Canyon Creek located in the Mogollon Rim area is one of the best Arizona trout streams. The upper portion of the Canyon Creek lies in the Tonto National Forest but most of the fifty mile stream flows through the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation.
In 2002, Canyon Creek was destroyed by the Rodeo-Chediski fire that swept through that area and most of the trout did not survive the fire and the resulting sediment resulting from the run off. However, as of the present day, Canyon Creek has made a full recovery and supports a good population of wild, stream-bred brown trout. Rainbows are not self sustaining and are stocked by the Canyon Creek Hatchery which is located near the headwaters of Canyon Creek. Cold clear water is captured from a spring and it flows into the hatchery and then into Canyon Creek.
From the Apache Indian Reservation up to the OW Bridge is managed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department as “catch and release” with artificial flies and lures only. If you choose the Tonto National Forest side, you will need a special pass. If yoou choose to fish in the White Mountain Apache Indian Reservation you will need to get a permit from them.
Remember that if you are fishing for the stocked rainbow trout, you can use about any generic fly because they are not selective. However, if you are going to fish for the big wild bred brown trout you will have a greater challenge. They simply are not fooled easy. The flies sold at the Troutprostore are designed to imitate the natural food found in the stream and these flies will produce more trout than the generic fly patterns sold at most fly shops.
Spring:
Starting in May, there will be several hatches of mayflies including the most prolific hatch which is the Blue Winged Olives. Midge larva and pupa will be good all year. Fishing will be good for the entire length of the stream.
Summer:
Summer is a good time to fish the upper section of Canyon Creek and terrestrials will be a good choice. Also in the deeper pools, streamers will be effective. In the lower sections the water may be too warm at times, so it is best not to stress the trout during these periods.
Fall:The fall season will prove to be best for the stream bred wild brown trout as they will spawn in the early fall. The second brood of the Blue Winged Olives, will be good as well as the Midges, and streamers.
The Canyon Creek Hatchery is located approximately 45 miles east of Payson. Take Hwy 260 and turn south on to Young Road (F/R 288), go three miles and turn east on F/R 33 and go about 5 miles to the hatchery. These are winding dirt roads after Hwy 260 so some caution is necessary. Family camping is available at Airplane Flats Campground.
Canyon Creek has any prolifice hatches of Mayflies and other aquatic insects.