Secrets of the Southwest | One amazing month fly fishing Arizona (backcountry adventure)

I never hear any rumblings of state like Arizona being known for its incredible fishing.. Especially when stacked up to some of its northern neighbors.. Many fly fisherman flock to states like Colorado and Utah without so much as a second thought. But this place has been stuck in my mind now for a long time.. and I knew I needed to make my way back
With over Half of the 48th state being classified as a arid and semiarid, this can seem like an awfully strange place if you consider yourself an angler. The knee jerk of public perception tends to label the “Grand Canyon State” as JUST another desert.. For those bold enough to follow your ears and seek out the trail less followed, you’ll see that god truly enriches this mysterious land..Ditat Deus..
Your eyes can feast upon thousands of miles of cold, clean, and clear water meandering through the pine flats and red rocks alike. Boundless is the best way to describe the Opportunities for the angler willing to embrace a little bit of adventure. Be it tiny trickles rushing out of the surrounding mountains, or deep canyon rivers cutting their way through the rocky crag. There is a lot of water..
Finding where to fish can be the easy part, getting there is what separates the wheat from the chaff. Ankle breaking angles tend to be sharper than the cactus clawing at your body and very real danger can always be waiting around that next river bend. Thunderstorms, rockslides, floods, bears, mountain lions, venomous snakes, and much MUCH more are all real possibilities in Arizona.
So is the juice really worth the squeeze? When you compare the rare native trout species holding out in their isolated drainages to the potential for monstrous non native fish species dominating the big water, there is such a wide range of angling opportunities for anglers of any interest level.
Between backpacking, Truck camping, and simple day trips I will be joined by some of my best fishy friends to hunt down the unique fly fishing experiences throughout this desert state and document them all.
Folks this is going to be one entire month fly fishing Arizona.. I hope you enjoy because it all starts now.. Hope you enjoy the story.
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Reference:
3:20 - Week 1 (Mogollon Rim Streams)
perfectflystore.com/your-stre...
www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cocon...
30:25 - Weeknight Session (Apache Streams)
www.azgfd.com/fishing-2/fishi...
www.azgfd.com/wildlife-conser....
34:18 - Week 2 (Mogollon Rim Streams)
www.azgfd.com/fishing-2/fishi...
www.azgfd.com/species/gila-tr...
1:09:00 - Week 3 (Black River)
www.flyfisherman.com/editoria...
1:25:00 - Week 4 (Black River)
www.flyfisherman.com/editoria...

[@5perfect5]

idk how this doesn’t have millions of views… the over all production and story telling is beautiful!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!!

[@allexkowalsky4168]

FAX

[@elementfishing]

Agreed, eloquent with his words. I'd love to have a conversation with him.

[@jason-ian-Van-Sloten]

Well i do...too much drama acting ..just 1 minute in .. i heard. ' oh my gosh 3 times.. .thought some one was in a life threatening situation or witnessed a life threatening situation or someone busted a nut..but he was just fishing.. So.. i moved on. I dont want to invest into an hour of dramatics . So.. I did invest into this comment .

[@4ndyRae]

Barrio blondes in the wild, cheers from Tucson.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Cheers brother!

[@ScrappySZN]

I'll Be Waiting Patiently 🤟🏼❤️‍🔥⚡️👏🏼🧠

[@FLYALLSZN]

Hope you enjoyed!

[@atorrealba6314]

Absolutely the best in the business… The fishing, cámara work, and narrative has no comparison. I follow quite a few fly fishing channels, none like this one… Kudos Mike!

[@FLYALLSZN]

That means so much! Thank you so much for the support!

[@atorrealba6314]

@@FLYALLSZN When are we doing a TX edition?

[@FLYALLSZN]

@@atorrealba6314 I've heard good things about the texas coast

[@atorrealba6314]

@@FLYALLSZN Sure, but that is a different game... The Guadalupe River is the southern most river in the US that holds trout... a treat for Texans! Also, fly fishing for bass can be pretty fun! Plan a hunt for Trout in the Guadalupe River, try to complete the Bass Trifecta, Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Guadalupe Bass

[@Qietman]

Love your Warren Miller Vibe! Thanks for sharing.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@7liter.v814]

I wasn't expecting to stay hooked for 2 hours. Killer video, dude! You've got a strong vocabulary and production skills. Just subscribed.

[@josephleopold7134]

Subscribed and like. Arizona doesn’t get the credit it deserves for it’s hunting and fishing. It’s got patches of heaven on earth.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you! Couldn't agree more!

[@barns.flydrift]

the video i've been wanting and waiting for, turns out to be the video i needed 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@FLYALLSZN]

I am so glad it delivered!

[@caseycravens7062]

Once again, great content. I love those desert mountain trout.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much Casey!

[@intothewildwego7085]

Such a badass video, Mike! Love seeing you and Jackson out in the AZ wild. Congratulations on your epic slice of AZ butter!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you!! It was an absolute blast!

[@johnsagar7882]

Great job on this project and I am so very impressed with a project of yours that you spoke mainly on safety that I was very impressed with.I fell in some stream side Rip Rap and broke my back the hard part was getting myself out of the woods alone and no cellphone service. I’m 75 but now I don’t go alone at all that was great info that u put out and thanks again for a good evening watching your travels. Rick Sagar

[@gregjepsen7155]

Great video! After a hellish summer in Phoenix, this has given me even more inspiration to hit the White Mountains this fall.

[@scottrick5190]

Great adventure Mike, I really appreciate the effort, keep em coming!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much Scott!

[@owenlewis6613]

Hey awesome work mike! I’ve been a fan for a while now and I love how you combine the great fly fishing and adventure with the cinematic story telling. Great work man! Looks like a trip of a lifetime!

[@FLYALLSZN]

I really appreciate that! I do my best to capture more than just the random fish or how I'm casting. Folks that have done it long enough know it tends to be about so much more.

[@tonypana9461]

Congrats for your hard work , I can tell all the effort that is going on camera and off it . Top of the notch content ! Beautiful shots of those canyons, you really captured the beauty of Arizona. And, OMG !seriously....you were able to find those awesome trout , apache and gila, real gems ,that was a total highlight! Keep up your great work !!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!! I really try hard to capture as much of the picture as possible! Just you saying that tells me I did a decent job of show and tell.

[@trevorm574]

Just recently found your channel. Thanks for the great tips and mellow presentation. Just perfect!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Of course! So glad you enjoy!

[@kdemps8964]

A fantastic watch, this is awesome!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!!

[@michaelgellenoncourt2876]

Dude first video I see of you, and damn it is good ! I like your vibe and adventures ! Thanks from France for cleaning up your rivers and packing up more ! I try to do the same thing when I'm out fishing ! I obviously subscribed, liked and everything, thanks for you awsome videos can't wait to see some more !

[@FLYALLSZN]

France! That is so cool! So glad you enjoyed the adventure, there are many more to come

[@donaldturner5124]

What a beautiful and unique area! Thank you.

[@FLYALLSZN]

So much to see and do out that way if you know where to look!

[@Operocks]

That’s a good idea using chert for tumbling media vs ceramic, I may have to try that! Thanks for the tip!

[@darrelbaillie7829]

Long time, no see Mike. Thank you once again for a great video, and sharing your awesome adventures 😀. Take care, and tight lines

[@FLYALLSZN]

Howdy Darrel! Thank you so much! Tight lines to you too

[@ptwccrider]

Great vids , content and awesome scenery!! Great watch. Thank you

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you!!

[@coltinyocom]

Gotta appreciate how much effort went into making a video like this! Solid content brother!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed!

[@MrMonkey9911]

Dude, solid content. Soooo watchable.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!

[@leemowers9395]

Thanks Mike for an entertaining video.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Of course! So glad you liked it!

[@ernestfernandezii639]

Well done!

[@cades8470]

Awesome video man! As someone who’s also been learning streamer fishing I’ve found not lifting the rod at all until two or three strips with the fish hooked seems to help me a ton with getting fish to the net. Keep up the awesome filming!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you! It is quite the learning process.

[@masonfarr4405]

Just gained a new sub! Great video! Can’t wait to watch all the others and the ones to come!

[@frasercrichton76]

Great channel 🎣🎣🎣🎣👍

[@VerdeValleyAngler]

I loved every minute of this adventure! I live in Arizona, and I have fished at all of these places, so I really appreciate the extreme effort you put in to create such beautiful content. What fun!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Glad you enjoyed it! Seriously thank you for the support!

[@oncelovedtwicecircumcised3320]

What places? Names?

[@oncelovedtwicecircumcised3320]

Would love to visit some of these places

[@ajj4483]

Epic video, thank you for sharing your adventure..tight lines from Ireland☘

[@FLYALLSZN]

Ireland! That’s so cool! Glad you liked it

[@bensheridan2774]

You do a really great job on these videos. Being an Arizonian we've enjoy the uniqueness of this amazing state.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you!! Such a cool state full of great fishing

[@ryan89870]

I second this! Man what a great job capturing of the best Arizona has to offer.

[@fly99999]

you are very eloquent when narrating. fire vid 🔥

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you! I love telling stories!

[@jeffcaganich1101]

As always really enjoy watching your fly fishing adventures, especially in Arizona my birth state. The rim and East and West clear creeks are worth checking out and lots of hiking. Tight Lines…

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much! It was an absolute blast

[@ccdiet01]

Thanks for another great video! As an Arizonan, it was fun to see some familiar places and exciting to see a couple of places I didn’t recognize. I am new to watching fly fishing videos and stumbled across your channel while preparing for a recent trip to Colorado (your Black Canyon of the Gunnison video). After now watching yours and other people’s videos, I am truly impressed by the level of professionalism that your videos exhibit; the high quality camera, the editing, the blend of fishing action, trip preparation, background information, conservation information, fly selection and tying information, the flora and fauna you include and your dedication to setting up the long shot of you walking into or out of the frame, knowing that you had to hike ahead or back to setup/ take down the camera, even on the trails where you are gassed out, all add up to the best fly fishing videos I have seen on You Tube. I don’t even mind that I am “late to the game” since that means I still have about half of your videos still to watch while I eagerly wait for your next new adventure to be released.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Holy smokes! Thank you so much! It can get to be a lot of work but it never bothers me. Seriously though it means so much that you recognize the grind!

[@JackDolan-qz2mo]

Your videos are so great, especially the driftless series. Cheers from a fellow stl person

[@FLYALLSZN]

Hey!! Stl roots! Thank you so much!

[@stephenbrody2717]

Mike the videos keep getting better. Editing is great. Flow to the videos is pretty good. Still describe areas you go so well. Plus you still gives us great fishing content. AZ New Mexico Colo Driftless all different landscapes. 💪🙏

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!! There is so much to see and do across this country, kinda hard to just choose one

[@pacset2]

very cool vid , tight line's and awesome scenery

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you! So glad you enjoyed!

[@Bugguy_matt]

Great video Mike! Wish I was out there too!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!

[@glenndotter5065]

Enjoy your vids. At 71, and going thru 10 retial surgeries in the past 22 months, watching flyfishing vids is all I can do. Your bit on trash was great. Nothing POs me like hiking to 11,ooo feet to a high lake and picking up after the slobs there before me. They can carry full beer cans up, but cant crush and carry out the empty. One more thing. Are you fishing fiberglass? Keep em coming and God Bless.

[@SamErickson23]

Such a good vid ‼️

[@FLYALLSZN]

Much appreciated! Thank you!

[@medtech1a]

I can say honestly I hike around town when I get off work at 4 am for 2 hours to train for my trips and it help tremendously. Between my drone camera GoPro and batteries along with gear and food it’s hefty.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Getting camera gear into the backcountry is never easy!

[@endrian_traveler]

Amazing. 🎉🎉🎉

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you!

[@willkobitz8118]

That Minecraft reference, love it lmao

[@FLYALLSZN]

Why pay attention in Social Studies when you could be playing Minecraft? Hahaha

[@mightyhammer5812]

Got to love Jacks grab of the Net flip around for the stab. Count it ✌️😆🤘

[@FLYALLSZN]

I say it counts too! That was a dandy of a fish

[@oldsmugglerflyfishing]

Awesome video mate!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much as always! I try my best to keep my eye out for your comment when i post haha Seriously thank you for the support

[@jamiehaynes2415]

Great video and adventure

[@FLYALLSZN]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@user-hn5vx5ts6p]

Right in my backyard. I was at your thumbnail Saturday and go to that wilderness at least once a week

[@daresendez]

I think I ran into you out there. I ran out of hoppers and you gave me a few.

[@FLYALLSZN]

No kidding!! Thats awesome! Hope they helped ya find a few fish!

[@georgerino1861]

Just found your channel..great content

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you!

[@graphguy]

Thanks for sharing God's wondrous fishing gems.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Of course! So glad you like them!

[@backcountryskinz]

Amazed

[@FLYALLSZN]

It is a sweet spot!

[@evanc1275]

Hey Mike! I've become a big fan of the channel. Thank you for the consistent stream of excellent content. Question for you....have you ever tried Tenkara? I noticed you hit a good amount of small streams with tight quarters, which would be perfect for Tenkara.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Back when I was first getting started! I have since sold it to another beginner! I prefer a fly rod just for its versatility

[@dustinpflumm8626]

Hey awesome video once again! I know you've probably been asked this a million times do you have a video out there on your Camera setup. Your videos have inspired me just don't know where to start. Keep up the amazing work!

[@FLYALLSZN]

That might require its own video! There is a lot that goes into it

[@seanerichumphreys5253]

I’m a tugboat captain but I moonlight on Whale watch and harbor cruises in LA/LB. If only I had your narrative skills. Great video thank you.

[@FLYALLSZN]

So glad you enjoyed it! Just speaking from the heart

[@FlyKindOfGuy]

Im so ready for this been waiting on this for a few months now

[@FLYALLSZN]

The edit always takes a little to get through! Hopefully it was worth the wait

[@FlyKindOfGuy]

Always my man and when i watch your vids i show my son and he wants to live like you all the time it gives me so much happens to watch the edit of the vids b roll truly the heavy weight for the fly fishing industry 📍😀

[@FlyKindOfGuy]

Sometime we will have to get you in Michgan as well

[@FLYALLSZN]

@@FlyKindOfGuy That is so awesome to hear! It is a weird lifestyle but its certainly possible! I have been meaning to make it up to Michigan!

[@jirimensik3640]

Can’t wait

[@FLYALLSZN]

Hope you enjoyed!

[@davidwade3922]

Catch and eat in a responsible way is something all can aspire to. Absolutely nothing wrong with that from a fellow fly fisherman.

[@coffeekelly1169]

Definitely one of my top go to guys to watch. Great story telling. Question what reels you using?

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!! Its an odd mix of Redington, Ross, and Orvis

[@liamkingsbury7438]

This was an awesome adventure! What font was that for when it said “Arizona Week 2”? I’m dabbling in some editing as well. Thanks man!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Shoot that is a good question.. I couldnt tell ya!

[@ethanvest6870]

Dang may have to put a trip to Arizona in to the calendar. Great video brother!

[@FLYALLSZN]

There is so much to see and do!

[@samuelmeisenheimer3232]

Fellow Missourian here. Keep making these videos man, they are incredible. Not sure if you’ve alreadydone it but maybe a camera/gear breakdown video?

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much! Love hearing that from a fellow "show me".

[@dersonan5930]

You already know this dude gonna have the most fire stories when he’s a grandpa

[@FLYALLSZN]

Maybe one day!

[@Thebreadedfurflinger]

Huh agree never thought of Arizona as a trout fishery,great video,1 piece of advice, if you streamer fish,use a strip set,with the the rod tip down,then lift the rod,beautiful country,tight lines & bent rods 🤙

[@FLYALLSZN]

Easier said than done! I am having to retrain years of trout sets in order to make that streamer set more effective!

[@Thebreadedfurflinger]

@FLYALLSZN agree took me awhile to retrain my trout set brain,now still a progress in the works

[@michaelquigley5620]

Your vernacular is impeccable

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much!!

[@willattwood8303]

And yummy fresh trout

[@nathanielbowers6215]

KaBar and a piece on? You sold me on watching more. I live about 1.5hrs from Olean, NY where the KaBars are made too

[@FLYALLSZN]

Hell yeah! By far my favorite knife to carry wherever I am!

[@suprimacy1]

Great video. Have no clue why you dot he's on the last day though. Felt bad for Shelby.

[@jimirwin873]

Stellar vid bro. Just came back from fly fishing in WA and your video captured that same feeling and then some. Also nice to see a fellow MMA fan + fly fisherman😂who's your favorite fighter?

[@FLYALLSZN]

Holy smokes.. Fav fighter is so tough.. That is the beauty of it, there are so many cool folks to follow and appreciate. In no particular order: Kevin Holland, Cory Sandhagen, and Shavkat Rahmonov.

[@jimirwin873]

​@@FLYALLSZN All great responses my man. Although Charles Oliveira is the real correct answer😂

[@FLYALLSZN]

@@jimirwin873 Charles is the man! See thats what I mean! Its so hard to choose

[@Jimmyfitzable]

Subscribed

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you!

[@TheBeardedHogSeeker]

That is a sick backpacking bag. What is it?

[@aerialzona6003]

Welcome to my state. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do. Arizona really does have some good fly fishing that people don't know about. It doesn't give it up easy though. As you found out, to get to the good stuff you have to go through some truly rough terrain. You sure can't beat the views around you either and that makes it more than worth it.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Rough terrain makes for amazing stories! Love the challenge

[@davidstakston1950]

I'm the only person that has heard a cougar whistle in the wild in Wisconsin. I've had 4 close encounters with cougars in Wisconsin. The cougars like taking a daytime nap up in mature white pines in Wisconsin. I wonder how long the cougar had been aware of your group in the valley.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Hard to say but its super spooky!

[@StrateOutdoors]

Do people really get upset over eating a few fish you catch? Great video! Looking all through maps to figure out where you went haha

[@FLYALLSZN]

It is a fine line. There is a strange "catch and release" indoctrination that has plagued my generation of anglers. Context is king. In certain situations its good to keep fish and others you might wanna let em swim.

[@ravingdog24]

I found a pre-1919, pre-prohibition Bud bottle once, picking trash up while fishing

[@joshfrenette8819]

Do you sell any of those adjustable dry flies? If so I’d love to buy some from you.

[@FLYALLSZN]

So sorry! I don't!

[@Deafbackpacker]

Bummed no closed caption for this video 😢. Hope it pop up later.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you for the heads up, I will try to work on that

[@Blb51]

I know that is the new bullet but is that the new fire 2.0, the pics they put up looked like the butt section was yellow.. If so how are you still liking their rods? I am thinking about picking up both of them. Do all 5 and mainly a sinking tip streamer on the 8wt.

[@FLYALLSZN]

That is what I will be running a lot this summer and especially into fall!

[@Blb51]

@@FLYALLSZN awesome, love your vids and the hike in style that you do as a fellow MO guy that loves out west and midwest. Cant wait to see what all is coming

[@FLYALLSZN]

@@Blb51 Thank you so much!!

[@haydenharmon9823]

Don’t feel bad about the Brown at all. At the end of the day they are invasive and by eating them you are providing the endangered native fish with less competition. You did the right thing. I love my browns and all trout but in Arizona they are a little bit of a problem.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Not to mention they taste great!

[@kirkolsen1962]

This is a back saver, Journey Trailer TX, aluminum main frame w/waterproof bag, w/16" wheel / rear fender / flag, yoke width 262mm, without Axle Kit, for bikes with thru axle within 180mm

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you for the heads up! I will look into it

[@con17niko1]

I live in AZ. Which areas did you go fishing in with trails did you take?

[@medtech1a]

What is the best time to fish Arizona.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Really just depends on what you want to do! I dont think there is a "best" time

[@michaelkilpatrick9837]

Good job with your plugs, man. I didn’t mind it at all and I also find them typically to be disingenuous.

[@rayhemmele4915]

West clear creek?

[@robertferguson533]

America the Beautiful

[@FLYALLSZN]

We certainly are lucky all this is ours to enjoy!

[@robertferguson533]

@@FLYALLSZN Ain’t that the truth

[@user-hn5vx5ts6p]

If you ever want to see the best pools in that canyon, not saying the name because it's starting to get trashed. Let me know. Im there every week, i live about as close as you can to the trailhead. There are absolute monster browns in there if you go to the big deep pools. The pool you saw a big one eat a little one is just the beginning as you go upstream.

[@user-hn5vx5ts6p]

Should have gone upstream, you missed the best parts of the canyon including a fresh spring waterfall you can drink out of

[@dudesabeast]

You mentioned in your video that a full moon could be causing slow fishing I thought it was the opposite? No judgement I’m always a student .

[@FLYALLSZN]

In my experience it allows fish to feed well into the night. Not saying they use light as their primary vehicle for sensing prey, but it makes a difference. Plus I have had a lot of tough days following a full moon.

[@dudesabeast]

Oh I see could be there was some over feeding and it’s slower that early morning I’ll keep that in mind. I’ll use that when I come back empty handed to my wife it’s a normal occurrence.😢

[@azan0077]

should do a chef cook out

[@Alex.Austin._]

i need that water bottle

[@FLYALLSZN]

They are game changers for real! I have been using the heck out of them and havent gotten sick once

[@Alex.Austin._]

get you some 10ply tires

[@FLYALLSZN]

I have them now!

[@inspirationx1]

Just see idea makes me scared of rattlesnakes

[@FLYALLSZN]

Rattlesnakes are no joke!

[@jamiebarnett6930]

Shiiiit, I never apologize for eating fish.

[@richardbrauer1872]

I really wanted to watch your video however why oh why do you leave the words on the screen we can't see you fish I determined it to be unwatchable

[@brianbowman9127]

Why am I seeing the written text onscreen instead of the actual footage? I'm a seeing person and do not need the written text as a visual. So I am turning you off until you fix.

[@FLYALLSZN]

Simple fix.. Turn off closed captions..

[@brianbowman9127]

Got it thanks. I know that this is a video I'm going to enjoy.

[@azan0077]

yall dont like eating fish just MRE

[@markgraves8397]

Would have been a good video if not for the script over the video, blockin g the video

[@benj3911]

What leggings are you wearing?

[@9724470741]

Awesome video. I enjoyed the ride. Great Work!!!!

[@FLYALLSZN]

Thank you so much! It was an amazing adventure!