This picture was taken at the Black River Crossing on the Black River which is located a couple of miles above the confluence of the Salt and Black Rivers. Fishing at this location also yielded us a few dozen Smallmouth Bass and Red Ear Perch.
George Abernathy
Last month Brad Smith, a Sun Lakes Fly Fishing Club (SLFFC) member and I went on an exploratory camping-fly fishing trip throughout the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation. Three nights camping and four days of fishing brought back fond memories of when I used to camp and backpack extensively. My last camping trip was several years ago when my wife and I backpacked the Grand Canyon. I truly forgot how much I missed waking up to cool temperatures next to a body of water where I planned on wetting my line.
Wanted Fly Rods, Reels and Equipment
The SLFFC needs fly fishing equipment, preferably donated, so it can be sold to club members. All proceeds will be paid directly to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing which is a non-profit organization dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled veterans through fly fishing and associated activities including education and outings. For the past two years, the SLFFC has hosted disabled veterans throughout the Sun Lakes communities. Supporting the disabled veterans is one of the club’s goals and is also supported by other Sun Lakes clubs, residents and the IronOaks and Cottonwood management teams. At our previous outings, IronOak’s management team, Sun Lakes Lions Club, East Valley Marine Corps League, Sun Lakes Camera Club, Jewish War Veterans Post and anonymous residents, have supported our outings by sponsoring their lunches and/or breakfasts. After our outings everyone dines at one of our restaurants for lunch, bonding and of course bragging rights.
Club meetings will resume on September 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the main ballroom at Oakwood and will continue through May 2017. Some of the best fishing occurs just prior to the ice over on the lakes in the higher altitudes, so multiple fly fishing trips are being discussed. Past favorite trips include Silver Creek, Becker Lake, Lees Ferry and the San Juan River in New Mexico.
The club’s philosophy is to bring people together that want to fly fish; no red tape, no politics, catch and release, just wet your lines and go hunting. Be an experienced caster or new to fly fishing, you’re welcomed to our club. The primarily goal is to spend as much time as possible wetting our lines. If you’re interested in fly fishing or befriending other residents that share the same passion, please call me at 480-521-1060 or email me at [email protected]. Very importantly, if you would like to support the disabled veterans with PHW and have fly fishing equipment to donate, please contact me.
“What happens at Bass Pro Shops, stays at Bass Pro Shops.”
Fish on! Fish on!