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!

Пікірлер: 62

  • @Mr.Nobody1227
    @Mr.Nobody1227Ай бұрын

    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
    @AverageDadFishing2 жыл бұрын

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

  • @scottkrewatch9868
    @scottkrewatch98682 жыл бұрын

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

  • @TM-ro7lh
    @TM-ro7lh3 ай бұрын

    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
    @jakeanddesiraesadventures4354 Жыл бұрын

    Love fishing that river! Love the video

  • @TravelingTroutCo

    @TravelingTroutCo

    Жыл бұрын

    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!!

  • @tracysanderssr5037
    @tracysanderssr5037 Жыл бұрын

    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👍😊🎣

  • @agustintellez136
    @agustintellez136 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @sethcronin5764

    @sethcronin5764

    9 ай бұрын

    Where do you recommend fishing in az?

  • @williamball8490

    @williamball8490

    4 ай бұрын

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

  • @tracysanderssr5037
    @tracysanderssr5037 Жыл бұрын

    Awesome!!😊 fishing my man

  • @valleyfishing1402
    @valleyfishing1402 Жыл бұрын

    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

    @TravelingTroutCo

    Жыл бұрын

    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
    @irishchris3173 Жыл бұрын

    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

    @TravelingTroutCo

    Жыл бұрын

    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
    @SouthernFisherman Жыл бұрын

    Great vid beautiful footage new friend here

  • @jam-pq6bq
    @jam-pq6bq2 жыл бұрын

    Can you tell me where this parking spot is please?

  • @kevincle4669
    @kevincle46692 жыл бұрын

    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
    @skylerswanson1127 Жыл бұрын

    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

    @TravelingTroutCo

    Жыл бұрын

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

  • @trojan4ever298
    @trojan4ever2989 ай бұрын

    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

    @TravelingTroutCo

    8 ай бұрын

    Get after it!

  • @roberthutcheson3674
    @roberthutcheson36742 жыл бұрын

    Very cool! What were you throwing?

  • @brianl.8723
    @brianl.87232 жыл бұрын

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

  • @riniojoe1721
    @riniojoe1721 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @SendItVibes
    @SendItVibes2 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @sethcronin5764
    @sethcronin576410 ай бұрын

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

  • @TravelingTroutCo

    @TravelingTroutCo

    9 ай бұрын

    Dude it gets so hot lol...

  • @sethcronin5764

    @sethcronin5764

    9 ай бұрын

    @@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

    @lh3428

    4 ай бұрын

    Not wise.

  • @sethcronin5764

    @sethcronin5764

    4 ай бұрын

    @@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

  • @Honestreview-om5hx
    @Honestreview-om5hx Жыл бұрын

    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.

  • @Warthunderclips129
    @Warthunderclips129 Жыл бұрын

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

  • @folditcuzucan
    @folditcuzucan Жыл бұрын

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

  • @TravelingTroutCo

    @TravelingTroutCo

    Жыл бұрын

    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).

  • @folditcuzucan
    @folditcuzucan2 жыл бұрын

    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

  • @randybrodman3959
    @randybrodman3959Ай бұрын

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

  • @SergioDiaz-sb1zo
    @SergioDiaz-sb1zo Жыл бұрын

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

  • @aztornado
    @aztornado Жыл бұрын

    My back yard 😁

  • @swain8648
    @swain86482 жыл бұрын

    Me waiting for the catch and cook💀🪦

  • @bravoA-su8xm
    @bravoA-su8xm9 ай бұрын

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

  • @TravelingTroutCo

    @TravelingTroutCo

    7 ай бұрын

    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
    @alphonsenormand955210 ай бұрын

    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 !

  • @ferretapocalypse
    @ferretapocalypse11 ай бұрын

    Wild nor feral. There’s a big difference

  • @youmang
    @youmang Жыл бұрын

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

  • @TravelingTroutCo

    @TravelingTroutCo

    Жыл бұрын

    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).

  • @kriyashivajiva
    @kriyashivajiva4 ай бұрын

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

  • @justjustinAZ
    @justjustinAZ2 жыл бұрын

    What are you using?

  • @TravelingTroutCo

    @TravelingTroutCo

    Жыл бұрын

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

  • @saxologist1
    @saxologist1 Жыл бұрын

    What was the location?

  • @TravelingTroutCo

    @TravelingTroutCo

    Жыл бұрын

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

  • @kriyashivajiva
    @kriyashivajiva4 ай бұрын

    keep that rod tip up, or get down and dirty

  • @geoffreybudge3027
    @geoffreybudge30277 ай бұрын

    Handle the net and not the fish 👍

  • @TravelingTroutCo

    @TravelingTroutCo

    7 ай бұрын

    Great advice, thanks!

  • @coastchillin
    @coastchillin Жыл бұрын

    Your channel should just be walking and talking no fishing lmao

  • @anthonyporumb826
    @anthonyporumb8266 ай бұрын

    You no nothing .

  • @TravelingTroutCo

    @TravelingTroutCo

    6 ай бұрын

    know*