Silver Creek

October 2008

After a wonderful weekend in Greer we decided to stop by Silver Creek on our way home. I had heard some good things about the Creek, and although as I was told it is not a very technical fishery there were several stories of some big fish. I had also heard that it was a pretty well maintained area so I figured it would be a good place for us all as a family to take a break and have some fun for a couple of hours before heading home. So after stopping by the local general store of the town of Silver Creek to get directions we finally found our way to the creek. Silver Creek is one of the few fisheries in Arizona that mandate catch and release only as well as artificial lure and fly only regulations. I am a strong believer in catch and release regulations and am glad to see the state supporting the sport.






We made it to the creek early in the afternoon with the thought of fishing for a couple of hours or so while exploring the area. I was not to optimistic after talking to two fishermen that had just spend the day with out a bite. However on the first hole I was landing my first Apache trout (native only to Arizona waters, as well as the only fish to come off of the endangered species list). Turned out that the fishing was actually rocking and we were landing Apaches and Rainbows every 10 minutes or so. Pretty soon an hour turned into several hours, luckly I have the most patient wife and son and we were all having a blast exloring the creek and catching fish. Finally when we were about to call it a day we came a cross a whole that was producing a fish on every drift. After several smaller fish I hooked into my first really big (over 14 inces) fish of the day and landed a 18.5" Apache. If that was'nt enough after a few more casts I hooked into a fish that ran me 30 feet up the creek the second I set the hook, after several more runs, as well as struggling to land him in my net which was half the length of the net I landed this beautiful 24" rainbow. One of the best parts about fishing with my wife is she takes some amazing pictures. It ended up being a wonderul day for fishing as well as some family fun, the only way this sport can get any better is when you get to share it with the ones you love.