Trout on the Rise

The state fish of Arizona is also one of the rarest trouts on the planet, but recent work involving the reintroduction of this beautiful gamefish to the cold streams of the White Mountains has resulted in a growing population and the ability for anglers to once again pursue the toughest of fish to catch.

It may not be the largest of the trout family, but it makes up for the size in beauty. The flanks of the fish are a vibrant gold, fading to the red near the gills, and speckled all over. When you pull it out of the water after a fifteen minute struggle, the angler just has to admire one of nature's finest creations.

The females top out at around 6 pounds, but a more common weight of those caught is in the 2-3 pound range. They are also very suspicious fish, and harder to get on a fly than the rainbow trout that share the same streams. The fishing may actually be increasing the rise in the native Apache trout population, as more rainbow trout are caught and removed from the streams, giving the native species the ability to restock naturally.

Look to use Royal Coachmen flies in the spring and summer as the best lures, moth larvae are another favorite of the guides in the White Mountains. Yes, it may be in Arizona, but pack cold weather gear, it gets very cold in the high reaches. Summertime lows are often just above freezing, and a nice cold rainstorm can ruin your day if you aren't prepared.

It's nice to think that by going sportfishing, you may actually being an asset to a very rare fish's comeback, and once again these dappled beauties will grace the rivers of Arizona.