Gorgeous pristine grasslands near Patagonia, Arizona.
Jackie, the dogs and I decided to visit friends on the Arizona-Mexican border this week. We met Ron and Char at their camp near Patagonia, Az and proceeded to nearby grasslands, some of the last remaining unfragmented grassland ecosystem between California and Texas. Here Arizona white and Emory oak trees dot the nearby canyons, washes and vast grasslands.
We stopped to admire the views, let the dogs run and talk about a huge coatimundi we’d seen along the way. While enjoying the quiet open vistas a pickup truck drove up and the driver popped out to visit. It turned out the driver, Gooch, owned the ranchland we sat on. Sensing good-karma we discussed his ranch, preserving this incredible grassland ecosystem, conservation easements and protecting clean water and air. It turns out Gooch works with the Patagonia Area Resource Alliance, a grassroots non-profit Alliance committed to preserving and protecting this area. Gooch explained this citizen watchdog organization monitors the activities of nearby mining companies as well as ensuring government agencies due diligence to make sure their activities have long term sustainable benefits to public lands, water and the small town of Patagonia, Az. I encouraged Gooch to have his organization contact 1% for the Planet to make sure they become part of the long list of research and approved conservation causes to receive donations from 1% members. Please take a moment and enjoy PARA’s website attached here and if you visit the area stop in for a visit. Too, if you have a few extra bucks send a donation to this fine group of people working so hard to make sure we’ll forever have this valuable grassland and its wildlife, protecting this ecosystem’s clean water and air for future generations to enjoy.
Dozer points covey of quail near Patagonia, Arizona.
Next we stopped at a seasonal stream. Here we have lunch, lean back on the warm bank and grab a short knap. I look up and become homesick as clouds of midges swarmed overhead. I could not help think about missing winter midge fishing on the Madison, Henry’s Fork and Livingston’s spring creeks.
I daydream about big wild trout rising to tiny, emerging midges. Rainbow and brown trout coming up for #22-24 midge emergers, their heads poking straight up, completely out of the water like a porpoise nosing a ball.
United States/Mexico border.
I sneak close to rising fish being extra careful, trout feeding on midges do so in shallow water and spook easily. I approach from downstream keeping in mind fish rising to midges do so in very narrow feeding lanes and I must deliver a pinpoint accurate presentation. There are often many fish rising, I can’t flock shoot and spray casts or I’ll put the risers down. Instead I pick a good fish and present my pattern a foot or two above it allowing the fly to drift naturally without drag.
I’ll use three feet of 6x tippet, knotting on a Scotty’s or Improved Zelon Midge, both patterns imitate an emerging midge stuck in its pupal shuck, unable to escape the surface film and one trout key on and recognize as easy prey since it cannot readily fly off the water.
I smile knowing we’ll be back in snowy Montana soon and I’ll be fishing midge times on the river. Today though we’ll continue our drive and tour near Sierra Vista and Hereford, Az enjoying warm sun and friends.
Craig and Jackie at United States of America and Mexico border.
Stay tuned here for winter midge fishing reports, new fly pattern and tying material ideas and thoughts on fishing gear- new products, fly-fishing etiquette and much more to follow soon. Thanks for reading!