Best Trout Fishing State In The Contiguous Us

[JCWolfe]

I've only trout fished 4 states, West Virginia, Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma and would put them in that order as my favorites.

[ozark trout fisher]

I've only trout fished 4 states, West Virginia, Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma and would put them in that order as my favorites.

I've not fished West Virginia but I want to someday.

[Al Agnew]

I've fished trout and steelhead streams in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Missouri, Arkansas, and Michigan. (As well as Alaska.) I think I've fished almost every trout stream in Missouri at one time or another, and near as I can figure I've fished 17 different streams in Montana. But in the other states I've only fished one to four streams, except if you include the Yellowstone Park streams in Wyoming I'm up to about six Wyoming streams. So there is no way that I can make some kind of definitive decision on what state is the best. Maybe another good question would be what is the best fly fishing destination. Not a whole state, just an area that you can travel to and then spend a week or so hitting different stream stretches. And since probably nobody here has fished every "famous" fly fishing destination, that's probably an almost pointless question as well.

[ozark trout fisher]

As much as the stream access law in Colorado bothers me, I do agree that the fact that it is possible to get out there in one day and get the chance to fish very good Rocky Mountain trout water is very nice. So maybe proximity is the most important factor of all, making this poll question pretty much pointless.

[stlfisher]

I don't have much to add since I have only fished in Missouri, but a college friend of mine lives in Helena, MT. Moved up there 10 years ago. This is what he says about Montana.

"I could not possibly fish all the streams within 2 hours of my house in a lifetime. I fish streams I don't even know the names of. I can fish in solitude, fish spring creeks, tailwater's, lakes, freestone streams, and cast to fish in backcountry areas that have never seen a fly. The opportunities are endless. I live in the place I would want to vacation to the most. My kids walk to school without fear of crime. I live 5 minutes from the office. It is a much slower pace of life. The people are independent, but friendly (except if your from California!). Summers are perfect with the sun rising early and staying light until 10. Can't beat that for a full day of fishing. Family and friends love to visit. I am surrounded by people who love the sames thing I do. I still feel like I am on vacation."

I think fishing locations are really about personal preference and what you desire from the experience. It is probably different for everyone and I would bet it is not always about the fish, but the total experience you have while fishing. Most of the reports I read on OAF always have an element of the report that is telling the true story. Maybe the title of the thread should have been fishing experience rather than fishing locations as I think that for most of us the total experience is what we are looking for.

[JCWolfe]

As much as the stream access law in Colorado bothers me, I do agree that the fact that it is possible to get out there in one day and get the chance to fish very good Rocky Mountain trout water is very nice. So maybe proximity is the most important factor of all, making this poll question pretty much pointless.

I'm from WV and try to get back there once a year. They have a very nice river there and I have to fish it, be a fool to miss out.My other chosen states are because it's a regional thing, I live in Oklahoma now. I'm sure they're better places but I'll probably never get to experience them except thru other peoples pictures.