Fishing Season: Year Round, Trout Stocking in Winter

Salt River - AZ

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

69

Orvis Phoenix 's Tip of the Week

Bass fishing has been excellent ! Small streamers and even some poppers! Caddis nymphs or attractor style streamers such as wooly worms and other leeches work great. Lots of great dry fly bites with small tricos, hoppers and BWOs. Dont forget about them midges!

Directions open in app

Map of Salt River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

5-Day Outlook as of 10/1/23

Access has been tough these weekends with the tube hatch!

Techniques & Tips as of 10/1/23

Caddis nymph indicator rigs are going to be effective for the remaining trout and bass in the salt. swinging or stripping streamers would be go to method this time of year.

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
Adams hares ear, nat 16-20
Griffith's Gnat black 18-22
Elk Wing Caddis 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

Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer

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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:

Phon D Sutton, Blue Point Bridge, Water Users

Best Access:

Phon D Sutton, Blue Point Bridge, Water Users