‘Big Waders’ To Fill

Hello anglers!As most of you know, long-time Fishing Report Editor Rory Aikens retired last week after 22 years with the Arizona Game And Fish Department.

Rory was a great ambassador for the department and to Arizona’s fishing community. Over his career he interacted with thousands of anglers and conveyed his wealth of knowledge about the fishing hot spots in the state, what types of fish are biting, what bait to use, and more. We wish him a happy retirement — he leaves “big waders” to fill.

Let me introduce myself. I am Public Information Officer Reuben Gonzales and will be temporarily producing the “Weekly Fishing Report” for the near term. I am a newcomer to AZGFD, handling public information regarding watercraft and off-highway vehicle recreation.

Although I’m new to the department, I come with 29 years of law enforcement experience (including public information experience) with Phoenix Police Department, Avondale Police Department, and the U.S. Coast Guard (retired).

I will do my best to get the fishing report out in the timely manner that you are used to and with as much enthusiasm as Rory added to it.

Being a native to Arizona, I have fished most of the lakes down in the southern part of the state, including Patagonia, Arivaca, Pena Blanca and even the pond that surrounded the Longhorn Grill in Amado, Ariz.

I enjoy fishing and would like to solicit your help in providing information to anglers. I’d also like to start a “Fish Stories “section in this report to go along with the information about what’s biting where and what they are hitting on.

“Fish Stories” (or “That One That Got Away”) will offer a chance to have your stories posted in the fishing report.

Please send your “Fish Stories” to BFishing@azgfd.gov and include a picture if you have one. Story ideas might include “Kid’s first fish,” “Did you see that?,” or “You caught that on what?” We’ll pick a couple to run in each fishing report.

So, start getting me those stories and we will see who has the real fish tales to tell.