Salt River Fly Fishing Report: 12/20/24 (Bottom of page)
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: We can get flies to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Tailwater
Species
Rainbow Trout (stocked maybe some
holdovers)
Size
Medium
Location
Central Arizona
Season:
Year-round
Nearest Towns
Phoenix
Access:
Fair
Non-Resident License
State of Arizona
Weather
National Weather Service Link
USGS data: Below Stewart Mtn dam
Seasons:
The fishing season runs year-round.
Spring:
Fly fishing the Salt River offers the most fun during the Spring because of the aquatic insect hatches.
Summer:
The tailwater stays cold all Summer long and fishing continues to be good provides water is released from the dam.
Fall:
Fishing remains good throughout the Fall
Winter:
The water remains near 50 degrees throughout the Winter near the dam and fishing can be good throughout
the winter months. Trout are stocked during the Winter.
| Recommended Tackle & Gear Fly Line: 4, 5 or 6 weight Leaders: Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing: 71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X Tippets: Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X, Streamer 0-2X Best Fly Rods: Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five or Ultimate Six Fly Reels: For 4/5/6 fly line Fly Floatants and Misc Items: Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators Tools & Accessories: Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc. Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail. Copyright 2016 James Marsh |
Fly Fishing The Salt River Arizona
The Salt River in Arizona, is a 200 mile long river but only a small section of the river supports trout. It is the tailwater at Stewart Mountain Dam below Saguaro Lake. The reason it supports trout is the bottom release of cold water from about the 125 foot depth of the lake. Fly fishing the Salt River is different from most any trout stream. Fly fishing the Salt River is fly fishing for trout in a desert.
The Salt River tailwater is a well stocked stream with a few holdover trout that’s only 25 miles from Phoenix. It’s possible to catch a trout from water about 50 degrees in air temperatures reaching a hundred degrees or more.
The Salt River is a very fertile stream that supports trout well provided some minimum acceptable flows are maintained during low water periods. Unfortunately, that hasn’t always been the case. Certain wet years during times the watershed received lots of rain, the trout have done well and held over well. During dry years, with little rainfall in the watershed, the releases have been so small it made it impossible to have a good tailwater fishery.
Most anglers access to the area just below the dam at the User’s Water Recreational Area. This area can become crowded just after the stream is stocked. Phon D. Sutton, Coon Bluff and Goldfield are other areas the Salt River can be accessed. The Verde River confluence is at
the Pon D. Sutton access area. The fishing area extends to the Granite Reef Dam area.
This tailwater supports a good population of aquatic insects. There are plenty of Little Blue-winged Olives, Tricos, Blue Quills, Pale Evening duns and other mayflies. There are plenty of caddisflies including Little Black Caddis, Short-horned Sedges, Spotted Sedges and Green Sedges.
Don’t forget the terrestrials. Imitations of beetles, ants and grass hoppers work great during the summer months. When the water is cold, midges become important, especially in the tailwater.
Fishing Reports:
05/11/21 The river is is in good shape thought the levels are a little low. We are getting good reports from customers. There are some great hatches taking place. Call us or send us an email for a recommended fly list.
05/20/21 The river is still in okay shape other than low levels. It don’t seem to have much effect on the “catching” as we are still getting good reports from customers. There are good hatches taking place.
05/28/21 The river is flowing at a normal level and in good shape. We are getting good reports from customers. There are lots of insects hatching.
06/05/21 The stream level is near a normal level Fish near the dam and you should catch plenty trout. Call or write us for a recommended fly list.
06/21/21 The discharges and stream levels are low but we are still getting good reports from customers fishing near the dam. Good trico hatches as well as PMDs, Spotted sedge caddis and other insects are hatching.
07/04/21 The stream levels are normal and we are getting good reports from customers. Fish near the discharges from the dam as allowed where the water is the coolest.
07/15/21 The discharges from the dam are low due to the low water level in the freestone section. We are still getting some good reports from customers fishing just below the dam.
07/31/21 The stream levels are still below normal but otherwise in good shape. The upper section near the dam Provides the best opportunity. There are good hatches.
08/08/21 The stream levels and discharges below Stewart Mountain dam are normal. The water is cool below the dam as long as you are within not more than 5 miles or so from it.
08/16/21 The river is very low due to low discharges and the lack of recent rain. We are still getting a few good reports from customers fishing just below the dam.
08/24/21 The river is flowing at 783 cfs at 4.45 ft. which is still below normal but improved from last week. Fish the uppermost ten miles below the dam for the best results.
08/31/21 The discharges and stream levels are still low. The water is still cool below the dam and we are still getting some good reports.
09/16/21 The river is is flowing at 1030 cfs, a good rate and with good levels. We received two good reports recently from customers. Good hatches continue and our terrestrial patterns are also working.
09/25/21 The stream levels are flowing at a normal level. We are getting some good reports from customers thanks to some good hatches taking place.
10/03/21 The discharges and resulting stream levels are normal and the river in good shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
10/15/21 The stream levels are high right now due to recent rain but should fall back out fast. We were getting good reports.
10/25/21 The discharges and stream levels are still high but should start falling soon. We get good reports when the levels are okay.
11/02/21 The stream is down flowing at a normal and in good shape. we should start getting good reports very soon. There are good hatches taking place.
11/11/21 The discharges and stream level is a little above normal and clear. We received two good reports from customers this past week. Good hatches continue to take place.
11/19/21 The stream is still a little above normal but that is good because normal is usually low at this time of the year. We received two more good reports this past week.
11/27/21 The discharges and stream levels are still above normal but okay. We received one good report from a customer fishing this past week.
12/06/21 The stream is down to a normal level and in good shape. We received three good reports from customers this past week.
12/14/21 The stream level is up flowing at 46 cfs. That is above normal but keep in mind normal at this time of the year is low. We received three more good reports last week.
12/22/21 The stream levels is still well above normal but that’s not a bad thing. Normal level at this time of the year is low. We received two more good reports this past week.
12/30/21 The stream is still well above normal levels but normal level is usually low. Good midge and BWO hatches are taking place and our aquatic worms and sculpin streamers are working good.
01/07/22 The stream is still a little above normal but okay. Normal is low during the winter months. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
01/15/22 The stream levels are above normal but that isn’t all bad because normal levels are low during the winter months. We received two more good reports from anglers fishing this past week.
01/23/22 The stream levels and discharges are still well above normal but we continue to get some good catch reports from customers. Good BWO and Blood midge hatches are taking place and our sculpin streamers are working good.
01/31/22 We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches continue. You should be able to catch okay numbers.
02/08/22 Three more good reports came in this past week. Good blood and cream midge and little BWO hatches are taking place. Fish the midge larva and pupa imitations in tandem for the best results.
02/16/22 Conditions are good. We received four good reports from customers fishing this past week.
02/24/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. We received three more good reports from customers fishing this past week. Blood midges and little BWOs are hatching good.
03/04/22 The stream level is very low this morning due to low discharges. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
03/12/22 We received two more good reports from customers fishing the tailwater. Good hatches continue to take place.
03/20/22 The stream is still very low but we are still getting some good catch reports. Good hatches are taking place.
03/28/22 The stream is still lower than normal but on the way up. Good hatches are taking place and we continue to get good reports from customers.
04/05/22 Good hatches of Blue-winged olives, March Browns, Cream and Red or blood midges, little black caddis and other insects are taking place. Stream levels are up to just a little below normal level and in good shape.
04/13/22 The river is turning out some good catches. We continue to get good reports.
04/21/22 More good reports came in this past week. There are some very good hatches taking place.
04/29/22 Very good conditions including stream levels continue. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
05/04/22 Stream levels are just a little below a normal level and in good shape. We are getting more good reports from customers fishing it. Good hatches continue to take place.
05/12/22 Very good conditions exist. We continue to get good reports from customers. There are lots of insects hatching. This next week should be another good one.
05/20/22 Conditions remain very good. We are still getting good reports from customers fishing the stream. Good hatches continue to take place.
05/28/22 The stream discharges are still at a normal rate and the river is good shape. There are very good hatches taking place and we are getting some good reports.
06/05/22 The stream is flowing at a normal level and in good shape. We received one good report this past week from a customer. Good hatches continue to take place.
06/12/22 The river is still flowing at a normal level and clear. We received three good reports from customers fishing this past week. Very good hatches are taking place.
06/19/22 The stream is still at a normal level in good shape. We received two good reports from customers fishing it this past week.
06/26/22 The stream is still in good shape with good hatches of PMDs, spotted and green sedges, BWOs, and other insects.
07/03/22 The stream is following a little below normal level but okay. We received two good reports this past week. Good hatches continue to take place.
07/10/22 The stream is flowing at a good level with clear water. We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week. Good hatches continue and our terrestrial imitations are also working.
07/17/22 The stream is still a little below normal and clear. We continue to get some good reports from customers thanks to the good hatches taking place. This coming week should be another good one.
07/24/22 Stream levels and discharges remain a little below normal but not too low. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
07/31/22 Conditions remain about the same. Low water levels continue to exist but trout can still be caught.
08/07/22 The stream is still relatively low but we continue to get a few good reports from customers fishing it. Good hatches continue to take place. There are lots of Spotted sedge caddis.
08/14/22 We continue to get good reports from customers. Fish near the dam discharges where the water is cooler. Good hatches continue to come off.
08/21/22 The water is cool near the dam discharge and that is where it is best. Good midge, little BWO and Trico hatches along with Spotted and Little sister caddis.
08/28/22 The stream is flowing just a little below normal level in good shape. We received two good reports from customers this past week.
09/05/22 Fish near the dam and you should catch good numbers of trout on our BWO and Mahogany Dun nymphs. Tricos and Little Sister caddis are also hatching.
09/12/22 Conditions remain pretty good. We received two good reports from customers fishing recently.
09/26/22 Stream levels are normal and the river in good shape. We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week.
10/11/22 Stream levels are above normal but falling. Good late season hatches are taking place. Give it a couple of days.
10/28/22 The stream is stil a little above normal level but okay. We are still getting some good reports. Good hatches are taking place.
11/15/22 Stream level is at 4.01 at 411 cfs. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout. Let us hear from you.
12/01/22 The stream is flowing at 245 cfs at 3.11 ft. We continue to get good reports. Trout are taking light green and cream midge larva and pupa, sculpin streamers and size 18 BWOs.
01/31/23 Sorry for the missed reports. Under the weather for a while but okay now. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
02/12/23 Stream levels are high but the river can still be fished in some places. We received two good reports this past week. Midges, little BWOs, sculpin streamers and winter stoneflies are working.
03/05/23 The stream level is low but there has been a lot of rain and this is may well change. For now, you can catch trout thanks to good hatches and low water.
03/14/23 The stream is still low but it is still turning out some trout. We received two good reports this past week.
03/24/23 The stream level is high but okay. There are good hatches taking place.
04/03/23 The stream level is very, very high.
04/11/23 Stream levels are still very high. Give it some more time to settle down.
04/23/23 The stream level is down a little below normal and the river in okay shape. We received two good reports this past week from customers. Good hatches are taking place.
05/01/23 The stream is flowing just a little above normal level and clear. Good hatches are taking place. We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week.
05/10/23 The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. Very good hatches are taking place.
05/20/23 The stream is still flowing at a normal level with clear water. Good hatches are taking place. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
05/30/23 The stream levels are normal and the water clear. We received two more good reports from customers this past week. Good hatches are taking place.
06/10/23 Good conditions exist. We are getting good reports from customers thanks to very good hatches.
06/18/23 The conditions are still good. We received two good reports from customers this past week.
06/29/23 The stream is still flowing a little below normal levels and clear. Good hatches are taking place. We received one good report from a customer fishing recently.
07/07/23 The stream is still flowing a little below normal level and clear. We received another good report from a customer this past week.
07/15/23 The stream is still a little below normal but which is okay. There are good hatches taking place. We received two more good reports from customers fishing this past week.
07/24/23 The stream is still producing cool water at the discharges from the dam. In spite of the record heat, it can still be fished successfully in the early mornings and late afternoons. Good midge, PMD and BWO hatches are taking place.
08/03/23 Stream levels are a little below normal and clear. We received a good report from a customer fishing this past week.
08/09/23 Stream levels are still a little below normal. We received yet another good report from a customer fishing recently. Good hatches are still taking place. The weather is very hot again but the water coming from the dam discharges is cold.
08/18/23 The stream is still below a normal level. Good hatches continue to take place. Rain is on the way from Hurricane Hilary. That will probably fix the low water level.
08/26/23 Stream levels are just a little below normal and the water clear. Good hatches are still coming off.
09/02/23 Stream levels are still a little below normal but okay. Good hatches are still happening and we are still getting good catch reports from customers.
09/09/23 Conditions are still good. The stream is near a normal level and good late season hatches are taking place.
09/16/23 The stream is still near a normal level with good hatches taking place. Let us hear from you.
09/23/23 Conditions remain good. We received one good report this past week from a customer.
09/30/23 The stream is still in good shape with stream levels just a little below normal. Good hatches continue to take place.
10/07/23 Conditions remain very good. We received two good reports from customers catching trout this past week
10/19/23 Stream levels remain well above normal. Hopefully they will drop over the next week.
10/27/23 Stream levels are still above normal but okay. Good midge hatches are taking place, both Blood (red) and Creams. Our customers are doing good with the our pre-rigged larva and pupa imitations.
11/07/23 The stream is still a little above normal but okay. Our tandem rigged midge larva and pupa are popular here in both the creams and Red or blood midge patterns.
11/14/23 The stream remains in okay shape. Midge and small BWOs continue to hatch.
11/21/23 We are still getting good catch reports. Cream and Red midges and size 18 Blue-winged olives are producing as well as our Brown Sculpin streamer.
11/28/23 More good catch reports came in this past week. The discharges and stream levels are a little high but okay. Both Blood (red) and Cream midge with the larva and pupa rigged in tandem are working very good. We have these pre-rigged for those who can’t see the tiny flies very well.
12/05/23 Stream levels are above normal but normal at this time of the year is low. Good midge hatches continue to come off.
12/17/23 Stream levels are still above normal, but we are getting some good reports.
12/28/23 Stream levels continue to be above normal levels but okay. There are good red or blood midge and light green midge hatching taking place. We received one good report from a customer this past week.
01/08/24 The stream is still a little above normal level but okay. Light Green midges are hatching good. Winter stoneflies are hatching.
01/18/24 The stream is flowing well below normal but that isn’t a bad thing. We are still getting good reports of catches. Our light green and blood, or red midge larva and pupa, rigged in tandem work good.
01/26/24 The discharges and stream levels are high. Give it a day or two to drop. It has been turning out good catches prior to the high levels. We have midge larva and pupa pre-rigged in tandem and you can fish them under a strike indicator. https://perfectflystore.com/product/pre-rigged-tandem-midge-larva-pupa-tippet/
02/04/24 The stream is a little above normal due to recent rain. W have been getting good catch reports from customers before the levels were high. Good hatches continue to take place.
02/13/24 Rain has increased the discharges and flows to well above normal levels. It should drop and clear fast. We have been getting very good reports from customers.
02/23/24 The stream is very high due to high discharges caused by recent heavy rain. Give it some time to drop and clear and it will be good again.
03/01/24 The stream is down to a normal level and flowing clear. Good midge hatches continue to take place. Our pre-rigged in tandem midge larva and pupa work good here.
03/08/24 The stream is flowing a little below normal levels and clear. Good hatches continue to take place.
06/09/24 Sorry for the missed reports. We will be posting them weekly from now on. Discharges and stream levels are good and there are very good hatches taking place. We received two good reports from customer fishing yesterday.
06/18/24 The stream is flowing at an okay level and clear. We are getting good reports from customers fishing. Good hatches are taking place and our terrestrial patterns are working good.
06/26/24 The discharges and stream levels are normal and the water is clear. We are getting some very good catch reports. Good hatches are continuing to take place.
07/02/24 Discharges and stream levels are high. We received on good catch report this past week.
07/13/24 Good conditions exist. We received two good reports this past week. Good hatches continue to take place.
07/17/24 The conditions remain good. We received two more good reports.
07/25/24 Conditions are still good. The stream is flowing at a normal level and clear. Good hatches are taking place.
08/02/24 The stream is in very good condition with normal stream levels and clear water. Good hatches are taking place and you should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
08/14/24 The stream is flowing at a normal level with clear water. Fish near the dam discharge for cooler water conditions. Good Spotted Sedge and Little Sister caddis hatches are taking place along with some other insects.
08/22/24 The stream is still flowing at a normal level with clear water. Good hatches continue to take place. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
08/27/24 Good conditions exist. we received two more good reports from customers fishing the past three days.
09/04/24 The discharges and stream levels are at a normal level with clear water. Good hatches continue and we continue to get good catch reports from customers.
09/11/24 Conditions remain very good. We continue to get good catch reports. In addition to the above mentioned hatches, Tricos and Mahogany duns are hatching.
09/18/24 The stream is still flowing at a normal level and clear. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday.
09/26/24 The stream is still flowing a little above a normal level and clear. Good hatches are taking place. You should be able to catch good numbers of trout.
10/02/24 The stream is flowing just a little below normal level and clear.
10/09/24 The stream is flowing a little above a normal level and clear. We received a good report from a customer fishing this past week.
10/17/24 The stream is flowing just a little above a normal level and lightly stained. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday. Good hatches are taking place.
10/30/24 The stream is flowing way above a normal level and highly stained. Give it some time to drop and clear.
11/08/24 The stream is still flowing well above a normal level and stained. It needs more time to drop and clear.
11/07/24 The stream is still very high way above a normal level. Give it time to drop and clear.
11/22/24 Conditions are good. The stream flows are back down to a normal level and the water is clear. We received a good report from a customer fishing yesterday. Our pre-rigged in tandem midge larva and pupa flies work good here.
11/28/24 Conditions remain good. The stream is flowing a little below normal level and clear. We received two good reports from customers fishing this past week.
12/05/24 The stream is flowing well below a normal level and clear. You should still be able to catch plenty trout.
12/13/24 Conditions remain good. There are good hatches taking place. We received one good report from a customer fishing yesterday.
12/20/24 The stream is flowing a little above a normal level and clear. Good hatches of Cream midges, and BWOs continue to take place.
Perfect Flies are designed and tied to to imitate and behave like the natural foods the trout rely on to survive as much as possible. The more your fly looks like and moves through and on the surface of the water like the real things, the higher your odds of success.
Send us an email at sales@perfectflystore.com for fly and gear recommendations.