Fly Fishing Rivers

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.

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.

The East Fork of the Black River offers a wilderness fly fishing experience for Arizona's native Apache trout in a remote White Mountains setting. This pristine freestone stream flows through dense forests of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir, providing challenging fishing for wild trout in water that sees relatively light angling pressure.

Oak Creek flows through one of Arizona's most scenic canyons near Sedona, offering challenging fly fishing for wild brown, rainbow, and brook trout in a stunning red rock landscape. This freestone creek features cold, clear water sustained by numerous springs, creating a year-round fishery in the heart of the high desert.

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 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.

Hat Creek's Wild Trout Section is one of the most technically demanding spring creek fisheries in the American West. This 3.5-mile stretch of glassy, slow-moving water holds large, extremely selective trout that feed on prolific insect hatches in water so clear that every imperfection in presentation is punished. The famous Hexagenia hatch in late June and July draws anglers from across the country to test their skills against some of California's most educated trout.

Hot Creek is arguably the most technically demanding trout stream in California, a short spring creek near Mammoth Lakes that packs an extraordinary density of large, wild trout into a remarkably small stretch of water. Geothermal springs warm the creek and create year-round growing conditions that produce browns and rainbows averaging 14-18 inches in a creek narrow enough to cast across. The public access section is managed as catch-and-release, and the fish are legendarily selective, making Hot Creek a proving ground for skilled fly fishers.

The Lower Sacramento River below Keswick Dam is widely considered the premier fly fishing tailwater in California and one of the best trout rivers in the western United States. Cold, nutrient-rich water released from Shasta and Keswick dams sustains a remarkable population of wild rainbow trout, with fish averaging 14-18 inches and larger specimens exceeding 20 inches taken regularly. This is big water with year-round fishing in a scenic setting through the city of Redding and south through the Sacramento Valley.

The McCloud River holds a legendary place in American fly fishing history as the source of rainbow trout eggs that were shipped worldwide in the late 1800s. Today, the river harbors a genetically distinct strain of wild McCloud redband rainbow trout in a dramatic canyon setting of emerald pools, boulder gardens, and old-growth forest. Access is challenging, the wading technical, but the reward is fishing for wild trout in one of California's most pristine and historically significant rivers.

The Pit River is one of California's most underrated and challenging trout fisheries, flowing through a rugged volcanic canyon east of Redding. Divided into numbered reaches separated by PG&E powerhouses, the river offers cold tailwater conditions that grow trout to impressive average sizes, with rainbows and browns regularly exceeding 16 inches. The slick basalt bottom and fluctuating flows make the Pit genuinely demanding, but anglers who accept the challenge are rewarded with excellent wild trout fishing and minimal pressure.

The Truckee River flows out of Lake Tahoe and winds through the mountain town of Truckee, offering accessible fly fishing in the heart of the Sierra Nevada. The California section provides a mix of pocket water, runs, and pools holding healthy populations of rainbow and brown trout, with special regulation sections producing improved fish sizes. The river also supports mountain whitefish and reintroduced Lahontan cutthroat trout as part of a long-term native species restoration effort.

The Upper Klamath River is undergoing a historic transformation following the largest dam removal project in American history. With the removal of four dams completed in 2024, the river is reopening to anadromous fish runs for the first time in over a century. For fly anglers, the Upper Klamath offers the thrill of swinging flies for wild steelhead in remote, rugged canyon country, along with excellent opportunities for resident rainbow and brown trout. This is a river being reborn.

The Upper Sacramento River above Shasta Lake is a classic freestone mountain trout stream that flows through the historic railroad town of Dunsmuir and along the I-5 corridor. Despite its proximity to the interstate, the river offers excellent wild trout fishing in beautiful canyon scenery with convenient roadside access. The river recovered remarkably from a devastating 1991 chemical spill and today supports healthy populations of wild rainbow and brown trout.

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.

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.

The Frying Pan River is one of Colorado's premier tailwater fisheries, flowing 14 miles of Gold Medal water from below Ruedi Reservoir to its confluence with the Roaring Fork River at Basalt. Known worldwide for its Mysis Shrimp-fed trout, gin-clear water, and demanding technical fishing, the Pan rewards anglers who master delicate presentations and patience.

The Gunnison River through the Black Canyon and Gunnison Gorge is Colorado's ultimate wilderness fly fishing experience, combining the highest trout density of any river in the state with breathtaking 2,000-foot canyon walls and a remote backcountry setting. Designated both Gold Medal and Wild Trout water, the Gorge demands effort to reach but rewards with fishing that rivals any destination in the West.

The South Platte River is Colorado's most iconic Front Range trout fishery, offering world-class sight fishing in crystal-clear tailwater conditions. Its multiple sections (Dream Stream, Eleven Mile Canyon, Cheesman Canyon, and Deckers) each provide distinct character and challenge, drawing anglers from across the country to match wits with notoriously selective trout.

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.

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.

Silver Creek near Picabo is one of the most revered spring creeks in the world, a gentle, crystalline stream flowing through a lush valley where large, highly selective rainbow and brown trout feed on prolific hatches in water so clear that every grain of sand on the streambed is visible. Protected by The Nature Conservancy, Silver Creek is the ultimate test of technical fly fishing skill.

The South Fork of the Boise River below Anderson Ranch Dam is southwestern Idaho's premier tailwater trout fishery, flowing through a remote mountain canyon with exceptional populations of wild rainbow and brown trout. With consistent cold-water releases, prolific hatches, and surprisingly light fishing pressure, the South Fork Boise is one of the most underrated trout streams in the American West.

The South Fork of the Snake River below Palisades Dam is one of the finest big-river trout fisheries in the American West, carving through a dramatic basalt canyon with towering cottonwood forests. Home to trophy brown trout, native Yellowstone cutthroat, and legendary hatches of Salmonflies and Green Drakes, the South Fork offers world-class float fishing in a stunningly wild setting.

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.

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.

Grand Lake Stream is one of the most historic fly fishing destinations in the United States, a 3-mile stretch of gin-clear water flowing from West Grand Lake that harbors one of the original four strains of landlocked Atlantic salmon in the Lower 48. Regulated as fly-fishing-only since 1903, this legendary stream also supports excellent smallmouth bass and brook trout fishing in the heart of Downeast Maine's sporting camp tradition.

The Kennebago River near Rangeley is one of Maine's most cherished wild brook trout streams, a fly-fishing-only sanctuary that produces native brookies up to 5 pounds and landlocked Atlantic salmon in a remote mountain setting. With 11 pools on the upper river and 30 pools on the lower section, the Kennebago offers classic pool-and-drop fishing through pristine northern forest.

The Magalloway River below Aziscohos Dam is one of western Maine's finest cold-water fisheries, producing rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, and landlocked Atlantic salmon in a remote stretch of river along the Maine-New Hampshire border. Cold tailwater releases create ideal habitat for multiple salmonid species, and the river's accessibility from Route 16 makes it a popular destination for anglers exploring the Rangeley region.

The Moose River near Jackman flows through some of Maine's most remote wilderness, providing excellent fishing for native brook trout and landlocked Atlantic salmon in a landscape of dense forest, bogs, and mountains near the Canadian border. The river's multiple sections offer everything from intimate headwater brook trout streams to a productive tailwater below Brassua Lake.

The Rapid River is widely regarded as the premier wild brook trout fishery in the United States, where native brookies averaging 4 pounds inhabit a short but dramatic stretch of river connecting Lower Richardson Lake to Lake Umbagog. Fly fishing only with barbless hooks, this catch-and-release treasure in Maine's Great North Woods produces trophy wild brook trout that rival anything found in the Lower 48.

The Roach River near Kokadjo is Maine's only catch-and-release, fly-fishing-only river, a pristine 6-mile stream flowing from First Roach Pond into Spencer Bay on Moosehead Lake. This remote tributary produces healthy populations of wild brook trout and landlocked Atlantic salmon in a wilderness setting that sees remarkably light fishing pressure for water of its quality.

The Upper Kennebec River below Harris Dam is one of Maine's premier trophy trout fisheries, producing remarkable brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, and landlocked salmon in the dramatic gorge section near The Forks. Cold tailwater releases from Harris Station create year-round habitat for large, powerful fish in a remote wilderness setting that rivals any trout river in the Northeast.

The West Branch of the Penobscot River below Ripogenus Dam is widely considered the finest landlocked Atlantic salmon river in the continental United States. This legendary 11-mile stretch through remote northern Maine wilderness combines world-class salmon fishing with native brook trout in a setting of unmatched natural beauty beneath Mount Katahdin.

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.

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.

The Madison River is one of the most celebrated trout streams in North America. Born from the confluence of the Firehole and Gibbon rivers in Yellowstone National Park, it flows 140 miles through broad valleys and dramatic canyons before joining the Jefferson and Gallatin to form the Missouri River at Three Forks.

Below Holter Dam near Craig, Montana, the Missouri River becomes one of the most prolific tailwater trout fisheries in the world. Its nutrient-rich flows from the dam create ideal conditions for massive insect hatches and trophy-sized rainbow and brown trout.

The Yellowstone is the longest undammed river in the lower 48 states, flowing 692 miles from Yellowstone National Park through Paradise Valley and across the Montana plains. It is home to the native Yellowstone cutthroat trout and offers some of the most scenic fly fishing in the American West.

The Bruneau River flows from Idaho through remote northwestern Nevada, offering wilderness fly fishing for wild rainbow and brown trout in a dramatic desert canyon. This small freestone river provides excellent dry fly fishing opportunities in one of Nevada's most isolated and scenic settings.

The East Fork Carson River flows from the Sierra Nevada through scenic Carson Valley, offering accessible fly fishing for wild rainbow, brown, and Lahontan cutthroat trout in a pastoral high-desert setting. This freestone river provides good dry fly and nymph fishing opportunities with easy access from Highway 88.

The East Walker River below Bridgeport Reservoir is a premier Nevada tailwater offering technical dry fly fishing for wild brown and rainbow trout in a scenic high-desert canyon. This is one of the most productive and challenging fly fishing rivers in the Great Basin, with dense hatches, selective trout, and crystal-clear water demanding precise presentations.

The streams of Great Basin National Park offer high-alpine fly fishing for brook, brown, rainbow, and Lahontan cutthroat trout in one of Nevada's most spectacular mountain settings. Lehman Creek and Baker Creek flow through scenic canyons beneath Wheeler Peak, providing accessible mountain stream fishing and wilderness backcountry opportunities.

The Jarbidge River flows through one of Nevada's most remote wilderness areas, offering backcountry fly fishing for wild rainbow, brook, and bull trout in pristine mountain streams surrounded by dramatic canyon scenery. This is Nevada's only native bull trout fishery and one of the state's most spectacular wilderness angling destinations.

Pyramid Lake is one of the premier trophy Lahontan cutthroat trout fisheries in the world, offering the chance to catch native cutthroats exceeding 20 pounds in the stark beauty of Nevada's high desert. This massive terminal lake holds the largest strain of cutthroat trout anywhere, with fish regularly topping 10 pounds and occasional behemoths pushing 30 inches.

The streams of the Ruby Mountains offer high-alpine fly fishing for brook, rainbow, and Lahontan cutthroat trout in one of Nevada's most spectacular mountain ranges. Lamoille Creek and other Ruby tributaries flow through glaciated canyons, alpine lakes, and wildflower meadows, providing classic backcountry trout fishing in the 'Swiss Alps of Nevada.'

South Fork Reservoir is a high-desert impoundment offering diverse fishing for rainbow and brown trout plus smallmouth bass in a scenic canyon setting. This stillwater fishery provides good shore and boat fishing opportunities with easy access from Elko, making it one of northern Nevada's most popular and productive lakes.

The Truckee River flows 121 miles from Lake Tahoe through downtown Reno and into Pyramid Lake, offering easily accessible urban fly fishing with wild rainbow and brown trout in the heart of Nevada's largest city. This tailwater fishery combines scenic canyon sections, productive riffles and runs through town, and surprisingly good hatches for a desert river.

Wild Horse Reservoir is a high-desert impoundment offering excellent fishing for rainbow and brown trout plus smallmouth bass in a remote northern Nevada setting. This 2,830-acre reservoir provides good shore and boat fishing opportunities with a reputation for quality-sized trout and aggressive bass in scenic sagebrush country.

The Ammonoosuc River flows 55 miles from its origin at the Lakes of the Clouds on Mount Washington westward through Bethlehem, Littleton, and Lisbon before joining the Connecticut River in Haverhill. This diverse freestone river offers excellent brook trout fishing in its upper reaches, stocked rainbow and brown trout in the middle sections, and scenic mountain-to-valley fly fishing through some of New Hampshire's most beautiful terrain.

The Androscoggin River in northern New Hampshire offers exceptional fly fishing for rainbow, brown, and brook trout, plus landlocked Atlantic salmon in the upper reaches near Errol. Flowing from Lake Umbagog through the White Mountains, this 53-mile New Hampshire section features diverse water types from fast riffles to deep pools, with a productive fly fishing only stretch from Errol Dam to Bragg Bay and excellent wade fishing through the scenic towns of Gorham and Shelburne.

The Baker River flows 36 miles through the scenic towns of Warren, Wentworth, and Rumney before joining the Pemigewasset River at Plymouth. Home to the Warren Fish Hatchery and stocked with brook, brown, and rainbow trout, the Baker offers accessible freestone fly fishing with productive riffles, inviting pools, and a pastoral New Hampshire setting that combines mountain scenery with rural charm.

The Ellis River is a 16-mile freestone stream flowing from Pinkham Notch at the base of Mount Washington through the scenic village of Jackson before joining the Saco River at Glen. Known for wild brook trout in its upper reaches and stocked rainbow and brown trout lower down, the Ellis offers intimate mountain stream fishing, covered bridge scenery, and productive hatches in the heart of New Hampshire's White Mountains.

The Mascoma River flows 31 miles through Canaan, Enfield, and Lebanon in western New Hampshire, featuring a fly fishing only section below Mascoma Lake, landlocked Atlantic salmon near the lake, and productive brown and rainbow trout fishing in a scenic Upper Valley setting. Split by Mascoma Lake into distinct upper and lower sections, the river offers brook trout headwaters, spring smelt runs, and accessible wade fishing along a popular rail-trail.

The Pemigewasset River flows 65 miles through the heart of New Hampshire's White Mountains, offering diverse fly fishing from small stream headwaters at Profile Lake to broad freestone water in the lowlands. Known for native brook trout, stocked brown and rainbow trout, and Atlantic salmon, the Pemi provides accessible fishing with beautiful mountain scenery, productive hatches, and excellent wade fishing opportunities from Franconia Notch to Plymouth.

The Saco River flows through the heart of New Hampshire's Mount Washington Valley, offering crystal-clear water, exceptional brown trout fishing, and some of the most scenic fly fishing in New England. Known for producing hefty brown trout exceeding 20 inches, the Saco features a productive fly fishing only section from Lucy Brook to Artist Falls Brook in Conway, spectacular mayfly hatches including the legendary Gray Drake, and accessible wade fishing through beautiful riffles and deep pools.

The Souhegan River flows 33 miles through Milford and Merrimack in southern New Hampshire, featuring a popular Delayed Harvest section in Milford with special catch-and-release regulations, heavy stocking, and pocket water that resembles a White Mountain stream. As the most accessible quality trout stream in southern New Hampshire, the Souhegan offers year-round fishing opportunity close to the state's population centers.

The Swift River flows 26 miles through the heart of the White Mountain National Forest along the scenic Kancamagus Highway, offering pristine wild brook trout fishing in pocket water, plunges, and pools. This undammed freestone stream descends over 2,400 feet from Waterville Valley to its confluence with the Saco River, featuring a fly fishing only section, accessible National Forest sites, and excellent opportunities for catching beautiful native brook trout in a wilderness setting.

The Upper Connecticut River in Pittsburg, New Hampshire, represents the headwaters of New England's longest river and offers world-class fly fishing for landlocked Atlantic salmon, brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout. The famous Trophy Stretch between First Connecticut Lake and Lake Francis features 2.5 miles of fly fishing only water with 11 named pools, cold bottom-release flows year-round, and some of the most scenic and productive trout water in the Northeast.

The Pecos River is New Mexico's most beloved and accessible mountain trout stream, flowing through the heart of the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains less than an hour from Santa Fe. This beautiful freestone stream offers extraordinary diversity: from tiny alpine headwater tributaries holding native Rio Grande cutthroat trout to the technical pocket water of the Box canyon, making it an excellent destination for developing fly fishing skills.

The Rio Chama is arguably one of the most underrated and diverse trout rivers in the West, flowing from the Colorado border through high mountain forests and stunning Wild and Scenic canyons before reaching the desert southwest. With world-class trophy brown trout water below El Vado Dam, a spectacular 24.6-mile Wild and Scenic canyon, and the productive Rio Chama Wildlife Area, the Chama delivers exceptional fishing in dramatic high-desert scenery.

The Rio Grande through Taos County is one of the most dramatic fly fishing settings in the American West, carving through an 800-foot volcanic basalt gorge below the surrounding mesa. This powerful freestone river offers exceptional fishing for wild brown trout and cuttbow hybrids, legendary spring caddis hatches, and a wilderness experience close to the art town of Taos.

The San Juan River below Navajo Dam is widely regarded as one of the finest tailwater fisheries in the American West and is unquestionably New Mexico's premier fly fishing destination. With extraordinary trout densities exceeding 15,000 fish per mile in the quality waters, consistently large fish averaging 16-18 inches, and year-round fishing in crystal-clear water, the San Juan delivers world-class technical fly fishing in a stunning high-desert canyon setting.

The Davidson River is North Carolina's premier wild trout stream, flowing through the heart of Pisgah National Forest in Transylvania County. With over 8 miles of Delayed Harvest water, exceptional access, and healthy populations of rainbow, brown, and brook trout, the Davidson delivers consistent fishing in a spectacular mountain setting that rivals any Eastern trout stream.

Deep Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers classic mountain brook trout fishing in a protected wilderness setting. With easy access from Bryson City, scenic waterfalls, and healthy populations of wild rainbow and brown trout (plus native brook trout in the headwaters), Deep Creek provides family-friendly fishing in one of the East's most beautiful landscapes.

The French Broad River is Western North Carolina's premier warmwater fly fishing destination, offering exceptional smallmouth bass fishing within minutes of downtown Asheville. While the upper reaches hold wild trout, the river's reputation rests on its prolific smallmouth bass population and Delayed Harvest trout sections that provide year-round fishing opportunities.

The Linville River carves one of the most dramatic gorges in the Eastern United States, plunging 2,000 feet through the Blue Ridge escarpment in a series of spectacular waterfalls and wild pocket water. Designated as Wild Trout water, the Linville offers adventurous fly fishers challenging access, stunning scenery, and wild rainbow, brown, and brook trout in a true wilderness setting.

The Mitchell River flows through the rolling Piedmont foothills of Northwestern North Carolina, offering a unique combination of wild trout in the headwaters and excellent smallmouth bass fishing in the lower sections. With Special Regulation Trout Water, easy access near Mount Airy, and a friendly, pastoral character, the Mitchell provides quality fishing in a relaxed setting.

The Nantahala River below Nantahala Lake is North Carolina's most unique trout fishery, combining frigid tailwater flows, year-round trout habitat, and the stunning scenery of the Nantahala Gorge. Despite sharing the river with commercial whitewater rafting operations, fly fishers find excellent opportunities for rainbow and brown trout in this cold, clear, dam-controlled environment.

The South Toe River flows through the scenic Black Mountain range of Western North Carolina, offering productive Wild Trout fishing in a beautiful rural valley setting. With excellent roadside access, Delayed Harvest regulations, and healthy populations of wild and stocked rainbow, brown, and brook trout, the South Toe provides approachable fishing for anglers of all skill levels.

The Tuckasegee River below Bryson City offers North Carolina anglers a taste of Western-style tailwater fishing, with year-round fishable flows, Delayed Harvest regulations, and consistent populations of rainbow and brown trout. The combination of dam-controlled flows from Fontana Lake and easy roadside access makes the Tuckasegee an approachable destination for anglers of all skill levels.

The Watauga River in the High Country of Northwestern North Carolina offers a mix of freestone pocket water and meadow runs flowing through scenic valley farmland. With Wild Trout designation, excellent public access through Valle Crucis, and healthy populations of wild rainbow, brown, and brook trout, the Watauga provides quality fishing just minutes from Boone.

Wilson Creek flows through the rugged backcountry of Pisgah National Forest, offering adventurous fly fishers a wilderness trout experience. Designated as Wild Trout water and protected within the Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River corridor, this boulder-strewn mountain stream holds wild rainbow, brown, and brook trout in a remote, challenging setting.

The Crooked River below Bowman Dam is a world-class tailwater fishery tucked into a dramatic rimrock canyon just south of Prineville, Oregon. With redband trout densities exceeding 8,000 fish per mile in its best reaches, this intimate stream offers technical nymph fishing that rivals any tailwater in the West. Open year-round and easily waded by anglers of all abilities, the Crooked River is Central Oregon's most accessible quality trout stream.

The Lower Deschutes River is one of the premier fly fishing destinations in the American West, renowned for its wild redband rainbow trout and legendary summer steelhead runs. Flowing 100 miles from Pelton Dam to the Columbia River through dramatic high-desert canyon country, it offers world-class dry fly fishing in a stunningly remote setting. The river's consistent, cold tailwater flows and prolific insect hatches support one of the healthiest wild trout populations in Oregon.

The John Day River is Oregon's longest undammed river, with 284 miles of free-flowing water coursing through the dramatic canyon country of eastern Oregon. Unlike traditional trout streams, the John Day is best known for its extraordinary smallmouth bass fly fishing and its wild summer steelhead. A multi-day float through painted canyons with world-class bass fishing is one of the great wilderness fly fishing adventures in the American West.

The McKenzie River is Oregon's quintessential drift-boat trout stream, flowing 90 miles from Clear Lake high in the Cascades to the Willamette River near Eugene. Famous for its stunning blue water, prolific caddis hatches, and the traditional McKenzie drift boat that was invented on its banks, the river offers outstanding dry fly fishing in one of the most beautiful valley settings in the Pacific Northwest.

The Metolius River is one of the most beautiful and challenging fly fishing destinations in the Pacific Northwest. Born from massive springs at the base of Black Butte in the Cascade Range, this crystal-clear spring creek flows through old-growth ponderosa forest and supports wild populations of rainbow trout, brown trout, and the increasingly rare bull trout. Fly-fishing-only regulations and catch-and-release rules protect a fishery of uncommon quality in a setting of breathtaking natural beauty.

The Owyhee River below Owyhee Dam is southeastern Oregon's premier tailwater fishery, renowned for its trophy brown trout and stunning high-desert canyon scenery. Flowing through a remote, arid landscape of volcanic rock and sagebrush in Malheur County, this 10-mile tailwater produces some of the largest brown trout in the Pacific Northwest with year-round fly fishing opportunity.

Big Fishing Creek flows through the scenic mountains of north-central Pennsylvania, offering excellent limestone-enriched freestone fishing for wild brown and brook trout. Known for diverse hatches, beautiful pocket water, and a more forgiving character than technical spring creeks, Big Fishing Creek provides quality fishing with less pressure than famous central Pennsylvania streams.

Big Spring Creek is a pristine limestone spring creek flowing through Cumberland Valley with exceptional water clarity, large wild brown trout, and highly technical fishing. This short but legendary creek is considered one of the most challenging spring creek destinations in Pennsylvania, demanding expert presentation and stealth from anglers.

Kettle Creek flows through the remote mountains of north-central Pennsylvania, offering excellent wild brook and brown trout fishing in a wilderness setting. Known for beautiful pocket water, abundant wild trout, and minimal fishing pressure, Kettle Creek provides a classic Appalachian mountain stream experience.

The Little Juniata River is a productive limestone-enriched freestone river flowing through the scenic Allegheny Mountains of central Pennsylvania. Known for excellent wild brown trout populations, diverse hatches, and beautiful pocket water, the Little J offers accessible fishing with less pressure than more famous Pennsylvania streams.

Penns Creek is Pennsylvania's most celebrated wild trout stream, flowing through 60 miles of limestone-enriched valleys and mountain terrain in central Pennsylvania. Known for its prolific Green Drake hatch, challenging selective brown trout, and beautiful mountain scenery, Penns Creek offers a quintessential Pennsylvania fly fishing experience that draws anglers from across the country.

Slate Run is a pristine mountain freestone stream flowing through the remote Pine Creek Gorge area of north-central Pennsylvania, renowned for exceptional wild brook trout fishing in a wilderness setting. This is Pennsylvania's premier native brook trout destination, offering backcountry fishing in one of the most beautiful and remote stream valleys in the state.

Spring Creek is Pennsylvania's most technical and challenging limestone spring creek, flowing through the State College area with gin-clear water, highly selective brown trout, and some of the most demanding dry fly fishing in the eastern United States. This is a destination for experienced anglers seeking to test their skills against educated wild trout.

Spruce Creek is one of Pennsylvania's most legendary and exclusive limestone spring creeks, known for exceptionally large wild brown trout, gin-clear water, and limited public access. This pristine spring creek sets the standard for Pennsylvania limestone fishing and remains a bucket-list destination for serious fly fishers.

Tulpehocken Creek is a productive tailwater fishery flowing below Blue Marsh Dam in Berks County, offering consistent year-round fishing for stocked and wild trout near Reading. Known for stable flows, good hatches, and accessible fishing, the Tulpehocken provides quality fly fishing opportunities in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Yellow Breeches Creek is a productive limestone spring creek flowing through Cumberland County in south-central Pennsylvania, offering accessible fishing for wild and stocked trout near Harrisburg. Known for excellent hatches, year-round fishing opportunities, and a forgiving character compared to more technical spring creeks, the Yellow Breeches provides quality fishing for anglers of all skill levels.

The Battenkill River is Vermont's most famous trout stream, a world-renowned destination for fly fishing that has drawn anglers for over a century. With its wild brown trout, technical dry fly fishing, and catch-and-release regulations on the Vermont side, the Battenkill offers a classic Eastern freestone experience in a pastoral setting of covered bridges and dairy farms.

The upper Deerfield River in Vermont offers excellent tailwater fly fishing below Searsburg Dam, with reliable hatches, technical dry fly fishing, and healthy populations of brown and rainbow trout. This section provides a challenging and rewarding alternative to the more famous Massachusetts sections downstream.

The Dog River is a small to medium freestone stream flowing through central Vermont, offering quality wild brown trout and brook trout fishing in a scenic, accessible setting. Known for technical dry fly fishing and healthy wild trout populations, the Dog River rewards skilled anglers with selective fish.

The Lamoille River courses through Northern Vermont for 85 miles, offering diverse fishing opportunities for rainbow trout, brook trout, and landlocked Atlantic salmon. With good access, scenic mountain views, and fall salmon runs, the Lamoille is a premier northern Vermont fly fishing destination.

The Mettawee River flows through western Vermont's agricultural valleys, offering accessible fly fishing for wild brown, rainbow, and native brook trout. Best fished where tributaries create pools and cooling water, the Mettawee provides a beginner-friendly introduction to Vermont fly fishing.

The New Haven River is a pristine, cold mountain stream flowing through the towns of Ripton, Lincoln, and Bristol, offering excellent fly fishing for wild brook trout and stocked rainbow and brown trout. Known for crystal-clear water, diverse pocket water, and spring hatches, the New Haven is a gem of central Vermont.

Otter Creek is Vermont's longest river at 112 miles, offering diverse fishing from cold-water brook trout in headwaters to mixed trout and warmwater species in lower sections. Cold tributaries like the New Haven and Middlebury Rivers provide excellent trout habitat where they meet the main stem.

The Walloomsac River near Bennington offers accessible fly fishing for wild brown and rainbow trout in a pastoral Vermont setting. With a two-mile trophy section featuring fish ranging 16 to 20 inches, the Walloomsac provides quality fishing close to town.

The White River is a 60-mile free-flowing tributary of the Connecticut River that offers exceptional wild rainbow trout fishing alongside populations of wild brown and native brook trout. Known for productive fall fishing when other rivers are off-limits due to spawning closures, the White River provides accessible fly fishing through some of Vermont's most scenic mountain terrain.

The Winooski River is northern Vermont's premier fly fishing destination, flowing 90 miles from Cabot to Lake Champlain through diverse terrain. With wild brown trout, stocked rainbows, native brook trout in tributaries, and landlocked Atlantic salmon, the Winooski offers varied fishing opportunities accessible to anglers of all skill levels.

The Klickitat River is a hidden gem of the Columbia River Gorge, a wild and scenic river that flows through a remote basalt canyon to join the Columbia near the town of Lyle. Known primarily as one of Washington's finest summer steelhead rivers, the Klickitat also offers quality trout fishing in its upper reaches and a wilderness experience that feels far removed from civilization.

The Methow River flows through one of Washington's most pristine mountain valleys, offering outstanding fly fishing for wild rainbow and westslope cutthroat trout in a landscape of pine forests, sagebrush hills, and snow-capped Cascade peaks. Its clear, cold waters and protected habitat make it a true Pacific Northwest gem.

Rocky Ford Creek is Washington's premier spring creek, a crystal-clear, spring-fed stream winding through the desert landscape northeast of Ephrata. Its year-round, fly-only, catch-and-release regulations protect a population of large, highly selective rainbow trout that challenge even the most experienced fly fishers.

The Skagit River is the largest river system in Puget Sound, flowing from the Canadian Cascades through dramatic mountain gorges and fertile lowlands. Renowned as one of the Pacific Northwest's premier steelhead rivers, the Skagit also offers exceptional fly fishing for wild rainbow trout, bull trout, and sea-run cutthroat in a stunning wilderness setting.

The Yakima River is widely regarded as the best trout fly fishing river in Washington state, flowing through a spectacular basalt canyon between Ellensburg and Yakima. Its year-round catch-and-release regulations, prolific hatches, and healthy populations of wild rainbow and westslope cutthroat trout make it a destination that draws anglers from across the Pacific Northwest.

The Bighorn River through Thermopolis, Wyoming, is a phenomenal dry-fly fishery flowing through the town famous for the world's largest hot spring. Beginning at the Wedding of the Waters where the Wind River changes names, this section boasts over 3,000 trout per mile and is renowned for its consistent hatches and stunning Wind River Canyon scenery.

The Green River below Fontenelle Dam in southwest Wyoming is a hidden gem tailwater flowing through the remote high desert of Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge. Trophy brown trout exceeding 20 inches prowl the slow pools and deep runs, feeding on prolific hatches of midges, BWOs, PMDs, and terrestrials in a starkly beautiful landscape that few fly fishers ever discover.

The New Fork River flows from the glacial lakes of the Wind River Range through the cattle country of Sublette County, offering outstanding fly fishing for brown, rainbow, and brook trout in one of the most remote and uncrowded river valleys in Wyoming. With trophy browns exceeding 20 inches and a diverse hatch calendar from Grey Drakes to PMDs, the New Fork rewards anglers willing to venture off the beaten path.

The North Platte River through central Wyoming is home to the legendary Grey Reef and Miracle Mile sections, two of the most productive tailwater fisheries in the American West. With trout densities exceeding 5,000 fish per mile and trophy browns and rainbows routinely topping 20 inches, this is destination fly fishing at its finest.

The Snake River through Jackson Hole is one of the most scenic fly fishing destinations in America, flowing beneath the towering Teton Range through Grand Teton National Park. Home to the native Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat trout, this braided mountain river offers outstanding dry-fly fishing in a wilderness setting that defines the spirit of Western fly fishing.