Northern California Fly Fishing

One of the best things about California is the nice weather.  For people who love to fly fish, Northern California is a paradise on the West Coast.  Many streams in Northern California stay open year-round offering great options for fishing trips.  There are some great options for the avid fly fisher when in Northern California.

The lower part of the Sacramento River is a prime place to catch California’s largest rainbow trout.  The river provides amazing year-round fishing opportunities.  You can catch some amazing fish in both winter and spring, but spring brings a huge caddis fly hatch that brings the fish out in droves.  You can also find some great salmon catches on the river – especially in the fall and winter.

Feather River is a great place to catch steelheads.  Fishing on this river is exciting, productive, and challenging all at the same time.  The best fishing is in the fall where adult steelheads weighing over four pounds can be found quite easily.  In the spring, you will also find some great opportunities to fly fish for some record catches.

If you’re looking for a challenging fly fishing experience in Northern California, you may want to look at the East Fork of the Carson River.  This stream provides trout anglers with many different experiences - access being one. The narrow, fast-flowing upper reaches, above Wolf Creek, are accessible only by a rough four wheel drive trail, on horseback, or by foot.

This is a classic freestone stream with lots of riffles, rapids, deep runs, and pools. These conditions create excellent habitat for stoneflies, caddis flies, and some species of mayflies throughout the Carson drainage.  Large fish are consistent on the Carson, especially around the Nevada border where the river branches off providing a great place to find the fish.

The Truckee River is the largest of three major river systems in the Northern California/Reno area.  The good weather provides year-round fly fishing with easy access, beautiful canyon scenery, and feisty wild trout.  Experts rate the Truckee as one of the best fly fishing rivers in Northern California.  It is, however, a tough river to fish because of the current where it flows into the Nevada area.

These are only a few of the myriad of choices you have available to you for fly fishing in Northern California.  You have a lot of options to catch some amazing fish plus, you can enjoy fly fishing year-round in the balmy Northern California weather.  It can be a great opportunity for you to hone your fly fishing skills and plan a wonderful fly fishing getaway.

North Carolina Fly Fishing Guide

Fly fishing for trout is plentiful in the beautiful state of North Carolina.  This is a brief guide to get you started with your fly fishing expedition “down south”!

The mountains of North Carolina have many streams running through them and provide some great trout fly fishing in a beautiful setting.  In most of these trout streams and rivers you can catch all three types of trout; brook, rainbow and brown.

The wild fish tend to be smaller in North Carolina, more so than the stocked ones, but it takes more stealth to catch the wild trout when fly fishing. The stocked trout are easy to catch at first, but harder as the season progresses.

Overall fly fishing in the North Carolina mountains is an exceptional trout fishing haven with over 3,000 miles of trout streams open to fishing through out the western part of the state. All these streams are enjoyed by many beginners and old timers alike.  You can hire a tour guide to help you find the best spots, or you can go it alone.  Either way, you’ll enjoy your trip!

A great place to go fly fishing in North Carolina is the Shenandoah National Park.  Here you will find some of the finest brook trout streams in the eastern United States.  The park is over 200,000 acres and is one of the largest wilderness preserves in the area.  It has been called a paradise for back country anglers who enjoy solitude and don’t mind stretching their legs as they search for some great waters to fish in.

Spring is usually the best time to fish the streams in Shenandoah Park.  It’s during this time that the water turns warmer and “wakes the fish up” from their winter dormancy feeding on some of the heaviest mayfly hatches of the year.  According to the North Carolina fly fishing guide, this is one of the best streams in the state for catching trout.

There are other popular spots for fly fishermen in North Carolina.  Big Helton Creek is located just outside of Boone, North Carolina, and is a great river for beginners.  The Watagua River is also around Boone.  It can bring some pretty big fish to the experienced fly fisherman and has many popular sites along the river to fish.

Stone Mountain State Park is located near Elkin, North Carolina, and hosts some of the area’s finest fishing streams.  This park has a “Fish for Fun” section that allows fly fishers to pay a set amount for one of eight sections of the river allowing them to fish the same spot for the entire day.

North Carolina has some of the best fly fishing streams in the eastern part of the United States.  You can use this guide as a start toward your fly fishing adventures in this great southern state!

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Colorado Fly Fishing

Image via WikipediaImage by cbruno via FlickrSome of the most spectacular fly fishing in the United States can be found in the state of Colorado.  In fact, when many people think of fly fishing, they automatically think of Colorado before anyplace else.  It is true that Colorado has some amazing fly fishing places that have some trophy-sized fish in them.

The Frying Pan River is well-known as one of the best fly fishing rivers in the entire state.  This is a beautiful river with easy access.  Located just outside of Aspen, the Frying Pan is host to a variety of trout including rainbow, brown and cutthroat.  There are year-round hatches making fly fishing in any season possible for the avid fisherman.

Another great river in the Aspen area is the Roaring Fork.  This diverse river varies from small and calm to large and mighty in places.  The river is classified as wild trout waters and is easily accessible down the Rio Grande Trail.  As with the “Pan”, year-round fishing is available.  You will find mostly wild rainbow trout in the Fork with an occasional wild brook trout.

The North Platte River was once used by pioneers to traverse portions of the West.  Indians hunted buffalo along its shores, and its fish population has made it a legend among fly fishers.  It is located in Northwestern Colorado and has been rated a gold medal river by experts.  You will find many trout in the waters of the Platte and be able to enjoy some beautiful scenery at the same time!

In the Vail area, you can fish the Colorado River which is located in the Rocky Mountain National Park.  This is a river that is mostly wide and deep with a gently moving current.  Cottonwood trees line the shore providing many hiding spaces for the brown trout that are abundant in this water.

The Arkansas River is located in the southwestern portion of the state and provides some great trout fishing for anglers.  Mid-winter is a great time to fish the Arkansas for trout as is the spring time.  Around Mother’s Day every year, many fishermen descend on the Arkansas for the annual caddis hatch which is huge.  Brown trout feed on caddis and they come “out of the woodwork” for this hatch.

These are only a few of the places where fly fishing in Colorado is plentiful.  The countryside is gorgeous and the fish plentiful.  There are also lots of great lodges that accommodate fly fishermen on a year-round basis.  Fly fishing in Colorado might be the piece de resistance for many fishermen.  Check out this great state and enjoy your adventure!

Fly Fishing Calendar

Image via WikipediaImage by David Ascher via FlickrWhat are the best times to try and schedule a fly fishing expedition?  When we talk about a fly fishing calendar, we aren’t referring to a printed date book that you can hang on your wall.  We are talking about targeting and specifying the right times to fish and the right places to fish at.

The things you need to look at most when considering a fly fishing calendar is when the water will be at the right temperature that is prime for catching fish.  Depending on the area you are looking at for your fly fishing trip will depend on the right time to go.

In some places like California, the fishing is pretty good year-round.  While in other places such as Washington, you’ll want to avoid the water in the winter as the cold temperatures will stress the fish and they won’t be as plentiful.

Generally, the fly fishing calendar shows the best fishing in the spring and summer months.  Early fall will also find some places showing good fishing as well.  Almanacs can be helpful guides to guide you towards the best fishing times as can constant updating through Internet web sites.

Most places will give weekly, and sometimes daily, fishing reports on their websites.  They can tell you where the fish are biting and where the best places are to cast your line.  They generally keep these areas of their sites updated pretty regularly, so you can get quality reports just by looking at what others have to say.

Fish like warmer waters, although, there are other species that thrive in cold water such as salmon or steelhead.  In general, warm water will attract more fish.  However, if the water is too warm, the fish will be sluggish and will navigate to places where the water is cooler.

The fly fishing calendar used most often by experienced fishermen has been compiled over a period of time.  They spend a considerable amount of effort to estimate where and when the best fishing will occur.  Then they share it with others.  That’s one of the best parts of fly fishing – the camaraderie and sharing that can come about with a love of the sport.

You can compile your own fly fishing calendar with a little time and effort.  Just do your homework and keep copious notes.  When you see a trend, you’ll know it’s time to fish!  Then be sure to help your fellow fishermen as they try to figure out what you already know.  They’d do it for you!

California Fly Fishing

There’s no doubt about it that some of the best fly fishing in California is located in the northern part of the state.  The Sierra Mountains provide some great scenery as well as some great rivers and streams where the fish are plentiful and the weather is great.  Because the California weather is quite static, year-round fly fishing is available to the fisherman.

Located above Crowley Lake, the Owens River is one of the best places to fish for trout in California.  The river is one of a kind with a gentle current that flows through a glacial valley between mountains that are 9,000 feet tall or more.  At one time, the Owens River provided water and power to Los Angeles.  When they converted the gorge, much of the fish died out.  With a restoration of the river back to a fly fishing destination, you can now find some beautiful brown or rainbow trout at any time of the year.

The McCloud River is one of California’s premier trout fisheries.  This River feeds Lake Shasta and was the breeding ground for rainbow trout that was shipped all over the country to stock other rivers and streams.  You can find big brown trout as well as rainbow trout in plentiful supply on the McCloud.

In Northern California, the Middle Fork of the San Joaquin River provides some great fly fishing for some excellent trout.  This river is one of the few places designated as wild trout waters by the state.  This area receives a lot of fishing, so it’s a good idea to get there early in the morning to stake out your spot.  Besides the normal species of trout, this river also boasts a hybrid variety of rainbow and golden trout with bright orange sides.

Hat Creek is another great place to fly fish in California.  These, too, have been designated trophy wild trout waters, and you will find plenty here.  This creek is very well-suited to both beginning as well as experienced fly fishers.  The banks are laden with heavy brush that provides some great hiding places for brown and rainbow trout.  Much of the creek is heavily stocked, but there is some natural reproduction that takes place making Hat Creek a very easy place to fish.

If you are looking to go fly fishing in California, you have a lot of options available to you.  Much of the best fly fishing would be in the northern part of the state, but you can also find many other places where fish are plentiful and challenges about.  You can’t go wrong with a fly fishing vacation in California.

Different Types of Fly Fishing Casts

The art of casting is a very important skill in fly fishing. It requires gradual,  synchronized movements. It helps to think of each movement, both the back cast in the forward cast, is divided into three steps.  The first is loading, the second is the momentum of projection, and the third is the pause.  It takes a lot of practice to master the art of casting in fly fishing.

There are several types of casts. The most common of these include the basic cast, false cast, side and reverse casts, roll cast, and double haul cast.

In fly fishing the easiest cast, called the basic cast, is simply casting the line straight back and then directly forward. Anyone new to fly fishing should master the basic cast before going on to other techniques.  Use a short length of line to begin with if you are new to fly fishing.  This will help you gain sufficient control of the line, while practicing short gentle movements.

The false cast is a variation of the basic cast.  It consists of the same backward and forward movements as the basic cast, and is immediately followed by another set of the same movements.  The fly line actually travels backward and forward repeatedly without touching the water.  Practicing this type of cast helps to build precise timing that is required in fly fishing.

In fly fishing the side and reverse casts are generally used when wind is a problem.  They are also used if there are obstacles that can make a regular cast difficult.

A roll  cast is generally used if the fisherman finds himself with his back to such obstacles
 as a high riverbank or a wall of vegetation.  When these conditions exist, a basic cast is almost impossible.  You need to let out a good length of line in front of you; it's best to let the current take it a short distance.  The drag of the water on the line will load the rod, and you can cast forward without needing to execute the back cast.

Using a double haul cast in fly fishing will enable you to cast a much longer line than is possible with a basic cast.  In order to do this you need to have a much faster line speed.  This is done by making much larger casting movements, applying more strength, and loading the rod more before the forward cast.  During this cast both hands of the fisherman must work independently.

The above five types of fly fishing casts are the ones used most often.  There are many other types of casts also, including the S-cast, the parachute cast, and the mend cast.

Casting is the basic physical skill involved in fly fishing.  Its purpose is to place the fly exactly where you want it to be, just like any other skill it takes practice.  Accuracy and the delicacy of the presentation are very important when fly fishing. Mastering the basics of fly casting first will make it easier to move on to the more difficult casts.

Finding Solitude While Fly Fishing in Montana

One of the best parts about the sport of fly fishing is experiencing the scenery and calmness around you as you are trying to land your big fish.  Montana is a great place to find some solitude while fly fishing.  In fact, the vast expanses that surround the rivers and streams in Montana can provide you with some of the most relaxing solitude anywhere.

Montana fly fishing is legendary. Anglers from all over the world travel to Montana to experience fly fishing the blue ribbon trout rivers and pristine mountain lakes. Whether an angler seeks to battle trophy sized wild rainbow trout on the Yellowstone River or to experience the solitude of a high mountain lake, Montana provides fly fishing experiences like no other place can.

Montana provides such an abundance of opportunities that visiting anglers frequently have difficulty in deciding where to start their fly fishing adventure.  There are so many beautiful places in the hills of Montana that can provide both solitude and great fishing, many people might be overwhelmed.  But so many choices provide for some amazing chances at bagging that championship fish!

For example, Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park is a beautiful spot for fly fishing.  Flanked by mountains, this lake is not only a beautiful place to catch fish; it’s also an amazing spot for reflecting and relaxation.

Of course, the Yellowstone River is the longest river in Montana.  It is free of any major dams, and its flow is not regulated in any way, so you can find an abundance of fish in the solitude of the mountain air.  In fact, the Yellowstone River is internationally known as one of the premier trout rivers in the United States.

Even though you can expect to catch a variety of trout including rainbow and brown, you will also find whitefish and sturgeon aplenty.  Even though the Yellowstone River is quite well known for its fly fishing in Montana, it is not overtaken by so many fly fishers that you can’t find a spot.  It remains a beautiful secret available to those who are looking for the solitude of the Montana countryside.

Finding solitude while fly fishing in Montana is a relatively easy proposition.  All you need to do is a little bit of research and ask around.  Those who are proud of the fly fishing waters in Montana are always more than happy to share the beauty of their state with people who are wanting to fish the waters.

Fly Fishing Accessories

Image by brettneilson via FlickrIn addition to the clothing and your balanced outfit there are many accessories that you should have for fly fishing.  Some of these  accessories may seem strange, but when wading, it is necessary to have all of your gear and tools with you.

You already have your fly fishing vest with plenty of large pockets, because that is part of a fly fisherman's basic wardrobe.  You might want to put a patch of sheepskin on the front of the vast where you can keep alternative flies handy.  You should also have a spring-loaded retractable spool that attaches to your vest to hold a pair of nail clippers. They come in very  handy for trimming knots. You might want to attach a patch of rubber for straightening leaders.  Ideally, the  vest should have a large back pocket to carry light rain gear.  Some vests also have a ring at the back of the collar, where you can attach the net to keep it out of the way.

The choice of your fly boxes is very important. One should have large compartments where you can store dry flies without crushing their hackles. You should also have one or two smaller boxes with foam linings and metal clips.  These are for holding your wet flies, nymphs, and streamers. Having a couple of small vials to hold your dry of flies after catching a fish also comes in very handy.

A spare spool for your reel, already loaded with backing and line, is a good idea to have with you. Also a  few spools of monofilament leader material, a leader wallet,  a sharpening stone, and a  Swiss Army knife are important for the fly fisherman to have within easy reach.

Insect repellent  is essential when fly fishing.  The main ingredient in many insect repellents is DEET, which is an industrial solvent and can damage the varnish on your fly rod, eat away the finish on your fly line, weaken your leaders and destroy your rain gear. If you do use an insect repellent with DEET be very careful of what it touches and try to limit its use.  There are many products today that do not contain that solvent.

Having a good pair of polarized sunglasses will help you to see the fish and protect your eyes from the damaging rays of the sun.  It's also important to have a small pocket flashlight with a flexible neck.  This can be very useful for many things including changing flies at dusk or dawn.  Other useful items include a thermometer, a small container of split shot, a good knife with several blades, and a small first aid emergency kit.

Many fishermen like to take a collapsible wading staff with them while fly fishing.  It helps them  to keep their footing if they are wading in a heavy current or on a slippery, rocky bottom.  A small cotton mesh net with a short handle comes in handy for netting your fish. If you intend to keep your catch a small canvas or woven willow basket for holding your fish will work well.

There are many other accessories available for fly fishing today.  Many of the choices depend on each fisherman's personal preferences.

Fly Fishing in Canada

Image via WikipediaCanada is a beautiful place to visit.  When you are planning a fly fishing trip, you’ll find an amazing adventure in Canada!  Many of the rivers and lakes where fly fishing is the best are in remote areas, so when you choose fly fishing in Canada, you’ll have privacy with the added perk of some great fishing!

Some of the best fly fishing in Canada is found in the province of Ontario.  There are many lodges you can choose from to stay at when you are there, but be warned that most of them are in very remote places where you are likely to be left alone with your party and can only get in and out by plane or train.

The Brown Bear lake system in Ontario is considered one of the best fly-in trophy smallmouth bass lakes in the area.  The fish here average between two and three pounds, but four pound fish are common every season with some trophy wall hangers of 5-6 pounds being caught each year.

Norse Lake is a prime example of a remote Canadian fly-in wilderness lake.  The lake is protected by a high, picturesque landscape that stays relatively calm even in windy weather.  Here, you can catch beautiful walleye, Northern Pike, and smallmouth bass.  Trophy sized fish are found every year, so fish this lake for some great opportunities.

Populus Lake offers twelve miles of beautiful water and land for you to explore when fly fishing in Canada.  There are numerous channels and bays dotting this lake with all sort of landscape features like rock outcrops and weed beds which are prime breeding ground and hiding places for fish.  This lake is situated in a very remote area with walleyes, trout, and Northern Pike in abundance.

Picture a cool, clear Canadian lake with lots of trophy sized smallmouth bass and Northern Pike and you’ll have Treelined Lake.  This lake is so clear, you will be able to see the fish clearly near the shoreline.  Wildlife is abundant here and it’s not uncommon to see a moose feeding on the shoreline in the twilight.  You’ll find some real trophy sized fish on Treelined Lake with Northern Pike averaging over 5 pounds and smallmouth bass at 4-5 pounds.

Because so many fly fishing spots in Canada are located in remote locations, you’ll find peace and serenity during your fly fishing trip there.  Enjoy the beauty of the Canadian wilderness while you catch the fish of your dreams.  There are so many choices available to you that when you choose Canada for your next fly fishing trip, you’re sure to come away a winner either way!

Fly Fishing Around The World

Fly fishing is a popular sport around the world. With a history dating back nearly 2,000 years it should not be surprising that many of the world's cultures have adopted various styles of fly fishing for their sport fishing activities.

Fly fishing is a sport where the basics can be learned in a few hours with a guide but where the advanced techniques of the masters will take years of dedicated effort. This combination of factors helps to keep people interested in fly fishing for many years.

Fly fishing is also diverse enough that it works well for quite a variety of fishing conditions. Fly fishing will serve you well whether casting a fly into a small, mountain trout stream in North America and Europe or whether casting for bonefish in the Caribbean. The sports flexibility has served to make it a popular sport option around the world.

The earliest records of fishing with artificial flies record that Macedonian fishermen used six-foot rods with six-foot lines to fish. These fly fishermen crafted artificial flies using a hook decorated with red wool and insect wings.

Interest in fly fishing increased in England and Scotland throughout the years though little was written until 1496 with the publication of The Treatyse On Fysshynge With An Angle. The 1653 publication of The Compleat Angler by Isaaak Walton contained several chapters on fly fishing. The publication of these books, along with the information they contain, demonstrates that fly fishing was an established fishing sport by the time of their publication. The development of fly fishing clubs throughout England in the 1800s served to further develop and popularize the sport.

The chalk streams of Southern England were well suited to dry-fly fishing with their shallow waterways and weeds that grew in the water to just below the surface. Northern England and Scotland also saw the development of wet-fly fishing around the same time. However, anglers in Southern England strongly favored dry-fly fishing and tended to look down on wet-fly fishing as an inferior perversion of their sport. Fly fishing continues in England and the same chalk streams can still be fished today though most access is through privately owned and managed land.

American anglers in the Catskill Mountains area of New York began experimenting with dry-fly design in the late 1800s. These anglers began designing artificial flies to mimic the native insects that the trout naturally fed on. Like Isaac Walton, some of these anglers wrote about their adventures. These publications served to further interest in the sport. The American fly fishers were also more open than their English counterparts to experimenting with wet-fly fishing.

Fly fishing interest has continued and grown considerably in the United States and in Canada, The development of fiberglass manufactured fly rods following World War II, along with synthetic line and leaders, made the sport more affordable for many anglers. Inland fishing is frequently done with dry flies on streams and rivers. Coastal fishing often involves wet-fly fishing in bays or surf. Fly fishing has also been adapted by bass anglers.

Many Caribbean and southern-hemisphere locations are popular saltwater fly fishing destinations. Fly fishers travel great distances to fish for bonefish and tarpon. Other southern-hemisphere locations like Belize offer both freshwater and saltwater fly fishing

Fly fishing is a growing sport around the world. There has probably never been a better time to start fly fishing than today. The basic equipment to start fly fishing is more affordable than ever and the worldwide opportunities for fly fishing are just about limitless.

Fly Fishing Books

Image via WikipediaAlthough experience is a great teacher when you are learning about fly fishing, you may also want to look into the myriad of books that are available on the topic.  Fly fishing involves a lot of things, and you’ll need to know about these things if you’re going to be effective in the sport.  Fly fishing books are a great way to start learning!

A quick search on Amazon.com shows over 8,000 titles on fly fishing available!  Prices range between $10 and $50.  Some of these books are purely instructional while others contain anecdotes and fish stories designed to entertain.  You can get books that tell you the best places to fish at and the most satisfying fly fishing destinations.

Fly fishing books are great resources as well if you want to learn how to tie your own flies.  One of the first things you need to know in fly tying is what the flies look like that you’re trying to mimic.  When the book comes with illustrations, you can easily match your fly to the picture.

Online books are another great way to get information about fly fishing.  There are many e-books available for download.  Look for the ones that will fit your needs.  If you’re a beginner, you may want a comprehensive guide to all aspects of fly fishing.  If you’re more experienced, an update book may be the way to go.

When choosing a fly fishing book, look at the author first.  Are they qualified to write this book?  What experience do they have in the sport?  Can they provide you with compelling reasons to take his or her advice?  You will get more accurate information from a person who has personal experience to offer.

Is the book easy to read?  When you are reading a book filled with technical language, it can be overwhelming and it isn’t likely to help you much.  The author should define unfamiliar language early on in the book and keep reminding you throughout the text what they are referring to.

Don’t opt for long winded tomes of pages akin to War and Peace.  They aren’t likely to give you much good advice plus the boredom factor has to come into play.  A lot of great information can be packed into a few pages.  Opt for the shorter book rather than the longer one so you get what you pay for!

Fly fishing books are wonderful sources of information when you are learning about this sport.  Find a book that you are comfortable reading that also gives you what you are looking for.  The choices are vast, so go online or get to the bookstore today and learn what you need to about the sport of fly fishing!

Alaska Fly Fishing Lodges

Alaska is well known for its incredible fly fishing, but it’s also a great place to go for a fly fishing vacation in a rustic lodge setting.  You can find all kinds of lodges in the rustic country of Alaska that can make your fly fishing vacation a real adventure.  This article will outline a few of these great destinations.

The Alaska Rainbow Lodge claims to have the finest, most centrally located accommodations in Alaska.  A short flight from Anchorage will put you in the middle of prime fly fishing territory.  You can fish for rainbow trout and salmon and stay in a gorgeous lodge with all the amenities.  They offer float planes to their guests that will take you to some of the most remote fishing areas where you will find quality fishing in any season.  They can be found online at www.alaskarainbowlodge.com.

Wilderness Place Lodge offers some excellent fly fishing accommodations along with some terrific amenities.  They have guides that will lead you to the best place to fly fish for salmon or trout and boast riverside cabins and a 1:1 customer/guest ratio to insure excellent service during your stay there.  They also offer classes to their guests on topics like fly tying and effective casting.  They can be found online at www.wildernessplacelodge.com.

The Lake Marie Lodge is another option for your fly fishing vacation.  They specialize in rainbow trout and salmon fly fishing as well as sight fishing and surface fishing.  Their experts offer fly fishers the opportunity to catch huge salmon and they fish all sorts of rivers and streams that are accessible to them only.  They average about 14 guests at a time which allows them to provide the utmost in service.  Their web address is www.lakemarie.com.

The Alagnak River is known for its excellent fly fishing, and if you’re looking for a quality lodge located on the river, you may want to look at the Katmai Lodge.  They have single, double, or private cabins that adjoin a common area where you can gather to share “fish stories” after a day of angling.  They also offer Orvis sanctioned fishing expeditions that are led by some of the most experienced guides in the area.  Research them online at www.katmai.com.

When you are considering an Alaskan fly fishing vacation, you will want to find a lodge that can comfortably accommodate those in your party.  The choices are many, and you will want to do your research before you book your trip.  But most of these Alaskan lodges are committed to making your fly fishing trip the best you’ve ever had.

A Few of the Best Fly Fishing Spots in the United States

All across the United States there are many beautiful, exciting places that are excellent or fly fishing.  The following article just highlights a few of them.

Sitka, Alaska is a major stopover for salmon heading to British Columbia, Washington, and other Alaskan waters.  Fly fishermen at Sitka, have a higher fishing catch rate than any other marine area in Southeast Alaska.  June is the best month for fishing this area.

The Colorado River at Lees Ferry, Arizona, is one of the best fly fishing spots for rainbow trout.  The fish are comfortable all year round in a 15-mile stretch of cold water that flows from the depths of Lake Powell between Glen Canyon Dam and the upper end of the Grand Canyon.  Fly fishermen can also book a guide and go flats fishing for 25 pound carp.

Saltwater fly fishing is at its best at Montauk Point, New York.  Montauk Point is the easternmost point of Long Island and is best known for striper fishing. Fly fishermen have miles of beautiful shoreline in which they can cast their fly.

Gunpowder Falls, Maryland, is an excellent place to catch cold water trout.  A deal was struck by the Maryland state authorities and Trout Unlimited to start cold water releases from Pretty Boy Dam.  This has resulted in a combination of wild and stocked brown, brook, and rainbow trout.  Most of the fly  fishing is in Gunpowder Falls State Park.

Fishing Creek, Pennsylvania, is one of the states top wild trout streams.  It generally stays cool throughout the summer.  There is a five-mile stretch called the Narrows, near Lamar, that is a very popular area  for fly fishing.

Driftless Area, Wisconsin, has many excellent fly fishing streams loaded with brown trout.  There is excellent access to all of southwestern Wisconsin's eight counties.  There are 68 streams in Vernon County alone, including Kickapoo River and Timber Coulee Creek.  Most fly fishermen in this area use mayfly and caddis imitations.

Laguna Madre, Texas, is full of rivers and lakes that are excellent fly fishing locations.  Texas also has its southern coast, which is among the world's greatest saltwater fly fishing areas.  The saltwater flats of Laguna Madre, next to Padre Island, are full of all different kinds of fish that make for a great fly fishing experience.

Henry's Fork, Idaho, is a great destination for rainbow trout.  If you are fishing the Island Park area, it is better to fish in runoff conditions.

Lake C. W. McConaughy, Nebraska, is the largest lake in the state and also has some of the best fly fishing.  Another excellent fly fishing spot in Nebraska is the Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area, which is a series of twenty sandpit lakes that have been carved into the Platte River basin.  Red Willow reservoir is also a favorite of fly fishermen in this area of the country.


Kauai, Hawaii, is a great spot for fly fishing largemouth, smallmouth, and peacock bass. This Garden Isle also has excellent saltwater fly fishing.

Whether you like fresh or salt water fly fishing, there are thousands of places to fish across the country that offer the fly fisherman endless opportunities and experiences.