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.

Colorado Fly Fishing

Some 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!

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.

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.

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.

Salt Water Fly Fishing

Salt water fly fishing has grown in popularity over the past half century as many fisherman experience the thrill and excitement of the sport. Some choose to don their waders and fish from the shoreline, some prefer to use a small boat as they explore shallow fishing areas, and still others opt for the adventure of deep sea fly fishing. Nearly three quarters of the earth is covered with salt water, giving those who enjoy salt water fly fishing an unlimited number of places to fish.

Understanding the flow of the tides is essential for any salt water fly fisherman. Tides affect the water's temperature and its clarity two of the factors that have an effect on the movement of the fish in the area.  If you are fly fishing near an inland bay or a lagoon, the tides will play a major role in choosing the best area f to fish. For example, if the body of water is tide-drained through a narrow creek, fish will be feeding on the smaller fish that have been swept through it. The best place to fish is down side of the mouth of the creek.

On both the Atlantic and Pacific coats the tide rises and falls twice within a twenty-four-hour period. In the Gulf of Mexico, there are some places where the tide rises only once a day. There are  thousands of miles of coastline in the United States which offer an almost unlimited number of locations for fly fishing.

Most salt water fly fishing is done in relatively shallow waters, or very close to the shore. This is called inshore fishing, and includes fly fishing done from the shore or from a small boat in shallow waters. Many varieties of fish can be taken while inshore fishing including striped bass, channel bass, bluefish, bonefish, flounder, bonito, barracuda, rockfish, cobia, halibut, jack crevalle, jewfish, ladyfish, mackerel, pollack, pompano, shark, snapper, snook, rooster fish, tarpon, and weakfish.

Deep water fly fishing can be extremely exciting and challenging to a salt water fly fisherman. This type of fishing is done in water more than twelve feet deep from a boat that can range in size from a ten foot skiff to a 50 foot oceangoing vessel. Deep water fly fishing is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to fish.

Deep water fish sought by fly fishermen are roughly divided into to categories, roamers and homebodies. Roamers are mostly pelagic and move great distances in a short time. Some of the varieties of roamers that can be caught while fly fishing include albacore, dolphin, marlin, wahoo, sailfish, yellowtail, and tuna. Homebodies sometimes appear in schools, but it is not unusual to find a solitary one. Homebodies include African pompano, Great barracuda, rockfish, grouper, amerjack, and snapper. These are only a few of the many vanities that are available to fly fishermen that fish the deep ocean waters.

Whether you decide to fish inshore or deep sea, slat water fly fishing will provide an exciting, challenging and memorable experience.

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.