Jerry's Question:

I used to live in the northwest corner of Arkansas and had ready access to numerous streams there and in the southwest corner of Missouri where the smallmouth bass fishing was supreme. Solitude was readily available as well. Now I'm residing in the Phoenix metro area and can't seem to find any decent place to wet a line without rubbing elbows with my fellow man. I am no misanthrope, but I prefer to fish in peace. Do you know of any potential streams (ugh, no lakes, please!) where I could find more fish than fellowship? Thanks!

Jerry Cagle (in torrid Tempe, AZ)

Mark's Answer:

Jerry,

I don't know how far away from the Phoenix metro you're willing to travel but if you feel like driving two to three hours or so, you can find various levels of solitude.

We are running a feature this month on the White Mountains, which lie three and a half hours east of Phoenix, so you'll be fed a number of getaways to catch fish within that piece.

And if you like fishing for smallmouth bass, the Black River in its downstream stretches is loaded with them. I know you don't like lakes (but some of our readers in the Phoenix area might), but Lake Pleasant is close to Phoenix (about forty minutes) and holds smallies and largemouth, ideal for an early morning or late evening excursion. To the northwest, Bartlett Reservoir is another short drive away for bass.

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The Salt River is an option. The Lower Salt runs through pretty canyons, has clear water and pretty decent fishing for smallmouth bass and bluegills (the river gets stocker trout from time to time). But the river is crowded since it's only forty minutes away from Phoenix. You might want to check out Charles Meck's article on GORP about fly fishing the Salt River.

And around Flagstaff, Sedona and Williams, you can drive north to JD Dam Lake, Lake Mary, Oak Creek, Upper Verde River and Wet Beaver Creek to name a few. Oak Creek does get pressure every now and again but the creek is as pretty as any in the Southwest. And there are quite a few worthwhile streams along the Mogollon Rim you might want to check out.

You are right though about not being to able to find solitude on a stream within a half-hour's drive from Phoenix. Too many people, too many anglers, too many of them in search of the same solitude on the water in a state without much water. But if you are willing to drive just a bit, you can indeed find the streams and lakes you desire.

And I'd recommend purchasing a copy of Charles Meck and John Rohmer's book, Arizona Trout Streams and Their Hatches (Backcountry Publications, 1998), Glenn Tinnin's No Nonsense Guide to Fly Fishing Arizona (David Communications, 1999) to help you get acquainted with all the hidden fishing opportunities in Arizona.