Arizona Fishing Reports ยท Central Region
The upper Salt River canyon below US-60 is a wild desert river with smallmouth bass and big whitewater in spring.
Looking for the latest Upper Salt River report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with live flows, current conditions, hatches and the flies working now on the Upper Salt River.
Current flows
Wind forecast
Upper Salt River fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
Flows are low in fall.
Streamers for smallmouth.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Upper Salt Canyon, bring: Clouser Minnow #4-6, Woolly Bugger #4-8, Crayfish #4-6, Zebra Midge #18-22, RS2 Emerger #18-22, JuJu Baetis #18-22, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16-20, Black Beauty #20-24, Egg #14-16, Squirmy Wormie #12-14.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Upper Salt River details
| Access | US-60 bridge area and river access on tribal land (permit needed). |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 3,000 ft |
| Nearest town | Globe, Arizona |
| Best season | Spring through fall |
| Fish | Smallmouth bass, catfish |
| Regulations | Fishing on White Mountain Apache or San Carlos Apache land needs a tribal permit instead of a state license. Check the Arizona Game and Fish Department regulations before you go. An Arizona fishing license is required for anglers 10 and older. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 2X to 3X |
| Camping | Limited |
| Kids | Partly. |
| Good to know | Much of the river is on tribal land and needs a permit. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Slow.
Spring
Rafting season.
Summer
Smallmouth.
Fall
Smallmouth.
How to get there
From Globe, take US-60 north to the Salt River Canyon.