Ten days after the twin towers collapsed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥an Eric Loeffler was back in his hometown of New York City.
He saw pain and wreckage, sure, but also something more.
“It was amazing how kind people were and how willing they were to help in any way,†said Loeffler, who has owned ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Dry Creek Outfitters since 1999.
More than 20 years later, Loeffler is being reminded again of the kindness he saw New Yorkers showing each other during their darkest days.
“That’s how it is again now,†Loeffler said. “People don’t necessarily need anything, but they still want to give support.â€
While shops, sports and leisure activities across the nation are taking a pause, fishing remains still an available option. And according to one doctor and avid fisherman, it remains perfectly safe — provided you exercise appropriate social distancing.
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Dry Creek is one of hundreds of local businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic, but Loeffler is still processing online orders for rods, reels and, in particular, fly-making supplies. Dry Creek is offering free shipping, “like most folks these days,†Loeffler said.
“A lot of people are tying flies at home in anticipation of when they’ll be out fishing,†he said. “A good percentage of my store is fly-tying materials. That’s a whole other rabbit hole you can go down.â€
It’s true: Online video tutorials can teach amateurs fly-making and even casting.
“People can also read up on entomology and learn what insects are important in what region and when they occur,†Loeffler said. “That’s something I help people out with when they come to the shop — but now that we’re not open, that’s something they can research online.â€
There are still bodies of water across the state that are allowing visitors and are well-stocked with fish, including Lee’s Ferry, Parker Canyon and Patagonia, according to Loeffler.
“Blue gill, bass and carp are all species it’s appropriate to go after with a fly rod,†Loeffler said. “If people want to stay in Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Patagnoia Lake is a good spot. They’re done stocking trout in there, but there’s plenty of blue gill and large-mouth bass.â€
The Mogollon Rim near Greer has some small streams that Loeffler says are also fishing well. (The ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Game and Fish Department’s website is offering up-to-date information about closures and restrictions).
Pre-coronavirus, Dry Creek would offer free casting lessons in Fort Lowell Park on Saturday mornings. Loeffler says he’s hoping they will resume soon.
“This has been brutal, because this is my busy season, and it coincided with right when this started. It couldn’t have been any worse, timing-wise,†Loeffler said, adding that although he is not at risk of closure, the drop in business hurts. He is grateful for the customers who have placed online orders or called the store over the last several weeks, many of whom Loeffler says simply want to help out.
“If it weren’t for customers like that,†he said, “it would be a lot harder.â€

Reels on display at Dry Creek Outfitters located at 5655 E. River Road suit 131, on April 21, 2020.
‘Probably the safest place to be is on the lake right now’
Medical experts agree that maintaining social distance is imperative right now, and according to an Alabama doctor, the lake is the perfect place to do that.
“You can (practice social distancing) when you’re out in the middle of nowhere, in open spaces and open air,†Dr. Neil Schaffner of Alabama said in an interview with the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society. “Probably the safest place to be is on the lake right now.â€
Schaffner said that fishermen should continue to practice safety measures as they would for other activities and be aware of where dangers still exist.
“Your biggest risk is at the gas pump,†Schaffner said. “The second-greatest risk might be pulling through a drive-thru … on the way to the lake.â€
Schaffner advises people to avoid touching any hard surfaces without protection.
While fishing can be a social activity, Schaffner advises people to use extreme caution when considering fishing with another person.
“If your fishing partner is coughing or has any other of the symptoms — fever, aches, sore throat — or has been exposed to someone with coronavirus, don’t go,†Schaffner said, adding that he is fishing alone these days.
People who choose to fish together should stay at opposite ends of the boat and sanitize anything the other person has touched before using it themselves, Schaffner said.

Eric Loeffler, owner of Dry Creek Outfitters, in his store located at 5655 E. River Road suit 131, on April 21, 2020.
‘Right now is the perfect time to go out … and just practice’
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥an JJ Belcher has been fishing pretty much his whole life and says now is as good a time as any for people to keep their skills up — on and off the water.
Belcher started out as a “conventional fisherman,†enjoying the quality waters of Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ year-round before moving to fly fishing about nine years ago. He’s now getting his 5-year-old son into the sport that he’s quick to call his obsession.
“In ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, you definitely have to drive a few hours to hit any big waters, but there are several small, city lakes around that you can go out on and have some fun,†said Belcher, who owns a local dog training facility. Belcher said that Game and Fish does a good job of stocking the local lakes and that urban fishing at Lakeside, Kennedy and Silverbell lakes is a serious hobby for some locals.
With fishing locations ranging from midday breaks to weekend trips, Belcher said there are plenty of options — even now — for Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ns looking to get out on the water. But he understands that some people aren’t comfortable doing that right now, saying that there are plenty of other ways to stay or get involved.
“I do a lot of tying my own flies and things like that,†Belcher said. “That way I can kind of still be in that fishing mode and not necessarily on the water.â€
For people who are not obsessed yet, or who have never fly-fished before, Belcher said that quarantine is the perfect time to learn.
“There’s a lot of technique that goes into casting,†Belcher said. “Right now is the perfect time to go out into the front yard or the park and just practice, so that you’re not spending hours on the water when you finally get out there.â€
Photos for April 11: ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ gets by during Coronavirus Pandemic
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Susan Hillman chats with her mother Betty Hillman via telephone, April 9, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. Eighty-five year old Betty Hillman is in long term skilled care and Susan is unable to visit due to COVID-19 restrictions on nursing home facilities.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Susan Hillman chats with her mother Betty Hillman near a photo of Betty and her husband, Susan's dad, Bill, circa 2105, April 9, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. Eighty-five year old Betty Hillman is in long term skilled care and Susan is unable to visit due to COVID-19 restrictions on nursing home facilities.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Ben Forbes, left, owner of Forbes Meat Company, helps Jeronimo "Mo" Madril, right owner and executive chef of Geronimo's Revenge, wrap up tortilla's for to-go carnitas for Forbes Meat Company and Geronimo's Revenge's "Carnitas for the community" at Thunder Canyon Brewery, 220 E. Broadway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 6, 2020. Forbes Meat Company and Geronimo's Revenge partnered to help the restaurant community by offering free carnitas to those affected by the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). They will be making to go carnitas every Monday in April starting at 2pm until all the to go packs, roughly 60, are all gone. Forbes wanted to find a way to help out the restaurant community. "They are struggling and my business is exploding," said Forbes.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

David Clark, left, out of work bartender, and Jeronimo "Mo" Madril, owner and executive chef of Geronimo's Revenge, practice social distancing while waiting to give out carnitas for Forbes Meat Company and Geronimo's Revenge's "Carnitas for the community" at Thunder Canyon Brewery, 220 E. Broadway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 6, 2020. Forbes Meat Company and Geronimo's Revenge partnered to help the restaurant community by offering free carnitas to those affected by the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). They will be making to go carnitas every Monday in April starting at 2pm until all the to go packs, roughly 60, are all gone.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Steve Tracy, Thunder Canyon Brewery co-owner and brewer, fills up 16oz bottles of locally made hand sanitizer at Thunder Canyon Brewery, 220 E. Broadway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 6, 2020. Thunder Canyon Brewery, along with a few other local distilleries, are making United States Food and Drug Administration approved hand sanitizer for hospitals, first responders and the public in response to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). "Whatever I have, I am turning into hand sanitizer," said Tracy. "We are going to keep making it as much as we can."
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Steve Tracy, Thunder Canyon Brewery co-owner and brewer, fills up 16oz bottles of locally made hand sanitizer at Thunder Canyon Brewery, 220 E. Broadway Blvd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 6, 2020. Thunder Canyon Brewery, along with a few other local distilleries, are making United States Food and Drug Administration approved hand sanitizer for hospitals, first responders and the public in response to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). "Whatever I have, I am turning into hand sanitizer," said Tracy. "We are going to keep making it as much as we can."
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

David Sbarra, a psychology professor at the University of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, points his webcam at his children Margot, 9, and Mateo, 12, as he begins his introduction of his office hours for a class he now conducts over Zoom in his living room while teaching from home, on April 7, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Ben Elias, manager at Westbound, center, helps Dustin Schaber with his pickup order on April 8, 2020. Due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) only two customers are allowed in the shop, located at the MSA Annex, at the same time and all orders are to-go.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Laura Tanzer, a local fashion designer, posted on Facebook that she will make masks for $5.00 each on April 5. Tanzer thought she would receive a couple of dozen orders, but, within 24 hours she heard from over 200 people. Tanzer is now working out of her shop in downtown ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ making masks that also has a filter sowed into them. Tanzer is wearing one of her masks as she sows on April 8, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Oro Valley Hospital chief administration officer Erinn Oller talks with Fang, a local organizer with the Chinese-American COVID-19 Relief AZ group, which donated 6,000 masks, on April 9, 2020. Additional mask donations are planned as soon as shipments arrive.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Healthcare workers line up for their 2 free Sonoran hot dogs and a drink from BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs in the parking lot of St. Mary's Hospital on April 10, 2020. The owner, Benny Galaz, is giving free food to healthcare workers at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ area hospitals for the next several weeks as a way to say thank you for their hard work during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Benny Galaz, owner of BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs, cooks up Sonoran hot dogs in the parking lot of St. Mary's Hospital on April 10, 2020. Galaz is giving free food to healthcare workers at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ area hospitals for the next several weeks as a way to say thank you for their hard work during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Healthcare workers line up for their 2 free Sonoran hot dogs and a drink from BK Carne Asada & Hot Dogs in the parking lot of St. Mary's Hospital on April 10, 2020. The owner, Benny Galaz, is giving free food to healthcare workers at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ area hospitals for the next several weeks as a way to say thank you for their hard work during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

A man uses the taped off exercise station in Reid Park as an anchor for his band workout, April 8, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Alicia Roseanna, 9, fourth grader at Esperanza Elementary School, grabs a sheet of paper while listening to her teacher, Rachel Watson, and her classmates inside her home in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. during Watson's online class on April 7, 2020. Due to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) closing down schools and universities, teachers and students have been forced to schedule and participate in classes online for the remainder of the school year.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

COVID-19 survivor, Glen Reed, poses for a photo looking out from the room he's using for isolation from his family in his home, April 10, 2020, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. Reed spent nearly a month in the hospital including weeks in ICU on a ventilator.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

ER and EMS workers run through a drill practicing how to process an incoming patient experiencing a respiratory emergency at the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Medical Center's Emergency Room, on April 10, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Fire Paramedic personnel prepare to run a drill at the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Medical Center's Emergency Room, on April 10, 2020.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

The CDC recommends Americans wear a facial covering when out in public, part of an effort to reduce the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Above, shopping for spring blooms at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s Green Things Nursery.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) signs taped onto dorms at the Babcock Dorms. The rooms located at 1717 E Speedway Boulevard may be used to house hospital workers from Banner - University Medical Center if they need to be quarantined due to COVID-19.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Alex Swain, a member of Beloved in the Desert - ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥'s chapter of the Episcopal Service Corps, packs the trunk of his housemate's SUV in the parking lot of Fry's on 2480 N Swan Road after grocery shopping for an elderly man, on April 3, 2020. Swain and his housemates have volunteered to shop for elderly and at risk populations as people quarantine and stay at home during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Julisa Montano, a bus driver with Sunnyside Unified School District, gathers up the last few meals to hand out to students outside of Gallego Primary School, on April 7, 2020. The school district is distributing meals and has wifi available for students to use for school.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

A table is taped off at Fred Enke Golf Course, 8251 E. Irvington Rd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 5, 2020 due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). With a rise in the amount of people participating in golf, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ City Golf is taking extra measures to keep people safe such as sanitizing golf carts after each use and social distancing.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Rich DelVecchio, a Fred Enke Golf Course employee, sanitizes a golf cart. Course revenues at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s city-owned golf properties are up nearly 28% from the same period last year.
ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in photos, coronavirus pandemic

Golfers practice social distancing while on the driving range at Fred Enke Golf Course, 8251 E. Irvington Rd., in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., on April 5, 2020. With a rise in the amount of people participating in golf, due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ City Golf is taking extra measures to keep people safe such as sanitizing golf carts after each use and social distancing.