Lees Ferry 2009

Cliff Dwellers Lodge and Lees Ferry Anglers, Marble Canyon, Arizona
Trip Report
September 19-24, 2009
6 nights lodging, 5 days fishing, 14 hrs CE
EQUINE SURGERY
Presented by
Dr. JanHawkins
Associate Professor Large Animal Surgery
Purdue University

This program turned out to be a great experience and it was the first time for Jan Hawkins as a speaker for IAFFV. The group was comprised of Don Sawyer, Jan Hawkins, Bill and Kay Schumacher from Las Cruces, NM , Walt Weirich from Tucson, Michael Mulvany of San Diego, Rich Forfa from Beallsville, MD and Elizabeth (Boo) Woolsey-Herbert from, Gawler, South Australia. Although half the group was comprised of equine practitioners, the rest of us not only learned a lot about horses and horse owners, but grew to appreciate the problems in dealing with the unique physiology of these 1000 lb animals. Jan used terms I had not heard for a long time: cheek teeth, hands, tail head, etc? It was fascinating and Jan was not only an outstanding teacher but an excellent fly angler as well. He likes tying flies on those size 20 hooks!

A change in venue from Marble Canyon Lodge was necessary as head guide Dave Foster moved to Flagstaff for a new job with the US Geological Survey. Terry and Wendy Gunn started Lees Ferry Anglers and Fly Shop about 20 years ago and subsequently obtained Cliff Dwellers Lodge which has been since refurbished. This facility is about 9 miles up route 89-A which connects North and South rims of the Grand Canyon. This is an outstanding 30 acre complex with a world class fly shop, a 20 unit motel, a separate guest house which was residence of the previous Cliff Dwellers owners, convenience store, restaurant/bar and gas station. We split the group with 5 lodging in the 3 bedroom guest house and 2 rooms at the Lodge. The CE sessions were held at the guest house which worked out very well. Check it out: Cliff Dwellers Lodge

The daily schedule started with early breakfast at the restaurant, then to Lees Ferry with launch by 7:30, and up the Colorado River to various fishing locations in 20-ft shallow draft riverboats. With 2 anglers per boat/guide, what is not to like. Distance from Lees Ferry to the Glen Canyon Dam is 15 river miles covering some of the most incredible vistas anywhere in the world. We were back to the Lodge by 4:00, 3.5 hours of CE and an excellent dinner at 7:30. Weather started out being a bit windy but got better each day. Midday temperatures were in the 60s and 70s, quite comfortable. Gin clear water allowed guides to easily spot fish and water flow at a constant 10,500 cfs made conditions quite favorable. Most fishing was by wading in relatively shallow water (no wet wading with 50 F water temp) but on occasion, fishing was done by drifting. All of our guides were outstanding not only for their fishing skills but excellent instructors as well. We all caught plenty of bows in the 15 - 19 inch category and most everyone had a good shot or landed at least one over 20 in. That is a real challenge when fishing size 20 - 24 flies on 6X and 7X tippets. We lost about 150 flies and most all of those were on fish!

This was our second equine program, and we will do it again at Lees Ferry the week of October 1 - 6, 2011.

Don Sawyer, Organizer