Arizona
Fly fishing guide to Arizona's best rivers
Arizona's fly fishing defies expectations, anchored by the world-famous Colorado River at Lees Ferry, where massive rainbow trout feed in the crystal-clear tailwater below Glen Canyon Dam. The White Mountains in the eastern part of the state hold Apache trout, the state's native species, in remote headwater streams at elevations above 7,000 feet. Oak Creek's red-rock canyon, the East Fork Black River, and Chevelon Creek round out a surprisingly rich fly fishing scene in the desert Southwest.
Arizona Rivers
4 rivers with detailed fishing guides, live conditions, and hatch charts
Chevelon Creek
Central Arizona / Mogollon Rim
Chevelon Creek carves a remote canyon through the Mogollon Rim country, offering adventurous anglers a chance at large wild brown trout in a spectacular wilderness setting. Access requires a challenging 3/4-mile hike down steep terrain, but the reward is lightly pressured water holding trout that rarely see artificial flies.
LiveColorado River at Lees Ferry
Northern Arizona / Coconino County
Lees Ferry is Arizona's most celebrated fly fishing destination, offering a world-class tailwater fishery in the dramatic landscape between Glen Canyon Dam and the Grand Canyon. This 15.5-mile stretch of the Colorado River holds exceptional populations of large rainbow trout in crystal-clear water, creating a year-round fishery that rivals any destination in the American West.
East Fork Black River
Eastern Arizona / White Mountains
The East Fork of the Black River offers a wilderness fly fishing experience for Arizona's native Apache trout in a remote White Mountains setting. This pristine freestone stream flows through dense forests of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir, providing challenging fishing for wild trout in water that sees relatively light angling pressure.
LiveOak Creek
Central Arizona / Oak Creek Canyon
Oak Creek flows through one of Arizona's most scenic canyons near Sedona, offering challenging fly fishing for wild brown, rainbow, and brook trout in a stunning red rock landscape. This freestone creek features cold, clear water sustained by numerous springs, creating a year-round fishery in the heart of the high desert.