Fishing Season: Year Round, Trout Stocking in Winter

Salt River - AZ

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

69

Orvis Phoenix 's Tip of the Week

lots of fish on streamer/leech variations. Hot head anything gets the job done!

Directions open in app

Map of Salt River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

5-Day Outlook as of 12/19/24

Lots of good fishing near blue point, that area should be your main access through the winter.

Techniques & Tips as of 12/19/24

Indicator rigs and intermediate leech lines are king for early into the heart of winter here! We love to throw hares ear and any shiny nymphs. Lots of fish will be foolish to goofy colored flies when they are freshly stocked.

Local Species Available Year Round, Trout Stocking in Winter

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    Bass

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    Carp

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    Suckers

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    Bluegill

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    Rainbow Trout

Orvis Phoenix 's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer black, olive 8-12
Griffith's Gnat Black 16-22
Hot Cone Woolly Bugger black 10
Bead Head Krystal Caddis Larva olive.,tan 14-18
Midges Red, Black 16-22
Semi Seal Canadian Black, Oliv 12
Bead Head Hare's Ear Nymph tan 14-20
Bead Head Krystal Caddis Larva olive 16
Elk hair Caddis olive, tan 14-18

Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer

Every angler needs an assortment of these weighted attractor Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer flies.

2.49

Item #0311

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Orvis Phoenix 's Recommended Gear

Description: About Salt River

The Salt River is located just east of the Phoenix Metro area. It is home to a year round bass, carp and sucker population and is stocked September through April with Rainbow Trout. This is the closest place to town where you can catch a trout in moving water. Early in the season (Oct-Jan) can be tricky fishing above Phon D Sutton until the Salt River Project start moving water out Stewart Mountain Dam on Saguaro Lake. Once flow begin, which fluctuate year to year, the fish spread out from their stocking locations and flies become much easier to present. This is a great river to float once water is released, opening up access to untouched parts of the river and providing am amplitude of solitude.

Nearest Airport:

Phoenix Sky Harbor

Hatches:

Tricos Caddis Blue Winged Olive

Best Time to Fish:

All day

Best Stretch:

Blue Point Bridge, pebble beach, sheeps crossing

Best Access:

pebble beach, Blue Point Bridge, sheeps crossing