EAST FORK BLACK RIVER — Fishing is fair to good for small brown trout, up to 11 inches. Most of the stocked Apache trout have been caught by anglers. The stream is at base flows. The trout stocking season has ended but there is a good population of resident brown trout in the stream. Try drifting worms, Power Bait, corn, and salmon eggs through pools or casting small lures such as spinners (Mepps, Panther Martin, Rooster Tail), small spoons (KastMasters, Z-rays, and Super Dupers), Rapalas and flies such as wooly worms or wooly buggers and small weighted nymphs in black, brown or green colors. Try small (size 16) dry flies such as parachute Adams, black royal humpies, and caddis fly patterns. Buffalo Crossing campground is closed for the winter.

Reported by: Arizona F&G

Directions: From Show Low go southeast on Highway 60 to Springerville. If you want to access the West Fork, take a look at the NF map.  Access is by way of dirt roads and FWD vehicle is advisable.  If you want to access the East Fork, continue south from Springerville on 180/191. You can then access the river easiest from Hannagan Meadow or from Alpine on several forest roads. You can also reach the East Fork as it crosses Forest Road 249, and as it parallels Forest Road 276 further south.