JestersHK

Prayers and condolences headed your way.

So I had done some research and found a guide service out of Sedona, but they book up about 3 or 4 months ahead of time, so I figured I'd try my luck on my own. I really only had 2 close choices to try for a trout. The oak Creek Canyon about a 30min drive, and the silver Creek area which was about 3 hours away. I've driven 2400 miles up to this point so I opted for the closer choice. I woke around 430am and loaded up and headed back to the canyon. Luckily the night before I had already bought my license and some flies the Sedona guides said were working at the sportsman warehouse. Our previous trip to the canyon a ranger gave me a handy handout with mile markers and spots to fish at. So I hit the first mile marker that started the catch and release area. I worked my way down a boulder strewn path through a bunch of thorns and was greeted with a small pocket of water after some ripples. Saw a few small trout working the bottom but I spooked them getting out of the brush to where I could cast. Finally I worked up stream with enough stealth I was able to get a take on a size 16 parachute. He wasn't a monster, he was tiny actually lol, but I breathed a sigh of relief as I'd accomplished my mission of crossing off another state that I'd caught a trout in. I picked up two more small rainbows before I went back up for some water and to hit a different spot. I found another trail down to the water. This one was less treacherous than the last and it opened up to a big long pool that was churning with fish. There was a big out cropping that hung out over the water that I stealthily crawled out onto. The top water was hit or miss, and I kept hanging flies in the trees above me so I put on a crackle back and started stripping and dead drifting. The water here is crystal clear enough I could sight fish my crackle back and I started picking up fish left and right. After I sore mouthed a few of them it slowed down. A guide from Sedona came down with a client and I gave them my spot as I took a break. We chit chatted about fishing, and his client was from the same upstate New York town my wife has family in... Small world indeed. They were having mixed success with a midge under an indicator, but then we both started stripping bead heads and it was game on. I think I had 4 fish on 6 casts. Landed a few nicer ones, but the fish here are tiny compared to Taney rainbows... A 22 to 24in Brown is a lifetime fish here. I showed him some of Duane's month of May and he was shell shocked lol. I finished the day with my 21 fish total. Fished from 5 to 11. Not exactly killing it, but I'll take it being in a foreign land not knowing the water. Heading back in the morning. The have native browns here that I really want a crack at.

So I mixed it up earlier and Tuesday was actually grand canyon day. Was only about an hour and a half drive from our rental and we got there pretty early. I'll just go ahead and say it. I was a nervous wreck the whole time we were there... Watching people dangle over the edge made me naseaus. Keeping a constant eye on my girls was exhausting even though they were behaved and stayed on the paths most of the time. The canyon is awe inspiring and I'm glad I got to see it, but don't think I'd make a habit of wandering off the paths. I'll have to update this post with my wife pics. I took like 3 pictures the while time I was there lol...

So Monday was a loooong day of traveling. My father in law flew in and missed the petrified Forest. We decided he needed to see it and our pass was still valid so cost us nothing to get back in. We planned out our day which would consist of about 11 hours of driving... We'd hit the meteor crater first, then swing up to the forest and do a quick drive through, and the drive to the 4 corners monument where AZ, NM, CO, and UT all come together. Then a 3 hour plus back to flag staff. Although it was a super long day packed allot in and had a great day. Meteor crater is cool, 4 corners was neat, but we all agreed not worth the 7 hours drive time for about 30 minutes of standing on the circles lol. Lesson learned...

So Sunday we set out to a park called Oak Creek Canyon. It's a bit South of flag staff and runs all the way into Sedona. It's a BIG canyon. And had a bunch of parks and great forest things to do. I had also researched this park for potential trout fishing, and my chance to land an Arizona trout, but more on that later. Park was packed on the holiday but we went and creek hopped anyways for a bit. Then headed into Sedona. All 7 of us piled into a Humvee and took an of road tour of the red rocks. Very cool to see, and the off road park was great albeit a bit bumpy and dusty. After that it was back home and much needed showers which ran red from all the dust. I still have red dust coming out my nose lol Tommorow we hit the Grand canyon... I promise there's a fish story here lol.

So last Friday we started a journey out west for a week with my family and in-laws. Had great weather and made the trip in about 20 hours after all of our pit stops that comes along with a 6 year old. We took the 44/40 route through OK, TX, and NM and we're staying in flag staff. On the way in we timed it to hit the petrified Forest when they opened on Saturday. What an amazing park. Truly breath taking in some parts. Well if you're a rock nerd like me lol. We did some hiking and exploring and after 5 hours in the park headed to our rental. Here's a few pics of the forest. My oldest is pretending to be a prehistoric wood Chuck... I'll get to fish I promise

Nice job buddy! Beautiful fish. Heaven forbid you or Ham ever take up Pokemon lol

Man Phil... Tough fishing with the Trout Whisperer this morning huh LOL. Excellent Onecast guys.

Ouch! That makes my fingers hurt... I too hate the little hooks. Had a crick hopper get me one time on a flopping fish... 2 in the thumb and the front ones caught a finger. Luckily it was my left hand I was able to work them out. A little bit of super glue and I was back in the water. I crimp most of my hooks on stick baits now. Especially fishing at night for trout. I say its for the health of the fish, but would be lying if I didn't acknowledge the benefit of hooking your hand in the dark trying to get a bow or walleye out of the net and being able to just back them out. Glad to see you back on the water, especially after your long journey last year.

Nice job buddy! Way to go on getting the kiddos engaged.

Lucky! Wish I had trout water by my house, but might not be good for the marriage... Ponds I can walk to are bad enough... Nice job man! Hope you get another shot at that big one.

Wow, thats a beauty there! Nice job and thanks for sharing. Top water?

Great report and great trip buddy. Glad you got some reflection time in as painful as it can be sometimes. With a day like that I'm sure he was watchin over ya... Now I gotta ask whens the FISH FRY! I wish they'd figure out that worm hole teleportation travel stuff... We'd drop one up in Maryland to start with, one in BilletHeadville too, although Marty may put some time restrictions in place for me . Hope you had a safe flight @Johnsfolly.

Haha I predicted that at least someone here would throw that out there before the day was up LOL!

Nice job on some great fish! Looks like a great day, even better when you get to spend it with your kiddos! Always good to see that.

Wrench, more and more I'm believing you really are a certified genius! I think we should start some online life improvement courses with ya. Get rich and then cash out and we can fish all day... 😎

Man PW your videos always impress. Editing is awesome, and the hookups and different shots really make a great watch. Looks like a great trip, and I appreciate all the work and effort that goes into making those that you share here for us!

Don't forget the night bite fellas. Although I have yet to land a monster at night, I've seen them cruising. Like Phil said just play the odds and eventually the work pays off. My payoff has been big Walters, and Big rainbows at night, but throw those big sticks at night and its bound to find one eventually.

Same as Jungle Jim 1. I've heard the stories and know that they are in there, but still 1 more than I've ever caught!

Way to chase them and get em in the boat!

Great write up Phil. Quality over quantity, and some days if you're Duane you get both LOL! I'll tell ya one thing, this time of year I am used to getting a random text from my buddies or my wife about a big Brownie posted on your FB or social media every once in a while, but man its like every other day someone is catching a big one! I guess the food buffet is still going strong from having the gates open for so long? You'll have a heck of a photo montage for May 2018 thats for sure. Def makes it hard to go to work, and not be down there monster hunting with you guys.

Nice job you two on the micros!

Heres my old post... I will say I was quite the fly rod newbie who had no clue what he was doing LOL. I still manage to catch though. One thing I remember is almost all the streams there are rough on the ankles. Rocks are slick and plentiful so may want a wading staff with ya. Also if you get a chance go climb Chimney Rock! It may be a bit of a drive from where you're at, but its beautiful up there at the top.

I fished NC a few years back. I was there during about the worst time you could possibly go to trout fish, but still caught a few little ones... I have a nice fishing guide I picked up from one of the fly shops I went into. Good map of the land of waterfalls water shed. I can mail it to ya buddy if ya like. Just shoot me a pm

Good pier and beach fishing. Find the sand fleas and either rake or bucket them, and use them for bait. Bring steel leaders for sharks and kings.