Fishing Season: May through October

Little Colorado River - AZ

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

52

Orvis Phoenix 's Tip of the Week

May is always a slow season here, things get better as the days and nights warm up. We like to fish the wilderness section after 9am once the water is warmer! Dry Dropper is always king here in May. Caddis and Mayflies in particular. Purple haze is a strong favorite!

Directions open in app

Map of Little Colorado River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 5/17/24

getting better every day!

Techniques & Tips as of 5/17/24

We love to prospect with purple haze dry flies, Caddis imitations and Ants. If you would like to throw a dropper on there, a frenchie or any confidence pattern mayfly is great. Sometimes small leeches can be irresistible to hiding trout if they haven't been spooked already. Please remember upstream of the Wilderness Section is closed Dec 31st to May 1st

Local Species Available May through October

  • Fish Icon

    Apache Trout

Orvis Phoenix 's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Elk Wing Caddis Olive,Tan, Grey 12-18
Rosenbauer Parachute Beetle Black 14
Schroeder's Parachute Hopper tan, olive 12-16
Orvis CJ Nymph red, green 16-20
Egans Frenchie N/A 16-18
Duracell Jig Brown 16-18
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer Black, olive 4-12
Hopper Tan, Olive 10-14

Elk Wing Caddis

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Item #0378

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Orvis Phoenix 's Recommended Gear

Description: About Little Colorado River

The Little Colorado starts high in the White Mountains and there are several areas that provide good access to this small stream. This stream flows through the town of Greer, Arizona and has easy access in and around town. There is also some private water called the X-Diamond Ranch just downstream of Greer. This is a very small stream, but there are some good fish that are found every year and it runs through some of the best country Arizona has to offer

Nearest Airport:

Pinetop-Lakeside

Hatches:

Mayflies Terrestrials Caddis Midges

Best Time to Fish:

Morning and Late afternoon

Best Stretch:

Greer to Sheeps Crossing

Best Access:

Sheeps Crossing