To conserve, protect, and restore North America's cold-water fisheries and their watersheds |
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Greetings Members of Old Pueblo Trout Unlimited.
Several interesting Events are being planned over the next two Months.
April 13, 2024. The AZGFD along with Trout Unlimited is sponsoring the “Old Pueblo Summit” on Mt. Lemmon that weekend. This is a Major Event for OPTU. It has already been SOLD OUT. I want you to know about the event and the efforts made by AZGFD to continue to develop new Anglers for Arizona. The March OPTU meeting will include a presentation by Alec Young (TU) the R3 Coordinator for AZGFD who will discuss the OPTU Summit Event. Please plan to attend the March Membership meeting.
Old Pueblo TU is sending two of our Youth Members to “Fish Camp” this summer in Payson. The R-C Boy Scout Camp is located on Christopher Creek. If you have not been to this location, it is worth the Trip. OPTU will be assisting on some Workdays near Payson this Summer. We could always use more help. The Gila TU Chapter in Payson has obtained some Grants to continue Restoration on Christopher Creek and the R-C Pond. OPTU will continue to publish news about the Payson Program this Summer, stay tuned.
Spring is in the Air. Hope you are planning to enjoy the Angling opportunities here in Arizona, (and New Mexico). As a Reminder, the Annuel New Mexico Fishing License used to go on sale in April of each year. The fee is reasonable. Consider supporting our TU programs “next door”. Look for the articles in TROUT this month on the Apache and Gila Trout, this is excellent information on Southwest Angling.
See you on the water. Mickey Fletcher, OPTU Board President.
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April 1st: Fly Tying with Jeff at Randolph at 5pm
April 12-13: Old Pueblo Summit
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Tentative Schedule for 2024 |
April - Outing
May 1st - Meeting
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Reminder, there is no member meeting in April. |
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We will resume our tying class after my absence in March; too many trips. In fact our tying
class is April 1, I leave again April 2! Not April Fool joke.
We will continue with nymphs. A new fly I learned on our San Juan Trip and a TBD nymph from our Book, possibly the Copper John. Yo have all the materials. In fact I got a great deal on some hooks for you to add to your collection. Also a lifetime of Deer, elk, and Antelope hair was donated through a musician friend of mine. His brother is a Taxidermist and donated two large bags of tanned material. It will be a limited grab bag as I need to save some for my PHW tying class.
I am in constant search for new donated materials or bargain bulk material to keep our budget in check and future fantastic tying classes. Right now I’m working with upland bird hunters and
duck hunters.
May will be our last tying class for the Season. We will resume again in September most likely in a new bigger location at the American Legion Annex building on 22nd street near Wilmot. I’m hoping to install a large screen to make viewing my tying easier. We also have a nice storage room there. And more than enough room.
I might have a few periods during the summer for a special tying class that would go about 3-4 hours. TBA, so watch for updates on the OPTU Facebook page.
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Fly tying instructor Jeff, also Teaches Project Healing Waters |
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Well, spring is in the air and we still don’t have a solid Conservation Project for 2024. The Apache Trout Temperature Monitoring project just got postponed. The leader of the group, Stephanie Coleman of AS Forest Service Aquatics Manager got re-assigned leaving now 3 vacancies in the AS Forest service operations.
We are looking into possibilities of Conservation work on a five year plan for Silver Creek improvements. Or Dude Creek or East Verde Gila Trout Projects? Hopefully more info to follow. In new Conservation News, Conklin Creek has received its first stocking of Apache Trout in years. The history of Conklin goes way back, prior to when I was AZTU Chairman. It received a barrier way back in 2006 to prevent non-native trout from entering the stream. Antimiacin was used to rid the stream of all fish then Apache Trout re-instated. The barrier then failed for several years even with repairs and improvements. Then the horrible Wallow fire in 2011 killed everything in Conklin. The barrier was taken down to reduce sediment from the fire. In 2019 a new and improved barrier was put in place. After several years of surveys it was determined to have no fish. In a partnership with the WMAT in 2023, pure Apache Trout were placed in the stream, 100 trout. There will be surveys taken this year to determine how the stocking did. Hopefully everything went well and Conklin will be open for fishing.
As you know in a previous article by yours truly, KP Creek was stocked with Gila trout. More fish surveys will continue. Hopefully this trend will continue creating new and more fishing opportunities.
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May 2-5 Volunteer Weekend
Little Turkey Creek Stream Restoration, Gila Wilderness, New Mexico
As part of an ongoing project since 2022, TU will be holding a volunteer weekend to continue restoration work on Little Turkey Creek in the Gila Wilderness in Southwest New Mexico. Habitat restoration will support Gila trout conservation and provide opportunities for recreational angling.
Thursday (May 2) and Sunday (May 5) are travel and camp setup/breakdown days with restoration work on Friday and Saturday (May 3-4). Restoration will involve rock work and success monitoring for past willow plantings and other measures. Work involves short hikes into the Gila Wilderness, but tools and supplies are carried by mules. Volunteers can camp at the Willow Creek Campground near the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish cabin. Food will be provided and prepared by a camp cook. For more information, please contact.
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James E. Brooks
JEB Outfitters LLC
505-331-5926
arroyodejaime@gmail.com
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Jeff Arterburn
TU Gila / Rio Grande Chapter
575-649-9729
jeffgilatu@aol.com
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On a related note, Jeff Arterburn will be giving a talk on this project at the 15th Annual Native and Wild Trout Conference in Phoenix entitled, "Working towards restoration of a fire-impacted Gila trout watershed with TU-coordinated volunteers and some mules. |
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Now is the time to get out and fish and plan through the summer months. Locally, bass are starting to get in the spawn. Big females are being caught at Arivaca and Patagonia. I’m sure they’re staging at Pena Blanca and Parker will soon follow. Crappie are in . The saying goes, when you can smell the citrus blossoms, the crappie season is on. My citrus trees are in full bloom! Try indicator Float and fly for Crappie right now with balanced leeches in Purple, black Green, yellow and White. The Urban Silverbell and Kennedy are good bets. For trout, head to Payson before Memorial weekend. You’ll avoid crowds and catch nice holdover and wild trout. The BWO is starting to hatch, size 18. Many patterns for these including non hackle pattern of Comparadun. BWO emergers are great this time of year and also small #18 Pheasant Tail. Try a John Barr BWO. It’s on YouTube; I’ll post link on our Facebook page. Also small midge nymphs will work at this time. Try a dry/dropper Adam’s and Pheasant tail. Think small though. The Larger Stonefly nymphs will get active soon. Black and brown.
My trip with PHW was fun and successful. We had 3 days guided float fishing on the San Juan, who could ask for more. These 8 guides donated their time and boats, flies, knowledge and support of our disabled vets; our heroes. Also provided a cook who donated his time to create breakfast( burritos), shoreside hot lunches, and dinner at the local VFW! I will post their guiding info in our next issue and on our Facebook Page. I ask strongly that if you are looking for a San Juan guide to support the fine gentlemen who donated a lot of time and effort to our troops. They are extremely experienced guides. I plan to use them on my next trip. All of our PHW members caught lots of fish, mainly browns this year. We floated different sections each day.
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Board member Marcia Lescault will be a volunteer for the first year of the Mayfly Project here in Tucson. Jake Alpert, a Tucson native and 9 year fly fish guide took on this project after reading about it in an Orvis magazine. The project focuses on introducing fly fishing to foster children between the ages of 8 - 18. All aspects of fy fishing will be addressed; fly rods, casting, types of flys for different fishing conditions, tying flys, reading the river, knots. Five Saturday sessions start in March and finish in April. If you are interested in joining Marcia as a volunteer, please reach out to her at lescaultmarcia@yahoo.com. |
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NZ Mudsnails Confirmed in Canyon Creek
Anglers and others recreating in Canyon Creek are now required to clean, drain, dry and decontaminate their equipment after each visit.
Checkout the AZGFD news release for more details.
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On Monday, November 13th volunteers picked up eggs in Camp Verde for Payson and Flagstaff region schools and another for the Phoenix metro area and Tucson schools. The Bass Pro Shop parking lot served as the distribution center for the various volunteer couriers throughout the Phoenix metro area and relayed to Tucson. By the end of the school day, 32 schools welcomed the eggs to their new homes.
The next day 4 remote schools successfully received their eggs via FedEx.
This year over 4,200 students and teachers will see their aquariums and growing fish daily in their classrooms and another 11,000 others will see the fish tanks throughout the year. The student and teacher smiles are energizing. Some of the excitement experienced can be seen in the Arizona Trout in the Classroom video at www.aztic.org.
A big THANK YOU goes to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the Arizona Sportsmen for Wildlife Conservation, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, supporters, and volunteers for their commitment to the program.
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Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) showcased in its monthly e-news the Arizona TIC program that offers students hands-on experience in raising trout in a classroom setting.
See the 4-minute video here.
Steve Reiter is the OPTU TIC chairman. If interested in the TIC program to spread the word or to volunteer, contact Steve at sreiter4@cox.net
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Annual Native and Wild Trout Conference - April 11th
Another year has gone by and time for the 15th Annual Native and Wild Trout Conference on April 11th from 8:30a.m. - 3:00p.m. at the AZGFD headquarters.
This year the conference returns again to an in-person event. In April 2023, more than 115 individuals from over 50 agencies and organizations attended to hear many wide-ranging topics and presenters.
Don’t miss this highly informative networking event to hear the latest on native and wild trout restoration work in Arizona and New Mexico.
Details on registration (due by April 4th) and topics can be found at www.az-tu.org. Attendees will receive a free lunch.
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Check out Jim Strogen's latest article in the Payson Roundup.
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Groundwater News in AZ
Groundwater continues to be a hot topic in Arizona! The Ad-hoc Committee in Arizona continues to promote the message that local control of groundwater in rural communities is critical to their livelihoods. Twenty percent of Arizona's groundwater became managed in 1980 with the "Groundwater Management of 1980". But the other 80% of groundwater in Arizona still has no protection. Landowners can pump as much water as they want, without measurement, reporting or limit. The group working with the Arizona Department of Water Resources is looking to find an executable protocol for managing water outside of the Active Management Areas of Phoenix, Prescott, Pinal County, Tucson, and Santa Cruz which were established by the legislation in 1980. The draft legislation would empower local and rural communities to create Rural Groundwater Stewardship Areas if the groundwater in their rural community became threatened.
The Committee is currently hosting county-based dialogue sessions to engage local residents in the issues. One was held in Flagstaff for Coconino County on October 25th and had an attendance of local community members of approximately 70 people. Coconino County Supervisor Patrice Horstman, the water manager for Flagstaff, the mayor of Tucson, a hydrology professor from NAU, and our AZTU-PPC Past Chairman, Tom Osterday, were panelists. Additional meetings/events are being planned.
We encourage you to be alert for calls to support the Rural Groundwater Stewardship Areas legislation in the upcoming legislative session!
Two articles published in the Arizona Republic recently:
Arizona won't explain why it has paused leases on some state-owned farmland
Is the Arizona State Land Department taking steps to reverse a handful of unpopular leases? Or, more widely rethinking water use on state trust land?
Water shortfall could halt growth
Check out the story: here
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The True Cast - Secret Spots
Kirk Deeter
March 28, 2024
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As a writer of fishing stories, one thing I wrestle with most is whether to divulge the places where the stories take place. That’s not a new dilemma. Legend has it that when Ernest Hemingway wrote about the “Big Two-Hearted River,” he wasn’t really writing about the actual Big Two-Hearted River.
I admit to doing the same. Sometimes it might seem like I’m talking about a certain spot when I’m really describing two rivers over, or 20 miles downstream. Charlie Meyers used to say that he’d make a judgment call—if he thought the river was big enough and healthy enough to withstand a little extra attention, he’d share the information in the stories he wrote in the Denver Post. But if he thought a river would be “loved to death,” he’d conveniently leave certain details out of the story.
... Continue reading on tu.org
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THE STUDIO
A Film by Trout Unlimited with support from Simms
Scot Simmons has dealt with various forms of anxiety, PTSD and depression for most of his adult life. He is committed to creating a better life for himself and others, and he strives to be a better role model for his own family.
Premiering on YouTube, a new film from Trout Unlimited highlighting Twin Cities TU board member Scot Simmons’ path to creating a better life for himself and others as he strives to be a better role model for his own family. Fly fishing has helped him find his equilibrium.
You can watch the film for free here.
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I am thinning out my flyfishing possessions, my loss is your gain: Call on items you are interested in 520-403-4062
-Jeff Collins
- Winston VSL 9’7wt and Ross Rapid 7/8 reel with backing. $350
- Simms Freestone wading boots with cleats, no felt size 12 $99
- Frogg Togg wading boots size 12 $25
- Redington wading pants 2xl $70
- Hodgeman Chest Waders XL $60
- Echo Ion 10’ 6wt fly rod with case…$100
- Redington Path 10’ 7wt with case…$80
- Maxcatch Extreme 9’ 5 wt with Maxcatch “Brown Trout” reel…$50
- Maxcatch V-Access 9’7wt fly rod with case…$40,;)
- Redington Voyant 9’ 6wt fly rod with case…$85
- Redington Predator 7’11” 8 wt fly rod with case…$85
- Headwaters Bamboo 7’6” 5wt bamboo fly rod…$150
- South Bend “Custom” 8 1/2’ 6 wt bamboo fly rod…$150
- Oasis Benches “Fly Factory tying bench…$50
- Oasis Benches “Dubbing Brush Machine” new!…$100
- Hareline small dubbing brush machine…$25
- Maxcatch Extreme 8’3” 3 wt fly rod with case, Maxcatch 3/4 ‘Brown Trout’ reel…$50
More to come...
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Member Mike Carpenter has a Battenkill 7/8 pristine reel he'd like to trade for Pflueger 1494 and extra spool. He also has a Pflueger 1495-1/2 with two extra spools he'd like to trade for 1495 or 1494.
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