“Give a man a fish and he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and you get rid of him for the whole weekend!” ...or something like that. Fly-fishing is a great way to unwind and enjoy the great outdoors. Plus, it makes for a perfect reason to travel. While it’s not necessarily an easy sport, it is most definitely addicting. Once you have mastered the waters in your area, you’ll want to start casting your line any place you can.
Luckily, some of the best fly-fishing spots can be found throughout the U.S. No matter what state you’re in, you’re likely just a short drive from these coveted waterways. So get your gear together and wade into our top picks for fly-fishing getaways!
Rock Creek, Montana
With the clear Montana sky, towering mountains and never-ending supply of fresh water, it only makes sense that Rock Creek is ideal for fly- fishers.
Head to this quaint creek for 52 miles of trout (rainbow, cutthroat, bull and brown) and Rocky Mountain whitefish.
Snake River, Wyoming
The Snake River travels through southeastern Idaho and into Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Head to the South Fork of this river for some of the best fly-fishing in the whole country.
This area is home to one of the largest native cutthroat fisheries (outside of some National Parks). After a long day in the water, take to land to explore the historic town of Jackson, Wyoming. Get a big steak and think back on your wonderful day spent casting away.
Blue River, Colorado
The Blue River in Colorado moves south, winding its way 65 miles down. Depending on where and when you go, you may have a stretch of river all to yourself for the day.
And the scenery is nothing short of spectacular. It lies alongside dense ranchlands, splitting away from the Colorado River near the town of Kremmling. It’s like a remote oasis for fly-fishing enthusiasts.
Bristol Bay, Alaska
Alaska is home to some breathtaking wildlife — from brown bears to all the fish you can imagine. For fly-fishing, in particular, you could catch Arctic grayling, rainbow trout and Pacific salmon.
Just be sure to leave some fish in there for the bears. Based on their size, it’s safe to assume they could get pretty hangry.
Yellow Breeches Creek, Pennsylvania
If Alaska is too far to venture, fret not. There are plenty of prime locations right on the East Coast, with Yellow Breeches Creek in Pennsylvania being one of the best.
This is a good spot for those who are new to the sport of fly-fishing. The Cumberland Valley is packed full of rivers and streams that avid fly-fishers have used for generations. It shouldn’t be too difficult to score a catch or two.
The Catskills
With a picturesque backdrop and big angling culture, this is a great spot to fish for big brown trout and silvery wild brookies.
Both the Beaverkill River and the Willowemoc Creek — located in the Catskills — are in many ways known as the place where fly-fishing got started and gained popularity.
