Tonto Creek at Hells Gate 5-6-23

858 Views 25 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Codlew, 11 d ago

bearfoot1

I braved the BAD road, man its rough, long way down, Nice little unimproved campground at bottom before creek. Managed to keep 2 large trout, let 2 smaller ones go- about 7 in. Large trout was a Chunky 17.5 in long and smaller one was 16+ in long. All caught drifting bait ( Yellow Powerbait) with a bobber through the larger or deeper pools. I snagged on bottom first drift, hence the bobber, worked good. Then the rough road out again, spent more time driving then fishing. Both are going to Scott for his smoker !!! Both fish had there dorsal fins split in half, never paid attention before, you can see it on top fish.

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21 - 26 of 26 Posts

Skorzeny

· #21 · 13 d ago

tnx single. I talked to bear and he mentioned no camping so i'll pass. Im trying to head up to the rim wed night after work prob stay near knoll through mon. Got a spot been using for 20 years not very many people go there.

As of now I dont know if i like the "no camping" deal but im sure once i move near payson i'll be glad the are shutting down alot of areas. used to use the control road to geronimo for years for winter camping and now its the same.

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bearfoot1

Discussion Starter · #22 · 12 d ago

Skorzeny said:
As of now I dont know if i like the "no camping" deal but im sure once i move near payson i'll be glad the are shutting down alot of areas

AS a Resident, we are all happy about the closed camping areas and the fire ban, Not that VERY few people abide by that, Keeps the honest campers honest. The Buttheads start fires, or leave their fire smoldering, leave and go home, then we get to deal with it.

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SingleShot20G

· #23 · 11 d ago

@Skorzeny , when I head up north to meet @bearfoot1 to fish Tonto sometimes I'll head up the afternoon before we're fishing and I'll park off the road before it drops down to Bear Flat, I can't remember that road name or number (Thompson Draw) but there's quite a few primitive campsites. Most of them unfortunately are pretty trashed, I try to fill a bag before I leave. It's an option though if you want to fish BF, just get up early and make the short drive down the steep road to Tonto Creek.

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Ryan S

· #24 · 11 d ago

Now y'all got me curious. Just how steep is this road??? I love the Payson area but don't get to spend as much time up there as I'd prefer.

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ed from bama

· #25 · 11 d ago

Good evening to all-

the one and ONLY time I ever drove the road in question, I was impressed by its steepness and the narrowness. That's a polite way to say that I was scared spitless. if a vehicle was coming up and met a vehicle going down halfway, I don't know what would happen- there was no room to pass- even if everyone aboard held their breaths and clinched their backsides. and it is a steep road. Gorgeous place when you get to the bottom and the creek looks very nice, but Lord, that road coming down is just a bit much for me.

you all be safe and keep well- Ed

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