The Valley’s Hidden Giant: Fly Fishing Arizona’s SRP Canal System
When most people think about great fly fishing destinations, Phoenix, Arizona probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind. But flowing right through the heart of our city is one of the most unique fisheries in the country—the Salt River Project canal system.
With more than 180 miles of canals winding through the Valley, these waterways provide nearly endless opportunities for fly anglers willing to explore. While most people drive past them every day without a second thought, beneath the surface swims an incredible variety of fish. Common carp and grass carp are our primary targets, but it’s not uncommon to encounter largemouth bass, striped bass, bluegill, and even the occasional trout.
The real stars of the show, however, are the grass carp.
Also known as White Amur, grass carp were originally introduced into the canal system to help control aquatic vegetation. They have done their job exceptionally well—and in the process have grown to astonishing sizes. Fish over 30 pounds are common, and specimens exceeding 50 pounds are a very real possibility.
What makes these fish so appealing to fly anglers is not just their size, but their difficulty. Many anglers consider grass carp to be among the most challenging freshwater fish in North America to catch on a fly rod. They are notoriously selective, highly unpredictable, and often seem to make up their minds about what they want to eat from one day—or even one cast—to the next.
Most of the flies we use imitate vegetation or algae, with chartreuse being the color of choice more often than not. That said, don’t be afraid to experiment. White, yellow, olive, red, brown, black, and just about every color imaginable has produced fish at one time or another. After all, they’re fish—and fish rarely read the rule book.
One of the most exciting aspects of canal carp fishing is the variety of ways these fish can be targeted. Anglers catch them beneath indicators, on dry-dropper rigs, and even by swinging flies. On occasion, they’ll surprise you by eating a grasshopper, cicada, or caddis pattern right off the surface. Watching a fish that weighs as much as a small child rise to a dry fly is something you’ll never forget.
Tackle is relatively straightforward. A 6- to 8-weight fly rod with a floating line will handle most situations. Leader sizes vary depending on conditions and fish behavior, ranging anywhere from 5X to 0X. One piece of gear you shouldn’t overlook is a large landing net. These fish are simply too big for a standard trout net.
What makes the SRP canals truly special is accessibility. I can’t think of another major metropolitan area in the country where anglers have the opportunity to pursue freshwater fish of this size on a fly rod right in the middle of town. We have a world-class challenge swimming through our neighborhoods, available nearly year-round.
If you’ve never experienced canal carp fishing, stop by AZ Fly Shop. We’d be happy to point you toward productive stretches of canal, recommend the flies that are currently producing, and help you get geared up for one of the most unique fly-fishing opportunities anywhere in America.
