Big news from Lake Powell – a 36-pound striper was caught by an Arizona family using frozen anchovies as bait; it’s the largest striper caught there so far this year, and the largest ever at Powell on anchovies.

Keep in mind that fish caught throughout Lake Powell, even in the Utah portion, can qualify for big-fish honors in Arizona.

But here’s the rest of the story; the whole lake is boiling each morning and evening as voracious stripers and other sport-fish feed on the abundant shad at Powell. If you have been waiting for the right timing to go, wait no longer. See the Powell report below. If you go, drop by two other scenic wonders of the West while you are in the Page area: Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend. They will both astound you, in different ways.

Right next door, the summer cicada bite is continuing at Lees Ferry. If you want to maximize your recreational dollars (and gasoline), take a few days to fish Powell then the Ferry – the two are combing to provide some of the most exciting summer fishing in North America in two of the most scenic places on the planet. Keep your eyes open for California condors winging across the deep Marble Canyon Gorge.

For most of the state, a dose of good summer rain has changed the angling equation, especially in the high mountain trout lakes.

When those billowing thunder storms start building in the mountains, the barometer drops, the insects come out but fly low in the sky, prompting the trout to feed actively. That means it’s time to grab your fishing pole and go catch some tasty salmonids for dinner or fun, or heck, both.

The most active trout will be near the surface to gobble up flying insects that have fallen into the water, or those flying just above the surface. Most traditional trout fishing techniques will work at this time, but the best fishing techniques will mimic the conditions.

It also sounds like there is a pretty good cicada hatch this year, which adds to the summer fishing excitement.

Even if you are not a fly angler, your can still take advantage of these trout feeding habits. You don’t necessarily need a fly rod to fish flies or even cicadas.

Try using what is called a casting bubble or float with a tapered fly line attached, and of course, a fly or a live cicada. Drop by any fly fishing shop or the major sporting goods stores and they can help you select the right tackle. It’s a whole lot of fun. Youngsters love it because they can often see the trout hitting their offering at the surface.

Simply cast the bubble with the leader and fly attached, and then slowly reel it in with stop-and-go action. Experiment; sometimes little flicks of the wrist to make the fly dart will prompt a predator reaction from the trout. Get creative.

You can also put the youngsters to work catching grasshoppers and maybe even cicadas. These wiggling offerings can really get the trout excited. But you might have to go a little larger than the typical No. 12 hooks for trout. Try No. 8 or No. 10, depending on the size of the hopper.

In the desert lakes, we have a full moon, so don’t expect your submersible lights to help much as all, but they always look pretty in the water anyway. This doesn’t mean you can’t find good night fishing. Live bait such as minnows can still work well for crappie, bass and even catfish.

Go catch some memories.

By the way, I will be on vacation in Wyoming and Montana for two weeks starting July 19, so Jim Harken (the new voice of Game and Fish) will be editing the fishing report.