upper salt questions

[creed_az_88]

The gila and the San Francisco where we used to float got hit pretty hard by the ash runoff so were gonna try something new. A group of us are planning a 3 day float/fishing trip in may but we're pretty unfamiliar with the rest of the rivers in az. We're thinking about a 12-19 mile stretch somewhere on the upper salt. Does anybody have any recommendations on spots to put in and spots to get out? Or maybe a spot on the gila in new Mexico where there wasn't any fish kill off? We don't mind starting on the res if we have to. And we don't mind a rough road to get to the water. We mainly target catfish, and we don't mind hiking a mile or so to the water if we have to. Thanks a lot for any help.

 

-creed

[Big Browns]

The Verde River above Bartlet Lake would be a great choice. Lot's of catfish and Smallies. Put in south of Camp Verde and come out at Bartlet. It's getting hot so you better go soon and take lots of pictures to share with us.

 

Adam

[stanley]

The Verde River above Bartlet Lake would be a great choice. Lot's of catfish and Smallies. Put in south of Camp Verde and come out at Bartlet. It's getting hot so you better go soon and take lots of pictures to share with us.

 

Adam

+1 on the Verde if you're looking for an alternative to the Gila!

 

Upper Salt is not so great for fishing, IMO. Diversion dam keeps most of the fish from running-up stream there.

 

S.

 

[123456]

The Verde River above Bartlet Lake would be a great choice. Lot's of catfish and Smallies. Put in south of Camp Verde and come out at Bartlet. It's getting hot so you better go soon and take lots of pictures to share with us.

 

Adam

This is a nice plan, but considerably farther than what it sounds like you want to do. For the distance it sounds like you want to float, I would go between horseshoe and Bartlett. Should be close to 10 miles, and there are a bunch of cats in between those 2 lakes. I have caught all my personal bests in that stretch of the river and a few have been in the 40 lb. range with my best being 52lbs. It is not very cool out side at that time of year, but that is when the cats start biting. The eagle nesting zone, is a great place to catch some giant flatheads.

[creed_az_88]

We live in southern az so the Verde is kind of far but we will consider it. Is that part if the river very isolated? Is there access to the river in lots of spots? We don't like floating over peoples lines when they are fishing from the bank. Seeing no people and lots of animals is our style although really good fishing would be a trade off we might consider if the Salt is really not a great place to fish.

[stanley]

Everyone has their opinion of what 'too crowded' is....

 

In my opinion only, if you float from Horseshoe to Bartlett on a weekend you will likely see a few folks. Not necessarily too many though. You'll see some where the road access points are....... The longer upper stretch above Horseshoe you'll see even fewer folks. Obviously if you could go during the week it would be MUCH better too!

 

What type of boat are you running? Canoes or rafts? I've only done canoes.....

 

S.

[creed_az_88]

We all run one person pontoons. 7-9 footers usually. They are about impossible to rollover and they hold all of our gear perfectly. Very comfortable and require little paddling. Well be getting in on a Sunday and getting out on a Tuesday or wednesday.

[creed_az_88]

We are not throwing out the Verde river yet. My buddies really want to hit the upper salt and float through wilderness I just want to catch fish...preferably flatheads of any size. Does anybody know if you can reach the salt on f.r. 219 north of globe? If so how is the road?

[stanley]

Ever do the Gila below San Carlos? Not too long, but can be fun. I've done a couple of floats in my canoe for ducks there!

 

S.

 

PS: Good deal on the days you have planned!

[creed_az_88]

No never been on the gila below the lake. Is the water level OK? Have you ever fished there?

[Red Rabbit]

If you are thinking of putting in at the Salt River Bridge at Hwy 60 down through the wilderness, you need to have drawn a permit. You might be able to call the FS and see if any cancellations are available There are also some class 4 rapids. From Gleason Flat/219 to 288 is 13 river miles. My guidebook says that on has to carry gear 0.2 mile down to the river at private property on 219. The Verde is getting low, only 100 cfs near Beasly Flat and 150cfs above Horseshoe, so a float would be maybe 5 days.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/az/nwis/current/?type=flow

[creed_az_88]

We've floated the gila and San Francisco at only 60 CFS so 100 CFS seems possible as long as the river isn't really wide. Do you have to have a permit to float all of the upper salt or just through the wilderness?

[stanley]

Good info from Doug (RR) on the Salt!

 

Water level on the Gila below San Carlos depends (as usual) on time of year and down stream irrigation obligations. All that plays heck on the lake level too....

 

Anyway, it's been 4-5 years since I've done it. Can be fun if the flows are good. This time of year would be the best bet for water flow. As for the fishing, it used to be decent. You're not going to catch many/any really big flatheads but there are enough cats to keep you interested in my experience. The fishing used to be fair down to Winkleman. That's where the San Pedro comes into play, and the fishing is not much good below that. Suppose due to silt.

 

Oh, and that area below San Carlos is worth a look for a day trip IMO, but if you're looking for 2-3 days, you won't get it out of that stretch of river. Not enough miles there, IMO.....

 

S.

 

[creed_az_88]

Thanks for the info Stanley. Were looking real hard at the lower box of the gila in new mexico. I've been there one time as a kid and it was awesome country. Seems fairly remote and the length seems perfect. I read on a website that no permit is required so if that's true than a fishing license is all we need and we'll be set.