Lees Ferry Takeout / Put-inon Colorado River (Lees Ferry)
River flow last 30 days
Midge and Mysis shrimp nymphs are year-round staples
- 01Midge and Mysis shrimp nymphs are year-round staples, offering consistent subsurface action for Rainbow and Brown Trout.
- 02Look for afternoon hatches of Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) and Pale Morning Duns (PMDs) on overcast days for dry fly opportunities.
- 03As water cools, consider swinging or stripping olive or black Woolly Buggers to imitate baitfish and leeches.
- 04Focus on deeper runs and current seams for nymphing, and softer water or eddies for rising fish during hatches.
What to tie on at Lees Ferry Takeout / Put-in
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
Pat's Rubber Leg
Immature stoneflies are always present in the river substrate, making this a great searching nymph to imitate larger aquatic insects.
Scud (Pink/Orange)
Lee's Ferry is famous for its massive scud population. In winter, pink and orange variations provide a 'hot spot' that triggers strikes from selective trout.
Buy at AmazonSow Bug
Along with scuds, sow bugs are a year-round staple at the Ferry. Gray and olive patterns mimic the isopods found in the river's aquatic vegetation.
Buy at AmazonHopper
Terrestrial insects like grasshoppers are a crucial food source for trout during summer months, especially along grassy banks. Lees Ferry is known for opportunistic feeding on terrestrials in summer.
Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source in tailwaters like Lees Ferry year-round, regardless of the season due to stable water temperatures.
Zebra Midge
A highly effective and versatile midge imitation, staple for tailwater fishing due to consistent midge activity year-round.
Buy at AmazonZebra Midge
Midges are the primary hatch in February. Red and black versions in sizes 20-24 are essential for the technical tailwater environment of the Colorado River.
Buy at AmazonIced Out Midge Pupa
This pupa imitation is specifically designed for cold tailwater conditions and matches the subsurface midge activity common in early spring.
Buy at AmazonPheasant Tail Nymph
The Pheasant Tail Nymph is a versatile year-round pattern, especially effective in spring for imitating various small mayfly nymphs, including BWOs.
Buy at AmazonArizona season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Fly shops nearby
Local flies, current advice and guided trips.