Mountain Region
The Mountain Region of the United States contains some of the best fly fishing in the world. Many of our FATC trips have been to this area. The fishing can be technical and at times, you have to be on your game. The area abounds with brown trout, cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. If you are going to fish this region for the first time, we highly recommend getting a guide at least for the first part of your trip. Some states have private water so know where you are and where you can fish. Most of the Mountain Region states have excellent river maps for sale – it’s a good idea to buy one before your trip. There are many places to stay with great lodges and don’t forget about VRBO cabins.
Location: Crandell Lake
Specific Location: Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta. Crandell is a short hike (~1.2 miles) from the parking area. Quite an elevation gain though
Where to Stay: We stayed on the east side of Glacier National Park in a VRBO and only went into Alberta for the day. Be aware of border crossing closure times!
All brook trout, but rather large brook trout
Location: Colorado River
Specific Location: Lees Ferry below the Glen Canyon Dam in Northern Arizona
Where to Stay: Cliff Dwellers Lodge (HC 67 Box 30 Marble Canyon, AZ 86036), AZ (928) 355-2261
Fishing: Twelve miles of trout fishing from the Glen Canyon Dam downstream. You need a boat (guide service) to get to all areas of fishing. Float and wading through guide service. Rainbows trout and brown trout. Most beautiful scenery to trout fish in – beginning of the Grand Canyon.
Guide Service: Lees Ferry Anglers – Many years of experience in this area.
(928) 645-2781
Location: Arkansas River
Specific Locations: South of Leadville to Buena Vista, CO. South of Buena Vista, CO to Salida,, CO
Where to stay: Buena Vista (Vista Court Cabins and Lodge)
Fishing: Technical, Wading except during runoff season, Browns, Rainbows
Guide Service: Nathan Flowers – Noah’s Ark Rafting Company
Location: Blue River
Specific Location: Blue River below the Dillon Reservoir in the town of Silverthorne, CO
Where to Stay: Many lodges and areas to stay
Fishing: Beautiful brown trout and rainbow trout. One of three locations in Colorado where the trout eat mysis shrimp causing beautiful colored brown and rainbow trout. Fishing happens right in town next to the “mall”. Wade fishing.
Guide Services: Many guide services in the area.
Location: Eagle River
Specific Locations: Gypsum Ponds, June Creek Elementary School, Eagle River Preserve-Open Space in Edwards, CO, Wolcott recreation Site.
Where to Stay: Avon, Co area
Fishing: Technical fishing. Good ESN waters, many boulders can be difficult wading – bring a staff. Mostly brown trout, rainbow trout and a few cut-bow trout.
Guide Service: Many fly shops in the area with competent guides.
Location: Fry Pan River
Specific Location: 3 mile stretch of trophy water below the Ruedi Dam
Where to Stay: Many lodges and VRBOs in the area – Basalt or Glenwood Springs. Two hour drive from the Avon, Colorado area
Fishing: Mostly wade fishing in the trophy section. Location of the famous “toilet bowl”. Mostly brown trout and a few rainbows. The brown trout here are unbelievable colors due to eating the mysis shrimp that come from Ruedi reservoir.
Location: South Platte River
Specific Locations: Dream Stream (Charlie Meyers State Wildlife Area), Eleven Mile Canyon, Cheeseman Canyon and Deckers area.
Where to stay: Woodland Park (Eagle Fire Lodge and Cabins, VRBOs)
Fishing: Technical, Wading, Browns, Rainbows, Cutthroats,
Guide Service: Landon Mayer – Landonmayerflyfishing.com, Blue Quill Angler – Pat Dorsey
Location: Henry’s Fork River
Specific Location: Last Chance/ Island Park, ID to Ora Bridge at Ashton, ID
Fishing: Wading access is good @ flows <1000 cfs in the “Box Canyon” section which is ~2 miles north of Island park on Hiway 20. Wading access is great at the “log jam” section right in Island Park and at the “Ranch” in Harriman SP again both on Hiway 20 (near to the Trouthunter Fly Shop/Lodge/Guide service and Henry’s Fork Outfitters
Location: Bighorn River
Specific Location: Bighorn River in Fort Smith, Montana below the Bighorn Canyon Dam
Where to Stay: Bighorn Angler Lodge
Fishing: Wading is possible but best to arrange for a guide and float trip. Mostly brown trout and rainbow trout. Nymphing and dry fly fishing.
Location: Lower McDonald Creek, Lost Lake, Two Medicine Lake, Swiftcurrent Lake, Avalanche Lake, Kintla Lake, other unidentified streams
Specific Location: Glacier National Park
Where to Stay: Kalispell. If you’re lucky, stay in the Swiftcurrent Hotel in Many Glacier
Fishing: Glacier National Park isn’t really a fly-fishing destination like Yellowstone, but there exists some great opportunities inside the park. McDonald Creek holds brook, cutthroat, cutbows, whitefish, lake trout, and bull trout. Two Medicine was mostly Rainbow for me Avalanche and Kintla had a lot of tiny cutthroats Swiftcurrent Lake was full of brook trout, but I managed to catch one Kokanee Salmon.
Location: Middle Fork Flathead River
Specific Location: Near Glacier National Park
Where to Stay: Kalispell, MT
Fishing: Many people fish from the bank or wade at one of many fishing access points, however, hiring a guide is really the best way to experience this majestic, but mostly ignored, wild and scenic river. Hire a guide from Glacier Anglers @ the Glacier Outdoor Center near the west entrance to Glacier National Park. Ask for Marc Evans.
Location: San Juan River Trophy Area
Specific Location: San Juan River below the Lake Navajo Dam – Trophy Waters
Where to Stay: Abe’s Motel and Fly Shop, Soaring Eagle Lodge, Fisheads San Juan River Lodge
Fishing: Technical fly fishing. Big Rainbow trout near the dam and brown trout more downstream. Wading in upper areas while floating and wading is possible below “Texas Hole”. BIG trout on small midge flies!!
Guide Service: If experienced don’t need guide service but good to get guide first day of trip to learn the techniques.
Location: Spearfish Creek
Specific Location: Black Hills – Spearfish, SD
Where to Stay: Spearfish Canyon Lodge
Fishing: Brown, brook, rainbow. Spearfish Creek is an un-dammed freestone creek. Easily wadable. There are some natural ponds throughout the canyon where I had good success catching browns. Water is fast in the canyon. Plan on high sticking or czech nymphing. Actually, this would be a perfect place if you’re wanting to practice Tenkara
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Location: The North Platte River
Specific Locations: The Miracle Mile and The Grey Reef
Where to stay: Cowboy Drifters Lodge
Fishing: Drift boat fishing, need guides, Browns, Rainbows and Cutthroats. Type fishing depends on the season.
Guide Service: Cowboy Drifters Guide Service
Location: Yellowstone National Park
Specific Locations: Soda Butte Creek, Lamar River, Gallatin River, Slough Creek, Madison River, Yellowstone River, Firehole River, Gardner River.
Where to Stay: Lodges in West Yellowstone, MT or Lodges in Gardiner, MT. Many VRBOs and Camping Sites
Fishing: Technical fly fishing. Browns, Cutthroats and Rainbows. Wading is possible in most rivers. Float trips on the Yellowstone river outside the park.