People who practice fly fishing know that one of the most important components of a successful and fun fishing experience is the location you’re in. Fishing is about being one with nature and getting a reward for the efforts you’re putting in, and the only way to make sure of both of those things is to fish in the greatest rivers you can find.
Table of Contents
1. Madison River
Madison River is one of those rivers that really doesn’t need an introduction, especially among people who practice fly fishing, since, for generations, it’s been one of the greatest fishing spots in the world to get freshwater species, especially trout. If you’re looking for trout, the Madison River is a must, thanks to the wide variety of trout types you’ll find here, ranging from common rainbow trout to rarer ones like the elusive westslope cutthroat trout.
2. Yellowstone River
If you’re planning to visit Yellowstone, you may as well make full use of your time and money and enjoy Yellowstone River fly fishing, an experience that’s commonly believed to offer the best fly fishing you’ll ever find. The river is close in proximity to Madison River, but it’s even bigger, without a single dam throughout its whole length to block off any fish, which means you’ll have access to some of the biggest freshwater fish varieties in the world.
3. Rio Grande
One of the main trophies that fly fishers love to have is the trout, since trout are incredible freshwater species known for their taste and variety. If you’re a trout lover, there may not be a more important river to visit than the Rio Grande in Argentina since it’s known for massive, behemoth, trophy-sized brown trout that are as fitting on the dinner table as they are mounted on a wall as proof of your skills.
4. Miramichi River
Though trout are some of the most prized fish in rivers, there’s another type that many people prefer even more: salmon. Miramichi River is the river destination for salmon lovers since you’ll find salmon of all shapes and sizes here, and the quality of these fish is so incredible that many famous restaurants from all over the world import this salmon to use in their dishes, especially for sushi.
5. Gunnison River
Fly fishing is as much about form, challenge, and accuracy as it is about being one with nature, and many anglers are more attracted to the challenge of the activity above all else. If you consider yourself one of those people, you may find yourself in your element at Gunnison River in Colorado since this river is perhaps the biggest challenge in angling in the United States for fly fishers, and your efforts will be supremely rewarded if you’re interested in massive, bountiful fish, and incredible vistas that you’ll never forget for the rest of your life.
6. Chimehuin River
Chimehuin River is another river in Argentina, and, similar to the prior entry on this list, it’s a great place to find trout, but, perhaps more so than the fish you’ll find in this location, the scenery is the most important component. Argentina is a country that’s filled with incredible views that have been left almost totally undisturbed by civilization and human activities, and that’s why you’ll find yourself feeling like you’re fishing in paradise while you’re here.
7. Smith River
Fly fishing is about challenging yourself and getting incredible fish, but it’s also about removing yourself from society and finding solace in solitude for some time, and if that’s your goal, you owe yourself a trip to the Smith River. The permits to this river are only granted through a lottery system, which means, if you’re lucky enough to be allowed through, you’ll find yourself fishing in a spot where only a handful of anglers are allowed every year, totally cut off from the rest of the world.
Conclusion
Before you begin a fishing expedition, it’s integral to ensure you’ve done your research and found the best spot to go to. This is even more important for fly fishing because the success you’ll attain depends as much on the amount of fish in the river as it does on your skill with a fishing rod, but if you use the information in this article, you’ll be able to find the best rivers for this activity in no time.
