Jim Goughnour of Rim Country Custom Rods reported trout fishing any Rim Country stream or lake is excellent. From the novice to expert, trout anglers are enjoying the outdoors and catching the quality trout offered in Rim Country. Dry flies, grubs, Powerbait and small spinner-baits in a size 0 were reported successful.
Jim Goughnour of Rim Country Custom Rods previously reported that most trout stream anglers are waiting for better weather and those who did fish reported poor conditions.
The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Warning for the upcoming weekend due to snow, but Paysonites will only need an umbrella. Snow levels are predicted to drop to 6,500 feet by Sunday. The week’s sunny cool weather will become increasingly unsettled starting on Friday. As the weekend progresses, the storm will surge in intensity through to Sunday. “Some high elevation areas could see accumulating snow with winter driving conditions, especially Saturday night and Sunday, but it is too early to determine specific amounts and locations,” wrote the NWS earlier in the week. Early predictions cannot tell if the system will move in a more northerly direction, which would bring snow, or a southeast direction, which would bring rain. What’s for sure — rain. The chance for showers increases from 20 percent on Friday to 90 percent on Saturday. However, the weather should improve by Monday with mostly sunny skies the NWS reports. The dams around Rim Country don’t face the threat of bursting with Roosevelt at only 55 percent of capacity. The other reservoirs in the Verde system range from 90 to 96 percent full.
Creeks below the Mogollon Rim Jim Goughnour of Rim Country Custom Rods reported that most all of the lakes and/or roads on the Mogollon Rim are frozen over. For those who like to ice fish, now is your time to enjoy winter fishing. Be sure to call for road conditions prior to heading to your favorite lake.