George Abernathy
George Abernathy
With the fortitude of our members, the Sun Lakes Fly Fishing Club wrapped up 2025 with an outstanding fundraiser in December for disabled veterans through Arizona Veterans Fly Fishing, Inc., by collectively raising more than $24,000. The funds will be used to sponsor as many veterans as possible for overnight, out-of-state, two- to three-day fly fishing trips. I really appreciate the Oakwood Country Club’s management team for their support and donations from the Cottonwood Palo Verde HOA, numerous individuals, clubs, and businesses. Lastly, I especially want to express my gratitude for the cash donations from the Sun Lakes Women’s Association and the East Valley Marines.
With 2025 in the rear, our club members are excited about fly fishing in 2026. This time of year, we are limited to a few fisheries, excluding community lakes; however, plans have been drawn up and are being finalized for the San Juan River in New Mexico and the Flaming Gorge in Utah, as well as trips to fisheries in Colorado. As roads leading into the lakes and streams above Payson and the White Mountains open, numerous one- to three-day trips will take place throughout these areas two or three times per month until sometime in late November/early December.
I honestly can’t remember a day of fishing in the mountains of Arizona when we didn’t encounter deer, elk, bighorn sheep, wolves, and other game. While fishing on one of the numerous mountain lakes, it’s very common to be flown over by eagles and osprey, and if you don’t keep an eye on the osprey, they will periodically fly in and steal your trout while you’re reeling them in.
If fly fishing is something you enjoy, think about joining the Sun Lakes Fly Fishing Club. The club’s philosophy is to bring people together who want to fly fish; no red tape, no politics, “catch and release,” just wet your lines and go hunting. Whether you’re an experienced caster or new to fly fishing, you’re welcome to our club. Our club can be viewed online at sunlakesflyfishing.com.
Again, thank all of you for helping us in supporting our fundraiser in order to raise enough money to cover the cost of an overnight fishing trip for as many veterans as possible, a dream that has been unattainable for many of them.
Fish On! Fish On!