Fish the rivers
that define
the West.
Live stream conditions, hatch charts, and expert knowledge for the West's most iconic trout rivers across six states. Plan your next trip with real-time data and local insight.
Premier Western Trout Rivers
Legendary fisheries across six states with live conditions and local intel.
Chevelon Creek
Central Arizona / Mogollon Rim
Chevelon Creek carves a remote canyon through the Mogollon Rim country, offering adventurous anglers a chance at large wild brown trout in a spectacular wilderness setting. Access requires a challenging 3/4-mile hike down steep terrain, but the reward is lightly pressured water holding trout that rarely see artificial flies.
LiveColorado River at Lees Ferry
Northern Arizona / Coconino County
Lees Ferry is Arizona's most celebrated fly fishing destination, offering a world-class tailwater fishery in the dramatic landscape between Glen Canyon Dam and the Grand Canyon. This 15.5-mile stretch of the Colorado River holds exceptional populations of large rainbow trout in crystal-clear water, creating a year-round fishery that rivals any destination in the American West.
LiveEast Walker River
Eastern Sierra / Mono County
The East Walker River below Bridgeport Reservoir is one of the finest brown trout tailwaters in the Sierra Nevada, known for producing trophy-class fish that regularly exceed 20 inches. Cold releases from the reservoir sustain a population of browns that are disproportionately heavy for their length, feeding on prolific insect hatches in meadow water at high elevation. The river flows through open sagebrush country with spectacular mountain views, offering technical dry fly fishing and rewarding streamer work for dedicated anglers.
Fall River
Northern California / Shasta County
Fall River is one of the purest spring creeks in the world, fed entirely by massive volcanic springs that push millions of gallons of crystal-clear, cold water from the Modoc Plateau. The river meanders through broad meadows with virtually no gradient, creating slow, deep, weed-rich water that grows wild rainbow and brown trout to impressive sizes. Fish averaging 16-20 inches cruise the channels between aquatic vegetation, making this one of California's most challenging and rewarding fly fishing destinations.
LiveArkansas River
Upper Arkansas Valley / Central Mountains
The Arkansas River through Colorado's Upper Arkansas Valley is one of the most productive and accessible fly fishing rivers in the state, offering over 100 miles of quality trout water between Leadville and Canon City. With trout counts reaching 5,000 per mile in the best sections, outstanding float fishing through Brown's Canyon National Monument, and a year-round fishery supported by diverse hatches, the Arkansas delivers exceptional fishing in a spectacular mountain setting.
LiveColorado River
Grand County / Northern Mountains
The upper Colorado River between Granby and Kremmling flows through a scenic valley of cottonwoods and willows in Grand County, offering Gold Medal trout fishing in a relatively uncrowded setting. This is big water with diverse opportunities, from walk-and-wade fishing in the Hot Sulphur Springs area to outstanding float trips through Byers Canyon and the ranch country downstream.
LiveHenry's Fork
Eastern Idaho
Henry's Fork of the Snake River is one of the most storied dry-fly rivers in the world, flowing from the massive springs of Big Springs through the legendary Railroad Ranch section in Harriman State Park. With blanket hatches of Green Drakes, PMDs, and BWOs drawing selective rainbow trout to the surface, this is the river that has defined American dry-fly fishing for over a century.
LiveSalmon River
Central Idaho
The Salmon River, Idaho's famed 'River of No Return,' is the longest undammed river in the lower 48 states, flowing 425 miles through the heart of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Home to steelhead, westslope cutthroat, and bull trout, the Salmon offers a wilderness fishing experience unmatched in the American West.
LiveCrooked River
Southern Maine / Cumberland and Oxford Counties
The Crooked River is southern Maine's premier wild trout stream, a 43-mile river flowing from Songo Pond to Sebago Lake that supports healthy populations of wild brook trout, landlocked Atlantic salmon, and some brown trout. Located just an hour from Portland, the Crooked River provides accessible fly fishing for wild fish in a scenic setting of farmland and forest.
East Outlet of the Kennebec River
North-Central Maine / Piscataquis County
The East Outlet of the Kennebec River is a short but spectacular fly-fishing-only stretch flowing 3.5 miles from Moosehead Lake to Indian Pond, producing some of the finest landlocked Atlantic salmon and brook trout fishing in Maine. This powerful river, managed as fly-fishing-only water, combines cold lake-fed flows with dramatic whitewater structure to create a fishery that punches far above its modest length.
LiveBighorn River
Southeast Montana
The Bighorn River below Yellowtail Dam near Fort Smith is a world-renowned tailwater fishery producing some of the largest trout in Montana. Its clear, nutrient-rich flows support extraordinary insect populations and trophy rainbow and brown trout.
LiveGallatin River
Southwest Montana
The Gallatin River rushes through a narrow, forested canyon between Big Sky and Bozeman, offering fast-paced pocket water fishing for eager rainbow and brown trout. Made famous by 'A River Runs Through It,' the Gallatin is a quintessential Montana freestone stream.
Everything You Need to Plan Your Trip
Live Conditions
Real-time USGS stream flow, water temperature, and gage height data updated every 15 minutes.
Hatch Charts
Monthly hatch calendars for every river showing which insects are active and what flies to use.
Fly Recommendations
Curated fly selections for each river and season, with patterns recommended by local guides.
Local Outfitters
Trusted fly shops, guides, lodges, and restaurants for each river, handpicked by local anglers.
Featured Shops & Guides
Trusted local businesses supporting western fisheries.
Blue Ribbon Flies
West Yellowstone, MT
Blue Ribbon Flies is a legendary West Yellowstone fly shop founded by Craig Mathews and John Juracek in 1982. Located on Canyon Street just blocks from the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park, the shop has earned an international reputation for Yellowstone-area expertise, innovative fly patterns, and a deep commitment to conservation. Craig Mathews, a former police officer turned fly fishing icon, co-authored several influential books including "Fishing Yellowstone Hatches" and developed many iconic fly patterns still in wide use today. The shop carries a carefully curated selection of flies, rods, reels, waders, and accessories, with a particular emphasis on patterns designed specifically for Greater Yellowstone waters. Blue Ribbon Flies is known for its detailed knowledge of the Madison, Gallatin, Yellowstone, Firehole, and Gibbon rivers, as well as numerous spring creeks and lakes in the region. Their staff provides expert, personalized advice to help anglers of all skill levels find success on local waters. Beyond retail, Blue Ribbon Flies has been a driving force in conservation, co-founding 1% for the Planet with Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia. The shop has donated over a million dollars to grassroots environmental organizations. Their guide service pairs anglers with experienced local guides who know the intricacies of Yellowstone-area waters intimately.
(406) 646-7642
Headhunters Fly Shop
Craig, MT
Headhunters Fly Shop is the premier Missouri River fly fishing outfitter, located in the small town of Craig, Montana, right on the banks of one of the most productive trout rivers in the American West. The shop has built a sterling reputation among serious anglers for its expert guide staff, detailed fishing reports, and deep knowledge of the Missouri River tailwater from Holter Dam downstream. The shop offers a complete selection of flies, leaders, tippet, and gear tailored specifically to Missouri River conditions. Their online fishing reports are among the most respected and widely read in Montana, providing daily updates on flows, hatches, and productive patterns. Headhunters is known for stocking an exceptional selection of flies, with particular strength in the midge, PMD, caddis, and trico patterns that are essential for Missouri River success. Headhunters' guide service is widely regarded as one of the best on the Missouri River. Their guides are full-time professionals who spend hundreds of days per year on the water, offering both drift boat and walk-wade trips. The shop also provides shuttle services and can arrange lodging for visiting anglers.
(406) 235-3447
Yellowstone Angler
Livingston, MT
Yellowstone Angler is Livingston's premier fly shop, strategically located to serve anglers fishing the Yellowstone River, Paradise Valley spring creeks, and the vast network of waters in and around Yellowstone National Park. The shop has earned a devoted following for its exceptionally detailed fishing reports, which are updated daily during the season and offer granular, river-by-river breakdowns of conditions, hatches, and recommended fly patterns. The shop stocks a comprehensive selection of rods, reels, lines, waders, and accessories from top brands, along with one of the most extensive fly selections in Montana. Their staff includes experienced anglers who provide honest, detailed advice based on current conditions rather than simply pushing products. Yellowstone Angler is also known for its excellent online presence, with fishing reports that draw readers from across the country. Yellowstone Angler's guide service covers the Yellowstone River, Paradise Valley spring creeks (including Armstrong's, Nelson's, and DePuy's), and various waters in Yellowstone National Park. Their guides are experienced professionals who tailor trips to the angler's skill level and interests, offering both float trips on the Yellowstone and walk-wade outings on smaller waters.
(406) 222-7130
Madison River Lodge
Cameron, MT
Madison River Lodge is a full-service fly fishing lodge situated on the banks of the Madison River near Cameron in Montana's Madison Valley. The lodge offers an all-inclusive fly fishing experience, combining comfortable accommodations with guided fishing on some of Montana's most legendary trout waters, including the Madison, Yellowstone, Gallatin, and nearby spring creeks. Guests enjoy well-appointed rooms, home-cooked meals prepared by the lodge's kitchen, and a welcoming atmosphere that blends Western hospitality with the focused energy of a fishing lodge. The lodge's location between Ennis and West Yellowstone puts anglers within easy reach of the famous "50-mile riffle" section of the upper Madison, as well as the lower Madison below Ennis Lake and the waters of Yellowstone National Park. The lodge's experienced guides lead float and wade trips tailored to each angler's skill level and preferences. After a day on the water, guests can relax on the lodge's riverside deck, tie flies, swap stories, and enjoy the stunning views of the Madison Range. The lodge caters to both individual anglers and groups, making it an ideal destination for fishing trips with friends or corporate retreats.
(406) 682-5200