Article: The Best Fly Fishing States
- This topic has 28 replies, 17 voices, and was last updated May 6, 2011 at 6:53 pm by
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Zach it was caught in one of the states not mentioned…
Ausable in Michigan
Opener weekend, I will be there.
BTW, I see a drifter in that photo, were you in the trophy water below Milo?
Roy
Rick, for me I am looking at the quality of the fishery, the absence of modern day congestion, great scenery and great people. By quality of fishery I specifically am avoiding the stocking trucks and elbow-to-elbow fishermen.
You will find me on waters such as the Au Sable, Manistee, Yellowstone and upper Green tributaries. Therefore my top 3 states are Michigan, Montana and Wyoming.
Roy
Very good question on what we look for in our favorite fisheries. Interesting that most waters mentioned aren’t too far from a highway — even in Yellowstone.
That is of course where our variation will always be; we are all looking for a slightly different slice of angling heaven.
It seems I look primarily for native fisheries. These places take me away from development, and most often on public land. Which is another issue: access. Kinda why my home state of Wyoming isn’t in my #1 slot. Also why less-populated states are my favorite locales.
Solitude, and native fisheries with genetically pure fish. Those places have all I could want. Catching fish is of course wonderful, but I NEED the ability to sit on a rock, look around the quiet, sip scotch and think of nothing but where I am and what is going on around me. Often those places are small waters with smaller fish — unless we’re talking warm-water (Alligator Gar!). But, that is native and what I chase when I can find it. I paddled all up-and-down the Black Warrior river looking for Alligator Gar. Just found trash, Bluegills and Bass.
And had a great time.
Finally, I need open seasons. I don’t care if it’s pinched-barb, catch-and-release fishing, but let me fish ALL YEAR! Then I’m in Valhalla.
It seems I look primarily for native fisheries. These places take me away from development, and most often on public land. Which is another issue: access. Kinda why my home state of Wyoming isn’t in my #1 slot. Also why less-populated states are my favorite locales.
Man, you really contradicted yourself here. Wyoming has great opportunities for native fish (ie-Cuttslam), vast amounts of public land, and is the least populated state in the nation.
But still sucks for fishing.
Not really a contradiction. It is awesome, but not the best. There is a state much better access and more public land (accessible to the public instead of locked by private land), especially after revamping regulations this year. When I attempted the Cutt-slam several years ago, Wyoming had no genetically pure Colorado River Cutthroat trout (according to the biologist I talked to). He suggested I try a stream that would have CRNs that “looked”) like Colorado River Cutts. Not sure on the genetic purity currently as restoration work has taken place since then, but unless it’s 100 percent Cutthroat, I don’t consider it a Cutthroat.
The only protected native fish I am aware of, are in the Snake River drainage, with a limited catch-and-keep regulation(s). However, again, most of that population has been introgressed with hatchery Rainbow trout. There are some limited catch-and-keep regs. trough out the state, however, most populations of genetically pure Cutthroat trout are not protected from being killed by anglers or industry. Most fall under the general regulations which allows killing at least five trout, with no age class (size) limit.
Again, this matters to me, and does not need to matter to you or anyone else — though it should. I was playing a bit off your suggestions that Wyoming sucks for fishing (obviously meaning it doesn’t). Some of my favorite places are in that state — genetically pure native fish that anyone can hike to, and all.
Roy, this year a lot of water opened up April 1 and some regulations changed on certain waters. The fish was actually caught above Mio. The fishing up there is amazing right before the general opener and then the fish get really smart for some reason…
Are you absolutely sure about the April 1st thing?
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/stream-regs_272062_7.pdf
We have Type 1-4 streams and gear restricted sections.
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