Fool Hollow Lake
Fly fishing in Arizona · beginner · Best seasons: spring, fall, winter
Target Species
Rainbow Trout
About This Water
State park lake near Show Low. Year-round trout stocking with facilities.
Fishing Recommendations
As your guide for the day, let’s dive into one of the most scenic and productive "high country" lakes in the White Mountains of Arizona: Fool Hollow Lake.
Located in Show Low at an elevation of 6,300 feet, Fool Hollow is a transition-zone gem. It offers the perfect mix of towering Ponderosa pines and rocky high-desert terrain. For the fly angler, it provides a unique opportunity to target "Stocked-and-Holdover" Rainbows in a setting that feels much more remote than its easy access suggests.
🎣 Location Overview
Fool Hollow Lake is a 150-acre impoundment within the Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area. What makes this water special is its structure. Unlike many bowl-shaped Arizona tanks, Fool Hollow has a complex shoreline with fingers, rocky points, and submerged timber—remnants of the old farm "fools" tried to cultivate before the valley was flooded.
The water is generally clear with a slight stained tint, common in the White Mountains. It is an "electric-motor-only" lake, which is a godsend for fly anglers. You won’t be battling the wake of large pleasure boats, making it an ideal destination for float tubes, kayaks, and canoes.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
While the lake holds Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and Crappie, the Rainbow Trout are the primary draw for fly fishers.
- Behavior: These are primarily hatchery-reared fish, but because Fool Hollow is deep (up to 40 feet near the dam), many trout "hold over" through the summer, growing larger and more "wild" in their behavior.
- Holding Zones: Look for trout near the Adair Wash inlet (where fresh water and nutrients enter) and along the steep rocky ledges near the dam. During the cooler months, they cruise the shallow flats and weed edges in 5–10 feet of water.
- Feeding: They keyed in on Chironomids (midges), Damselfly nymphs, Scuds, and Crayfish. In the fall, they become highly aggressive, chasing small fathead minnows to bulk up for winter.
📅 Best Times to Fish
- Optimal Seasons:
- Spring (April – June): This is prime time. As the ice melts and the water warms, trout move into the shallows to feed aggressively.
- Fall (September – November): My personal favorite. The crowds thin out, and the trout move back into the shallows as water temperatures drop.
- Winter (December – March): Fishing remains good until the lake freezes (which doesn't always happen). Slow down your retrieve significantly.
- Best Times of Day:
- First light until 10:00 AM and the "Golden Hour" (two hours before sunset).
- On overcast days, the midday "Midge hatch" can be spectacular.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
To be successful at Fool Hollow, you need to cover different parts of the water column.
1. The "Arizona Leech" Strategy (Streamers)
Arizona trout are obsessed with leeches.
- Patterns: Simi Seal Leech (Colors: Peacock, Blood Leech, or Canadian Olive) in sizes 10–12.
- Technique: Use an intermediate sinking line. Cast toward the rocky points or submerged trees, let it sink for 5–10 seconds, and use a "slow-slow-twitch" retrieve.
2. Indicator Nymphing (The Buffet)
- Patterns: Zebra Midges (Black/Silver or Red/Gold) in sizes 18–22, Pheasant Tails (size 16), and Hare’s Ear (size 14).
- Technique: Suspend your fly 4–8 feet under a slip indicator. Fish this near the reed lines or the Adair Wash inlet. If there is a slight chop on the water, let the waves provide the action.
3. Dry Fly Action
- Patterns: Parachute Adams (size 18) or Griffith’s Gnat (size 20).
- Technique: Only recommended during the evening glass-off when you see fish dimpling the surface. Keep your tippet light (6X) as these fish can be leader-shy in still water.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The "Adair Wash" Secret: After a rainstorm or during the spring runoff, the area where Adair Wash enters the lake becomes a conveyor belt of food. Position your boat/tube where the murky water meets the clear lake water; trout will stack up there to ambush prey.
- Work the Timber: Don't be afraid to cast right into the standing dead trees. Use a weedless fly or be prepared to lose a few. The larger, holdover Rainbows love the overhead cover.
- Float Tube is King: Shore access is decent, but 70% of the best water is unreachable by foot. A float tube allows you to fish the "island" areas and stay stealthy.
- The "Slow" Rule: If you aren't getting hits on your leeches, slow down. Then slow down again. Often, the fly just needs to "hover" to trigger a strike.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Entry is via Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area (a State Park). There is a daily vehicle entry fee (usually $7–$10).
- Regulations: Arizona fishing license is required. You can buy a short-term non-resident license online via the AZGFD website.
- Motors: No gas motors allowed. If you bring a boat, the gas motor must be tilted up and out of the water.
- Weather: High-altitude weather changes fast. Always carry a rain shell, even if the morning starts sunny. Afternoon "monsoon" thunderstorms in July and August can be dangerous for boaters.
Tight lines, and enjoy the pine-scented air of the White Mountains!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chironomids (Midges) Chironomidae | midge | April, May, September, October | All Day | #16-22 | Zebra Midge #18-20, Ice Cream Cone #16-18, Griffith's Gnat #18-22 |
| Callibaetis (Speckled Wing Mayfly) Callibaetis ferrugineus | mayfly | June, July, August | Late Morning/Early Afternoon | #12-16 | Callibaetis Spinner #14-16, Hare's Ear Nymph #12-16, Mercer's Missing Link #14-16 |
| Blue-Winged Olive Baetis | mayfly | March, April, October, November | Afternoon | #18-22 | BWO Parachute #18-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #18-20, RS2 #20-22 |
| Damselfly Enallagma | terrestrial | June, July | Morning/Afternoon | #10-14 | Marabou Damsel Nymph #10-12, Adult Damsel #12-14, Braided Butt Damsel #12 |
| Dragonfly Anisoptera | terrestrial | July, August | Afternoon | #4-10 | Dragonfly Nymph (Olive) #6-10, Davy's Dragonfly #8-10 |
| Water Boatman Corixidae | terrestrial | September, October | Afternoon | #14-18 | Water Boatman #14-16, Prince Nymph #14-18 |
| Scuds (Freshwater Shrimp) Gammarus | terrestrial | March, April, May | All Day | #12-18 | Ray Charles #14-16, Scud (Olive or Orange) #12-18 |
| Grasshoppers Caelifera | terrestrial | August, September | Afternoon | #8-12 | Dave's Hopper #10-12, Morrish Hopper #8-12, Amy's Ant #10-14 |