Catfishing in the Desert

Recently I accompanied two Yakima sportsman legends on a field trip to catch Catfish in the Sonoran Desert.  That's right, this is no joke.  Jerry has already done the local field research and leads the fishing expedition this day.  He drives us out into the desert north of Wellton, AZ.  It turns out this area is desert reclaimed as farmland by irrigation from the Colorado River, and this area represents the largest lettuce growing operation in our country.  They grow here 365 days a year!  There are well planned and constructed irrigation canals crossing all throughout the farmland area, really quite a sight to see.  And it turns out there are fish in those ditches!

First stop. Don is amazed by the unlikely fishing spot.

Jerry explains the Catfishin' procedure.  

A view along the first irrigation canal, it goes on for quite some distance. The first obstruction that can be seen is the first bridge crossing the canal.  We understand that the fish like to school under the bridges.

Bait Du Jour, Chicken Livers!

A shot of the expansive lettuce fields.

Looks like Iceberg Lettuce.

First hook in the water... heading toward the first bridge...  There is quite a current in the canals.  The water is probably about 6 or 8 feet deep at the center of the steeply sloped sides.  Falling in would be no joke.

There is a colony of Swallow nests under this bridge.  The flock scatters as the fishermen approach...

Jerry lets his bait under the first bridge. 

This is a shot of some of the nests underneath the bridge.

Don and Jerry fishing from the top of the bridge.

Don fishes under the bridge, Jerry fishes from the top.  This bridge has the very desirable feature of water input which also seems to attract the fish.

 Working both ends of the bridge.

Fish on!  Don is hooked into a Striped Bass!

Don hangs the first fish of the day!  Nice Striper

Jerry pulls a big ol' Catfish out of the canal.

 Hero Shot!

The field laborers work diligently nearby.

 Don pulls another Striper.

Jerry is hooked into something big!

He's hauling out another big ol' Catfish.

That's a catch worthy of a fish fry.

And now we know it is possible to catch Catfish in the middle of the Sonoran Desert!