I have fished East Fork of the Black River, AZ since the 70's. My favorite place in the world. In September of 2000, I caught a 7 lb Brown Trout...yes, that's right, a 7 pounder out of that little stream. Big Lake general store should still have a picture of it, last time I checked. I have a few favorite spots on that river that never let me down. Great video, hope you post more in AZ.
I used to live in that country when I was 16, which was 45 years ago. Fished Big Lake many times, Crescent (it's next door neighbor more often) Both lakes in those days were only stocked with fingerling rainbow. It is encouraging to see multi species there now. Also, seeing Elk was rare and I understand it is no more. One has to give the AZ game a fish a kudos for this. Even back then the fish were huge and hung near the weed beds on shore. We used peacock lady's, black gnat, wooly worms. Big Lake has some 20 lb + fish in it...or it used to. Nice fish, especially that last cutthroat. Thanks for memories from many years ago. And, yes it can really get dangerous windy on both lakes.
I don't know when you were fishing there. We were fishing there a lot in the 80's, and yes, they stocked fingerling trout for the "tourist" who didn't know how to fish, and to feed some of those bigger trout. We rarely caught rainbows out of big lake, It was usually brown with an occasional brook.. There were some big boys in that lake, but they were smart. Crescent had some fish kill years more often, but also had some bruiser rainbows. ....and I loved Mexican Hay lake when it had water/fish. That was such a fun lake because it was lure and fly only. I loved trying to sneak up on those little fish in the little colorado too.. I really miss going up there, lots of great memories from that area. It's funny, I know exactly the little cove they caught that first rainbow out of, because that's where I always fished. The last few times I had gone there, it had really gone down hill from droughts and over fishing. Looks like I may have to plan to visit again. The Game and Fish do stock a much better variety of sizes now days..
Used to frequent the myself, from when l was a kid till I moved to Montana in 2000. Great seeing it again. Nice that they have cutthroat up there now. Take care and God bless you and yours.
Wow, she really put you guys on the fish! And i see your man Brooks getting those shots- good composition, rack focus, Good bRoll and even lizard pushups 💪🏻😎👍🏻 PS who knew Arizona wasn’t just a big desert?!?
I live in Greer for about 20 yes big lake trout when we ate them were great . crescent lake right adjacent they tasted like snail mud ??? There's a old friend in Greer named Bob Pollack he is a wealth of info .
Small part of AZ. Maybe you should come back and fish the Grand Canyon and Colorado river. Salt river chain in springtime, and maybe the Mogollon rim and catch a Tiger trout.
Last time I fished this lake was 2016 with my then best friend. It is a beautiful lake, but the conditions were terrible back then with a huge algae bloom. We spent 5 days up there and covered a lot of water including all the Reservoirs in Greer, & Christmas Tree Lake. Fishing sucked, but still had a great time. I love my state of AZ without a doubt, but no longer see it as a “trout destination.” Having taken a travel intensive career since then, I’m fortunate enough to travel to Idaho 4-5 times a year, Northern California (Tahoe area) 6 times a year, Utah, Montana & most recently Arkansas (White River), I’m lucky enough that I always pack my fly rod & waders. The fishing at those places is on another level. Maybe I’ll revisit this lake one of these days to chase stockers again.
What a beautiful drift boat! I'd hate to use something that pretty here, it would get beat to crap. My Dad's Alumiweld looks like it's been through several wars at this point. The bottom needs to be replaced because of one too many rocks. Edit: If it interests you at all, that lizard was a Blue Belly Lizard. The dangers of flyfishing with a Herpetologist. 😂
Come to Connecticut man, got some good fishing here, and a boat. Saltwater, freshwater, whatever you want. I'm in Stonington/Mystic and have a center console set up for the Sound, but also have friends on the Farmington River if you're looking for freshwater action. Also 15 minutes from Rhode Island by land or boat. You could kill two birds with one stone.
You call it the ultimate hidden gem? Not anymore!! It used to be completely unknown back in the 60s when I started going up there and started living up there! Back then I could go up Paradise Creek or go over to A1 Lake and never see anybody all day! Now you go up there in July and it's like you're in the middle of a city park!!! Although there still are a few places you can find where there aren't very many people but definitely not during the holidays!
What type of kayak carrier do you have on your truck and could you talk about it a little bit? By the way love your stuff, been following you for like 3 years
Everywhere was better in the 60s. There is Big Lake, Cresent, Sunrise, Hawley, Xmas tree, Hurricane, Reservation,Lee Valley,Becker,Nelson, Horseshoe, ect.........
I hate to say this but if you didn't bring the fish to hand or net by yourself, you didn't catch it, the guide caught it. If I had a guide to net my fish several feet or more away from me, I'd NEVER get skunked.
how are the trout spawning without moving water? trout don't spawn in lakes unless it has a feeder stream with moving water. stocked trout will do a "mock" spawn in lakes though and usually near a boat launch where they were put into the lake from the hatchery truck.
I have fished East Fork of the Black River, AZ since the 70's. My favorite place in the world. In September of 2000, I caught a 7 lb Brown Trout...yes, that's right, a 7 pounder out of that little stream. Big Lake general store should still have a picture of it, last time I checked. I have a few favorite spots on that river that never let me down. Great video, hope you post more in AZ.
You absolutely chose the right guide! Cinda is truly a legend and incredible fisherwoman and teacher! Great film!
Cinda is a legend.
Great job up there, glad you had a good time.
Dont be afraid to get the fish onto the reel. Let the drag do its job.
I used to live in that country when I was 16, which was 45 years ago. Fished Big Lake many times, Crescent (it's next door neighbor more often) Both lakes in those days were only stocked with fingerling rainbow. It is encouraging to see multi species there now. Also, seeing Elk was rare and I understand it is no more. One has to give the AZ game a fish a kudos for this. Even back then the fish were huge and hung near the weed beds on shore. We used peacock lady's, black gnat, wooly worms. Big Lake has some 20 lb + fish in it...or it used to. Nice fish, especially that last cutthroat. Thanks for memories from many years ago. And, yes it can really get dangerous windy on both lakes.
I don't know when you were fishing there. We were fishing there a lot in the 80's, and yes, they stocked fingerling trout for the "tourist" who didn't know how to fish, and to feed some of those bigger trout. We rarely caught rainbows out of big lake, It was usually brown with an occasional brook.. There were some big boys in that lake, but they were smart. Crescent had some fish kill years more often, but also had some bruiser rainbows. ....and I loved Mexican Hay lake when it had water/fish. That was such a fun lake because it was lure and fly only. I loved trying to sneak up on those little fish in the little colorado too.. I really miss going up there, lots of great memories from that area. It's funny, I know exactly the little cove they caught that first rainbow out of, because that's where I always fished. The last few times I had gone there, it had really gone down hill from droughts and over fishing. Looks like I may have to plan to visit again. The Game and Fish do stock a much better variety of sizes now days..
Used to frequent the myself, from when l was a kid till I moved to Montana in 2000. Great seeing it again. Nice that they have cutthroat up there now. Take care and God bless you and yours.
Cinda’s boat is just a gorgeous craft. And there’s no better guide for that lake.
Agreed on both counts!
Lower Black near Whiteriver and Fort Apache is the primo in my opinion. Really good Smallmouth fishing.
Beautiful beautiful trout.Arizona? Who would have thought.🎣
Arizona is one of the most beautiful states.
@@BareFootCalvin Yes Yes it is!!
this is my hometown! fished big lake many many times.
What a hidden gem! We loved it there
Let's go! Best YT fishing content on the interweb!!! Thanks Robert! 🎣🎣🎣
My grandpa and grandma moved to rainbow lake back in the 70s. We fished everywhere up there..
Born and raised in AZ I grew up on Rainbow lake and Petes Retreat in the 80's. I loved it there hunting fishing outdoor paradise!
I have fished Big Lake many times. A great fishery.
Epic fishing as always, what a beautiful place and Cindas boat was awesome.
AZ boy here love Big lake and Hawley Lake in the White Mountains. Where my dad taught me to fish. Great memories.
When you think of Arizona, elk don’t come to mind? That’s wild! One of the first things I think of.
Wow, she really put you guys on the fish! And i see your man Brooks getting those shots-
good composition, rack focus,
Good bRoll and even lizard pushups 💪🏻😎👍🏻
PS who knew Arizona wasn’t just a big desert?!?
Just moved to the area. Thanks for the vlog!
For a second I thought you were talking about the og white mountains in New Hampshire and was so hyped
I live in Greer for about 20 yes big lake trout when we ate them were great . crescent lake right adjacent they tasted like snail mud ??? There's a old friend in Greer named Bob Pollack he is a wealth of info .
Small part of AZ. Maybe you should come back and fish the Grand Canyon and Colorado river. Salt river chain in springtime, and maybe the Mogollon rim and catch a Tiger trout.
Nice fishing uncle ❤❤❤❤❤
Last time I fished this lake was 2016 with my then best friend. It is a beautiful lake, but the conditions were terrible back then with a huge algae bloom. We spent 5 days up there and covered a lot of water including all the Reservoirs in Greer, & Christmas Tree Lake. Fishing sucked, but still had a great time. I love my state of AZ without a doubt, but no longer see it as a “trout destination.” Having taken a travel intensive career since then, I’m fortunate enough to travel to Idaho 4-5 times a year, Northern California (Tahoe area) 6 times a year, Utah, Montana & most recently Arkansas (White River), I’m lucky enough that I always pack my fly rod & waders. The fishing at those places is on another level. Maybe I’ll revisit this lake one of these days to chase stockers again.
Legendary
Great stuff, man!
Awesome stuff
Wow! I got skunked fly fishing that area a couple years ago.
Cinda is the best.
You were seriously in my town ..go figure..I would've taken you to some sweet spots besides big lake
Yes!!!! 5 hours to go.
Great video quality 👌
The rare Salmo Apache, thought they could only be hooked on Christmas
They are...or were 45 years ago, in small creeks and such, you could get them. They weren''t protected then I don't think.
I graduated high school from Springerville. God's country.
Rob’ I was watching this video and you had a black bear walk right past you, in the background. I am guessing about a 400 lb bear.
i just got a fly rod it’s ancient but this gets me excited to get out and get fish on it
Gurglers on sinking leader lines. Stop and go retrieve so it goes up and down in the water. Works well there.
Lol at the lizard 🦎 doing pushups 😅
That’s Johnny Bravo. He’s showing all the lady lizards the way to the beach
Great vid Bro !!! Brookes does a great job when he is with you !!! What a beautiful place and a great guide!!!! 🎣🐟
I like videos like this, greetings from a hobby from Indonesia 👈☕
Big lake will kick your backside in a float tube....wind never ends
What a beautiful drift boat! I'd hate to use something that pretty here, it would get beat to crap. My Dad's Alumiweld looks like it's been through several wars at this point. The bottom needs to be replaced because of one too many rocks.
Edit: If it interests you at all, that lizard was a Blue Belly Lizard. The dangers of flyfishing with a Herpetologist. 😂
Cinda sold me my first fly-rod ?? years ago!
Come to Connecticut man, got some good fishing here, and a boat. Saltwater, freshwater, whatever you want. I'm in Stonington/Mystic and have a center console set up for the Sound, but also have friends on the Farmington River if you're looking for freshwater action.
Also 15 minutes from Rhode Island by land or boat. You could kill two birds with one stone.
You call it the ultimate hidden gem? Not anymore!! It used to be completely unknown back in the 60s when I started going up there and started living up there! Back then I could go up Paradise Creek or go over to A1 Lake and never see anybody all day! Now you go up there in July and it's like you're in the middle of a city park!!! Although there still are a few places you can find where there aren't very many people but definitely not during the holidays!
Man, I believe it. There are very few truly unknown wild places left these days.
Dont forget Hawley and Cyclone Lake as well. Always packed but still beautiful.
Arizona is truly a gem full with history but the people are destroying it slowly
Thank the internet any new entitled generation
Man I miss fly fishing
She is great with that net catching that cut throat
Let's go on a two or three day alligator gar kayak camping trip.
😊what type of gear would I need, Im new to fly fishing
You can see it was made in May or earlier because I went there in June and there was significantly less snow
Apache trout the best like salmon but good
What type of kayak carrier do you have on your truck and could you talk about it a little bit? By the way love your stuff, been following you for like 3 years
What Lake did you fish
Everywhere was better in the 60s. There is Big Lake, Cresent, Sunrise, Hawley, Xmas tree, Hurricane, Reservation,Lee Valley,Becker,Nelson, Horseshoe, ect.........
Why would elk not come to mind when you think of Arizona
what? where campsite you camping? full rv hookups?
What lake?
Big Lake
huge trout there guys.. do your state limit at 5 a day..??
Dude…… you were kinda dissin on poor Brooks there. Nice video besides that
Wait…the two “spawners” are spawning??
Nothing gets past her…captain obvious 🙄
I hate to say this but if you didn't bring the fish to hand or net by yourself, you didn't catch it, the guide caught it. If I had a guide to net my fish several feet or more away from me, I'd NEVER get skunked.
If you say so brother
Hahah who cares. He’s not in a bass comp
Great video bro really enjoyed it! Haters will hate🤷🏾♂️
how are the trout spawning without moving water? trout don't spawn in lakes unless it has a feeder stream with moving water. stocked trout will do a "mock" spawn in lakes though and usually near a boat launch where they were put into the lake from the hatchery truck.