Lees Ferry Anglers

Fishing Info

A fisherman’s paradise. The apex of the Colorado River known as Lees Ferry is home to thousands of wild trout per mile.
lfa fish coral

Prepare for your trip

What to Bring

Lees Ferry requires that you bring the following items, most of which can be purchased at our fly shop:

  • Water
  • 9-foot 5X leader
  • Arizona fishing license
  • Proper clothing
  • Waders

Or Call: (928) 355-2261

Lees Ferry provides

  • 8 hours upriver
  • Lunch (let us know if you have special dietary needs)
  • Flies (charged for flies lost at the end of day)
  • Rod (rental by day)
  • Specially outfitted power-driven riverboats and fuel
  • Professional fly fishing guide (U.S. Coast Guard Captain licensed)

Lees Ferry Suggests

  • Fly Rod (5-weight, 9-foot)
  • 5X, 6X, or 7X tippet
  • Waders (we rent them)
  • Polarized sunglasses
  • Western tailwater flies
  • Camera
  • Sunscreen
  • Rain gear
lfa fish coral

What to know

Fishing Details

The mighty Colorado River and its tributaries carved an extraordinary landscape, with intricate mazes of canyons, delicate arches and massive rock monoliths. And nowhere is the landscape more extraordinary than around Lees Ferry. As you wade the incredibly clear waters casting to football-thick rainbow trout, tilt your head back, look up at the 1,000-plus-foot tall sandstone cliffs, and view it as Col. John Wesley Powell, Lee and the other American pioneers found it. The word to describe the scene is breathtaking.

To the fly-fisher more accustomed to a traditional meadow or mountain stream, the Colorado River is often initially intimidating. However, in reality, it is much like a giant limestone river or spring creek with diverse fishing opportunities. The gravel bars, backwaters, eddies and main river channel offer opportunities to fish dries, nymphs and streamers within a few hundred yards. Stalk rainbow trout in water only a few inches deep or cast size #18 or #20 midge or pupae patterns to trout feeding in deep, dark runs. It’s hard to believe that a very large trout in the massive Colorado River will seek and eat such a tiny fly. They do. While the Colorado River at Lees Ferry is ideally suited to fly-fishing and is our primary emphasis, spin casting with appropriate barbless lures can be equally rewarding.

Lees Ferry is managed as a trophy trout fishery. The river yields wild rainbow trout from 14 to 22 inches. And larger.

Our philosophy of caring for this treasure of a river as a living resource will provide angling adventures for the next generation … and the next.

lfa fish coral

Come Prepared

Recommended Gear

Year Round

A long-billed cap with sun protection, rain gear.

Summer

Wear light weight, light colors, light jacket.

Spring & Fall

Medium weights, light sweater or sweatshirt, warm jacket, wool or polypro hat for riding in the boat.

Winter

Wear very warm clothes to be layered. Ski-type parka, hats, gloves, boots, etc.

Lees Ferry Anglers

Where it all begins. We are Arizona’s largest fly fishing outfitter and oldest fly shop at the crown of the Grand Canyon.

Our Guides

We pride ouselves in being great teachers, patient companions and love to share our knowledge of fishing the Colorado.

River Report

Everything you need to know from our guides to your lines. Get a heads up of how the mighty Colorado will treat you.

Fisherman Outfitting

Lees Ferry Anglers Fly Shop

Whether you’re buying gear for fishing Lees Ferry or more distant waters, we can provide you with the equipment that has passed our own personal trials and punishment. Visit Fly Shop
flygrid brands