Manuscript as featured in the March / April, 2014
issue of Southwest Fly Fishing magazine.
Cover courtesy of Southwest Fly Fishing.
Cover photo by Jon Luke.

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]oncealed within the San Juan National Forest—just a short distance beyond the beaten path—ambitious fly fishers will discover the wildly rugged Cascade Creek. Because of its limited access, Cascade appeals to those with a sense of adventure. The stream’s banks are recurrently lined with tall cliffs and thick brush, and the water is frequently congested with large boulders and downed timbers, which make reaching the best fishing spots challenging. Light-duty bushwhacking and scrambling are requirements for traveling any significant distance along this creek—especially its upper reach. The reward, for those willing to accept the task, is the opportunity to land feisty, high-mountain trout in a classic Colorado setting of pine, spruce, fir, and aspen trees.

Stream-born brook trout are the predominant species throughout Cascade Creek. Due to the short growing season, these jewel-toned beauties are opportunistic eaters and, consequently, they’re easily fooled by attractor dry flies. Colorful patterns—Stimulators, Royal Humpies, and Lime Trudes—make excellent choices for fishing the water’s surface. Adding a beadhead dropper fly will result in even more hookups. Again, these trout aren’t very selective, so feel free to offer a variety of weighted nymph patterns.

At Cascade, double-digit fish totals are not uncommon; however, the fish populating this region are generally small. A large brookie will reach only 11 or 12 inches in length. Bigger ones prefer the prime lies, typically located near the head of plunge pools. Keeping this information in mind, anglers should take the time to identify all possible holding areas before making a first cast that will place the fly strategically. It’s best to fish out an area completely before moving on. Using shorter, 3- and 4-weight rods will open up more casting possibilities, but in most places, standard 9-foot rods are still capable of delivering a fly with a gentle flip or dap.

From Durango, there are multiple ways to approach Cascade Creek by driving north on US Highway 550. Twenty-five miles from town, anglers may park near the Purgatory Flats Campground and trailhead, located on the east side of the highway across from the ski resort, and then hike down to Cascade Creek to fish its lower section. Another option is to drive farther north on US Highway 550 until you reach the hairpin curve in the road, where, in the middle, you’ll find the signed turnoff to Cascade Creek’s upper section on the left-hand side.

A unique way to reach Cascade Creek is taking the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad (DSNG) from Durango to Animas Canyon and getting dropped off near Cascade’s confluence with the Animas River. From here, you can catch the train on its return journey to Durango later the same day or spend the night in the backcountry and rendezvous with the train the next day. Reservations for the DSNG railway can be made by calling (970) 247-2733, www.durangotrain.com.

Neighboring streams include Hermosa Creek, East Hermosa Creek, and Cascade’s largest tributary, Lime Creek.

]]> http://fishbum.com/cascade-creek-colorado-2/feed/ 0 http://fishbum.com/west-fork-oak-creek-arizona/ http://fishbum.com/west-fork-oak-creek-arizona/#comments Tue, 13 May 2014 22:40:47 +0000 http://fishbum.com/?p=1051

Manuscript as featured in the March / April, 2014
issue of Southwest Fly Fishing magazine.
Cover courtesy of Southwest Fly Fishing.
Cover photo by Jon Luke.

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]est Fork Oak Creek Trail 108, the gateway to Arizona’s Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness, may be the most popular hiking trail in the Coconino National Forest—and for good reason. Its famously scenic views create a sense of wonderment as painted canyon walls climb to dazzling heights. Just a short distance beyond this iconic gorge’s trailhead, anglers will discover the namesake creek, where, beneath a dense canopy of canyon maple and Gambel oak, the charming little stream ripples peacefully along the canyon floor.

The West Fork is Oak Creek’s main tributary and a riparian refuge for migratory wildlife in an otherwise harsh desert landscape. The well-maintained trail frequently departs from the creek bed for long stretches but reconnects at several crossing points. The gently sloping terrain is easily traversed, providing increased accessibility. During peak seasons, this destination attracts a multitude of recreationalists daily.

Nevertheless, reclusive fly fishers can still find solitude, despite the sometimes overwhelming crowds. The trail’s developed tract is limited to the first 3 miles before it enters a 9-mile, undeveloped, canyon-bound region where going farther requires hiking right in the water. Most of the day-hiking traffic dissipates before this point, leaving dedicated trout seekers ample deep pools, sprawling gravel beds, and areas of downed timber to explore upstream, with fishing steadily improving the farther you travel.

The West Fork is a delight to fish throughout the four seasons. Spooky trout reward anglers, who execute delicate casts during prolific Blue-Winged Olive hatches, which occur in spring and summer. Autumn’s spectacular color bursts make landing richly-hued rainbows on bushy dry flies especially memorable. In the winter months, beneath the undercut snowy banks, wild, stream-born brown trout lie in wait, ready to ambush slowly drifting streamers such as leeches and buggers. The entire West Fork is catch and release year-round.

Light tackle is your best choice for this technical, clear-water fishery: short 3- and 4-weight fly rods with light leaders are ideal. Wet wading during warm months provides anglers welcome relief from the Sonoran heat. Your fly selection may vary from day to day, probably the result of the stress these fish routinely experience. Be prepared to offer a wide range of dries, nymphs, and streamers to these picky eaters. Monster fish are uncommon on the West Fork, so your expectations should be tempered accordingly. That said, larger fish do occasionally put monster grins on anglers’ faces.

To reach the West Fork, follow State Route 89A—either south from Flagstaff or north from Sedona—and look for the signed turnoff that leads to the park’s paved entrance on the west side of the road. There is a day use fee of $9 per vehicle (good for up to 5 people) or $2 per person for walk-ins. In lieu of these entrance fees, anglers may present their Grand Annual Red Rock Pass ($40/annual) or their Big Three Pass ($18/week, $40/annual). But note that this area may be temporarily closed during periods of elevated fire danger.

All images contained in this gallery are the sole property of Gentry Smith and may not be reused for any reason (personal, noncommercial, or commercial) without express written permission from the owner.