Lees Ferry Report 1/18/2020

[T Gunn]

Up-River Summary
UP-RIVER RATING 7

Hard to believe, but Lees Ferry Anglers is celebrating its 30th anniversary. We certainly appreciate – and thank – our loyal customers who have made this all possible!

We are expecting this year to be the best year fishing we have seen in several years. The overall condition of the fish is superb, and we are seeing fish of all sizes, from little guys to BIG fish and everything in between. Last year we saw more BIG fish in the river than any time in the last few decades. We did not catch many of them since they were in water deeper than one can effectively fly fish, but they are here. Perhaps this will be the year that more of these large fish (22- to 30-inches) move into shallower water to feed.

Another thing that will contribute to a great year of fishing: There should be an abnormally large flow of nutrients from Lake Powell. Last spring, Lake Powell rose more than 50 feet and the rivers flowing into Powell stirred up a lot of nutrient-rich sediment in the lake which, over time, is transported to the dam and then into the river. This nutrient-rich water will translate into explosive growth of algae and food for aquatic insects. A tailwater is only as healthy as the lake that feeds it and Lake Powell is in great shape for this year. Current snow-pack for the Lake Powell drainage is sitting at 118% of normal which bodes well for next year, too.

The river temperatures have returned to normal after being elevated last summer and fall. This was also a result of the huge volume of water that entered Lake Powell last spring. We saw river temperatures approach 60 degrees this fall; currently the river temperatures have cooled back to 48 degrees and I predict that the river will maintain this temperature and peak next summer-fall into the low 50s.

It has been a mild winter here at Lees Ferry and the fishing has been great for most of the season. As we head towards February and spring, the days are getting longer, which also means the sun is getting higher in the sky; every day more sunlight is entering the canyon. Sun makes a difference in fishing success here. If you are fishing small dry flies you need to seek the shade. As soon as the sun hits the water, the fish almost always stop feeding. When nymphing, the sun on the water improves the fishing and really helps you to see where the fish are. It also eliminates the glare on the water from the reflections of the cliffs.

Current water conditions are good for both wading and drifting. The fish started moving from the shallow riffles into deeper and faster water so drifting nymphs on long leaders from the boat in the deep runs and riffles has been productive. I’ve been having good luck with fishing two scuds, different colors and sizes. A flashback from years past … pink scuds have been working!
There was no HFE (artificial flood) this winter which is good news for Glen Canyon and the trout fishery. In order to conduct one of these experimental flows, sediment input is required from the Paria River. Last year was extremely dry and there was very little sediment input.

Arizona Game and Fish Department recently stocked 500 rainbows in the lower stretch of Lees Ferry. This is the first time trout have been stocked here since 1996. This is a really big deal since the political environment has prevented any stocking of fish in the river for more than 20 years. By conducting this stocking, the precedent has been set that sport fish are indeed a priority and if the need should arise, there can be a rapid response to introduce fish into the river. Thousands of hours of diligent work by countless individuals working behind the scenes have brought this change in management to fruition … we will be forever grateful for your efforts. This is an experimental stocking …the fish are triploids, which means they are sterile. Triploids generally grow larger and faster than wild trout since they do not spawn; it will be very interesting to see how they do.

Lees Ferry Anglers is embarking on a new service. We will be “back-hauling” personal flotation boats, passengers and gear up-river from Lees Ferry to wherever you want to go, even just below the dam. Our new boat dedicated to this service was designed for carrying kayaks, canoes and up to 6 passengers with lots of gear. In the past, you had to schedule your departure around the operations of the guide or service and often had to launch late in the day. This new boat is dedicated to transportation only, so we will coordinate with your schedule and be operating throughout the day with multiple departure times. You can do a day float, a partial day float, or camp along the river on a multiple day float. Call the shop to schedule your trip. We also rent kayaks!

Bug Flows
Implemented at Glen Canyon Dam beginning May 1 through August 31, 2019. Currently scheduled again for 2020.
Bug Flows consist of steady weekend releases from Glen Canyon Dam and normal fluctuating releases during the weekdays. The steady weekend flows are expected to provide favorable conditions for aquatic insects to lay eggs along the Colorado River downstream of Glen Canyon Dam, while the minimum flows on weekdays are designed to be similar to flows on the weekends. This flow regime would decrease the amount of stage change in the river on the weekends, thus preventing the insect eggs that are laid along the river margins from drying out. Technical experts at the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center (GCMRC) and Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) have coordinated the design of the recommended experiment to optimize the benefits for insects throughout the Canyon while minimizing negative impacts to hydropower. This experiment is expected to have positive benefits to the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in Glen, Marble, and Grand Canyons. The purpose of the experimental flow is to test the effectiveness of Bug Flows for improving insect production and to increase the availability of food for desired fish species including the endangered humpback chub (Gila cypha) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), an important sportfish, as well as terrestrial wildlife like birds and bats.

For each month of the experimental period (May through August), weekend low, steady releases will be maintained at 750 cfs greater than the weekday low for that month. Normal fluctuating releases will be maintained during the weekdays. The LTEMP maximum ramp rates (4,000 cfs
per hour when increasing and 2,500 cfs per hour when ramping down) will be adhered to throughout the experiment, as will the maximum daily fluctuations (9 times the monthly release volume in May; and 10 times the monthly release volume in June through August). The daily fluctuating range is not to exceed 8,000 cfs. In addition, minimum releases of 5,000 cfs during the nighttime and 8,000 cfs during the daytime will be maintained.

Quagga mussels have become very well established in Lake Powell and we are now seeing them in the river below the dam. 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.

For details on Lake Powell conditions and snowpack, go here:
http://lakepowell.water-data.com/
For a real-time graphic view of water releases and ramp rates go here:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/az/nwis/uv?09380000

Cliff Dwellers Lodge has been proudly serving guests for more than 60 years!
Our lodge has rooms with cable TV (20 channels), in-room coffee and refrigerators, and the basic amenities. Choices of rooms are ONE king-size bed, TWO doubles and TWO queen-size beds and one 2-bedroom unit. Also, our group unit we call the HOUSE, sleeps six with two baths, dining area, kitchen, patio with a view, and cable TV. Rates vary with season.
As for dining, we have some great blackboard specials planned along with our regular menu. Patio dining is available.
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Walk-In Summary
Walk-in rating: 5
Current flows make this area very wadable and offer access to lots of good water for fishing in this stretch. Weekday flows are still low enough to wade. One advantage to this stretch of river this time of year is that it gets full sun exposure for most of the day which enhances the hatch of midges.
Spin Fishing Summary.

Spin Fishing rating: 5 to 6
Spin fishing up-river is an effective way to fish the Ferry. The best recent fishing has been to drift glo bugs from a boat, making sure they are bouncing along the bottom. Casting Panther Martins, Castmasters, Z-Rays (if you can find them), and Mepps spinners toward the bank is a great method in the slower, deeper water. In the shallower water (3- to 15-feet) try drifting plastic worms. Rig with ¼- ounce of lead, swivel, a couple feet of tippet and bounce the lead so your lure stays just off the bottom.
Spin fishing the walk-in is best in the deeper water due to all the rocks. From the top of the boulder field all the way up to half a mile past the boat landing is good. Gold ¼ ounce Castmasters and ¼ ounce Panther Martins are the best. Using the quarter ounce lures you can really cast them out for some distance and cover a lot of water. Small, sinking Rapalas in rainbow trout and original have also been working well. Cast out, let them sink for a few seconds then retrieve them at a steady speed (and maybe even give it a little twitch here and there) to trigger a strike. When spin fishing, you need light line (4-pound test); you can cast further, and the fish cannot see it. Remember to set your drag light!

[Baiter]

Thanks for continuing topmost updates here!

[kjon]

great report, thanks Terry!