rainbow and brown trout and a variety of non-native introduced fish species in the main stem Colrado River and some tributaries in GCNP. Most angling in GCNP occurs in or near Bright Angle Creek and Phantom Ranch, particularly in fall and spring (NPS 2006c)
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◦Non-Native Bass
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◦The National Park Service introduced three types of bass specifically for fishing purposes: the smallmouth bass, largemouth bass and striped bass.
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Definition of '''Blue Ribbon''' fishery: [http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Ribbon_fisheries Definition LINK]
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Other Non-Natives For Fishing
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◦Other non-native species have been introduced into Lake Powell with the intent of challenging fisherman. These include walleye, rainbow trout, channel catfish, bluegill and black crappie.
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*[[File:Hourly Catch Rate- Lees Ferry- GRAPH.jpg|150px]]
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Problematic Non-Native
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*[http://www.gcdamp.gov/fs/LeesFTF.pdf GCDAMP- Public Outreach- Lees Ferry Trout Fishery]
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◦Though almost all non-natives are damaging to native ecosystems, the gizzard shad is causing many problems to the native and non-native fish populations because of its large size. The fish has spread throughout the lake and have no natural predators.
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[[File:Fish production does not appreciably change with distance from the dam Slide 24.jpg |200px]]
 
  
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*'''NON-NATIVE FISH HISTORY'''  Non-native fish species present in Grand Canyon were mostly established as a result of intentional stocking to develop sport fisheries in the Colorado River and its tributaries during the late 1800s and early 1900s.  Impacts of these actions was not fully understood until later in the 20th Century when a shift to native species conservation management occurred in the NPS.  Negative impacts of non-native fish and altered habitats on native fish species has been well-documented throughtout the world. '''Over 20 non-native fish species''' have been documented in GCNP; However, the more common, large-bodied, species of management concern include rainbow and brown trout, common carp, channel catfish, and bullhead species, striped and smallmouth bass. These species are known predators on native fish or native fish eggs or compete with native fish species.(NPS CFMP-EA_Pg 62) (17 warmwater species, 2 coldwater species, and 1 coolwater species)--- At least '''7''' additional species occur in nearby or adjoining waters with potential access to the Glen Canyon Ecosystem.
+
'''HISTORY'''   
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*The fish community throughout Marble Canyon, downstream of the Glen Canyon Reach is GCNP, is dominated by non-native rainbow trout.  The fish community changes near the LCR inflow near RM 60 where native species begin to occur.  (NPS CFMP-EA_Pg 63)
+
 
 +
*In 1991 the Arizona Game and Fish stocked large trout instead of fingerling trout to maintain the Lees Ferry trout sport fishery ''(090711_Minority Report to TWG_FFF_Mark Steffen)''
 +
[[File:MAP- Lees Ferry- Negative RM.jpg |200px]]
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'''POTENTIAL THREATS:'''   
 +
 
 +
*'''[http://gcdamp.com/index.php?title=Whirling_Disease Whirling Disease Page]'''
  
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*'''POTENTIAL THREATS:''' 
 
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*Smallmouth Bass -- In early 2000, smallmouth bass increased dramatically in abundance in the Yampa River and Upper Colorado River.  Just over a decade later, the species cannot be brought under control.
 
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*"Prior to Glen Canyon Dam, the Colorado River was dominated by highly predacious non-native channel catfish.  Catfish are warm water fish...Regular flooding of the LCR may be keeping catfish out of the LCR and cold water in the Colrado River does not provide habitat for catfish or other warm water fish.  Without Glen Canyon Dam chubs may have been extirpated from Grand Canyon, catfish would still be the dominant fish in the Colorado River and the LCR." ''(090711_Minority Report to TWG_FFF_Mark Steffen)''
 
−
*[http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=grand-canyon-fish-relocation-spurs-recovery Should a disaster such as a landslide cut off the Little Colorado chub from the mainstem, the species could quickly become extinct -Article LINK]
 
 
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*[[Humpback_Chub_Page| Humpback Chub Page]]
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*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwY-Z2c3NTUGUmxPbko2dm9URms/view '''Lees Ferry Anglers Trout Fishery Recommendations''']
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*[[GCDAMP RAZU Fish| Razerback Sucker Page]]
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*[https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwY-Z2c3NTUGWVJmckxIUXdhMU0/view '''State of Arizona Lees Ferry Fish Management Plan''']
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*[[GCDAMP Bonytail Fish| Bonytail Page]]
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*'''[http://gcdamp.com/index.php?title=Bishop_Study Bishop Study and Angler Preferences''']
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*[[FISHERY| Trout Fishery Page]]
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*[http://www.gcdamp.gov/keyresc/nf.html GCDAMP POAHG- Historical Native Fishes of Glen and Grand Canyon]
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*
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2016
 +
*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/16jan26/documents/Attach_05.pdf '''Brown Trout Update Lees Ferry''']
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*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/16jan26/documents/Attach_06.pdf '''Trout Ad Hoc Group Report''']
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*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/16jan26/documents/Attach_07b.pdf '''Lees Ferry Recreational Trout Fishery Management Recommendations: The Voice of Lees Ferry Recreational Anglers, Guides, and Businesses''']
 +
*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/16jan26/documents/Attach_07c.pdf '''Memo from Scott VanderKooi to TWG Chair Dated 12/9/15, Subject: Technical Review of the Lees Ferry Recreational Trout Fishery Management recommendations''']
 +
 +
*[ '''Natal Origins of Rainbow Trout Project, Years 1-4 (Nov 11 – Dec 15)  ''']
 +
*[ '''Bioenergetic Modeling of Glen Canyon Rainbow Trout Fishery: Exploring effects of temperature, trout population size and biomass on benthic invertebrate consumption ''']
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*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/16jan26/documents/AR14_Winters.pdf '''Long-Term Monitoring of the Lees Ferry Fishery: Update ''']
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*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/16jan26/documents/AR15_Bair.pdf ''' Economic value of angling on the Colorado River at Lees Ferry: Using secondary data to estimate the influence of seasonality ''']
 +
*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/16jan26/documents/AR21_Nelson.pdf '''Bright Angel Creek Non-Native Trout Reduction, Grand Canyon National Park ''']
 +
*[http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/cjfas-2015-0268#.Vr49syArKUm '''Prey size and availability limits maximum size of rainbow trout in a large tailwater--insights from a drift-foraging bioenergetics model''']
 +
 
2015
 
2015
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*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/15jan20/Attach_10.pdf/ Native and Nonnative Interactions; Factors Influencing Predation and Competition]
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*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/15oct20/pdfs/Attach_06a.pdf '''GCMRC review of the Lees Ferry Anglers Trout Fishery Recommendations''']
 +
*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/15oct20/pdfs/Attach_06b.pdf '''Management Prescription''']
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 +
*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/15apr21/Attach_12.pdf '''Potential Application of an Individual-Based Model to the Glen Canyon''']
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*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/15apr21/Attach_11.pdf '''Glen Canyon Tailwater Fishery “Integrating Fish and Channel Mapping''']
 +
*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/15apr21/Attach_14.pdf '''State of the Fishery Lees Ferry and Lees Ferry and Marble Canyon Rainbow Trout Update''']
 +
*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/15apr21/Attach_15.pdf '''Lees Ferry Recreational Trout Fishery''']
 +
*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/15jan20/Attach_12.pdf '''Natal Origins of Rainbow Trout: Glen Canyon and Marble Canyon''']
 +
*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/15jan20/Attach_19.pdf '''Drift-Foraging and Bioenergetics Growth Model for Rainbow Trout in the Lees Ferry Tailwater''']
 +
 
 +
2014
 +
*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/14oct28/Attach_12.pdf '''New Insights on Trout from the Natal Origins Study''']
 +
*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/14oct28/Attach_13.pdf '''Modeling Long Term Effects of HFEs on Trout and HBC''']
 +
*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/14jan30/AR_Yard_Korman_NO.pdf '''Natal Origins update''']
 +
 
 +
2013
 +
*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/13jan24/4_Anderson.pdf '''Rainbow trout monitoring update''']
 +
*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/13jan24/5_Yard.pdf '''Natal Origins update''']
 +
*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/13jan24/8_Healy.pdf '''Diets of trout in Bright Angel Creek''']
 +
*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/twg/mtgs/13jan24/13_Healy.pdf '''Nonnative fish control in GCNP tributaries''']
 +
 
 +
2011
 +
*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/amwg/mtgs/11aug24/Attach_06.pdf Rainbow Trout are less piscivorous than Brown Trout, but since there are more Rainbow than Brown Trout, Rainbows likely consume more native fish than Brown Trout in Grand Canyon]
 +
*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/amwg/mtgs/11aug24/Attach_06.pdf Rainbow and Brown Trout disporpotionately prey on native fish]
 +
*"Brown Trout fish consumption rate is '''20 times''' that of Rainbow Trout..." (MYard)
  
 
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*[http://www.nps.gov/grca/naturescience/upload/grca_fish_list.pdf NPS Fish Species found in the Grand Canyon]
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[[Image:Vermillion Video- Fishing.jpg|thumb|200px]]<br>'''[http://vimeo.com/76818138 Vermillion: Highlights the passion the fishing community has for the Glen Canyon fishery and their love of not only the fishing experience but for the TOTAL experience. VIDEO LINK]'''
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*[http://www.nps.gov/grca/naturescience/upload/grca_vertebrate_list.pdf NPS Grand Canyon Vertebrate Species List]
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*[http://www.nps.gov/grca/naturescience/upload/threat-endanger.pdf NPS Grand Canyon Treatened & Endangered Species List]
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*[http://www.nps.gov/grca/naturescience/endangeredfish.htm NPS Endangered Fish Learning]
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*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/amwg/mtgs/13feb20/Draft_Mins_gk.pdf "NNFC will occur if necessary because it is a conservation measure required under the ESA to ensure protection of the HBC."]
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−
*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/amwg/mtgs/13feb20/Draft_Mins_gk.pdf Mitigation for the impact of implementing NNFC on resources of tribal concern is addressed under the NHPA OA for NNFC.]
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−
*[http://www.usbr.gov/uc/rm/amp/amwg/mtgs/13feb20/Draft_Mins_gk.pdf  The (HBC) juvenile abundance estimate for the mainstem at the LCR is over 2,500 fish, and is above the conservation measure trigger for nonnative fish control in the FWS biological opinion of '''900'''.130220 AMWG Minutes]
+
  
  
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[[File:040513 AZGF- Fishing Pic.jpg|right|120px]] '''[http://gcdamp.com/images/6/6b/12-15_Lees_Ferry_Jan-Feb_2012_Views_%281%29.pdf Arizona Game and Fish Wildlife Views Article titled "Tight Lines at Lees Ferry". Published February 2012]'''
  
  
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Latest revision as of 12:59, 31 May 2016



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Updates

APRIL 26 , 2016

FISHING REPORT: http://leesferry.com/river-report/?utm_source=+12%2F15%2F14&utm_campaign=Lees+Ferry+Mailing&utm_medium=email:

UPRIVER REPORT 4

WALK-IN REPORT 4

SPIN REPORT 4

1 = GO ELSEWHERE 10 = GET HERE NOW!

CROWD REPORT

UPRIVER CROWD 1 WEEKDAY 2 WEEKEND

WALK-IN CROWD 1 WEEKDAY 1 WEEKEND

1 = SLEEP LATE AND FISH WHEREVER 10 = VERY CROWDED, GET UP EARLY

UP-RIVER SUMMARY The spring fishing season at Lees Ferry has thus far been very interesting.

We have not been blessed with good weather; it has been many years since we have seen strong winds like the ones we have experienced, with many days too windy and dangerous to launch our boats. Good news is that the river saw an epic spawn this year. Up until the middle of April, just about every fish in the river was spawning and all was in the deeper water. This is good and bad … it made for tough fishing conditions: when fish spawn in the deep water it is tough to get a fly down to them and there were few fish in the shallows to fish to.

The good news is that the future is bright for the trout population to rebound since the survival of young trout is much better when the spawn is in deeper water. The spawning activity is decreasing and as this happens, the fish begin to assume more normal behavior. It takes awhile after fish spawn for them to begin normal feeding patterns and move back into the shallow water to feed on the emerging midges. The midge hatches are increasing daily and we are beginning to see a few more fish move back into the shallower water. This should continue to improve in May.

Most of our fishing has been from boats since the majority of the fish are still holding in deeper water. The best flies are midges and scuds. Long leaders and fine tippets along with adequate weight to get the flies to the bottom are the ticket to catching fish. Our best success has been using a 12- to 14-foot leader with a strike indicator near the fly line. Couple that with a #4 or BB spilt shot 18-inches above a #14 or #16 ginger scud with an #18 or #20 bead-head zebra midge underneath.

The water flows on the weekend are lower and the fishing has been much better. You can wade and reach areas where the fish are holding. The best fishing day of the week has been Sunday as the water starts low and rises very slowly during the day. We have fewer fish in the river today than we did 2 years ago, but we are seeing many more larger fish than in several years … the only problem is getting them to eat our flies.

This winter’s El Nino has been a big disappointment. The amount of snow delivered to the Lake Powell drainage basin sits at 80% of normal estimated snow pack. Last year, the situation was the same, but massive snow accumulation occurred late in the spring in what was dubbed the “Miracle May.” Perhaps we’ll get lucky and end up with a normal or above normal snow pack. Lake Powell is currently at 45% of capacity and at an elevation of 3,592 feet. Current runoff projections call for the lake to rise about 20 feet, very close to the same conditions that occurred in 2015.

The river looks great with abundant algae covering most of the bottom of the river. The algae indicates that there is a good nutrient flow from the water above the dam; these nutrients serve as the foundation the for macroinvertibrates that support the food web in the river.

Just because you caught fish in a certain spot in years past, don’t think that you are going to experience the same success in the same spot this year. Fishing changes daily. Stop by the shop to see the flies that are currently working. They change on a near-daily basis and the LFA guides let everyone at the shop know the top producing flies and how to use them. We are anxious to share this knowledge with you … even where to fish.

There has been an ongoing aquatic food base study over the past couple of years. The study’s purpose is multifaceted: the relationship of flows on food production, taking inventories of and monitoring populations of aquatic insects and invertebrates that live in the river and other important aspects of the aquatic food base. I believe that this is by far the most important study that has ever been conducted on this river. Previously, hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent studying sediment while ignoring the aquatic food base and resource. Common sense dictates that fish, birds and animals do not live off of dirt or sand. The aquatic food base and habitat are the foundation for all that lives in the Colorado River. One of the long term goals of the food base study is to determine how to enhance the populations and production of aquatic insects in the river which will benefit native fish, trout and migratory bird populations. This is a study and a goal that we can all embrace!

Quagga mussels have become established in Lake Powell and we are now seeing some in the river below the dam. Their arrival in the river happened sooner than I expected. So far, there has not been a major infestation and there is some thought by experts that they will not become very well established in the river due to the current. Be aware and remember to dry waders and boots before using them in any other body of water. Also, all private boats should drain all water from the boat and live-wells as soon as you exit the river. We all need to do our part to limit the transport of this and all invasive species.

WALK-IN SUMMARY We are hearing a more positive reports on the walk-in fishing. The fishing has been improving weekly and keep in mind that the best fishing is on the lower water days…Saturday and Sunday. Seeing some epic midge hatches which should increase into May. Just got this via email: Hi,

I saw your new fishing report. Thought I’d let you know that I was up last Thursday fishing the walk in and landed 8 or 9 fish… and hooked and lost probably twice as many!

I attached a photo… all that I caught were brightly colored (just finishing spawning like you said in your report). They were all fat, healthy fish between 14 and 16 inches. I am really excited about the trout population right now! I’ve been fishing Lee’s Ferry for over a decade, and this was as healthy a bunch of fish as I’ve seen. The midges were very active, and the trout are really moving back into the “normal” water of seams and pockets near the shore.

Can’t wait to get back!

Thanks, Greg

SPIN FISHING SUMMARY. Spin fishing continues to be OK but the large amount of algae in the river is making it difficult to keep the lure clean and a trout will rarely eat a lure or fly that has algae attached.

Mercury levels in Glen Canyon trout

2015 News about the declining fish status at Fishery


Quick Facts

Visitor Use and Experience

  • Visitor Experience as it relates to fisheries, include opportunities to fish for rainbow trout in GCNRA's Glen Canyon Reach, which has been referred to as Blue Ribbon by the State of Arizona, and to fish for rainbow and brown trout and a variety of non-native introduced fish species in the main stem Colrado River and some tributaries in GCNP. Most angling in GCNP occurs in or near Bright Angle Creek and Phantom Ranch, particularly in fall and spring (NPS 2006c)

Definition of Blue Ribbon fishery: Definition LINK

HISTORY

  • In 1991 the Arizona Game and Fish stocked large trout instead of fingerling trout to maintain the Lees Ferry trout sport fishery (090711_Minority Report to TWG_FFF_Mark Steffen)

MAP- Lees Ferry- Negative RM.jpg



POTENTIAL THREATS:

INFORMATION


Reports and Links

2016

2015

2014

2013

2011

Other Stuff

Vermillion Video- Fishing.jpg

Vermillion: Highlights the passion the fishing community has for the Glen Canyon fishery and their love of not only the fishing experience but for the TOTAL experience. VIDEO LINK


040513 AZGF- Fishing Pic.jpg
Arizona Game and Fish Wildlife Views Article titled "Tight Lines at Lees Ferry". Published February 2012






ADDITIONAL LINKS
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