[freestoneangler]

Heading down there for a couple months - any intel on fishing the Colorado would be appreciated. Plan on taking my 6 weight beach rod and probably my FatCat and fins?? Searching the interwebz on advice too but, as we all know, the real scoop resides here. PM probably best to avoid any scorn. Thanks.

 

[junkie]

Yuma!? Poor bastard. It's like the face of the moon. My mom is down there right now. I could never see the draw. There's nicer(pretty much anywhere) places that are warm in the winter.
There's bass in the golf course ponds.

 

[freestoneangler]

Yeah, not the most glamorous of winter destinations, but we have friends who winter there and we like playing golf together. Prices are more reasonable and the winter weather is hard to beat. Have you tried a "Date Shake"? I'll check with this guy about getting some access to the ponds and will thinking of you WA guys at rain gauge 30" and climbing .

 

[veilside180sx]

Lived there for about a year, but I wasn't fishing much at the time. There is bass through most of that stretch. You'll want to fish points and structure mostly. A floating device will be very helpful to get away from the reeds.

The dates down there are very good...the shake isn't too bad either.

 

[ganderlander2]

Lots of sloughs and small lakes off of the river, most have fish. If you hunt,bring a shotgun.

 

[constructeur]

If you hunt,bring a shotgun.

I don't know how late season Doves are, but that's what you'll be facing.

Though fun for 1/4 day, the boarder town of Los Algodones is full of simpleton kitsch, stuff you can get anywhere. I found that I can also get better authentic food, for a better price, right in South Seattle. YMMV.

There are some nice clays ranges to shoot too, but as far as I know they are all fairly far away; Scottsdale, etc.

 

[fivefish]

I like the backwaters around Imperial Dam. If you park at the park on the west side of the dam, you will find a trail that will connect you to numerous ponds and small lakes off the river, loaded with nice largemouth.

 

[ganderlander2]

The late dove season runs till almost christmas, and can be outstanding....without the crowds. There is also some great quail hunting off the drainages dumping into the river.

 

[freestoneangler]

I don't know how late season Doves are, but that's what you'll be facing.

Though fun for 1/4 day, the boarder town of Los Algodones is full of simpleton kitsch, stuff you can get anywhere. I found that I can also get better authentic food, for a better price, right in South Seattle. YMMV.

There are some nice clays ranges to shoot too, but as far as I know they are all fairly far away; Scottsdale, etc.

I've been to Algondones a couple of times years past while visiting our friends there. I could buy my Mom's asthma inhalers for roughly 10 cents on the dollar; same exact box and place of mfg. I was dubious about doing this until I queried my doctor about it and he said no issue. My golf bag was stuffed with them.

Also sampled some fish tacos and they were great with no morning after effect. As for sporting clays, that would be a great addition to our Barrett-Jackson meet-up. My brother is big into skeet so I'll check out options in that area.

I like the backwaters around Imperial Dam. If you park at the park on the west side of the dam, you will find a trail that will connect you to numerous ponds and small lakes off the river, loaded with nice largemouth.

Awesome, thanks.

 

[Chic Worthing]

The bird season goes into Feb. Non resident license is $160 for fish and small game. I am heading down in 2 weeks and loading skeet ammo, almost as we speak(or type). There is some trout fishing down there also, including Gila Trout.

 

[Jiminsandiego]

I always liked going to Yuma. Gotta go to the prison (historical) at least once. The KOFA mountains just north of Yuma are amazing (Thumb Butte) Great rockhounding. The Sage and Sand dive bar can be interesting. The best fishing I have had is a place called the "East Highland Canal" If you search for "El Centro hot springs" you can find it. Lots of Smallmouth bass and Largemouth as well. The hot springs are nice too.

 

[freestoneangler]

Anyone else concur with @veilside180sx that taking the FatCat will be worth it? It doesn't take up huge amounts of space, but space is at a premium.

 

[fivefish]

Anyone else concur with @veilside180sx that taking the FatCat will be worth it? It doesn't take up huge amounts of space, but space is at a premium.

A tube you can hike a bit with is ideal. And yeah, the shores are all tule reeds, so you don't have much shore access for casting.

 

[freestoneangler]

OK, the FatCat, its pack straps, and force fins will get packed. Thanks.

 

[freestoneangler]

Found this link which has some more good info about the area.

http://yumabassman.com/forums-new/index.php/page,page786.html

 

[freestoneangler]

No luck for me in the canals as yet (two trips). My neighbor fishes them regularly for catfish and does well using a rather nasty smelling chicken liver based concoction. His best this season is 18#. He took me out last week to see all the locations he fishes. Definitely a different scene - miles of dirt roads along the irrigation system. The pump stations and the sections just below them are the target zones. I am seeing a few bass moving about and tried small poppers and several weighted streamers, but no takers. There are big schools of White Amur (Carp), which seem interested in nothing but are quite large - like in the 20 lb + size. Apparently they were introduced to help keep algae in control. They must be released. While we were there, the water was near gin clear. We had a good rain yesterday and that will likely add a little color. We're heading over to the Colorado River in the next few days and that, by all accounts, should offer some better top water opportunities. Not seen anyone else fly-fishing.

 

[Jiminsandiego]

Man that looks like fun. I've been told that the hot summer months are best for the catfish. If you do get a chance to try the East Highland Canal you might want to follow the dirt road that parallels the canal southward until it meets the other highway. Cross the canal and park in the dirt lot. There is a "pond" there that is a very good place for bass. My girlfriend totally freaked out there when she saw a huge rat jump into the water, I could not stop laughing as I told her it was a Muskrat (and that they make really nice gloves). Martinez lake might be worth a look as well. Soaking in the hot springs, catching Smallmouth (and LMB) bass, basking in the sun. Did I mention I love Yuma?

 

[Kyle Smith]

I will be camping at Lake Mohave in a couple weeks. Just a quick trip to get some nice weather in. I will let you know how that goes. Hoping for any kind of fish really, but planning to target largemouth and bluegill along the brushy shore.

The desert is such a special place, and so many people think it is ugly due to the lack of trees. Pssht.

 

[flyawayfish44]

Canal fishing! Apparently y'all don't do it up here but back home (and in other areas in the southern US) canal fishing made killer mid-day fishing for bluegill, perch, and small mouth. Nostalgic!