Conservation Tenkara Trip Reports Trout & Char

Apache Trout Opportunity

Trip Report by Jon Carver

Circumstances presented an unexpected opportunity to angle the Apache trout, Arizona’s state fish.

Although sophisticated breeding and stocking programs have returned these fish to some of their native range, wildfires, habitat loss, and introduced brown and rainbow trout still threaten their long-term survival in the rivers and streams of the southwest. According to Arizona Game and Fish, because Apache trout have not been subject to hatchery conditions for generations like the rainbow, they retain their natural wariness and instincts. The hatcheries strictly limit human contact to preserve these qualities, so valuable in a sport fish.

I found that the stealth and subtle presentation ability of tenkara was not just effective in the case of the Apache trout, but essentially necessary.

Apache Trout Opportunity - Jon Carver - Tenkara Angler

Editors Note: If you’re interested in learning more about Apache trout, they were featured the recent YouTube video series “For Wild’s Sake” from Tight Loops. This perfect mix of documentary and fly fishing action is well worth the watch.


Jon Carver lives in the Southwest. 

Do you have a story to tell? A photo to share? A fly recipe that’s too good to keep secret? If you would like to contribute content to Tenkara Angler, click HERE for more details.

Let's Discuss in the Comments:

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

%d bloggers like this: