About Bill McBurney

Captain Bill is an award-winning fishing guide in Arizona. He has been providing quality experiences for both novice and proficient anglers for more than 25 years. He is US Coast Guard and AZ Game & Fish licensed, and holds a CUA Permit with Glen Canyon National Park Service. Bill is a former host of a TV series featuring world renowned anglers and fishing techniques.

Lake Powell Fishing Report March 7, 2012

  Lake Powell Fish Report – March 7, 2012 Lake Elevation: 3635 Water Temperature 49-54 F By: Wayne Gustaveson   Mike Crowther, Page AZ, shows off one of the trophy largemouth bass caught at Lake Powell this spring. This one came from the San Juan Arm. The better news is that there are many of more of these waiting to be caught in the next 3 months. This will be a banner year for big fish. Fishing Report: Lake Powell water temperature still hovers between Read More +

Bill’s Corner 2-26-12- Where are the best stripers right now?

Often I am asked during off seasons where is good fishing right now?  I always try to give my customers since 1979 the best information even if it is not where I am guiding.  A “good guide” should do this. Southwestern AZ Lakes like Havasu and Mohave are good fly an spin opportunities right now between Spring storm fronts for Fly fishing.  Try the south end of Havasu around Havasu Springs with a 7-8 wt rod and 15-20 sink trip 200 grain line with a Read More +

Bill’s Corner 2-13-12- Teasing the Fish on Lake Powell

On Lake Powell (as I learned in Florida) we like to tease our fish!  Recipe?  Bait & Switch  – for fly casters and short throwers: Take one zara spook (large) and remove the hooks, drill a small hole in the mouth and fill with enough water to let the plug still barely float.  Load the lure on a medium spin rod with 4-6 lb fluro line and you can cast this rocket 300+ feet to schools out from the boat.  Stripers will hold and chase your Read More +

Bill’s Corner 2-05-12

[singlepic id=75]Fishing Lake Powell Mad Fish Fly or Spin.  What fish you are catching get really really mad?  Answer? Bass especially smallmouth during the spawn.  It is the best time around April and May when waters hits the magic degree of 60. Present a chartreuse clauser or grub at broken rock structure or submerged tree or bush line and catch  a “mad fish” which will help you to be a “happy angler”. Capt. Bill    

Bill’s Corner 1/22/12

Striper Movement,   In the Spring when the water stars to warm enough for the bait fish to migrate to open water on this lake " Lake Powell" is when the winter flows are producing a current which triggers spawning. Females suspend their eggs usually in the channels due to a slight current running through the entire lake system and especially close to the outflow of spillways dam side. The males will stage off of points and rock cropping and mark the eggs when scented Read More +

Bill’s Corner 1-15-12

Striper Boils "In the West" Best Success! Other than the usual networking of good guides and a reliable "tackle store", you have to be looking at your surroundings as soon as you see water and that is "at the ramp".  Most anglers are just as jazzed at heading up Lake especially if they own a fast fishing machine.  Then they start fishing…."oops". Here on Lake Powell, Herons, Ravens, Gulls and Coyotes are the main players when hitting striper boils that a lot of time have a lot of bass Read More +