The Ultimate Summer Fly Fishing Road Trip

Out West, here in the Rocky Mountains, the runoff is in its latter stages, the caddis and PMD hatches are prolific, and the fishing is nothing short of spectacular. This all means one thing – it’s time to plan your summer fly fishing road trip.

If you’ve never been out West before, the sheer amount of legendary water to hit intimidates most anglers, causing them to question their decisions. Even those who’ve been out West quite frequently second-guess which rivers they choose to fish.

This guide will take the indecision out of your fly fishing trip. From start to finish, these towns and rivers will deliver the classic Western fly fishing experience that got most of us into this sport in the first place.

First Stop – Casper, WY

River: North Platte

Fish Species: Brown, Rainbow, and Colorado River Cutthroat trout

The North Platte River, just southwest of Casper, Wyoming, is one of the country’s best trout fisheries. The rainbows get absolutely massive in the Grey Reef section of the river, while the Miracle Mile truly speaks for itself.

Curt Gowdy, the famous host of The American Sportsman, gave the Miracle Mile its name, due to the prolific hatches and huge trout which live there. Fly fishing author John Gierach notes that the Grey Reef section is his favorite close-to-home fishery where he can practice spey casting.

In the summer, expect dry fly fishing that includes:

• Caddis
• Tricos
• Golden Stones
• Yellow Sallies
• BWOs
• Hoppers

You’ll want dun, nymph, and emerger variation of those flies since both the Miracle Mile and Grey Reef are tailwaters. Streamers work well in the morning and evening, as well.

Second Stop – Shoshoni, WY

River: Wind

Fish Species: Colorado River Cutthroat, Rainbow, Brown, and Brook trout

Shoshoni is a 99-mile drive from Capser, and the next town of note along Wyoming State Highway 26. You’ll find plenty of lodging here, in addition to tons of access to the Wind River.

Bearing the name of the famed mountains just south of Shoshoni, the Wind River is an oft-overlooked fishery. It delivers on both the quintessential high country and plains fishing fronts which are emblematic of fly fishing. The upper reaches, above the Wind River Indian Reservation, is full of gorgeous brookies. Lower, below the confluence with Jakey’s Fork, the cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout turn up.

You’ll need the classic assortment of Western flies, including:

• PMDs
• Tricos
• Yellow Sallies
• Stoneflies
• Hoppers

The Wind isn’t as picky as the North Platte, but you’ll still want some nymphs and emergers as good measure.

Third Stop – Jackson, WY

Rivers: Snake, Greys, Hoback, Gros Ventre, Yellowstone, Lamar, Firehole,

Fish Species: Snake River Cutthroat, Yellowstone Cutthroat, Cuttbow, Rainbow, Brown, and Brook Trout

Yeah, Jackson is essentially the gateway to some of the best fishing in the entire world – let alone the West. Grabbing a hotel in Jackson puts you within a few hours’ of the Snake, Greys, Hoback, Gros Ventre, Yellowstone, Lamar, and Firehole Rivers, to name a few. Countless smaller creeks and other rivers left off this list offer outstanding fishing in the shadow of the Grand Tetons or the Wyoming Range. A fly fishing trip in this area of the country does a great job of putting your problems in perspective. The grandeur of the scenery makes worries over money or work meaningless.

Now, back to the fishing:

Snake River Cutthroat are most easily caught in:

• The Snake River
• Gros Ventre River
• Greys River

Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout:

• Yellowstone River
• Firehole River
• Lamar River

All of the other fish are present – in different quantities and sizes – in most of the rivers listed here. Snake River Cutthroat are my favorite. They’re the prettiest cutthroat trout in existence.

Outfitter to Contact: Jackson Hole Anglers

Fourth Stop – Island Park, ID

River: Henry’s Fork

Fish Species: Rainbow, Brown, and Cutthroat Trout

If you’ve gone all the way to Jackson, you have to make the drive north to Island Park, Idaho and fish the Henry’s Fork. Responsible for making anglers acutely aware of salmon flies, this wide river changes character frequently as it flows from Henry’s Lake to the confluence with the South Fork of the Snake River.

The bugs change daily, but during the summer the Henry’s Fork trout see a steady diet of the usual Western fare:

• Caddis
• Mayflies
• Golden Stones
• Craneflies

Again, nymphs, emergers, and duns of all the classic trout patterns work great. You’ll also want to pick up a Last Chance Cripple. This mayfly pattern is incredibly effective when the duns are coming off but the trout aren’t rising, but sipping right off the surface.

Outfitter to Contact: Jonathan Heames Fly Fishing

Fifth Stop – Ennis, MT

River: Madison

Fish Species: Rainbow, Brown, and Cutthroat Trout

During the summer, the Lower Madison – from Ennis Lake to the confluence with the Missouri River – isn’t a great fishery. The Upper Madison, however, remains great year-round. Ennis is a great central location as it allows anglers to fish the last of the Upper Madison as it flows into Ennis Lake, and some of the more popular spots – including Kelly Galloup’s shop – are only a 30-minute drive down Montana State Highway 287.

When out on the Madison, make sure to take:

• Caddis
• Golden Stoneflies
• PMDs
• Callibaetis
• Hoppers
• San Juan Worms

Yes, I recommended a San Juan worm for one of the West’s most stories dry fly rivers.

They work. I fished the Madison just a few weeks ago and cleaned up with a San Juan. Keep a few in your box and switch over to nymphs if you don’t see fish actively rising.

Outfitter to Contact: Trout On The Fly

Sixth Stop – Three Forks, MT

Rivers: Jefferson, Madison, Gallitan, Missouri,

Fish Species: Rainbow, Brown, and Cutthroat Trout

Aside from Helena, Butte, or Missoula, Three Forks may offer the most diversity of options within a short drive in all of Montana. You’re not far from the confluence of three major rivers as they form the Missouri, a river that sees amazing mayfly and caddis hatches in July. The Jefferson is one of the first rivers to clean up and drop after spring runoff, and the Gallitan needs no introduction.

Cutthroat and rainbow trout are abundant in this area, though the big browns are always on the prowl as well. As with Jackson, you really can’t go wrong in Three Forks. Pick the rivers you want to fish based on the type of experience you want – wading, floating, a mix of both, or solitude. If there’s one thing Montana has over most fly fishing states, it’s vast amounts of water mixed with equally large amounts of quiet, empty country.

Seventh Stop – Missoula, MT

Rivers: Clark Fork, Bitterroot

Fish Species: Rainbow, Brown, and Cutthroat Trout

Aside from Jackson, Missoula is the most “modern” town on this fly fishing trip itinerary. The Clark Fork is popular with anglers looking for big brown trout, while the Bitterroot is a gorgeous mountain stream that grows before merging with the Clark Fork just west of Missoula.

The fishing here during summer features prolific mayfly hatches, great hopper fishing, and enormously fun caddis. If the fish aren’t rising, swing soft hackle flies in the longer runs.

After seven stops, 17 rivers, and a couple thousand miles, you’re either exhausted or ready for more. If that’s the case, continue west and fish your way to Oregon or Washington. North takes you to Glacier National Park, the Flathead River, and the bull trout rivers of British Columbia.

South leads to Idaho, the Salmon River, and the fly fishing of Utah and Nevada. Missoula is a great place to end, though, as it’s not terribly expensive to fly in and out of town.

Regardless of what you choose to do after your time in Missoula, you can kick back in a backwoods bar, throw down some cold ones, and reminisce on your once-in-a-lifetime fly fishing road trip you finished among some of the West’s most famous water.