Salt River Trout Fishing in the Sonoran Desert (Arizona)

With scorching heat, dry river beds, and turkey vulchers circling overhead, I found myself in a most unusual trout fishing location - the Sonoran Desert. Just outside of the sprawling Phoenix/Scottsdale metropolitan area, the Salt River tailwater fishery stemming from the Saguaro Lake Reservoir was quite the oasis. Fishing for a few hours surrounded by Tonto National Forest, we managed to catch 3 Stocked Rainbow Trout and a Largemouth Bass (while missing many others). In addition to cool waters and fish, we also saw Wild Horses, River Otters (truly), as well as countless birds and lizards. Really surprised by how much I enjoyed hiking, sightseeing and even fishing the desert lands of southern Arizona!

[@Mr.Nobody1227]

I have lived in AZ my whole life and have fished all over. You did really good for never fishing it before and fishing guides would count those fish that got off. Great video

[@AverageDadFishing]

The way I look at it... fishing somewhere new like that... catching anything is a win!

[@scottkrewatch9868]

I love it! I came here for the fishing, and the....” thaaats reaaaaal nicessh”. You did not disappoint.

[@TM-ro7lh]

Couple of things. Those are stocked rainbows. Depending on what hatchery they came from, they may perfer the still water. Second, it took me years to figure out why I wasn’t more successful with trout on artificials. It’s all in the retrieve. Trout do not like erratic retrieves. They like steady. Silver, gold. Very boring. But I catch more trout than ever. My two cents.

[@jakeanddesiraesadventures4354]

Love fishing that river! Love the video

[@TravelingTroutCo]

Thanks man, appreciate it. As a Pennsylvania man myself, can't wait to go back. Between the beauty of the Sonoran Desert, the wild horses (and river otters), and the unique tailwater trout fishing opportunity, I hope to be back to the Salt sometime soon!!

[@agustintellez136]

Arizona is indeed beautiful, I grew up here. I'm glad you enjoyed it 😎 awesome fish too.

[@sethcronin5764]

Where do you recommend fishing in az?

[@williamball8490]

I grew up fishing up and down the salt. It’s great to share a close and enjoyable fishing experience!

[@tracysanderssr5037]

Awesome!!😊 fishing my man

[@tracysanderssr5037]

I just can’t wait to get back to Phoenix I have to be patient but I definitely am a freshwater angler I will make sure to bring my fly ride with me great video love phoenix👍😊🎣

[@valleyfishing1402]

That exact spot you were fishing I came about 3 feet away from a rattle snake. Didn't even notice it until I heard brush moving behind me and looked back. Careful out there.

[@TravelingTroutCo]

Rattlesnakes are my fear here in PA too in many wilderness streams. Thanks for the heads up, I hope to be back someday and will keep an eye down!

[@irishchris3173]

Great video brother I live close and fish it alot and only a few people are successful at all you got em dialed in and kept movin and kept catching impressive that your from back east and can do it out here too

[@TravelingTroutCo]

Thanks man, appreciate it. On a trip to Scottsdale with my parents and wife (in my early 30's), I wasn't expecting much quality trout fishing due to being in a desert, albeit the highly productive Sonoran Desert. Salt River exceeded my expectations. Seeing River Otters and Wild Horses was awesome. Can't wait to get back.

[@SouthernFisherman]

Great vid beautiful footage new friend here

[@jam-pq6bq]

Can you tell me where this parking spot is please?

[@trojan4ever298]

Wow I did not know there was trout in that river. I always thought they would get eaten up by the catfish & bass . That’s good to know

[@TravelingTroutCo]

Get after it!

[@kevincle4669]

Can you make a video on rod and reel setup? Especially what you use on those small PA streams, thanks for the cool videos

[@skylerswanson1127]

Next time you are in Arizona you should go fishing up on the apache Indian reservations up by pinetop. Lots of lakes And streams in that area.

[@TravelingTroutCo]

Thanks for the tip! If I'm back in the next few years, I'll definitely check it out.

[@brianl.8723]

You have to go to the bend by the high cliff face across from the SRP camp

[@roberthutcheson3674]

Very cool! What were you throwing?

[@randybrodman3959]

Did you get a Tonto pass? Required for any use in the forest.

[@riniojoe1721]

Try using red worms and kernel corn no weight just go with the flow.

[@SendItSilly]

AZ 'bows like chill water, in every aspect, and will fight the hell out of you heading to the shoreline. I have two little girls and take them fishing, set the drag hella low and those little 'bows give them a hell of a fight. If you want bass around here, use a silver chad and keep it swimming, tip down and you'll pull plenty.

[@Warthunderclips129]

Live in Arizona and yes we have a lot of wild horses but they can be friendly

[@folditcuzucan]

fished at the salt river my whole life always pulled weeds out its alot better when people arent tubing cuz they kick up the weeds some of the horses will let you pet them and there are also big horn sheep that come and drink there

[@Honestreview-om5hx]

Go do a cast and blast there during duck season. It's legal and a great time. Throw a lure shoot a few snipe or select ducks you're targeting.

[@sethcronin5764]

“It’s pretty hot, gonna need to check my water intake”: * me going fishing on phoenix’s 115° for hours without water 😅*

[@TravelingTroutCo]

Dude it gets so hot lol...

[@sethcronin5764]

@@TravelingTroutCo Very true but I grew up here so I’m a little more used to it, I will usually bring water but I only find myself taking one or two sips throughout the time I’m fishing but I usually drink a lot of water beforehand.

[@lh3428]

Not wise.

[@sethcronin5764]

@@lh3428 ill bring water and take like a couple sips after forgetting i even brought water, its really not that big of a deal as you think especially if you’ve grown up in the heat, you get used to it fast

[@folditcuzucan]

if you get there early enough you will see river otters and possibly big horn sheep

[@TravelingTroutCo]

I saw two river otters while I was there. Really incredible they can thrive in the desert (albeit from a man-made damn and tailwater river).

[@SergioDiaz-sb1zo]

Can you eat those trout ? And is september a good time to catch ?

[@aztornado]

My back yard 😁

[@kriyashivajiva]

come up to buffalo/niagara falls trout towns. will put you on some beasts

[@justjustinAZ]

What are you using?

[@TravelingTroutCo]

Single barbless hook Panther Martin spinners (black and gold).

[@swain8648]

Me waiting for the catch and cook💀🪦

[@bravoA-su8xm]

@6:39 that water looks slow but under the surface in the channel it is moving and cold

[@TravelingTroutCo]

As a Pennsylvanian, it was tough to judge the water since its a tailwater and also in the desert. Your right though and I can't wait to come back!

[@alphonsenormand9552]

He should realize that the water is usually VERY cold in a tail-water fishery, as the water is usually released from the BOTTOM of the lake !

[@youmang]

You should checkout the Gila River across the border in New Mexico

[@TravelingTroutCo]

Thanks for the suggestion! I'm actually heading to Santa Fe later this summer so will definitely check out some of the local trout streams including the Gila (although its a bit of a drive).

[@ferretapocalypse]

Wild nor feral. There’s a big difference

[@saxologist1]

What was the location?

[@TravelingTroutCo]

Tonto National Forest (east of Scottsdale on google maps) - all public land

[@kriyashivajiva]

keep that rod tip up, or get down and dirty

[@geoffreybudge3027]

Handle the net and not the fish 👍

[@TravelingTroutCo]

Great advice, thanks!

[@coastchillin]

Your channel should just be walking and talking no fishing lmao

[@anthonyporumb826]

You no nothing .

[@TravelingTroutCo]

know*