Trout Source

Introduction

The stretch of the Colorado River suited for fly fishing, the giant sandstone Glen Canyon from Glen Canyon Dam to just below Lee's Ferry, is only 15 miles, but is highly scenic and an excellent year-round tailwater fishery.   Rainbows average 16 inches and range over 20.   Access is limited and fishing is typically by power boat, though shore access can be had on a large gravel bar where the Paria River enters just below Lee's Ferry.   This is a mighty river, and its flows fluctuate from 13,000 CFS to 22,000 CFS, depending on hydroelectric  demand.

River Character and Access

Access is fairly straightforward: either you put in with a boat at Lee's Ferry, motor upstream, then float back down to where you started (stopping along the way at various gravel bars); or you wade fish for roughly 1.5 miles of water below Lee's Ferry.  If you do the latter, keep a close eye on the water level.   Hub towns include Marble Canyon and Vermillion Cliff, both just below Lee's Ferry.   From Marble Canyon, Lee's Ferry Road goes northeast about 5 miles to the Lee's Ferry boat launch and wading access points.    From Phoenix, Lee's Ferry is about a 4.5 hour drive north on highway 17, highway 89 and 89A, then finally Lee's Ferry Road out of Marble Canyon.

When and How to Fish

Good fishing can be had year-round since the bottom release water from Glen Canyon Dam is a stable 48 degrees and the air temperature is tolerable even in winter  (40's and 50's during the day).   Due to hydroelectric demand, flows average 20,000 CFS in summer, but drop in winter.  Ideal flows are below 14,000 CFS.  Due to the river's strong tailwater characteristics, scud patterns are the most popular ticket for success, sometimes fished with a small Brassie dropper.   San Juan Worms, plus other subsurface mainstays such as Hare's Ear Nymphs, Princes and Wooly Buggers also work well.  Hatches are sparse.  On the surface, midges are your best bet, particularly in the morning and from March through October (emergers are highly effective as well, often fished as a dropper behind a big dry attractor).  Some Blue-Winged Olives also appear in the afternoons from April though September.   Summer calls for terrestrial fishing, including cicadas.  In the absence of other options, the fish concentrate on scud in the fall.  Next, in January, rainbows begin to spawn, continuing sometimes through May.  This is the best time to catch the larger fish, and the best pattern is an egg imitation (assuming you don't have ethical objections), though nymphing will also work, as will some large dry fly attractor patterns.     Note that when it rains, the water from the Paria River is muddy, but don't worry, you can fish above the confluence with the Colorado River.

As you might imagine, owing to the massive flows, parts of the river are simply too deep to fish.  Therefore, your main focus will be on the riffles and gravel bars that break up the big pools.  If drifting without a guide, be extra careful of these potentially dangerous rocks.  A 9-foot 5 or 6 weight rod is sufficient (the stiffer the better).

 

Troutsource highly recommends the services of a local fly fishing guide.  We've listed the best ones below, and you can contact all of them at once using our e-mail form.  A guide can be the difference between getting skunked and catching 20 fish.   Remember, getting the right fly is only half the battle.  You need to know exactly where to put it, and how -- and this is where guides earn their money.   A customary tip is 15%