U.S. Fly Fishing River Conditions

The White River below Bull Shoals Dam is one of America's great tailwater fisheries, renowned for world-record brown trout and exceptional wild trout densities. Its cold, clear flows and phenomenal sow bug and scud fishing make it a must-visit destination for serious trout anglers.

A short but exceptional tailwater below Norfork Dam, the Norfork River flows just 4 miles before joining the White River. In those 4 miles, it holds one of the highest densities of large rainbow and brown trout in the country, making every cast count.

The Trinity River in Northern California is one of the West Coast's finest wild steelhead and salmon rivers. Below Lewiston Dam, the cold tailwater creates exceptional habitat for rainbow and brown trout, while the lower river hosts impressive fall steelhead runs.

A world-class tailwater flowing from Shasta Dam, the Lower Sacramento produces consistent dry fly fishing for trophy rainbow trout year-round. Its prolific caddis hatches and remarkable insect diversity create endless opportunities for technical and attractor fishing alike.

A legendary Colorado tailwater below Ruedi Reservoir, the Frying Pan is famous for its enormous midges and selective, large rainbow trout. The lower Pan — from Basalt to the Roaring Fork confluence — produces consistently through all four seasons.

Flowing from its headwaters near Aspen to its confluence with the Colorado River, the Roaring Fork offers a diverse mix of freestone and tailwater fishing. The Gold Medal section below Basalt holds exceptional populations of brown and rainbow trout.

The Arkansas River through Brown's Canyon is one of Colorado's most storied Gold Medal fisheries. Its freestone character, dramatic canyon scenery, and excellent caddis and blue-winged olive hatches attract anglers from across the country.

The South Platte at Deckers is one of Colorado's most technical tailwater fisheries, demanding precise presentations to large, wary brown and rainbow trout. The clear water and selective fish provide a challenging and rewarding experience for skilled anglers.

The Colorado River near Glenwood Springs is one of the most accessible Gold Medal trout fisheries in Colorado. Its mix of tailwater and freestone character supports exceptional populations of brown and rainbow trout, with productive hatches throughout the spring and fall.

Connecticut's premier fly fishing river, the Housatonic through the Housatonic Meadows State Park holds exceptional populations of large wild brown trout. Its catch-and-release section is legendary among Northeast fly anglers for producing trophy fish on dry flies.

One of the most accessible quality trout fisheries in southern New England, the Farmington River's catch-and-release section below Hogback Dam is a year-round destination. Its productive hatches and strong wild trout population make it a favorite for Hartford-area anglers.

Famous for its native Yellowstone cutthroat trout, this large tailwater fishery in Idaho boasts stunning canyon scenery and prolific hatches. It's a dry fly paradise, especially during the summer months.

One of the most celebrated spring creeks in North America, Henry's Fork is synonymous with technical dry fly fishing for large, selective rainbow trout. The Railroad Ranch section offers legendary sight fishing over wary fish rising to PMDs and Green Drakes.

One of the first rivers designated as a National Wild and Scenic River, the Pere Marquette in Michigan is legendary for steelhead, king salmon, and native brook trout. Its cold, spring-fed flows and scenic forest setting make it the quintessential Great Lakes fly fishing experience.

The Au Sable River is Michigan's most beloved fly fishing destination and one of the premier trout streams in the Midwest. The Holy Water catch-and-release section near Grayling is famous for its exceptional hex hatch — the largest mayfly in North America.

A premier Michigan steelhead and trout river, the Manistee flows through miles of public land offering excellent wade and float fishing opportunities. Its consistent spring steelhead runs and productive brown trout hatches make it a year-round destination.

Part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the Current River is Missouri's finest trout fishery. Spring-fed by dozens of large springs, its crystal-clear water and healthy populations of rainbow and brown trout provide outstanding year-round Midwest fly fishing.

A classic Montana trout stream known for its consistent hatches and large populations of brown and rainbow trout. It offers a variety of water types, from fast riffles to deep pools, making it suitable for both wading and floating.

The longest undammed river in the lower 48, the Yellowstone offers some of the most spectacular wild trout fishing in North America. Its freestone character and prolific salmonfly and caddis hatches make it a bucket-list destination for any serious fly angler.

A swift, freestone river flowing through a dramatic canyon near Bozeman, the Gallatin is a fantastic wade fishery for wild brown and rainbow trout. Its proximity to Yellowstone National Park and consistent dry fly action make it a perennial favorite.

Remote and pristine, the Big Hole River flows through one of the last great untouched valleys in the West. It supports a healthy population of wild brown and rainbow trout, plus the iconic Arctic grayling — one of the few places in the lower 48 where they still exist.

One of the world's premier tailwater fisheries, the Bighorn below Yellowtail Dam consistently produces trophy brown and rainbow trout. Its crystal-clear, year-round flows and prolific midge and baetis hatches make it exceptional for technical nymphing and dry fly fishing.

Flowing through the scenic Bitterroot Valley, this freestone river is a classic Montana wade fishery with strong populations of wild cutthroat and brown trout. Excellent summer dry fly fishing during the salmonfly and golden stone hatches.

The San Juan below Navajo Dam is one of the most productive tailwaters in the West, with mind-boggling densities of large rainbow and brown trout. Its consistent flows, clear water, and year-round fishing make it a go-to destination for New Mexico anglers.

The Rio Grande Gorge near Taos is a wild and remote canyon fishery holding Rio Grande cutthroat and brown trout. Hiking into the gorge rewards anglers with solitude and exceptional fishing in a breathtaking volcanic landscape.

The Upper Delaware system is a legendary wild trout fishery in the Catskills of New York. It's known for its challenging, technical dry fly fishing for wary brown and rainbow trout.

The birthplace of American fly fishing, the Beaverkill in the Catskill Mountains is hallowed water for any fly angler. Fished by Theodore Gordon, the Darbees, and countless legends, it continues to produce exceptional sport for wild brown trout in its storied pools.

The West Branch of the Ausable in the Adirondacks is one of New York's finest wild trout streams, known for its technical dry fly fishing and beautiful mountain scenery. The famous Ausable Wulff fly was designed specifically for these boulder-strewn waters.

A classic Catskill trout stream flowing through the heart of fly fishing history, the Willowemoc joins the Beaverkill at Junction Pool in Roscoe, "Trout Town USA." It offers quality wild brown trout fishing in quintessential Catskill water with the weight of tradition on every cast.

One of western North Carolina's finest tailwaters, the Tuckasegee below Thorpe Reservoir holds excellent populations of wild and stocked rainbow and brown trout. Its consistent flows and scenic mountain gorge make it a top destination for Southern Appalachian fly anglers.

Perhaps the most famous trout stream in the Southeast, the Davidson River in Pisgah National Forest holds exceptional wild brown and rainbow trout in its catch-and-release section. Its clear water and technical fishing demand precise presentations to educated fish.

A cold tailwater in a stunning gorge, the Nantahala is managed as a quality trout fishery with good populations of rainbows and browns. The consistent cold flows from Nantahala Lake keep this river fishing well even during summer when other streams warm.

A rugged, high-desert river in Oregon, the Deschutes is a premier destination for summer steelhead and native 'redside' rainbow trout. It's a popular multi-day float trip with excellent fishing opportunities.

A beautiful spring-fed river in the Oregon Cascades, the McKenzie is famous for its wild redside rainbow trout and the iconic McKenzie drift boat — invented right here. The clear, cold water and prolific hatches make it a true Pacific Northwest gem.

One of the most iconic steelhead rivers in the Pacific Northwest, the Rogue offers world-class summer and winter steelhead fishing through its remote wild section. The river's half-pounders make for incredible sport throughout the summer and fall.

Fed entirely by springs at the base of Black Butte, the Metolius is one of the most unique spring creeks in North America. Its constant 48°F temperature, crystal clarity, and challenging fish make it a special destination for anglers seeking wild bull trout and rainbow.

One of the most famous streams in the Pocono Mountains, Brodhead Creek has been a beloved Pennsylvania trout fishery since the 19th century. Its productive hatches, accessible public water, and historical significance make it essential Pennsylvania fly fishing.

Renowned for one of the most spectacular Green Drake hatches in the eastern United States, Penns Creek is a must-fish Pennsylvania limestone stream. Its wild brown trout, clear spring-fed flows, and accessible public water make it a crown jewel of Pennsylvania fly fishing.

A tiny, spring-fed limestone stream near Carlisle, the Letort is sacred ground for American fly fishing. Vince Marinaro and Charlie Fox developed their revolutionary dry fly techniques here, and the impossibly selective wild brown trout still test the finest anglers today.

A federally designated Wild and Scenic River forming the border between South Carolina and Georgia, the Chattooga offers remote, challenging fly fishing for wild brown and rainbow trout in a pristine mountain setting. Its upper headwaters are perfect for wild brook trout.

The Hiwassee tailwater below Apalachia Dam is Tennessee's premier wild trout fishery, producing large rainbows and browns in a scenic mountain setting. Its catch-and-release section and consistently cold water make it exceptional for Southeast fly fishing.

The South Holston tailwater below South Holston Dam is one of Tennessee's finest fly fishing destinations, producing trophy rainbow and brown trout in clear, cold water. Its sulphur hatches from May through November create legendary evening dry fly fishing.

Texas's only wild trout stream, the Guadalupe below Canyon Dam is a surprising gem. Its cold tailwater supports the southernmost wild rainbow trout population in the United States, and the warm-weather fishing for these fish on dry flies is a uniquely Texas experience.

A world-renowned tailwater below Flaming Gorge Dam in Utah, the Green River is famous for its crystal-clear water and high density of large trout, including browns, rainbows, and cutthroats. The scenery in the red rock canyons is breathtaking.

A highly productive tailwater below Deer Creek Reservoir, the Provo River is one of Utah's most accessible wild trout fisheries. Its consistent flows and superb midge fishing make it a year-round destination for serious anglers.

Perhaps the most storied trout stream in Vermont, the Battenkill is a classic freestone river known for its clear, cold water and challenging wild brown trout. The fish here are legendarily selective, rewarding only the most skilled presentations with willing risers.

Paradoxically one of the oldest rivers in North America, Virginia's New River offers excellent smallmouth bass and wild trout fishing through its scenic gorge country. The upper reaches near Galax hold wild brown and rainbow trout in beautiful mountain water.

Washington's premier dry fly river, the Yakima's canyon section below Ellensburg holds exceptional populations of wild rainbow trout. Its famous caddis, PMD, and Trico hatches draw anglers from across the Pacific Northwest for exceptional sight fishing opportunities.

A legendary Wisconsin steelhead and wild brook trout river, the Brule has attracted presidents and wealthy anglers to its pristine waters for over a century. Its cold, spring-fed flows and wild character make it one of the most special rivers in the Great Lakes region.

One of the most unique trout streams in the world, the Firehole flows through Yellowstone National Park past geysers and hot springs. Its geothermally-warmed water creates an unusual ecosystem, producing prolific hatches and rewarding dry fly fishing in a truly otherworldly setting.