Tag Archive for Sun Lakes Fly Fishing Club

Whop! Whop! Whop!

George Abernathy As I stood on the tarmac at Falcon Field in Mesa, just a few feet away from a Vietnam Era Huey Helicopter that was warming up, others and I could feel the blast of the rotor wash and smell the burnt JP4 fuel coming from the exhaust. Along with two pilots, crew chief,…

People Ask, ‘Why Do You Fly Fish?’

George Abernathy From Sun Lakes Fly Fishing Club’s (SLFFC) perspective, because there is nothing more tranquil, beautiful, and fulfilling than fly fishing on a boat on a beautiful lake or wading in a moving river or stream. Just this fall three such trips were taken by SLFFC members in October. The following are member fishing reports…

Can’t Stand the Heat? Neither Can Trout

George Abernathy I have fished a variety of trout fisheries in Arizona off and on since 1966, and this summer has been one of the most challenging summers that I can remember due to the high temperatures we have experienced. According to Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD), record-setting heat has raised water temperatures in many…

Cottonwood Lake—Our Backyard Fishery

Lorin Hicks, Sun Lakes Fly Fishing Club Member Many Sun Lakes residents live, bike, and walk around the five Cottonwood Country Club lakes and are unaware that the five lakes support thriving fish populations. I recently met with Steve Hardesty, Cottonwood Palo Verde (CWPV) General Manager, and Scott Anderson, CWPV Golf Course and Common Area…

Moments of Beauty

CJ Berry, SLFFC Member The late Arnold Gingrich, famous editor and cofounder of Esquire magazine, has been quoted as having said, “A trout is a moment of beauty known only to those who seek it.” Anyone who has ever really known a fisherman appreciates that the sport is so much more than just a pastime. For…

Fly Fishing Year Round

George Abernathy, Founder On Feb. 2 seven club members drove to Cottonwood and fished the Dead Horse Lakes. Upon arrival, our day started out with 28-degree temperature. It was nippy, but the sun was out, and we enjoyed little or no wind. Fishing was excellent; however, catching was tough for most of us. Dan Rheinauer…

Helping Veterans Catch Fish

Lorin Hicks, SLFFC Member Saturday, Oct. 15, started out as a tough day to fish. Angry clouds threatened a downpour, and the wind began to blow. Members of the Sun Lakes Fly Fishing Club (SLFFC), undaunted by the weather, assembled within the Sun Lakes Country Club to welcome disabled vets for a fishing expedition on…

Never Too Old to Learn

Bob Ludwig I started fly fishing about four years ago at the age of 68. It was George Abernathy’s fault (Sun Lakes Fly Fishing club president). He got me started, and then I caught the bug. I enjoyed bait fishing when I was a kid but had limited opportunities to fish during my adult years.…

Sun Lakes Fly Fishing Club

George Abernathy Our annual fly-fishing trip to Lees Ferry in the last week of April was, by far, the most successful trip the club has organized in the past eight years. With 19 club members and guests attending, it was also the largest attended trip. It wasn’t until the members’ experiences were shared at our…