Sedona, Arizona is the home to red rock, Pink Jeep Tours, art, hiking, and vortexes. But as far as I’m concerned Sedona is home to one of Arizona’s best small brown trout streams. So don’t forget your fly rod when visiting, you’ll be glad you brought it.
This past weekend I was able to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of Phoenix to spend some time in Sedona with my family. We stayed at the beautiful Briar Patch Inn which is situated creek side, 3 miles North of Sedona in scenic Oak Creek Canyon. I would recommend to anyone planning a trip to Sedona to keep on driving past all the big resorts and hotels and make your way to the Briar Patch Inn. You will find serenity and seclusion in the relaxing lush grounds along with some of the best service I have yet to find. The Briar Patch Inn understands how to make a guest feel at home with smiles, service, and great conversation from when you first walk in to when you check out. To top it off it’s situated right along stunning Oak Creek with pretty decent fly fishing right outside your cabin door.
I also wanted to throw a shout out and a thanks to my friend at www.fishoakcreek.blogspot.com who provided me with some excellent advice about a few stretches to check out along the creek. While I’m not going to give away these locations in my post I am sure if you shot one of us an email we would be more than happy to share with you some great spots to check out.
The conditions this weekend were ideal. While Friday was a little hot and sunny at 84 degrees, Saturday was overcast with a few light sprinkles. The water was 58 degrees and running crystal clear so stealth was an absolute must all weekend long. I was surprised at the lack of surface action as I was hoping to toss a few dries to slurping trout this weekend. However I was more than satisfied to spend the weekend drift small nymphs to Oak Creeks feisty brown trout population.
I fished three different sections on Oak Creek from Friday to Saturday and found them all producing fish. Mostly browns although I did hook into a handful of hard fighting rainbow. The biggest fish of the weekend was a 15” feisty Brown who ran into rock after rock before I could get him to the net. I did have two fish break off that were at least that size,one of which may have been a touch larger. Most of the fish I hooked into involved casting to pools from 10-20 feet down stream while trying t0 avoid spooking the already skittish fish. 
Between time with the family and enjoying Sedona I was able to fit in about 7 hours of fly fishing and landed somewhere around 20 fish, mixed with some of Arizona’s most incredible scenery it was a weekend to remember.
Here are a couple shots of some nymphs I found hiding under river rocks from what appear to be from sizes 16-18. If anyone can tell me what the one on the left is I would love to hear it. It’s the single tail that has me stumped.
Looks like something with claws nearly had this guy on the left for dinner.
This is an interesting shot on the left of a snake we saw slithering along the bottom of the river.
And last I thought I would include a few Jeeping shots taken on the Broken Arrow Trail. The shot on the left is called Devils Staircase (it’s steeper than it looks)…
Tight lines and practice catch and release, today’s guppy is next years monster.
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Great Pictures of your weekend. It sounds like a beautiful place.
I found your site via four corner fly fishing, which I found while searching for fly fishing in Arizona. I have to say you two are a great resource for someone like me who is new to fly fishing (last year) and fly tying (this year). I have spent several frustrating hours on Oak Creek with only two small rainbows to show for it. I’m not asking a secret spot or anything, but any advice as to where to start would be appreciated.
Keep up the great work and I’ll be a regular reader, hopefully learning more about where to fish in Arizona. Although in a month my wife, kids and I are headed to IL to visit her family…we went last year and the crappie and bluegill are easy and lots of fun to catch on a fly rod.
Way to go, I give you some tips then you go and out fish me! Its cool, I am happy you had success on your B-day. You would not believe how often when I tell people that I fish Oak Creek, they ask in guenuine curiosity if there are any fish there. Besides the weekend crowds Oak Creek has so much to offer fisher/oudoorsman. Next time your up maybe we can meet up.
Tory
When can we go to Sedona? I am loving your pictures. The fishies are beautiful!!!
test
Great site and fantastic pictures. I found it linked from AZflyandtie.com.
I’m hoping you can help me. I’m visiting relatives in Phoenix for a couple of weeks, and I’m heading up to Sedona tomorrow (6/4) to do some fly fishing. I’m definitely a beginner, so I was hoping you could provide some tips on good fishing spots at Oak Creek.
If you wouldn’t mind revealing some good spots, then please feel free to email me so you don’t have to divulge them publicly.
Regardless, I’m looking forward to getting in some wonderful scenery and, in the process, catch a trout or two.
Thank you for your time.
Todd
Hey I’m new to fly fishing as well and have made some trips up to oak creek with little luck. If you could email me some tips/spots to try that’d be awesome! Thanks
Hey, great blog you have, my wife and I have just moved to Flagstaff, and I’ve already gotten around to fishing Oak Creek a couple times, what a beautiful stream. I fished on Aug. 18th and 20th, caught a number of Browns, one 13″ beauty on each day, and all on dries. Like you said in this post, the fish are spooky, presentation and stealth are key, just the kind of challenge I love.
I was wondering if you could send me an e-mail, and perhaps suggest some of the spots you go in search of good Browns on this stream (I’ll understand if you don’t get too specific…).
Your site inspires me to try and set up a fly fishing blog myself, thanks again for the posts!
Iain
My family and I went fishing at Oak Creek during Memorial Day weekend at Grasshopper Point, caught 20 rainbows but no brown trout. Where should we catch browns on the creek?
Great site. Those pictures have got me pumped. I’m heading to Sedona for the last week in October. I’m from the Boston area and was in Sedona with my wife two years ago and loved it. The only problem was, I didn’t bring my fly fishin gear. Had no idea Oak Creek was a trout producing watershed. I did a lot of hiking with my wife but every time I was near the creek I could feel the water calling me. This time I’m bringing some of my gear. I was hoping to get some info about the location of those three stretches you referred to. I don’t have alot of time to fish as my wife isn’t a flyfisherwomen so being able to drop in on some potentially productive stretches would be a blessing to catch and release a few browns. Also curious as to what type of bugs you found productive. Hope to hear from you.
Nice website and some very intriguing pictures! I’ll be in Sedona for a couple of days next week, and I’m looking forward to a day on the water. Any general advice (not looking for hard-earned secret spots) on worthwhile stretches of Oak Creek or the West Fork would be greatly appreciated. I’m used to fishing a tiny creek in San Diego county for equally tiny wild rainbows, and I’ll be bringing a 3-weight with me. Looking forward to fishing in your part of Arizona!
Cheers,
Bill
Thanks for your article on Oak Creek. I’m here in Sedona and will be fly fishing on Oak Creek tomorrow and Saturday. I keep asking around town about where to fish, but no joy! Can you suggest one or two spots? Thanks , Joe
Nate,
I’m spending the Christmas week in Sedona with my parents. You inspired me to bring my fly rod with me. We will see if my AK patterns work in AZ. I’ll try the West Fork tomorrow. Thanks.
Enjoyed your comments and photos. Heading to Sedona from Cleveland for Easter Week. Hoping for a slow melt and nice water.
Tightlines,
Tony
Good luck Tony, this spring could be interesting with the runoff.
im headed to sedona and staying at the briar patch feb 22-24 with wife, mom, and two kids. would like to get out and fish, and am bringing a travel fly rod. doing pink jeeps on wd….sound like your trip. question, if time is limited, is it worth fishing around the briar patch or can you recommend a walk/run nearby the resort. i was planning on bringing a small assortment of streamers and nypmhs. thoughts?
Tom, I would definitely recommend fishing around the Briar Patch. I had better luck up stream than down and there is a great couple holes right along the cabins. The land above and below the briar patch is private so you are more likely to avoid any crowds and have the river to yourself. The fish hatchery up stream is a private and that guy gave me grief once but when I told him I was staying down stream at Briar Patch and did not cross his private land he was cool. Bring a good variety of Nymphs, you might even be able to get into some dry fly action if you can luck into one of the afternoon hatches going on. I have not been to the Creek since the high water from the recent rains but it should be fishing well again. Good luck and let me know how you do.
Mr. Broker, expecting a big run-off due to heavy snow? I know April gotta be a crap shoot. If so, alternatives to Oak Creek?
Sorry for the late response. I have been slammed opening out new real estate office.
If Oak Creek is not fishing well because of runoff most of the creeks and streams will probably be the same way. However I would not write it off just because of runoff. I have had some of my favorite days on off colored water. I’d throw on a bright San Juan, Copper John, and other flies that can get their attention in low visibility. However if it’s not fishing well because of the runoff the only other place to look is to still waters. I don’t fish still waters all that often. I know there are a few around Williams which is close to Oak Creek. There is Dead Horse State Park if you just want to get a fish on the line those stockers are normally pretty easy going. Then there are several still waters up on the rim and in the whites.
Good luck and tight lines.
Hi,
How’s the fishing right about now…kind of cold, but has anyone been out? I’ll be visiting the area soon.
Thanks!
My wife and I are celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary in Sedona in late June. I would like to do some fly fishing (trout). What would you recommend for that time of the year, what weight rod, what flies, and where to fish?
Thank you for this information. I am a not new to flyfishing however I am not an expert either. Thank You for your help.
Sorry I’m late to respond to this. Depending on where you are going, much of the fishing is turning on right now. Bugs are starting to come out, water is clearing in many of the streams, Oak Creek included.
June should be a great time for Oak Creek. Watch out for the weekend crowds. For oak creek I would take a 3-4 weight rod around 6-7 feet. You can use a 5 weight 9 foot if that’s all you have but the water is very clear and that heavy line will spook some fish. Your never going to be doing any real long casting, and in many places the growth is real thick so a small rod will work perfect.
For flies you’ll do great with the common go to flies, Elk Hair Caddis, Adams, terrestrials for dries. Pheasant Tails, Hairs Ears are great go to nymphs while you get the hang of what other flies the fish might be taking.
Good luck and congratulations on the 40th.
Flyfishingbroker,
Thanks for the information. I do have a 3-wt 7-ft rod and the flies that you recommended and will bring a variety of other flies. We have heard many good things about Sedona and are looking forward to our anniversary.
Thanks again, Walt
Hi, I’m visiting Sedona, in a few days (from New Hampshire, and have no idea what the fishing is like down there!) For some very much needed relaxation. I’m just curious if you could suggest a couple of stretches that would give me a decent shot at some fish, and maybe a couple of nymph patterns
Thanks in advance,
~Chuck