WE’RE BACK!  El Salto is the best.  

“We had two fish over 9 pounds, several over eight pounds and our top eight fish weighed 67 pounds,” said veteran Anglers Inn guest John Pierce. “We averaged about 80 fish per day in the boat and very few were under two pounds, and we boated lots of 6- and 7-pounders. A couple of large fish were able to throw our lures; I have no doubt that we had a few double-digit bass hooked up.”  

Pierce is a retired general contractor and developed properties for office, industrial and other commercial real estate. Pierce was joined by his fishing buddy, Doug Rice, to fish Lake El Salto, with Billy Chapman’s Anglers Inn the first week of July. Added Pierce, “The fishing was exceptional, our guide knew the lake so well, he would simply tell us what bait to use and where to cast. One thing I learned many trips ago, listen to your guide and you’ll catch a lot more big fish. The wind and rain made boat positioning a challenge, but he handled it expertly, which was great because the wind and rain only made the fishing better.”

Pierce’s first trip to El Salto was February 1990, and he returned in May of that year. Having fished with Anglers Inn at El Salto and Picachos many times over the past 35 years Pierce stated that the fishing at El Salto this July was as good as it has ever been. “Everything about the trip was excellent: the travel was smooth and easy; everything was in great shape at the lodge, the chef prepared food, including ribeye steak, lobster, shrimp and ribs, everything was outstanding; and the staff, which have become old friends to me now, were on top of everything for us. We felt very safe the entire trip and upon return, customs in Phoenix with the new fast processing was flawless,” said Pierce.

The largest fish for the duo were caught with a Berkley War Pig in the Ghost Morning Dawn color. We also caught both good numbers and large fish on the old standard 10” black and blue Berkley PowerWorm and a swimbait with underspin. Topwater fishing for the pair was slow, but they managed a few five pounders with the Choppo and with buzzbaits,” said Pierce. “We typically fished in 12 to 15 feet of water, with the bass loaded up on the humps and transition areas. We also were able to get some large fish on sheer walls and deep water; the fish would hit the bait on the way down, which is a lot of fun.”

July is favored by a lot of Anglers Inn guests to fish. It is hot, but the rain and wind in the afternoon cools things down. Anglers are on the lake at 5:00 am after coffee is served in the room followed by an excellent breakfast buffet. Then it’s back to the lodge for lunch at 11:00 am with a short siesta. This is an ideal time to recharge in the middle of the day. The custom Anglers Inn boats are back on the water at 2:30 pm, returning to the lodge for dinner about 6:30 pm.  

Pierce has been fortunate to fish throughout the USA, including Alaska, California, Florida and the southeast. Internationally, he has been fishing in South America and Mexico many times. This year, Pierce will be making his seventh trip to the Amazon River for peacock bass and wolffish with Anglers Inn International.  

“Billy Chapman and Anglers Inn International always provides the best guides, service, food and accommodations,” exclaimed Pierce. “No matter where you go with Anglers Inn, you know it will be a safe and successful trip. I could not recommend them more for your next “bucket list” fishing trip.”