George Abernathy

With temperatures over 100 degrees in the Valley, there aren’t too many activities healthier then escaping to the mountains for some fly fishing. In the past several months I and other members have fished multiple Arizona fisheries for a variety of trout, including the newly introduced “Tiger Trout.”

With my wife traveling on business for the next eight weeks, weekly one-day and multiple overnight trips are planned with other club members. Sad times with my wife being gone, but exciting times for me and members that plan on fishing until our arms fall off! The destinations include overnight camping trips to Reservation Lake, Pancheta Lake, and a multi-day trip to the upper Black River for bow’s and browns and the lower Black for smallmouth bass. One-day trips include fishing several fisheries on the Mogollon Rim for trout and bass.

Wanted Fly Rods, Reels and Equipment

The Sun Lakes Fly Fishing Club (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 the club’s goal and it is also supported by other Sun Lakes clubs, residents and the IronOaks and Cottonwood’s management teams. At our previous outings, IronOaks’ management team, Sun Lakes Lions Club, East Valley Marine Corp League, Sun Lakes Camera Club, Jewish War Veterans Post and undisclosed residents, have supported our outings by sponsoring their lunches. After our outings everyone meets at one of our restaurants for lunch for bonding and of course, bragging rights.

Club meetings will resume on September 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the main Ballroom at Oakwood. Meetings will be held on the first Tuesday of every month and will continue through May 2017. So far I have lined up several guest speakers, including professional fly fishing guides that are familiar with in-state and out-of-state fisheries.

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. In the past 12 months I and other members have gone on 20-25 one-day and multiple day trips. If you are looking to befriend other fly fishermen, then attend our next meeting or contact me. Also contact me if you have fly fishing equipment to donate. I can be reached at 480-521-1060 or email me at [email protected].

“Give a man a fish and he has food for a day; teach him how to fish and you can get rid of him for the entire weekend.” Zenna Schaffer

Fish on! Fish on!