The United States has some of the best fly fishing in the world but there are a few states that stand out among the rest. Here are the top 5 states to wet a line and throw some flies.
Fly fishing is a global sport and nearly every species of sport fish can be targeted on a fly rod to some capacity. There is no shortage of rivers, creeks, lakes, flats, and canals to fish across the entirety of the U.S. and one could spend many lifetimes exploring the intricacies and nuances of each state's fishery.
There are a few states that stand out when it comes to fishing excellence, scenery, and variety. This is not a comprehensive list and it is probably incredibly biased due to my personal experience so please take it with a grain of salt.
1. Alaska
Alaska. I could almost leave it at that and no one would argue that it is a premier fishery for trout, salmon, steelhead, grayling, char, and pike. There are endless opportunities for a variety of species depending on the time of year.
Alaska boasts some of the last strongholds for all five Pacific Salmon species, chinook, coho, sockeye, chum, and pink salmon. These are amazingly sporty fish to target on a fly rod and can be some of the best-eating fish you will ever catch. Couple that with the huge rainbows and char feeding on eggs and flesh flies behind the massive groups of spawning salmon and you have one of the most epic fisheries on the planet.
But if you are a dry fly purist then you can always devote your time to throwing mice patterns to voracious rainbows waiting for a mammalian meal on the undercut banks.
The only downside, but also a plus if you like to be alone, is the travel involved in fishing in this state. Much of the water is remote and only accessible by boat or plane. DIY access is possible but having professional help in the form of guides or transportation can be a huge benefit.
When people think of Alaska they think of salmon and rainbow trout, but the pike fishing is phenomenal in the Yukon drainage. They have some incredibly large pike that are more than willing to take rabbit-sized flies.
The other anadromous fish, steelhead, can also be targeted along the coast of Southeast Alaska. This allows anglers to explore some wild places in search of the elusive river ghosts. There's no shortage of fly fishing to experience in Alaska and it ranks as one of the best places to go find fish on the fly rod whether you enjoy swinging 10 wt spey rods around or catching grayling on parachute adams.
2. Montana
Montana has been made famous for its epic fly fishing by films like “A River Runs Through It” and “Buck Nasty Browns” but the hype is real. Montana boasts some of the most gorgeous and prolific trout streams on the planet. Not to mention many are easily accessible by boat or wading.
Montana features great dry fly fishing and streamer fishing for rainbows, browns, cutthroat, brook trout, and bull trout throughout the spring to fall. Montana is not much of a winter fishery but there are places where it's a possibility.
For DIY anglers it is a perfect place to be, there is copious amounts of public access and endless amounts of water to explore around the state. But if hiring a guide is more your speed then there are dozens of reputable outfitters throughout the state more than willing to give you a great day on the water.
The Madison, Gallatin, Yellowstone, Big Hole, Clarks Fork, and Beaverhead are just a few of the legendary streams that are coveted by many fly fishermen as the epitome of Montana fly fishing. Not to mention the hundreds of other hidden gems hiding in the mountains and fields. Southwest Montana is undoubtedly the most popular place to go for trout seekers and one can access over a half dozen major rivers within two hours of Bozeman or Missoula.
Montana is known for its trout fishery, and rightly so, especially if you are only looking at the western half of the state but if you look to the east there are some fantastic opportunities for bass and pike in the Missouri River drainage and Fort Peck Reservoir. Montana is chock full of fish no matter where you go in the state.
Montana remains a must-visit for any serious trout bum.
3. Florida
Maybe not the first state you think of when it comes to fly fishing but it holds some of the best saltwater fly fishing available in the United States. Head to the flats for the big three-bonefish, tarpon, and permit-or visit the Everglades for redfish, snook, and tarpon. There are also a variety of exotic fish living in the canals in Florida and fly anglers can easily target the plentiful species along the roadside.
Florida-strain largemouth bass are a great option if you are looking to target freshwater species on the fly rod. They can grow to very large sizes and bass eat the fly in an incredibly violent fashion.
The Florida Keys offer a beautiful place to go to the beach and enjoy your days plying the waters for hard-fighting ocean fish. Every angler needs to experience the thrills of saltwater fly fishing.
The accuracy and acute presentation needed to feed wily permit and bonefish is an extremely challenging opportunity that is sure to test the most experienced fly anglers.
4. Idaho
Not just potatoes. My home state, Idaho, is a fantastic area to fly fish for trout, pike, and bass. The Henry’s Fork of the Snake River is probably its most famous destination and for good reason; it is known for legendary dry fly action, large fish, and amazing scenery.
Idaho has an incredible amount of access as over 70% of the state is public land. The state also has a wide variety of species that can keep any angler busy. Idaho even has anadromous species that make the few hundred-mile journey from the ocean to the rivers of Central Idaho. Chinook, coho, and steelhead make it up the Columbia and the Snake which makes for an enriching angling opportunity. The Snake, Clearwater, and Salmon Rivers are popular for targeting these oceangoers.
If bass and pike are to your taste then you can find exemplary fishing in the parts of Northern Idaho and Central Idaho. Smallmouth, largemouth, and pike are all popular to target in the stillwater. There's nothing like throwing poppers for aggressive bass.
The brown trout and rainbow trout get a lot of press for good reason, they grow bigger and are often hardier fish than native trout like the Westslope Cutthroat and Bull Trout. But my favorite fish to catch on the fly are cutthroat and bull trout in the backcountry.
Idaho is lucky enough to have healthy populations of these delicate species that require extremely cold and clean water. I won’t name any streams to find these species as there is already enough information out there to get you started. Idaho is full of places to explore.
5. Oregon
The place I currently reside and guide, Oregon, has fisheries that grow on me every day I’m on the water. I lived in Montana and Idaho before Oregon, so I know a good state for fly fishing when I see one. Oregon has just about every fishery you could ever want as a salmonid angler. Chinook, coho, chum, and steelhead are all readily available throughout the state but mostly concentrated on the coast.
If you want to focus on trout then head to Central Oregon and fish the Crooked River, McKenzie River, Deschutes River, and Metolius. Oregon also has some of the biggest bull trout in the U.S. and four places that have a healthy enough population you can legally target them.
Not to mention, there are incredible stillwater fisheries in the Cascade Lakes region. Crane Prairie, Wickiup, Paulina, East, and Davis Lake are just a few water bodies with phenomenal fishing opportunities whether it's dry flies, stripping leeches, or nymphs under an indicator.
The Deschutes boasts one of the most epic salmonfly hatches in the world and the feisty red bands eagerly suck down the big bugs under the banks and bushes.
Smallmouth bass are also incredibly prevalent throughout the Grande Ronde and John Day river systems. An angler can easily have a 100 fish day which makes for a fun time. There are occasional monsters in the mix as well.
Closing Word
All these states are fantastic fisheries worth visiting but in reality, the best state for fly fishing is where you currently live. Grab a fly rod and explore your local water, whether it be a blue ribbon stream, canal, tiny creek, or park pond. There are fly fishing opportunities everywhere you look as long as you get creative.
Book a trip with me through the Fly Fishers Place on one of Oregon's incredible trout streams.
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