The East Verde River is split into two management reaches depending on where you are fishing on the creek. From the headwater springs to the Salt River Project (SRP) Pumphouse, the regulations include catch-and-release only, immediately release trout, no trout may be kept, artificial fly and lure only, single-pointed barbless hooks only, no bait. Unlimited bag limit for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass as well as Channel and Flathead Catfish. Statewide daily bag limits apply downstream of the SRP Pumphouse. The East Verde River is accessible by Houston Mesa Road and includes various recreation sites such as First Crossing, Waterwheel, Second Crossing and Verde Glen, which are all stocking locations. Due to warmwater temperatures and low stream flow, many of these sites were not stocked this summer season and fishing has been slow for holdover trout from the spring. Focus on deep pools at Waterwheel and First Crossing for your best bet at catching trout using a variety of techniques including PowerBait, spinners or flies. Fishing in the catch-and-release section about the SRP Pumphouse has consistently been good throughout the summer and will continue into the fall with feisty Rainbow Trout hitting a variety of flies including size 14 to 18 elk hair caddis, parachute adams, small foam terrestrials (black ants and beetles), small bead-headed wooly buggers and leeches, and various nymphs. Targeting fish habitat such as plunge pools, undercuts, logs and boulders will be the best bet for getting a fish to the net.