Lees Ferry Fishing Report

Colorado River - Lees Ferry


by Arizona Game & Fish Department
11-28-2024
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Water Temperature: 57.56-58.64 F; Dissolved Oxygen: 7-8 mg/l; pH: 8-8.2 std units; Discharge Rate: 6,560-10,000 cfs as of 11/25/2024. The Lees Ferry portion of the Colorado River received low flows (about 6,500 cfs) over this past weekend (11/23-11/24). Please be careful when boating at Lees Ferry during these low flow periods and be aware of the potential for navigational hazards. Report below courtesy of Kevin Campbell, Lees Ferry Anglers, 10/26/2024: 

Upriver Fly Fishing Report: 

Fishing remains good. Dam operations have been ensuring that there is plenty of oxygen in the river and the water temps have been below 62 degrees. The midge hatches are thinning out some days and the fish still look good and fishy hard with the high O2 levels. Wading is working with midge and worm patterns. Dry / dropper or double midges under a small indicator are still good. Presentation depth is critical; drift the flies just above the bottom for best results. Our fish are notoriously picky about not coming off the bottom very far to eat. San Juan, scuds and even Wooly Buggers used as an attractor in combination with a midge is a winning rig too.

Swinging a bugger or similar streamer on a sink-tip in the tailouts of riffles or from the anchored boat is producing as well. Nymphing from the boat is always working well both in the mid-depths, 3-6 feet, and deeper, 7-10 feet. The usual suspects, scuds, midges, worms, and buggers, are the ticket here. There have been a few shad that have come through Glen Canyon Dam from Lake Powell occasionally and if they are present, white streamers such as a Zonker will definitely work.