Arizona Forest Lake Bass Fly Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Escape Phoenix heat with cooler mountain lake fishingGuided boat trips targeting bass near Payson areaPrivate experience with scenic wildlife viewing opportunities
Beat the Phoenix heat and get your line wet in some of Arizona's most productive bass waters. Our forest lake fly fishing trips take you up to the cool mountains near Payson and the Mogollon Rim, where temperatures drop a solid 20 degrees and the bass are active all day long. You'll spend your day casting from our comfortable boat, working structure-rich shorelines and drop-offs where both smallmouth and largemouth bass love to hunt. This is premium fly fishing territory that locals have kept quiet for years, and we're excited to share these hidden gems with serious anglers who appreciate quality fishing without the crowds.
This is a personalized, one-on-one guided experience that puts you right where the bass are feeding. We launch early and spend the day working different sections of these pristine mountain lakes, adjusting our approach based on weather conditions and fish behavior. The boat gives us access to deeper water and allows us to cover more productive zones throughout the day. You'll be casting to rocky points, submerged timber, and weed lines where bass set up to ambush prey. The scenery alone is worth the trip – think towering ponderosa pines, crystal-clear water, and wildlife sightings that include elk, deer, and various bird species. Lunch is provided streamside, giving you time to recharge while we discuss afternoon strategy. The relaxed pace means we can focus on technique refinement and reading water, making this perfect for both intermediate and advanced fly anglers.
We fish primarily with streamers and poppers, matching the forage base these bass are accustomed to. Woolly buggers, clouser minnows, and crayfish patterns produce consistently, especially when worked along rocky structure where bass hunt. Surface action with poppers and deer hair bugs can be explosive during morning and evening periods when bass move shallow to feed. We use 6-8 weight rods to handle the larger flies and give you the backbone needed to turn fish away from structure. The retrieve technique varies throughout the day – slow strips work well in cooler water, while faster, more aggressive presentations trigger strikes when bass are active. We'll also spend time perfecting your double haul and working on accuracy, since precise casting to structure is key to success on these lakes. Strip setting becomes crucial when fishing streamers, and we'll make sure you're confident with this technique before we hit the prime spots.
Smallmouth bass in these mountain lakes are absolute fighters that will test your tackle and skills. They typically run 12-16 inches with some reaching the 18-20 inch range, and they're known for their aerial displays and strong runs toward deep water. Spring through fall offers the best action, with early morning and late afternoon being prime time. These fish relate heavily to rocky structure and drop-offs, making them perfect targets for streamer fishing. What makes smallmouth special here is their aggressive nature – they'll chase flies a long distance and often hit with surprising violence. The clear, cool water keeps them active longer into the day compared to their warm-water cousins.
Largemouth bass in these forest lakes behave differently than their desert counterparts, preferring cooler water and showing more consistent feeding patterns throughout the day. They average 14-18 inches with some real toads pushing 20+ inches lurking in the deeper sections. These fish key in on structure like submerged logs, rock piles, and weed edges where they set up ambush points. Summer months see them relating to deeper water during midday, but they'll move shallow to feed when conditions are right. Largemouth here are notorious for their power – they use the structure to their advantage and will test your drag settings. They respond well to both surface presentations and subsurface flies, making them versatile targets that keep the day interesting.
This top-rated mountain lake experience fills up quickly, especially during peak summer months when valley temperatures soar. The combination of cooler weather, active bass, and stunning scenery creates the perfect recipe for a memorable day on the water. Whether you're looking to escape the heat, improve your fly fishing skills, or simply enjoy some of Arizona's best bass fishing, this trip delivers on all fronts. The personalized attention ensures you'll learn new techniques while experiencing consistent action throughout the day. Don't let another summer pass fishing in 110-degree heat when you could be casting to aggressive bass in 70-degree mountain paradise. Contact Lo Water Guide Service today to secure your dates and get ready for world-class bass fly fishing that will have you planning your return trip before we even reach the dock.
Your fishing platform is a custom-built 16-foot Stealthcraft Flatscraft designed specifically for Arizona lake fly fishing. This smooth-riding, high-powered boat cuts through the water quietly, getting you into prime bass territory without spooking the fish. The deck setup is perfect for fly casting - you'll fish from the foredeck or elevated casting platform when sight fishing, with plenty of open space for your backcast. Eight rigged rods stay ready to go, and there's a selection of proven Arizona bass flies for whatever conditions we encounter. The boat's equipped with GPS and fish finder to locate structure and schools, plus an ice-filled cooler with room for your drinks and snacks. The shallow draft design lets us work shorelines, drop-offs, and cover that bigger boats can't reach. Just bring soft-soled shoes or wear socks on deck to protect the surface, and don't forget eye protection for safety while casting.
Micropterus SalmoidesLargemouth bass are the classic American gamefish, and our mountain lakes grow some quality ones. Expect fish in the 14-20 inch range, with plenty weighing 2-4 pounds. They're ambush predators with massive mouths - hence the name - and they're not shy about crushing a well-presented fly. Unlike their smallmouth cousins, largemouth prefer weedy areas and structure like fallen trees or boat docks. They'll hit topwater flies early morning and late evening, making for some explosive surface action that'll get your adrenaline going. What's great about largemouth is they're aggressive and relatively easy to locate. They don't spook as easily as other species, so you get multiple shots at fish. The fight is different too - more bulldogging power than aerial acrobatics. Here's a local trick: throw bright streamers or poppers near any vegetation edges. These fish are sight feeders and that contrast between open water and cover is where they set up to feed.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are scrappy fighters that'll give you a real workout on fly gear. These bronze-backed beauties average 12-16 inches in our mountain lakes, with the occasional 18-incher to get your heart pumping. They love rocky bottoms and clear water, which is exactly what we have up here on the Rim. Spring and fall are prime time when they cruise shallow structure, but summer fishing can be fantastic too since they move deeper where it's cooler - perfect for our boat setup. What makes smallmouth special is their attitude. Pound for pound, they're some of the hardest fighting freshwater fish you'll encounter. They'll jump, run, and try every trick to shake your fly. The meat's firm and tasty too if you decide to keep a few. Pro tip: look for submerged boulders and rocky points. Cast your streamer just past the structure and strip it back along the edge - that's where they ambush prey.
Phoenix, AZ