Looking For A Trip For 2015

[Nick Williams]

So a few buddies and I have been hoping to take a fly fishing trip sometime this year. We haven't narrowed anything down just, just mostly dreamed, but it's time to get it down on paper and we need some ideas/experience to go off of.

Obviously, we're looking for mostly a fly fishing trip, but some other fishing is a possibility if it would be awesome. We've discussed being guided and unguided, fishing through a lodge and completely going out on our own. We're mostly looking at trout, though smallies could be an option. Road tripping is more than likely what we'll want to do, flying would only be an option if we decided to go to Alaska. Wading would be awesome, but a boat wouldn't be bad either. We even discussed having a 'home base' and heading out and backpacking in to backcountry locations to find fish. I've looked into trips in Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, and Oregon.

Basically, we're open to a lot. We just want to experience some awesome chances at fish, experience some beautiful places, and have fun. I know several of you guys have taken trips around the US chasing fish, and I'd love any details you can give about what worked and didn't work! Advice and stories are welcomed!!!

[fishinwrench]

Awesomeness is usually seasonal, so the first step might be to narrow down a timeline.

[Quillback]

I have never fished the John Day river in Oregon, but it is reportedly an awesome small mouth fishery. You can spend a week floating the river, it's remote, you'll see very few other fishermen, and there some great scenery. There are guided multi-day trips or you could do your own. Of course, doing it yourself would mean bringing rafts or pontoons, all the camping gear etc., but it would be one heck of an adventure. If you went in mid-September, you should get nice weather - warm days, cool nights, perfect for camping. There's also other Oregon rivers that have great smallie fishing.

If you're in Washington state, the Yakima river below Ellensburg is well populated with wild rainbows, it's catch and release, single barbless hook, it's best in late September/October, during the summer it is high and murky due to irrigation run-off. Two lane highway parallels the river through Yakima canyon which allows plentiful bank access. Being accessible, it gets lots of pressure, you would want to fish it during the week. Alpine lakes in the central Cascade mountains can be awesome, especially the ones that require more than 6-8 hours to hike in. Really helps to bring a tube or raft so you can get off the bank. Most of the lakes hold cutthroat, some rainbows, and there are a few with brookies. You won't get any over 2 lbs., but there's lots of them. August and September is the time to go, the snow is out and the weather is dry.

[Nick Williams]

That's a good point, Wrench. Season hasn't really been nailed down yet, though summer and fall would be much more doable just for sake of planning and time off and such.

Thanks for your reply, Quill! I haven't even heard of some of those rivers. We did talk a little bit about doing the multiple day floats, though we weren't sure how. It would definitely be an adventure either way, and we could probably get away from a lot of crowds by doing that. Hiking into those lakes sound intriguing, though that's a long hike. Are there areas where you can hike in and then have access to several lakes in a pretty local area?

[rps]

Boundary Waters. Think big Northerns on the fly. Smallmouth the size of canoe paddle blades. Walleye to eat. Multiple outfitters. Just a thought.

[Quillback]

That's a good point, Wrench. Season hasn't really been nailed down yet, though summer and fall would be much more doable just for sake of planning and time off and such.

Thanks for your reply, Quill! I haven't even heard of some of those rivers. We did talk a little bit about doing the multiple day floats, though we weren't sure how. It would definitely be an adventure either way, and we could probably get away from a lot of crowds by doing that. Hiking into those lakes sound intriguing, though that's a long hike. Are there areas where you can hike in and then have access to several lakes in a pretty local area?

There are quite a few lakes in the mountains up there, if you are serious about it there's hiking books out there that will lay it all out. Go to Amazon and search "Washington hiking" or Cascades Hiking". There's also some good hiking/fishing on the Olympic peninsula. The guide books do a good job of laying out where the trails go, access points, etc., but not much detail on fishing opportunity. Fishing is hit or miss, some lakes are barren, especially since stocking lakes in the National parks was outlawed, but some do support natural reproduction, just no way of knowing what you're going to find until you get to the lake. And yes, there are trails/campsites that have access to multiple lakes.

You also need to be in good shape, almost every trail head is at low elevation, and you'll have to ascend 3,000 to 4,000 feet to get to the lakes, at a rate of about 1,000 feet of elevation gain per mile. it's a workout, especially carrying a back pack full of stuff.

[ciRe]

I did a backpack/trout trip to New Mexico and was awesome. Don't look to catch any monsters but expect to see some scenery that will make you stop and just look around.

[Quillback]

Here's a link to the WTA website, lots of info available.

http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/dorothy-lake

[grizzly]

You have a lot of options at hand. . . The Driftless Area would be a great option if you were looking for a "shorter" road trip and I am sure that you could find walleye and smallmouth within a reasonable drive. You could also look at the Gunnison River, Yellowstone, Glacier or Banff for an awesome trip. I would take a guide on the first day or two if I were going to Yellowstone, Glacier or Banff. I guess the main thing would be how much you are willing to spend and when you are looking to go. I've heard that October in Montana is when the big fish make their run, i've never been but maybe Al could confirm this.

[BilletHead]

Nick you should take a little time and check out the trip Mrs. BilletHead and I take out West to Wyoming. It is in the USA West forum on here. I think there is two summers of posts. If it is a type of trip you might like just PM me for any questions,

BilletHead