Fishing the Black River

"What has fishing got to do with High Plains Harvest?" you might ask. Fishing is just another way to harvest food from nature's bounty. I am not a fish eater myself, but I admire those who engage in one of the oldest human industries to put food on the table, far older than cultivation of the soil. Think of it as cultivation of the water.

Please enjoy another great article from guest blogger Paul Curry.

An Arizona Fisherman's Guide to a Great Weekend

The trouble with fishing Arizona lakes, at least on the weekends, is that you don't get away from all those two-legged critters and the fish you'll catch are all stockers. Maybe you're still thinking about where to go fish without a crowd this weekend? No crowd means you have to work for it. Go try the Black River in Arizona's White Mountains.

Yes it's a drive, but if you want fine trout fishing and some peace, go to Wildcat Crossing in the Apache National Forest and start walking. The place is south and a bit west of Big Lake on forest road 25. Traveling either up or down river, you'll find fine habitat and great scenery at a pleasant 7,000-foot elevation. Don't forget your "water boots" as you'll spend plenty of time crossing the river.

Upstream, where Fish creek joins the Black is a good spot to try. After all, it is called Fish creek. Often, some fish feed just down river as the creek spills some food into the bigger water. I'm mostly a spin-caster, but even I have taken fish on a fly rod at this spot. The farther up you walk, the narrower the gorge becomes and the fewer people you'll see. The Black has cut through some substantial volcanic formations all along its way to meet the White River to form the Salt River.


Last spring, my wife and I took a few days backpack trip down river from Wildcat and had a very nice trip. Downstream is easy going for about three miles. You cross the river here and there and walk amongst some big Ponderosa pines upon the benches along the Black. In about two miles you hit a big bend in the river where the rock formations are quite stunning. The resulting pool is the size of a small pond. This is a fine spot to fish and even see some ducks. Great blue herons, ospreys and hawks are common along the Black. If you see a large raptor with a straight leading edge on its wing with rounded tips and a big white head and tail- then you've just seen a bald eagle.

I chose to fish farther down river, but there are plenty of good spots to fish without making an expedition out of your day. But, then again, what does the river hold farther down? Play it safe, tell them you'll be back by dark. That way you have all day to enjoy a great place without being too rushed.

After the first three miles of easy walking, the route dances along the Black amongst rocks, willows and New Mexican locust trees. The route eventually becomes a traverse above the river. Soon it becomes a climb and then you're on another bench looking down on the water. This process repeats as you hike farther down river.

Look for those bends where fast water dumps into a recovery pool. Throw your bait or lure in that fast water upstream and let it come down in a natural way to the pool. Let the water take it into that pool and wait for it- wham! There you go, bring 'em in. Repeat. Move on to another pool once you spook them.

Tried and true bait includes nightcrawlers, grasshoppers and crickets. Panther-Martin #2 spinning lures work great as well. If you are playing catch and release, consider using barbless hooks to keep those fish healthy. It pays to keep an eye on your GPS unit's "best" hunt/fish times based on the solunar tables, yes it really does work. Be stealthy in your approach to the river to fish it. Having the sun at your back and in the fish's eyes also helps you see better and keep a darker profile to the fish.

If you go up to the Black River you'll see a beautiful place that boasts some really good fishing. Keep an eye out for some elk, deer and black bear, as it's their home. If you don't see all sorts of hawks and some great blue herons, then try looking up from your fishing! Enjoy your trip, leave no trace and respect the land.