While lees ferry, located near page, arizona, bears a patina of offbeat history, you will find that it also offers a diversity of outdoor experiences, ranging from historic site visits to camping to hiking to fishing to a great southwestern boating adventure. Our rental boats were designed and constructed for the unique waters and requirements of the colorado river at lees ferry. At the inn, every room is fitted with a patio with a mountain view. Spend the day fly fishing, climbing the redorange cliffs, and exploring historic buildings, and return to the campground for a night underneath the stars.
Coast guard licensed captain as your guide, our 22. Plenty of facilities for those who want to launch and. Lees ferry lodge at vermilion cliffs provides quiet and comfortable lodging for travelers in scenic northern arizona. Created with the completion of glen canyon dam in 1963, this tail water is crystal clear and a constant 47 degrees, providing anglers with an exceptional fishing opportunity 365 days a year. Mar 22, 2015 sage and christy learning fly fishing. Also try panther martin, kastmaster, rapala or other lures. Give us a call to book lees ferry fly fishing guide dave trimble or dave foster. The complete guide to fishing and boating the colorado river below glen canyon dam at. There is walkin access, but expect people in the spring and fall seasons. Your guide will usually use oars to keep the bow of the boat facing into the. Floods, drought, politics any number of things can make things tough for fish on this tailwater, and in the last decade it has seen a lot of trouble. When traversing the colorado river in search of rainbow trout, its easy to feel like youre the first person whos ever experienced the magnificence.
Marble canyon outfitters at lees ferry is operated by dale gauthier and shaun riding. Tips for fly fishing the lees ferry az walk in area. Lees ferry page 2020 all you need to know before you go. He discovered lees ferry in 1978 and has been fishing here ever since. It was worth the side trip back because we could stop in marble canyon also to take in the changing landscape.
Lees ferry history glen canyon national recreation area u. Half days will include lees ferry fishing guide and 4 hours of fishing. Its the perfect adventure for the doit yourself boater. This style of fishing can be highly productive and is a great way to see and experience the river and its spectacular scenery.
You pretty much have to experience lees ferry fishing for yourself at least once if rainbow trout is what youre chasing after. Lee s ferry fly fishing takes people fishing in northern arizona on the colorado river above the grand canyon. Book your trip with lees ferry on the fly fishing guides. Lees ferry marks the official starting point of the grand canyon national park and mile 0 of the colorado river through grand canyon. It flows clear and cold from the glen canyon dam providing the. Lees ferry on the fly lees ferry fishing guides trout. Lees ferry on the fly lees ferry fishing guides trout fly. We will be backhauling kayaks, canoes, and other suitable craft, passengers and gear upriver from lees ferry to wherever you want to go, even just below the dam. Guided back haul and fishing trips on the colorado river at lees ferry, arizona with kelly outfitters. Camping by the colorado river in lees ferry campground in. Lees ferry is a site on the colorado river in coconino county, arizona in the united states. Youth under the age of 10 may fish without a license. But i thought i was buying a book on fishing, not history.
Koffler jet boat, fuel, lunch from the marble canyon lodge, fly rods and at least 8 hours on the water typically starting at 7 am. I took a trip to lees ferry in northern arizona with my friend brian. Angler guide provides fishing enthusiasts with relevant information about fishing lees ferry and the rivers, streams and lakes in arizona. Get directions, maps, and traffic for lees ferry, az. Lee s ferry is home to more than 20,000 wild trout per mile. The complete guide to fishing and boating the colorado river below glen canyon dam no nonsense fly fishing guides dave foster, pete chadwell on. Lees ferry is famous for its estimated 12,000 fish per mile. Lees ferry fishing guide the outdoorsman fishing guides. Fly fishing at lees ferry is one of the few places in the world you can get hyperthermia from the waist down and heat stroke from the waist up. Park on the lees ferry road the as the wash runs underneath1. We are arizonas largest fly fishing outfitter and oldest fly shop at the crown of the grand canyon. Bring a book, a camera, your streamside vise, expect some waiting to be involved. The trophy trout fishery that sprang up in the postdam, cold, clear river attracts anglers from all over the world. Check usgs water data for the colorado river at lees ferry.
With the sleepless night and the mornings misadventure firmly in our rearview mirror, its time to get down to business. Lee s ferry lodge at vermilion cliffs features accommodations in marble canyon. Lees ferry anglers marble canyon 2020 all you need to. Dec 29, 2019 posted in days series, explore, life, news, story series tagged coconino county arizona, fishing, glen canyon national recreation area, grand canyon rafting, john d. Fly fishing the colorado river with lees ferry anglers.
Created with the completion of glen canyon dam in 1963, this tail water is crystal clear and a constant 47 degrees, providing anglers with. And our guided fishing trips take adventureseekers into the same spectacular reaches of the colorado river in which art greene ran his guide operation. Fishing at lee s ferry comes with the added benefit of breathtaking views of natural scenery. Lee s ferry was the last stop on a river float we took. Support boat rental lees ferry kayak horseshoe bend. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. The national park service is modifying its operations on a parkbypark basis in accordance. Plus we delve into the brown trout controversy and the park services plan to electro fish lees ferry. Lees ferry is located in the glen canyon national recreation area. Activities lees ferry lodge at vermilion cliffs arizona. See all 2 lees ferry historic district tours on tripadvisor.
However, fishing is subject to regulations governing the area from the glen canyon dam to the paria riffle, which is the area of the colorado river that is directly below the lees ferry campground. We are expecting this year to be the best year fishing we have seen in several years. To some, lees ferry is one of the wests bestkept trout fishing secrets. For spin fishing, try natural color plastic worms 2 below a weight and bounced off the bottom. Long, good drifts using midge larva and pupa imitations is the best way to go about catching trout. Lee s ferry is not a town, but rather a semiwilderness site in a canyonfloor setting. At lees ferry lodge rooms include air conditioning and a private bathroom. I am sorry, but the fishing details peculiar to lees ferry are not what they could be. For those who would like to learn the lees ferry walk in area, andor show up a half day early, or have a half day after your guide trip up river, we offer wade guiding. Today, terry and wendy gunn operate cliff dwellers lodge and lees ferry anglers in the same spirit, providing food and a place to stay for travelers heading to the kaibab plateau. This river guide provides a clear understanding of the complex and fascinating 15 miles of river that can provide fly anglers 40fish days. Just upstream from the lees ferry launch ramp is the ferry crossing site and several historic buildings.
This is a tailwater that flows from glen canyon dam to lees ferry. Paddle watercrafts, not to exceed 16 in length, including kayaks, canoes, paddle boards and rafts may be backhauled. Those same clearwater conditions favor waterfowl use from midnovember through february, and. Lees ferry is one of the few places where you can go to be at river level instead of viewing it from above, as is more usual. The river yields wild rainbow trout from 14 to 22 inches. F or more than 200 years, lees ferry has figured prominently in utah and arizona history, and in the history of the colorado river, at which the place is located, fifteen miles south of the utaharizona border. Throughout the book detailed maps direct fly and spin fishing and show points of history, boating and geologic landmarks and access to the natural history of the area and beauty. Lees ferry campground is the only place within glen canyon national recreation area where visitors can drive right up to the colorado river. Park service within the glen canyon national recreation area as a historical site. The key to spinfishing success at lees ferry is keeping your lure on or bouncing along the bottom for as long as possible, only reeling to pick up extra slack. Lees ferry lodge at vermilion cliffs features accommodations in marble canyon. At lee s ferry, there is a walkin fishing area in the stretch of the river a 3 mile or so just below the raft trip departure point down to the paria riffle where theres a great place to fish.
Northern arizona guide service lees ferry trout fishing the. Fly fishing the colorado river at lee s ferry by vail valley anglers admin published may 2, 2015 the spring runoff season in the rocky mountains is a great time for a fly fishing road trip, and lee s ferry is one of my absolute favorite spring fly fishing destinations. Different ferryboats and pioneers, miners, indians, and tourists crossed here from 1872 until 1928. The most effective way to spinfish lees ferry is to drift from a boat. For more than 200 years, lees ferry has figured prominently in utah and. Pictures and fishing reports from lees ferry on the fly fishing guides dave foster and. Rusho and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. The history of fishing on the colorado river in lees ferry, arizona. Lees ferry colorado river white water rafting trips grand. Fly fishing guide for the colorado river lees ferry arizona fly fishing the lees ferry colorado river tailwater is mostly nymph fishing. If you cancel your boat reservation within 30 days of your rental date and we cannot re book the boat, you will be charged full.
Lees ferry, the namesake of arizonas most famous fly fishing destination, is 15 miles of glorious colorado river tailwater. Lees ferry is a premiere fishery located in northern arizona on the colorado river above the grand canyon. Northern arizona guide service lees ferry trout fishing. Guests at the accommodations will be able to enjoy activities in and around marble canyon, like hiking and cycling. At lee s ferry lodge rooms include air conditioning and a private bathroom. The lodge continues to provide really good food and comfortable accommodations for travelers heading to the kaibab plateau, while their guided fishing trips take adventureseekers into the same spectacular reaches of the. We fish for rainbow trout below glen canyon dam on the colorado river with lees ferry anglers. We provide backhauling services from lees ferry upriver to just below the glen canyon dam. Guided fly fishing trip with lee s ferry anglers been hearing and reading about the fishing at lee s ferry for years. He also designed and published the first comprehensive river map of the lees ferry section of the colorado river. Grand canyon rafting with oars lees ferry phantom ranch. This book tells the story of this place in a clear, concise manner, and is a good, brief introduction to the subject. A fishing report for fly fishing the colorado river at lees ferry, arizona. We motor up to the top of the run, kill the motor and begin drifting.
Fly fishing on the colorado river lees ferry in arizona. Location of lees ferry for colorado river white water rafting trips in arizona. Lees ferry fishing report june 3rd, 2019 the river is fishing excellent. Kelly outfitters at lees ferry, az, personalized fishing trips on the colorado river. We recommend booking lees ferry historic district tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Marble canyon outfitters lees ferry fishing guides. Lees ferry historic district arizona 2020 all you need to.
Lees ferry historic district arizona 2020 all you need. Fishing any time of the year lees ferry is a premiere fishery located in northern arizona on the colorado river above the grand canyon. Fishing in lees ferry area given that the campground overlooks the colorado river, there is plenty of fishing available nearby. Lees ferry anglers and cliff dwellers lodge serves flyfishers, grand canyon rafters, hikers, and travelers from around. Lees ferry is not a town, but rather a semiwilderness site in a canyonfloor setting. Lee s ferry rainbow trout angler releasing a trout at lees ferry our private guided fishing charters include a u. The site contains current fishing conditions along with articles of interest, lees ferry weather conditions. Today, terry and wendy gunn operate cliff dwellers lodge and lees ferry anglers in the same spirit of its forefathers. Check flight prices and hotel availability for your visit. Our philosophy of caring for this treasure of a river as a living resource will provide angling adventures for the next generation and the next.
If you have more time though, check out the whopping book entitled simply lee s ferry. We certainly appreciate and thank our loyal customers who have made this all possible. The forgotten history of lees ferry marble canyon outfitters. Scenes from the movie into the wild based on the book by jon krakauer were shot on location in 2006 at the lees ferry national park service station, which featured actors emile hirsch as christopher mccandless and steven wiig as the lees ferry ranger, steve koehler. Blanche and bill russell were the original homesteaders at cliff dwellers. Here youll find favorite trout waters from the famous lees ferry to small.
Thanks to my inlaws gift for my son and i, we booked 2 guided fly fishing trips for 108 and 109. The tailwater fishery on the colorado river at lees ferry arizona is world famous for both its surreal beauty and wild hard fighting rainbow trout. Nov 29, 2011 for most grand canyon river runners, lees ferry is where the river rafting adventure begins. His love for this amazing fishery is probably exemplified most by the calendars he singlehandedly photographed and published in 1990 and 91. This river guide provides a clear understanding of the complex and fascinating 15 miles of river that can provide fly. Lees ferry is also mentioned as one of the stops in the film stagecoach. From glen canyon dam to the beginning of paria riffle lees ferry limit 2 rainbow trout per day. Visitors are often surprised to learn of the rich and turbulent history surrounding lee s ferry, a significant story of adventure and danger.
A storied stretch of river predating fly fishing because of its access, it remains famous today because of that same trait. Lees ferry sits at the base of vermilion cliffs national monument in one of the western united states most spectacular settings. Well dave foster is the man when it comes to lees ferry, this book covers it all from local history to a mile by mile break down of the river, gear and tips. Lees ferry fishing regulations require barbless hooks, so be sure to crimp the barbs on all your lures. Lees ferry guided fishing trips marble canyon outfitters. Terry has been a fulltime fishing guide since 1983 and is an internationally recognized fly fishing expert.
Full days will include lees ferry fishing guide, lunch and 8 hours of fishing at lees ferry walk in area. The title says its a guide to fly fishing lees ferry. Hard to believe, but lees ferry anglers is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Fishing at lees ferry comes with the added benefit of breathtaking views of natural scenery. Aug 09, 2017 smart news keeping you current this obscure fishing book is one of the most reprinted english books ever the compleat angler is much more than an instruction manual on fishing. F or more than 200 years, lee s ferry has figured prominently in utah and arizona history, and in the history of the colorado river, at which the place is located, fifteen miles south of the utaharizona border. Lees ferry is beautiful, like whenever you see lots of fresh water in the middle of rugged desert like terrain. Dale has been serving as a full time fishing guide at lees ferry for several years and shaun has years of experience fishing. Thanks to the glen canyon dam, the water in these parts is not only crystal clear but also a consistent 47 degrees. The restaurant is open all day with service for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Gps coordinates, fishing tips, historical notes, and other special information. This year, the river seems to boast an even better than usual population, with a wider range of fish sizes than in recent memory.
This includes stream conditions, trout flies, strategies, techniques and tips. Terry is coowner and founder of lees ferry anglers and cliff dwellers lodge. Lees ferry also known as lees ferry, lee ferry, little colorado station and saints ferry is a site on the colorado river in coconino county, arizona in the united states, about 7. Today lees ferry is a wellknown fishing and boat launching point, including for.
Lees ferry is known for fabulous trout fishing and beautiful wild rainbow trout can be seen throughout this stretch of river. Our new boat dedicated to this service was designed for carrying boats and up to 6 passengers with lots of gear. Lees ferry on the colorado river in northern arizona. This historic river crossing is full of timeworn structures and relics, which can attest to the vital. The fish have moved into the shallows and the fly fisherman are killing it.
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