Lower Salt River

[luvdemcoues]

Anybody ever fly-fished the Lower Salt River below the Saguaro lake dam? I have been thinking about a quick trip out there while waiting for ice break in the White Mountains. I know they stock it, but not sure how effective of a trip it would be. Thanks.

[jackshoe]

Call Arizona Fly Fishing shop 480-730-6808 and ask them. I know that one of the guys that works there, Ron Marlow, fishes it a lot during the winter and should have some up to date info.

[Rio]

I've fished it before, not lately though, it's kind of hit or miss, you can walk in at the parking lot/pic nic called Phon D Sutton (not sure if I spelled it correctly), which is below the dam. Depending on when the last stocking was, typical wet flys work good, like pheasant tails, az peacock lady, etc., or try out a few streamers.

 

Karl

[luvdemcoues]

Well, I had fun fishing it. Flows were pretty high though. My brother caught one 10-12 inch trout on a Super Duper. I had a few hits on flies, but was unable to bring any in. We only fished for a few hours. The water was crystal clear and cold, but holy crap what a dirty river! I saw probably 20 different shoes, 100 glass bottles, various articles of clothing and my nephew caught a jock strap. If game and fish really wants to turn this into a great trout fishery, they need to put an outing together this summer to clean that river. I know it is where all the tubers, etc. go but it was nasty.

Here is a pic of my brother going to unsnag my nephew's "green catfish".

My nephew eagerly waiting to be able to get his rod back so he can get another snag.

[missedagain]

I agree the fishing is hit or miss but worth the trip to find out because it is so close. If you have ever tried to float the river in the summer when all of the tubers are out there you would know why it is such a mess. I really think that whoever is making all of the money off of renting the tubes should take some responsibilty to clean up after their customers.

 

 

[Red Rabbit]

should take some responsibilty to clean up after their customers.

 

The sad part is that the tubers themselve cannot take responsibility for their own selves. That lack of responsiblity is evident in the cities, in our neighborhoods, along the roads, in the forests, at shooting sites and in our own hunting and fishing camps. Guess many desert destroyers were never taught or led by example by their parents. The concept of "that's why I pay taxes" (so someone else can clean up my mess) is BS. (end rant)

[Lance]

should take some responsibilty to clean up after their customers.

 

The sad part is that the tubers themselve cannot take responsibility for their own selves. That lack of responsiblity is evident in the cities, in our neighborhoods, along the roads, in the forests, at shooting sites and in our own hunting and fishing camps. Guess many desert destroyers were never taught or led by example by their parents. The concept of "that's why I pay taxes" (so someone else can clean up my mess) is BS. (end rant)

 

 

 

 

AMEN to that rant!

 

And good job gitting the kids out !

 

Lance

[backyardsuprher0]

should take some responsibilty to clean up after their customers.

 

The sad part is that the tubers themselve cannot take responsibility for their own selves. That lack of responsiblity is evident in the cities, in our neighborhoods, along the roads, in the forests, at shooting sites and in our own hunting and fishing camps. Guess many desert destroyers were never taught or led by example by their parents. The concept of "that's why I pay taxes" (so someone else can clean up my mess) is BS. (end rant)

 

 

agreed agreed, makes me sick

[bullwidgeon]

If you catch some little planter trouts on the lower Salt, use them as bait, Flatheads love them.

 

 

Bret M.

 

 

[thunderbolt]

nice looking cats there !

[elmergoo]

Amen Brett

[luvdemcoues]

My brother and I fished the Lower Salt again yesterday. The water has warmed up a little. It seemed to me to be cleaner yesterday than when I went a few weeks ago. The fishing was still slow. We fly fished it for about 6 hours and each of us only got a few hits. That is a tough river to figure out. Every time I am there, I see a lot of other people fishing it though. So I imagine that a lot of those people are taking the fish they catch. Not a lot of meat on those 12 inch trout, but whatever floats their boat. If people would just leave those fish in there, that river has the potential to be a decent trout fishery. Flows should be able to remain pretty high all year long which can allow for more holdover trout there. Too bad people take those little guys for two to three bites of fish. I am going to figure out how to fly fish that river if it is the last thing I do!

[jackshoe]

Flows out of the dam at saguaro lake typically go down to 8 cfs after irrigation season is over while SRP is filling the salt river and verde river reservoirs. If the lower salt could maintain a decent minimum flow it could be a great brown trout or smallmouth bass fishery. I know that many of the local fly fishing clubs have tried in the past to get guaranteed flows in the lower salt-SRP says it just can't be done. Too bad.

 

[bullwidgeon]

There are so many big cats and trout eating sized bass that when the flows drop and the trout get corralled in pools I have a hard time believing many of them would get to be holdover sized....

Once the tubers start weekends are unfishable there anyways unless you go at night. Its a pretty decent fishery considering how much use it gets and how close to a major metropolitan area it is, just not for trout.

 

Bret M.

[25-06]

If you catch some little planter trouts on the lower Salt, use them as bait, Flatheads love them.

 

 

Bret M.

I know catfish like stinkbait an all but I sure as heck aint ever seen um chomp onto a javalina like that...Thay pic is priceless