"Arizona's Fool Hollow Lake"
By Gregg Munck
Out of all the activities at Fool Hollow Lake, fishing is my favorite.
It doesn't matter what time of year you fish because the lake offers
many different types of structure to fish. If you enjoy fishing timber,
there's plenty of lay downs and standing timber. Rock ledges are numerous
on this lake. There are many flats and humps and don't forget the riprap
on the dam. You can also find a lot of weed beds lurking beneath and
on the surface of the lake. This is a bass fisherman's paradise.
I wanted to cover a lot of water. I was fishing a rock ledge with
a 3/8-ounce spinnerbait. I decided to attach a 2/0 Daiichi bleeding
bait trailer hook just in case the bass were not very aggressive. Then
upon making contact with the deep structure, I was fortunate enough
to hook up with an 11 pound 5 ounce largemouth bass. And this largemouth
is still my heaviest northern strain bass to this date. After having
a fisherman on the bank take a quick photograph, the fish was released.
The equipment I was using consisted of a six foot six inch medium heavy
Shimano bait casting rod paired with a high speed baitcasting reel
spooled / with 16 pound Stren magna-thin line. The spinnerbait had
tandem Colorado/willow blades and a chartreuse and white skirt. I added
Mylar for flash but the Daiichi trailer hook was the most important
element, because the trailer hook was the only hook the bass decided
to strike. I have been adding trailer hooks to my spinnerbaits and
buzzbaits for many years. The only time I decide not to use a trailer
hook is when the cover is too thick.
One week later, I decided to go fishing for bronze backs. I began
to work the main lake points with a quarter ounce weed less June bug
colored jig. I attached a plastic worm to the jig as a trailer, and
it also gives more action to the offering. After working the jig along
the bottom slow and steady, I noticed my line begin to move. Then,
I quickly set the hook and stuck a five and a half pound smallmouth
bass. The smallie had a length of 21 inches, and a girth of 15 inches.
Nobody was in sight to take a photograph so I put the fish in the live
well and gave her a ride to the boat launch area. I was able to flag
down the park manager. He gladly took photographs and helped release
the fish. That bass happens to be Arizona’s state record smallmouth
for the catch and release category. If fishing isn't your most favorite
activity, then Fool Hollow Lake offers many leisure activities including
hiking, biking, picnicking, boating, wildlife viewing, camping and
a diverse selection of interpretive programs featured weekly.
The production of Fool Hollow Lake began in 1990 through a partnership
with Arizona State Parks, Arizona Game & Fish, the United States
Forest Service and the City of Show Low. The park officially opened
in 1994.
Fool Hollow Lake Recreational Area is ranked third in the country
as one of the most impressive state parks. This park, located in Show
Low, Arizona, is a wonderful place to visit. The best way to enjoy
Fool Hollow is to camp there. The park caters to both RV and tent campers.
There are 92 RV camping sites and 31 tent camping sites. Every single
site is nestled in the heart of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.
Majestic 100-foot Ponderosa pine trees can be found in every camping
site as well as a variety of forest vegetation. Many different types
of beautiful animals are often spotted roaming in the campground areas.
Any time is a good time to visit Fool Hollow Lake for the simple reason
that this state park is open year-round. If you are pressed for time
and can only visit the park for one day, then you are in luck. A day
pass is offered which includes spending the entire day while using
the park's facilities. If you would like to plan a family reunion,
family picnic, or even a wedding, the park can accommodate you with
it's five large and five small ramadas overlooking the lake. While
you are camping, you can enjoy hiking or biking the trails that can
be found throughout the over 800-acre park.
The maximum horsepower allowed on the lake is ten. Or the 150-acre
lake can easily be navigated with a trolling motor. The lake is home
to many species of fish including carp, channel catfish, walleye, brown
and rainbow trout, largemouth and small mouth bass, crappie, bluegill,
and green sunfish. Just remember that this lake can partially freeze
over in the winter due to an elevation of 6,331 feet.
For further information about Fool Hollow Lake, you can contact the
park at (928) 537 – 3680 or visit the website at www.pr.state.az.us
Gregg Munck is a nationally recognized multi species trophy fisherman
who resides near Show Low, Arizona. He has numerous awards to his credit,
including four Arizona state records to date. Gregg’s “Trophy
Fishing Secrets” book is available on his website. Fool Hollow
Lake is one of Gregg’s favorite lakes to fish.
“Fish with the fire inside”
Gregg Munck
http://www.munckstrophyfishing.com
Gregg Munck Bio
