River Fishing

Why Fish Rivers with Flies?

Fly fishing in a river is different then any other kind of fly fishing. Fly fishing a river can be more difficult because of the movement of the river and the speed at which it is flowing. The temperatures of rivers rarely stay stable long enough for large amounts of fish to congregate. Temperatures can quickly go from extremely cold to cool to warm. Many rivers, especially in Alaska and other colder states are difficult to fly fish, because of the instability of the temperatures and the movements of the river.

Many fly fishermen enjoy river fly fishing more than most other places because of the inherant "fight" in the fish and the unique environment. River fishing gives the fly fisherman a lot of room to fish and stretch, and a place to relax. Plus, a river offers the fisherman solace from the outside world.

The art of river fishing is one of the most exciting ways to fly fish. There are many rivers around the U.S.A. that are perfect spots for a fly fisherman. The majority of these rivers seem to be located in the western part of the country. Some of the best fly fishing rivers are located in states such as Alaska, Montana, Idaho, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Washington, Oregon, Texas, and Utah. Each state has a river that is great for fly fishing.

The Most Popular Fly Fishing Rivers in the U.S.

• Montana With some of the most beautful scenery in the country this state is a favorite of many. On any given day you may see a bald eagle or an osprey dive down and pull a fish out of the water right before your eyes.

  The Madison, the Yellowstone, The Big Hole, the Ruby, and the Gallatin. All fairly near each other and each and excellent river and a gem in their own right. Stay in Bozeman and fish a different river each day. The Clark Fork in the north west by Libby has huge rainbows and browns and is also great river fishing. We love fishing this state, and we love the "Moose Drool"

• Alaska - The Kenai River
• Oregon - The Deschutes, North Umpqua, and the Rogue Rivers along with the Klammouth are all great fisheries.
• California - The best and most well known river to fish is the Lower Sacramento river. It has trout, salmon and steelhead, which can all be caught in one day if one is lucky. The well known McCloud River just outside of town is loaded with fish. The Pit, Hat Creek and the Upper Sacramnto along with the McCloud all drain into the Lower Sac.

  All along the Eastern part of the Sierras is excellent due to catch and release practices and seasonal stocking. The Owens River along with Lake Crowley is well known for its opening day crowds and plentiful fish.

• Utah
- The Green River is the most popular in Utah and is best when floated below the Flaming Gorge Dam and one of the most scenic float trips, not to mention world class fishing. Enjoy some "Paligamist Ale" after a day on the river if you can find some.
• Colorado - Everyone knows of the legenary Frying Pan River in Basalt and the Roaring Fork just out of Aspen. The Arkansas, the South Platte, the Blue, and The Gunnison are also all great rivers. The Colorado River out of Winter Park is designated Gold Medal water (great river fishing)along the way to Parshall, and catch and release is practiced.
• Arizona - Lee's Ferry on the Colorado River
• Wyoming - The Snake River just outside Jackson Hole was where I started my flyfishing journey long ago and was where I bought my first good fly rod and reel. It has some incredible scenery along with some wild west night life. Well that's another story.

• New Mexico - The San Juan River is a must for those who want to catch big trout. It is known for its big trout that just feed all day below the dam. The Rio Chama is also great.
• Texas - The Rio Grande although very difficult access and remote and not for the unprepared can be an adventure, The Nueces and Guadalupe Rivers are also good fly fishing rivers.
• Arkansas - The White River, one of the finest rivers to fish in the country.
• New York & Delaware - The Upper Delaware is good river fishing with flies.
• North Carolina - The Tellico River

Rivers and streams are the best place for fly fishing mainly for fish like trout and salmon. However on a few rivers one occasionaly may land a small or largemouth bass, and various others such as whitefish and bull trout. Each river has different types, sizes, and quantities of fish, so river fly fishing is always unique and surprising.