âThe lack of snowmelt and the prospect of little rain this summer could very well result in early forest closures and no access to the creeks and lakes in Rim Country. Donât wait to get out and enjoy fishing in our forests while you can.â That was a suggestion I offered recently to readers. While I have been fishing the East Verde and Upper East Verde this year, I havenât tried Tonto Creek or Upper Christopher Creek for several months. I decided to follow my advice and fish both creeks while conditions are probably as good as they are going to be through the summer on these creeks.