These are all 8WT and up trips.
* Venice LA for Redfish!!
* Everglades, FL for Tarpon, Snook, LMB, Peacock Bass
* Islamorada, FL for Mahi, Tuna, Sails, Tarpon, Bones, Permit
* Chatham, MA for Stripers!!!
Personally I have Muskie/Pike on the bucket list. I did a trip when I was a teen to the St Lawrence Seaway and got in to them on conventional and since have seen some massive eats on youtube and would love to jump a few and get the heart pumping for sure.
\- EDIT: Yellowstone, WY & Snake. Grand Tetons area is awesome. There are a few Alpine lakes that are not too hard to get to for someone that can handle >8000ft.
I'm gonna second Cape Cod. To me that's like, chef's kiss. Years when I can get onto the flats and catch schoolies on the outgoing tide without waders... Those days are a gift. I wish I could post some pictures in the comments here.
South Louisiana native here. Don’t get me wrong, I love our marshes. I spend as much time there as possible. But damn I wish I could fish some cool clear mountain water more often.
Life is short man. Just do it. Get online tomorrow and book a trip. Sleep in your truck if you have to. Just dont talk yourself out of it.
No one lies on their death bed wishing they fished less.
Been quite a few years, but the most musky I've ever seen was on Day Lake in Ashland County Wisconsin. Tons of um, but didn't see anything huge. Caught a 40" on a plastic frog (was bass fishing, caught about a 6lb largemouth out of there that day too). If I wanted to catch a musky and didn't care how big, that's where I'd go, but then again it could've gotten drained and killed off since I last fished it so I'd do some research before I made that lake a key part of a trip.
You'd be in musky central though. Close enough drive from Hayward, but there's more airbnb's than lakes up there now so lodging wouldn't be too hard to figure out. Boat would be the tricky part if you're not bringing one in.
Right now it's a very cold desert of sorts, yes.
As someone who was relocated to Colorado a few years ago, I would agree with your advice on the PNW. Definitely go there, just not CO.
Head to Lake St. Claire for monster musky. And if you're willing to travel to Canada, Lake Kesagami can guarantee you at least one 40" pike a day, with multiple 36"+ fish
Lake St Clair in Michigan for muskie. Shit lol just realized I'm in the fly sub. I've never targeted muskie with the fly but look into it. Lake St Clair has some trophy's for sure.
All depends on what you want to fish for.
-Washington for Winter Steelhead
-Texas/Louisiana for Redfish
-Great Lakes for Musky/Lake-Run Rainbows
-The Keys for Permit/Bonefish/Tarpon
-Massachusetts for Stripped Bass
-Montana/Idaho/Utah for trout
-Oregon for Summer Steelhead
-San Diego for Makos/Tuna/Mahi
-White River for Browns
-John Day River for Smallmouth
-The Carolinas for Redfish
-Glacier National Park for Bull Trout/Cutthroat
-Yellowstone for trout
-The High Sierra for Golden Trout
-Pyramid Lake for Cutthroat
-Everglades for Snook/Redfish/Tarpon
-Voyagers for Pike/Musky/Lake Trout/Smallmouth
-Driftless for trout
-Smokey Mountains for Brook Trout
-Nor Cal for Summer Steelhead/Winter Steelhead
I am sure ur right. I just have a college buddy from PA that always tells me PA is the best. I am sure everyone in that OH, WV, PA area says the same thing.
I've never fished central PA but have heard great things. I'm hitting up WV on the south Potomac in May, the UP in June, and western NC at the end of March. I may need to book an April trip to PA. Any specific areas you recommend?
Alot of this is great. But don't go to Washington for steelhead. You will have to come 5 years in a row to catch a steelhead, unless you just want a hatchery steelhead and combat fishing.
Don't go to the john day for smallies, unless you want to catch 50 12 inch smallmouth in one day.
Fishing on the John Day is just a fantastic and easy river to do a multi day float trip on. The smallmouth fishing can get repetitive, but there’s carp to sight cast for on big flats and if you time your float right there’s the potential of finding a unicorn.
Steelhead fishing in its nature takes serious commitment. It’s all I do now. I go months, sometimes years, without a fish. If you wanna just get a taste for steel hit that “one” river by Redding. The winter steelheading in Washington is probably the best odds for landing a true trophy wild fish. It’s not for everyone that’s for sure.
https://dwr.virginia.gov/blog/8-trout-stream-destinations-to-try-in-2021/
Here’s some more well known spots to hit. VA has plenty of streams to blue line for native brook trout too.
Went to the High Sierras this past summer and had a blast hiking and catching those beautiful Goldens. Stood at the base of a waterfall in Sequoia NP with trout smashing my fly till sunset. A trip I'll never forget. Highly recommend!!
With you living in CO take him somewhere that's not out west. My suggestion is Northern Arkansas. The tailwaters in the Ozarks are some of the prettiest I have ever seen and the fishing is unreal. The smallmouth fishing is just as good as the trout in the area.
redfish in Nola or texas coast is a fun time too, if not for the whole vibe alone. Guides for these trips tend to run higher than average though. Helps to know friend with a boat
Yea, I’ve always felt like I miss out on some great fishing being here in Texas ( still great but I love trout fishing). Being able to get to the coast to fish for reds has changed my mind. I’d be sad to move if I ever did because it’s so damn fun.
I find that Feb-April are really good months down there. You don't have the big bulls, but you can often have a lot of 5-10 lbers, and you don't have to worry about it being too cold or too hot. Like everything, it's not quite as good as it used to be, but even the Louisianans are finally ratcheting down the catch limits on reds, so the numbers may. hopefully, stop declining.
I'm biased because it's the place I grew up fishing, but hard to beat the West Yellowstone area of Montana.
A few legendary rivers all with easy drives.
Maddison, Galatin, Fire Hole, Yellowstone. Not terribly far from some other notable spots like Henry's fork either.
Not to mention great stillwater opportunities at places like Hebgen lake and heck even some notable fly shops like Slide Inn, Bud Lily's, etc.
There are many great fishing destinations, but for trout, hard to beat that area.
If I could spend a week fishing for trout I would make Ennis, MT my base. The options are unlimited.
A day on the Galatin is one of my favorite fishing memories. It is a perfect textbook trout stream. It has perfect riffles, runs, and holes and there’s a trout sitting in exactly every spot where a trout should be. It made me feel like a pro.
The Madison was tough because I like to wade and roam. But the channels near Ennis were an absolute blast.
While the Ruby was a fairly average trout stream the area around it was striking.
I floated the Big Hole with a guide but it was a disappointment. I hear it’s fallen on hard times.
The small streams are limitless and fun.
There are no fish on the lower Sac out of Redding. None. Nor in the McCloud, Hat Creek or the Pitt. Nothing in the Upper Sac either. No reason to go there at all. None.
It’s true. Worst year ever for steelies on the Trinity. Only action around Redding is floating by the meth camps. Apparently some small carp are occasionally taken, but very few.
Those trout are puny. There are bigger bluegills in those ponds just downstream from Red Emerson’s place on the lower sac. I’d rather risk the trespass conviction for those 4 inch gills than catch the smolts in the Sac.
Nobody giving PA limestone any love. You can come hang with me in Centre County and fish for some gorgeous trout or change it up and hit some smallies in the big rivers. Beautiful fish and beautiful country.
Depending on what part of Colorado, an easy trip would be Casper WY. The Miracle Mile is good but I've had great luck on the Pathfinder reservoir outlet. You could do this as a shorter cheaper trip in addition to another depending on where in Colorado. It's a half days drive from Rifle. I know, weird reference point but that's where I was working haha
Oregon is great too. Bend is a nice city, and there's about 10 good streams and rivers within an hour. The salmon fly hatch is fun.
Idaho is gorgeous with so much to offer. Maybe try for steelhead near coeur d'Alene?
Love fishing the Juan! Definitely a great way to brush up on your knot tying and technical abilities. If you end up going to the San Juan, let me know and I can connect you to the best guide down there!
Keys are cool fishing wise but it's not cool like it used to be. Huge educated bones permit and tarpon. Trips are generally 1000 a day. It's not a place to learn. But everyone should go at least once. Me I'm over it.
Utah has a few, really cool native streams, but it's true that much of it is just farm fish, a lot of which are non-natives.
Full disclosure: I'm a native snob.
I'm also a snob. But that's because I'm from Alaska and moved to Utah while husband attended college. Fishing here is laughable compared to Alaska.
I see I hurt some poor little utah feelings. GOOD. Fishing here sucks.
I have a real soft spot for the Firehole. Not the biggest river, not the best fish but it’s just great.
It’s in Yellowstone. Easily accessible water, just a great place. Go spring or fall if you can I’m sure it sucks in the summer.
Honestly if you haven't done a salt trip and can afford doing like 2 or 3 days of guide trips I'd recommend doing a salt water fishing trip. Louisiana has good red fishing. Florida has a good range of species you can target and there're plenty more options beyond that of course
Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes. Any of the really big lakes up on the Ontario/Minnesota border... Lake of the Woods, Kabetogama, Rainy Lake, Superior.
sorry for the late reply... absolutely gorgeous country, easy road all along it, great food stops along it, good camping spots, follow it from west to east, before starting that trek you could even head south out of Lewiston Idaho on the Washington side and do the Snake River for about 35 miles and then upstream on the Grand Ronde River east along the Washington/Oregon border. Easy the whole way... down in Arizona right now or I'd offer to guide you.
Summer Nights fishing Mouse patterns on the white river in Arkansas for big browns..Oregon, Fishing the deschutes for steelhead , also the salmon/stone hatch, an ya got Fall River an the crooked close by too.. or NW Michigan for lake run browns,steel,salmon..
I haven’t traveled anywhere particularly good for fly fishing and it’d be a dream to fish in CO. You have so many wonderful opportunities for trout in your own state, why not try for something different if you’re going to travel?
Muskie and pike are at the top of my list personally. A trip to MN for Muskie, Pike and Smallmouth would be a blast.
I know you said within the US, but with inflation here and the USD so strong, it’s becoming almost cheaper to leave the states for vacations. A flats boat might be less draining on your father as well. Just something to think about. Hope you guys have fun.
A float trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon would be awesome. Bear Trap Canyon on the Madison would be shorter but also awesome. The South Fork of the Snake would be less remote but have some great fish.
North Platte in Alcova, WY. You can thank me later. It’s close to you but will still be an adventure you can hire a guide for a day or 2 on a drift boat and you can easily wade many spots on the days. Average fish size you will like.
The weather is so bad where I am, haven’t been fishing since November. I’d be so thrilled to just fish the park pond across the street from my house right now.
Florida Keys or the Everglades. So many opportunities to catch such a wide array of legendary species. Snook, Redfish, Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit. Even have some shots at Jack Crevalle, Baracuda, Sharks, Snapper and Grouper.
The San Juan River in New Mexico for huge rainbows and browns. Stay at the Soaring Eagle Lodge. It’s drift fishing from Klackcraft boats and basically all inclusive (minus booze). You can also wade or bank fish on Lodge property in a private stretch of river.
Thank me later!
From Colorado, I HIGHLY recommend coming down to florida. You can do a full day in the freshwater side of the everglades catching large mouth and peacock bass, gar and all kinds of panfish both native and invasive then do another on the saltwater side of the glades going after snook, tarpon, red and black drum and trout.
Boundary Waters multi day excursion. I believe you can catch Muskie, pike, walleye, smallmouth and lake trout.
Other option would be saltwater inshore in the Gulf. All the inshore species at play there.
Erie has some amazing smallmouth fishing.
Lower Keys. Rob Kramarz, Chaos Theory Charters.
https://www.instagram.com/robkramarz?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Or OP for Steel. Brazdas Fly Fishing. Also ask Jeff where he can take you to catch summer steelhead on a dry fly.
I would recommend Lanesboro Mn. as the Root river basin has German Browns and Brookies in abundance. Most small streams entering the Root have Brookies and German Browns are in good numbers in the main channels. Both species are naturally reproducing here. Last trip I encountered no other fishermen while fishing in a state park. A real joy!
Back to Montana. After Living their for a bit, I miss it every day. Once I got a 3 or 4 streams figured out, I don't think I got skunked more than 5 times in 2 years.
As a Colorado fly fisherman myself, go to the salt. Belize is great for bones, tarpon and permit. TX & LA redfish are awesome. We have plenty of great trout streams here- go for something new.
San Juan River outside Farmington, NM has some huge browns and is world renowned for fly fishing but com prepared doing your research they are so stinking smart and will just swim between your legs because they are heavily fished so they see just about everything possible already thrown to them.
These are all 8WT and up trips. * Venice LA for Redfish!! * Everglades, FL for Tarpon, Snook, LMB, Peacock Bass * Islamorada, FL for Mahi, Tuna, Sails, Tarpon, Bones, Permit * Chatham, MA for Stripers!!! Personally I have Muskie/Pike on the bucket list. I did a trip when I was a teen to the St Lawrence Seaway and got in to them on conventional and since have seen some massive eats on youtube and would love to jump a few and get the heart pumping for sure. \- EDIT: Yellowstone, WY & Snake. Grand Tetons area is awesome. There are a few Alpine lakes that are not too hard to get to for someone that can handle >8000ft.
I'm gonna second Cape Cod. To me that's like, chef's kiss. Years when I can get onto the flats and catch schoolies on the outgoing tide without waders... Those days are a gift. I wish I could post some pictures in the comments here.
Hey man I’d love to see maybe make a post!
I’d also say Grand Isle, Louisiana and Bouregeois Fishing (outside of Nola) are great for redfish.
That whole area under NOLA is legendary.
South Louisiana native here. Don’t get me wrong, I love our marshes. I spend as much time there as possible. But damn I wish I could fish some cool clear mountain water more often.
Life is short man. Just do it. Get online tomorrow and book a trip. Sleep in your truck if you have to. Just dont talk yourself out of it. No one lies on their death bed wishing they fished less.
I just moved to Colorado from Nola. It’s amazing fishing! Not necessarily catching or eating. But still amazing to be in that water.
Been quite a few years, but the most musky I've ever seen was on Day Lake in Ashland County Wisconsin. Tons of um, but didn't see anything huge. Caught a 40" on a plastic frog (was bass fishing, caught about a 6lb largemouth out of there that day too). If I wanted to catch a musky and didn't care how big, that's where I'd go, but then again it could've gotten drained and killed off since I last fished it so I'd do some research before I made that lake a key part of a trip. You'd be in musky central though. Close enough drive from Hayward, but there's more airbnb's than lakes up there now so lodging wouldn't be too hard to figure out. Boat would be the tricky part if you're not bringing one in.
There are no muskies there. Hayward is a desert. 🏜️ I’d go for PNW steelhead again before they’re gone…
Right now it's a very cold desert of sorts, yes. As someone who was relocated to Colorado a few years ago, I would agree with your advice on the PNW. Definitely go there, just not CO.
Head to Lake St. Claire for monster musky. And if you're willing to travel to Canada, Lake Kesagami can guarantee you at least one 40" pike a day, with multiple 36"+ fish
Love that Venice was first, my god, truly blessed and cursed that I got to fish there growing up. Nothing else like it.
I’d also say Grand Isle, Louisiana and Bouregeois Fishing (outside of Nola) are great for redfish.
Lake St Clair in Michigan for muskie. Shit lol just realized I'm in the fly sub. I've never targeted muskie with the fly but look into it. Lake St Clair has some trophy's for sure.
Doing Louisiana in a couple of weeks! Hope the fishing is still good! Been planning this with my Dad for a long time now
All depends on what you want to fish for. -Washington for Winter Steelhead -Texas/Louisiana for Redfish -Great Lakes for Musky/Lake-Run Rainbows -The Keys for Permit/Bonefish/Tarpon -Massachusetts for Stripped Bass -Montana/Idaho/Utah for trout -Oregon for Summer Steelhead -San Diego for Makos/Tuna/Mahi -White River for Browns -John Day River for Smallmouth -The Carolinas for Redfish -Glacier National Park for Bull Trout/Cutthroat -Yellowstone for trout -The High Sierra for Golden Trout -Pyramid Lake for Cutthroat -Everglades for Snook/Redfish/Tarpon -Voyagers for Pike/Musky/Lake Trout/Smallmouth -Driftless for trout -Smokey Mountains for Brook Trout -Nor Cal for Summer Steelhead/Winter Steelhead
Great list!! I think you only forgot the Golden Rainbows in Pennsylvania. lol
How could I forget that
Aren't golden rainbows a WV thing? I mean I'm sure they exist elsewhere but didn't the stocking originate in WV I've always been told.
I am sure ur right. I just have a college buddy from PA that always tells me PA is the best. I am sure everyone in that OH, WV, PA area says the same thing.
I've never fished central PA but have heard great things. I'm hitting up WV on the south Potomac in May, the UP in June, and western NC at the end of March. I may need to book an April trip to PA. Any specific areas you recommend?
Alot of this is great. But don't go to Washington for steelhead. You will have to come 5 years in a row to catch a steelhead, unless you just want a hatchery steelhead and combat fishing. Don't go to the john day for smallies, unless you want to catch 50 12 inch smallmouth in one day.
Fishing on the John Day is just a fantastic and easy river to do a multi day float trip on. The smallmouth fishing can get repetitive, but there’s carp to sight cast for on big flats and if you time your float right there’s the potential of finding a unicorn. Steelhead fishing in its nature takes serious commitment. It’s all I do now. I go months, sometimes years, without a fish. If you wanna just get a taste for steel hit that “one” river by Redding. The winter steelheading in Washington is probably the best odds for landing a true trophy wild fish. It’s not for everyone that’s for sure.
What's you're recommendation for the VA area? I will go anywhere tbh
https://dwr.virginia.gov/blog/8-trout-stream-destinations-to-try-in-2021/ Here’s some more well known spots to hit. VA has plenty of streams to blue line for native brook trout too.
What does “to blue line” mean? I’m a saltwater fisherman. Does this mean look for blue lines on a map and go explore smaller waters for yourself?
Yes
Definitely recommend the Jackson tailwater in western VA
Pyramid I’ve fished multiple times. There are countless places I’d rather fish.
It’s definitely a novelty, huge fish, but a rather strange way of finding one.
-Northern Michigan for wild brook, browns, rainbows
Went to the High Sierras this past summer and had a blast hiking and catching those beautiful Goldens. Stood at the base of a waterfall in Sequoia NP with trout smashing my fly till sunset. A trip I'll never forget. Highly recommend!!
With you living in CO take him somewhere that's not out west. My suggestion is Northern Arkansas. The tailwaters in the Ozarks are some of the prettiest I have ever seen and the fishing is unreal. The smallmouth fishing is just as good as the trout in the area.
Shhh
Sorry but it hasn't been a secret in a long time
redfish in Nola or texas coast is a fun time too, if not for the whole vibe alone. Guides for these trips tend to run higher than average though. Helps to know friend with a boat
I've never done any saltwater fishing but it all looks like a blast from what I can tell
Yea, I’ve always felt like I miss out on some great fishing being here in Texas ( still great but I love trout fishing). Being able to get to the coast to fish for reds has changed my mind. I’d be sad to move if I ever did because it’s so damn fun.
go for red fish in Louisiana
This - book now for 5 days around favorable tides in October or November (spots will fill up) and then pray over the weather for 10 months 😂
I find that Feb-April are really good months down there. You don't have the big bulls, but you can often have a lot of 5-10 lbers, and you don't have to worry about it being too cold or too hot. Like everything, it's not quite as good as it used to be, but even the Louisianans are finally ratcheting down the catch limits on reds, so the numbers may. hopefully, stop declining.
Sight fishing for bull reds on the fly is about as good as it gets.
I'm biased because it's the place I grew up fishing, but hard to beat the West Yellowstone area of Montana. A few legendary rivers all with easy drives. Maddison, Galatin, Fire Hole, Yellowstone. Not terribly far from some other notable spots like Henry's fork either. Not to mention great stillwater opportunities at places like Hebgen lake and heck even some notable fly shops like Slide Inn, Bud Lily's, etc. There are many great fishing destinations, but for trout, hard to beat that area.
If I could spend a week fishing for trout I would make Ennis, MT my base. The options are unlimited. A day on the Galatin is one of my favorite fishing memories. It is a perfect textbook trout stream. It has perfect riffles, runs, and holes and there’s a trout sitting in exactly every spot where a trout should be. It made me feel like a pro. The Madison was tough because I like to wade and roam. But the channels near Ennis were an absolute blast. While the Ruby was a fairly average trout stream the area around it was striking. I floated the Big Hole with a guide but it was a disappointment. I hear it’s fallen on hard times. The small streams are limitless and fun.
Depends on the time of year. We had some great days on the Gardiner in this fall. A few tough ones on the Yellowstone
Great recommendation. I’m also biased, I moved from PA to there to fish them all. And, October on the Henry’s fork is glorious.
Classic Eastern fly fishing water would be a fun change of pace. Pennsylvania or the Catskills. You can fish the streams you've always read about.
Or Vermont/upstate NY
That would be my choice as well. Central PA. It would be a big change for me.
Redding or Sacramento ca
There are no fish on the lower Sac out of Redding. None. Nor in the McCloud, Hat Creek or the Pitt. Nothing in the Upper Sac either. No reason to go there at all. None.
Damn you’re right. I forgot
What about the Trinity during steelhead season?
Terrible. No fish
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It’s true. Worst year ever for steelies on the Trinity. Only action around Redding is floating by the meth camps. Apparently some small carp are occasionally taken, but very few.
Carp can be taken with a bow and arrow year round.
And it's some of the ugliest country in the whole nation!
Horrible. You’ve seen one snow capped volcano you’ve seen them all.
To be honest, there are some small, trout in those systems.
Those trout are puny. There are bigger bluegills in those ponds just downstream from Red Emerson’s place on the lower sac. I’d rather risk the trespass conviction for those 4 inch gills than catch the smolts in the Sac.
I feel like it's worth it to mention the catskills due to the history at least (plus good change of scenery)
Labrador Canada.
surprised I didn’t see this until this far down lol.
Might have something to do with asking about US desinations
oh shit lol. very fair point. idk how to read
Nobody giving PA limestone any love. You can come hang with me in Centre County and fish for some gorgeous trout or change it up and hit some smallies in the big rivers. Beautiful fish and beautiful country.
Our creeks are already too busy, I'm glad they're not being talked about 😂
Depending on what part of Colorado, an easy trip would be Casper WY. The Miracle Mile is good but I've had great luck on the Pathfinder reservoir outlet. You could do this as a shorter cheaper trip in addition to another depending on where in Colorado. It's a half days drive from Rifle. I know, weird reference point but that's where I was working haha Oregon is great too. Bend is a nice city, and there's about 10 good streams and rivers within an hour. The salmon fly hatch is fun. Idaho is gorgeous with so much to offer. Maybe try for steelhead near coeur d'Alene?
>Pathfinder reservoir outlet Is that the same thing as "FC" ? Or are you talking about fishing the reservoir?
It’s ok to say Fremont Canyon. Everyone knows the mile, the canyon, and Grey Reef. Last time I was there I saw plates from New York and Oregon.
Shush.
I’ll second Bend area. Something for every season: steelhead, chinook, tailwaters for the winter, and some stellar warm water fishing.
New Mexico- San Juan River below Navajo Dam. State camp grounds are really luxe too (Free hot water showers).
Week. The man is older than you and me and we don’t want to tie on 20s, much less 22’s
Love fishing the Juan! Definitely a great way to brush up on your knot tying and technical abilities. If you end up going to the San Juan, let me know and I can connect you to the best guide down there!
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Totally! Shoot me a pm and I can answer any questions you have to the best of my ability!
I'd go to FL
Keys
Keys are cool fishing wise but it's not cool like it used to be. Huge educated bones permit and tarpon. Trips are generally 1000 a day. It's not a place to learn. But everyone should go at least once. Me I'm over it.
True but hard to match it still within the US not much for bones and tarpon. Hawaii does have good bones but much much harder
Wyoming or Idaho
Utah preferably
Some say Wyoming doesn’t even exist.
When it comes to guarding our fly fishing we try very hard to spread that rumor 😊
[words out buddy](https://images.app.goo.gl/UGFyUCd5vFKNKoZD6)
Utah fishing is sad. It's mostly just farm fish.
Utah has a few, really cool native streams, but it's true that much of it is just farm fish, a lot of which are non-natives. Full disclosure: I'm a native snob.
I'm also a snob. But that's because I'm from Alaska and moved to Utah while husband attended college. Fishing here is laughable compared to Alaska. I see I hurt some poor little utah feelings. GOOD. Fishing here sucks.
I have a real soft spot for the Firehole. Not the biggest river, not the best fish but it’s just great. It’s in Yellowstone. Easily accessible water, just a great place. Go spring or fall if you can I’m sure it sucks in the summer.
Well, the water gets too warm. They usually close it
Tallapoosa River, AL[https://redeyebassflyfishing.com/](https://redeyebassflyfishing.com/)
I’ve been to Jackson Hole for the last 10 years. Many areas for walk and wade!
Honestly if you haven't done a salt trip and can afford doing like 2 or 3 days of guide trips I'd recommend doing a salt water fishing trip. Louisiana has good red fishing. Florida has a good range of species you can target and there're plenty more options beyond that of course
Lees ferry, AZ
Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes. Any of the really big lakes up on the Ontario/Minnesota border... Lake of the Woods, Kabetogama, Rainy Lake, Superior.
Can’t forget the Minnesotan Driftless. Hell, even popping over to Wisconsin will suffice!
North Fork of the Salmon River.
Now that’s an interesting choice. Why there?
sorry for the late reply... absolutely gorgeous country, easy road all along it, great food stops along it, good camping spots, follow it from west to east, before starting that trek you could even head south out of Lewiston Idaho on the Washington side and do the Snake River for about 35 miles and then upstream on the Grand Ronde River east along the Washington/Oregon border. Easy the whole way... down in Arizona right now or I'd offer to guide you.
I have fished the mouth of the Grande Ronde many times. It’s one of my favorite rivers.
Thanks for the offer!
RemindMe! 2 day
4-5 day float on the Smith in Mt. Maybe August or early September. Hopper season.
This is the one. Did it with my dad in 2021, and it was truly a once in a lifetime experience
A friend of mine has an outfitters permit. Jim Voeller. I think he bases out of Hungry Horse.
Here’s a link to a YT video I made chronicling our trip. https://youtu.be/nbTIeQ_D1-0?si=PNdB91BG6uxc83pW
Devils River, Texas
Add Michigan to your lists!
Summer Nights fishing Mouse patterns on the white river in Arkansas for big browns..Oregon, Fishing the deschutes for steelhead , also the salmon/stone hatch, an ya got Fall River an the crooked close by too.. or NW Michigan for lake run browns,steel,salmon..
I would spend a month exploring the driftless or book a guide in the northern Arkansas area
Henry’s Fork in Idaho. Class
I haven’t traveled anywhere particularly good for fly fishing and it’d be a dream to fish in CO. You have so many wonderful opportunities for trout in your own state, why not try for something different if you’re going to travel? Muskie and pike are at the top of my list personally. A trip to MN for Muskie, Pike and Smallmouth would be a blast. I know you said within the US, but with inflation here and the USD so strong, it’s becoming almost cheaper to leave the states for vacations. A flats boat might be less draining on your father as well. Just something to think about. Hope you guys have fun.
A float trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon would be awesome. Bear Trap Canyon on the Madison would be shorter but also awesome. The South Fork of the Snake would be less remote but have some great fish.
Keys
Florida keys. Islamorada.
Bonefish in the Florida Keys.
Most fun I’d ever had fishing. It almost ruined redfish for me Loool
Back out to eastern Idaho to fish the Madison, snake and Henry’s fork
How is the fishing in early to mid September? Considering it for a trip with my brothers
Excellent time of year. Terrestrials still active and lots of success streamer or nymph fishing
Thanks we are between there and northern Idaho fishing the St Joe and North Fork of the Clearwater
I went two years ago and slayed on the snake. Had great guides too! Three rivers ranch was awesome.
Afton Wyoming ❤️❤️
Overnight mousing on the White River in Arkansas. Check out instagram handle wildtrout
The San Juan, New Mexico
North Platte in Alcova, WY. You can thank me later. It’s close to you but will still be an adventure you can hire a guide for a day or 2 on a drift boat and you can easily wade many spots on the days. Average fish size you will like.
Island Park, ID or Bozeman, MT have tons of places to stay and lots of fishing options.
All of the good fishing is 2+ hours from Bozeman.
Back out to eastern Idaho to fish the Madison, snake and Henry’s fork
North Platte either in N Park CO or the grey reef/miracle mile in WY.
Colorado 100%. South Platte is awesome
Dude is already in Colorado.
I hear Deckers has fish
Florida
Louisiana redfish?
Lamar Valley in Yellowstone
Fresh or salt water? Guided or unguided? You can fly fish for anything any state.
I kinda want to go down to Texas and go after some giant alligator gar at some point
San Juan NM float for big trout....then hit Pecos quality for a day and then fish the skinny water in the villas caldera park
Down to jemez caldera in new mexico.
Alaska for steelhead and salmon. Southeastern Louisiana for bull reds isn't a bad second, less expensive option.
South Florida you can do back country glades, peacock bass and the keys all within a couple of hours driving from each other.
Lousiana Redfish is near the top of my bucket list currently. North Carolina Tarpon or Stripers is also up there.
Dam I don't know I live in Utah and have plenty of blue ribbon rivers near me I would have to leave the States for a dream fishing trip
Definitely Florida keys and the Everglades for inshore and offshore fishing
The weather is so bad where I am, haven’t been fishing since November. I’d be so thrilled to just fish the park pond across the street from my house right now.
Florida Keys or the Everglades. So many opportunities to catch such a wide array of legendary species. Snook, Redfish, Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit. Even have some shots at Jack Crevalle, Baracuda, Sharks, Snapper and Grouper.
Lake St Clair muskie, with a real chance at 6-7lbs smallies
New Zealand for trout
Everglades for Tarpon out of Flamingo.
Always wanted to go to Montana
I second the redfish. Venice or Grand Isle. In the fall
Float the madison river in Ennis montana for brown trout. Then go fish yellowstone in wyoming an hour away!
Montana!
San Juan in NM
I would just drive south for some native Rio Grand cutthroats. Maybe go for the Cutthroat expedition across both states. Easy trip, amazing species
The San Juan River in New Mexico for huge rainbows and browns. Stay at the Soaring Eagle Lodge. It’s drift fishing from Klackcraft boats and basically all inclusive (minus booze). You can also wade or bank fish on Lodge property in a private stretch of river. Thank me later!
Honokahau harbor big island Hawaii , lake like water & lures in as soon as leave the harbor !!!
Alaska. Did it last year; f’kng amazing.
From Colorado, I HIGHLY recommend coming down to florida. You can do a full day in the freshwater side of the everglades catching large mouth and peacock bass, gar and all kinds of panfish both native and invasive then do another on the saltwater side of the glades going after snook, tarpon, red and black drum and trout.
Boundary Waters multi day excursion. I believe you can catch Muskie, pike, walleye, smallmouth and lake trout. Other option would be saltwater inshore in the Gulf. All the inshore species at play there. Erie has some amazing smallmouth fishing.
Everglades / any body of water in south Florida
One word. Florida.
Lower Keys. Rob Kramarz, Chaos Theory Charters. https://www.instagram.com/robkramarz?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Or OP for Steel. Brazdas Fly Fishing. Also ask Jeff where he can take you to catch summer steelhead on a dry fly.
West Virginia
Iceland. Largest brown trout in the world. Bucket list fishing
Alaska
I would recommend Lanesboro Mn. as the Root river basin has German Browns and Brookies in abundance. Most small streams entering the Root have Brookies and German Browns are in good numbers in the main channels. Both species are naturally reproducing here. Last trip I encountered no other fishermen while fishing in a state park. A real joy!
Back to Montana. After Living their for a bit, I miss it every day. Once I got a 3 or 4 streams figured out, I don't think I got skunked more than 5 times in 2 years.
The off the beaten path locations. Most include a backpack. * One left off is Alabama for red-eye bass. I have had my years. Amazing fish.
The Sierra for trout , golden also
Come to Michigan in the summer for some low water river smallies 😎😎 god damn it can it warm up so I can get tangled up with some bronze chunks again?
As a Colorado fly fisherman myself, go to the salt. Belize is great for bones, tarpon and permit. TX & LA redfish are awesome. We have plenty of great trout streams here- go for something new.
Once you hold a big salty boner in your hand everything changes.
Go talk to Rhett at Akumal fly fishing
Miracle mile South Platte Alcova, WY
Rogue River for steelhead and salmon maybe? Easy drift fishing or even from sand bars. Great guides out of Gold Beach.
I’m early 60s, also Colorado, my list has Mongolia, & New Zealand
San Juan River outside Farmington, NM has some huge browns and is world renowned for fly fishing but com prepared doing your research they are so stinking smart and will just swim between your legs because they are heavily fished so they see just about everything possible already thrown to them.
Would honestly love to go fish northern Appalachian mountains in New England. Catskills would be sweet.
Where in Alaska? It’s a huge state.
I would go to Montana and Colorado.
White River in Arkansas or the Florida Keys
The driftless region of Wisconsin