I dropped the “new species” card at the end of yesterday’s blog. That’s because Steve Berry said there’s a place less than two hours from Phoenix where I could test my luck and go for the unusual and rare Gila trout (Oncorhynchus gilae), a unique trout only found in Arizona and New Mexico. In the 1960’s the Gila trout was badly overfished and its habitat was so degraded they nearly became extinct. In 1967 Gila’s were in fact listed as endangered. Fortunately, due to successful, long term conservation efforts (this includes hatchery rearing and restocking) they have made a comeback and there are a few locations where you can actually fly fish for them.
Our day started with Steve spinning up a few nymphs over coffee then off we went. It was a beautiful drive heading into the desert mountains. Greener than normal thanks to Monday nights storm. And in less than two hours we were at a gorgeous little lake where it was a cool 65°. One would never suspect this pretty little spot was so close to the hustle and bustle of Phoenix.
I rigged up a double nymph rig. I had a rust colored Bead Head Hares Ear style nymph on the point with a Damsel nymph as a dropper. I made short 25 foot casts (back cast space was limited) and then did the hand-twist retrieve back to where I was standing. Steve had similar flies but instead of two nymphs, his point fly was a chartreuse Mop Fly under an indicator. In less than 15 minutes we had several little rainbows landed.
We caught a lot of rainbows. The bite was on and it was fun because from my vantage point I could sight nymph which is my preferred way. Then Steve shouted, “Gila”! I got there just in time for pics.
Steve nabbed several of the pretty little trout. They reminded me of a cutthroat but more olive all-round and of course, no bright slashes under the jaw. They are definitely unique. Finally, after a good couple of hours of fishing, my luck changed from rainbows to my first ever Gila trout. The last five fish I caught were Gila’s. Add the new species!
It was another fantastic day fishing down here in Arizona. Steve and I packed it in around 3 than grabbed a beer in historic Prescott at Matts Saloon. Then we headed for Phoenix and Granny and I took our wonderful hosts Steve and Lisa out for our annual Mexican feast together at Aunt Chilada’s. Tomorrow it will be back on the carp for our last day of fishing.