First, a little rumor control. There is a rumor that you shouldn’t eat trout caught from some of the lakes east of Flagstaff due to mercury issues — false, False, FALSE.

First, trout are stocked from our hatcheries where there is no possibility of mercury exposure.

However, because of what trout eat (insects), even those that are residents won’t experience mercury issues. Here’s why. When mercury becomes an issue, it is because of something called bio-accumulation. As this heavy metal proceeds up the food chain from organism to organism, it gradually becomes more concentrated in the next critter up the chain. Top-of-the-line predators, such as walleye and pike, can end up with more mercury concentrations in their flesh. Trout have a different niche in the food chain — they are insectivorous.

That brings us to channel catfish. Generally, catfish feed on more vegetative matter than they do flesh (this can vary from lake to lake depending on the food base). Therefore, channel catfish at these high country lakes don’t experinece the bio-accumulation effect.

Enough rumor control, on to fishing.

It’s time to celebrate the official beginning of summer (summer solstice June 20) with a fishing trip to the cool mountains.

I spent some time at the lakes around the Flagstaff area last week and was even blessed with a perfect day of no wind, blue skies and a superb bite (see picture to the right).

Lower Lake Mary is slowly but surely dwindling and the abundant trout are concentrated. Those fishing at first light might be able to clean up – like I did using small KastMasters and spinners.

For fly anglers, Marshall Lake is tiny, the fish are small, but the fun is huge. Two department fly anglers, Eric Swanson and Randall Smith (pictured above), had a ball at Marshall catching small rainbows, brookies and grayling (picture on left) in the early morning hours before our Department School. It’s a great place for beginners – no trees adjacent to the small lake to snag on your back cast.

What can I say about Upper Lake Mary – go for Northern Pike in the upper end. I had a ball using yellow jacket spinners until a big pike sliced the line and took my last jacket. Talked to two Flagstaff anglers there who are routinely catching 5- to 15-pound northern pike, mostly on frozen anchovies. The reports of big pike are really starting to come in — go catch and keep these monsters to help the fishery.

I also made my first non-windy visit to Ashurst in years. Steve, who operates the store there (it’s really a trailer), came through this week on his promise to send in fishing reports. Thanks Steve! Check it out in the Flagstaff section of the report.

A little off subject, but not much, is Mormon Lake. It pretty much filled this year and is a huge wetland. Duck hunters will want to stock up on shotgun shells – it should be our best waterfowl hunting in some time, we hope. Might not be too bad for bullfrog guigging at some point this summer.

The heat in the Valley makes a cool mountain trout fishing trip almost irresistible – sitting at stop lights as record heat sizzles the pavement, my mind tends to wander back to my recent swing along the Mogollon Rim Lakes. So go catch some trout memories to help you survive the heat.

Woods Canyon is by far the best producer of stocker trout – we stock it weekly with lots of rainbows, and they are readily caught by anglers.

Willow Springs is a great place for those with boats, or those looking for a piece of seemingly solitary shoreline – at 250 surface acres and plenty of shoreline access, a short hike can typically get you away from the crowds. Or try an all-day fishing walk around the lake – it’s an adventure.

Bear Canyon is one of my favorite high lonesome haunts. It’s a short but steep hike in, so most folks avoid it. This sparkling mountain lake is visually stunning. When the fishing is good, you might catch stockers and larger holdovers. For float tubers, it’s a dream. Canoes aren’t too bad either, but you have to portage them a ways to get there.

Another favorite is Chevelon Lake, which has limited shoreline, a strenuous hike (out), and a knee-challenging hike in. It is best with float tubes. But there are some huge browns and ‘bows in this steep-sided lake that attracts fish-eating eagles and osprey.

Farther afield, my two top picks in the White Mountains are Big Lake and Reservation Lake. Both are fairly close to one another, relatively speaking. Big Lake is on the national forest. Reservation is on the White Mountain Apache Reservation. The can both provide phenomenal fishing at times. There are boat rentals at both of them. If you have a few days, give them both a try. You’ll thank me later.

For the lowland fishing, these super-heated days make fishing at night a good idea. With a full moon this week, don’t expect your submersible lights help a lot. However, that doesn’t mean night fishing won’t be superb, just switch tactics. For bass, use black lures, like poppers, crankbaits and even soft-plastic worms or lizards. Seems counterintuitive, but they work – think silhouette, especially with the moon.

Just like during the daytime, work the major points, islands and reefs in the main lake. Or find the submerged creek or river channels, and plant yourself – those are the major fish highways.

A bucket of minnows and a container of night crawlers can make night-catching wonderful. Give them a try.

For those without boats, bank fishing for catfish at night using stink baits can produce a lot of action. Look for large flats, or major extended points. Slip sinkers are almost a must – catfish and carp have sensitive senses of feel. A free floating bait is best.

Hey, and for the kids, this is prime sunfish time. Try the backs of coves using meal worms, night crawlers, or corn under bobbers. If you can find area with submerged boulders, great. If you don’t get hit in the first 15 or 20 minutes, move.

For all you fly anglers, they have started hearing cicadas at Lees Ferry – the cicada bite could start any time now. Don’t miss this terrific summer topwater bite at the Ferry, it’s spectacular.

Plus, it won’t be long before the topwater bite on stripers at Lake Powell in the upper end from Hite to Bullfrog could kick into gear in a few weeks. When it does, you’ll able to catch stripers until your arms hurt, and then catch even more if your able. Watch the reports. Don’t miss out.

We are also hearing some pretty good striper tales from Lake Mead. Even though anglers have been quiet, I suspect the fishing for huge stripers at Willow Beach using swim baits is probably going great guns – but those devout anglers seeking monster fish don’t talk much. Go catch a secret of your own.

Good luck. Maybe I’ll see you out there.