Fly anglers love to debate stuff. Do fish see color? (Absolutely) Does fly line color matter? (Sometimes) Is fishing a dry fly the only true form of fly fishing? (Absolutely…not) Is dry fly fishing better than anything else? (Sometimes) Do trout on the Missouri River really think a pink Ray Charles is an egg? (Are you kidding me?) Do these waders make my butt look big? (Who Cares?) What is the best state for fly fishing? The Fly Talk Blog at Field&Stream just wanted to pick a fight.
Obviously, the best state depends on species and how you like to fish, but I’m soundly in the top five in any event. Michigan ranked #1. I was born in Michigan and caught my first wild char (brook trout) there. I’m now a resident of Montana, because I live here for more than 6 months of the year. Montana ranked #5. I caught my first cutthroat here about 30yrs ago. There is something about this place that gets into your head and your heart. Then there is Alaska. Alaska is ranked #4 and that is where I guide, because, well, it’s Alaska. Somehow, Wyoming and Louisiana got in there ahead of AK and MT. I have fished a bit in Wyoming, but never in Louisiana, though I’d certainly give it a try.
Wyoming does have some great water and a low population density. Those are two of my keys to fly fishing greatness. I just don’t think it edges out Montana. Michigan does have tremendous variety, including transplanted salmon and steelhead, but Alaska has something no other state has. Pure, indigenous, wild fish! For me, that puts it squarely at Number 1. You can call me a snob. I will chase any fish, anytime, on the fly, but I prefer wild native fish in their natural range and waters.
Not a great lakes steelhead.
If I want to catch a steelhead, do I really care weather I go to Oregon or Washington or Idaho? If I want to catch a bass, I can do that just about anywhere. If I want to catch a redfish, I can do that from Texas to the Keys to the Carolinas. If I want to chase troutzilla; I’m not talking about some freak of science triploid fish, but a real native rainbow the size of a King Salmon; I go to Alaska!
Of course, Alaska is also blessed with lots of tasty, healthy, wild, salmon. (Say no to Pebble Mine)
Not available in the marsh.
I also think another key to the question of crowning the best fly fishing state is this. Where do you most want to go? Lets hear it.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
The best fishing state is the one in which I happen to be fishing at the tiime
Well said Bryan. Colorado certainly has lots of good water, but really, its about having the opportunities to go, wherever that may be. Hope you are on the mend.
There are so many places I’ve yet to go and fish. My favorite thus far is a backcountry stream in Idaho chalk full of native Westslopes. I love the solitude and the beauty. And while a 17-19 inch cutt isn’t out of the realm of possibility, it would be a rare thing. And I admit that sometimes I just want to catch big fish: rod benders that kick my arse and leaving me grinning from ear to hear as they snap me off. That doesn’t happen very often, either (except the snapping off part). I think Alaska is calling…
The best state, is the state of fishing. I love that immersion when time ceases to matter and its just the sound of the steam and the shadow of a fish and the focus of the cast and drift. Idaho is a good state to reach that state in. As far as Alaska goes, let me know when you answer.
I agree with Bryan, it’s wherever you are at the moment except a very few states that no one should have to go to without a fight. We’ll leave it at that.
Howard,
You might want to run a post on which state is the best for windknots. I’d go with Wyoming at number 1, with Montana in the running.
I didn’t want to pick a fight so much as I wanted to stir a debate… thanks for grabbing on. Isn’t it interesting how you, and so many others with the fly bug were “born in Michigan?” Alaska is pure awesome, by any measure. Wild fish… yeah, you are spot on. I have no rebuttal, other than to say I think Bryan is onto something real… KD
Hey Kirk,
Well done on starting the debate and thanks for stopping by. Its fun stuff and food for thought between actual fishing time. We all need something to fill those gaps.
Yeah, thanks Kirk! Fred I would agree that Wyoming would be #1 followed by New Mexico.
I must admit, you make a strong argument for Alaska. The jury is out until I get up there and check it out. We should assemble a panel of bloggers, go try out all of these states and get back to Kirk Deeter. It would be a sacrifice I’m willing to make.
I like the way you think FR. The USA Fly Fishing Blogger Open. We could lay down a list of criteria and go state to state. It could even be broken down into multiple trips over the course of a year. We could have regional teams and then a panel to pull together the information. I’ll get to work on sponsors. Maybe…
nice post………