Top 5 Fly Fishing Destinations

Whether you?re new to fly fishing, or an experienced fly angler, these locations are ideal for the fly fishing trip of a lifetime. Here, in no particular order, are the top 5 fly fishing destinations in the world.

Montana

National Park Service What makes Montana one of the most popular destinations for fly anglers is the fact that fly fishing is an integral part of the state?s culture. If you live in North America ? heck, even if you live outside of the continent ? and if you love fly fishing, you owe it to yourself to come and see what Montana has to offer. For starters, the scenery is simply beautiful. From the picturesque Rockies to an almost limitless number of streams and rivers, the landscape alone is worth the trip. It'?s an ideal place to fish for rainbow or brown trout, as the waters are teeming with them. And with dozens of specialty shops, guide services and lodges, it'?s the perfect place to take the fly fishing trip of a lifetime.

New Zealand

This could be the fishing trip that you remember for the rest of your life ? the one by which all others will be compared to. If the winter weather is getting you down, why not hop on a flight to New Zealand for some of the best fly fishing you'?ll ever experience. Their summer coincides with North America?s winter, and as any fly angler knows, the summer is the best time to land brown trout. New Zealand?s waters are home to absolute monsters; ? long, fat, and the very definition of a trophy fish. However, even skilled anglers may have trouble catching these bad boys, as the crystal clear waters force anglers to essentially stalk their prey. Many fly anglers consider New Zealand trout to be the most challenging fish that one can catch.

British Columbia

WFN New Zealand may be too far to travel for even the most passionate fly angler, and if you'?re looking for a prime location closer to home, British Columbia should be right up your alley. The province is filled with majestic forests, and it?'s through these forests that rivers and streams flow, most of them teeming with fish. Fly anglers who seek a trophy steelhead should look no further than B.C.?s monsters, some of which can tip the scales at 30 lbs or more. Of course, other species are plentiful too, including coho salmon and cutthroat trout. Prime locations include the Skeena River Drainage (considered to be THE fly fishing spot in the province), the Kootenays and Vancouver Island.

Belize

This small, northernmost Central American nation may not look like a prime fly fishing location at first glance. But, look closer and you'?ll see a country that offers an incredible experience for fly anglers who are looking to fish for species other than the typical trout or salmon. Fly anglers seeking to catch the mythical ?Grand Slam? (a Caribbean fly fishing staple ? catching a bonefish, tarpon and permit during one day of fishing) should book a trip to Belize immediately. The locations are plentiful and diverse ? saltwater flats, the largest coral reef in the Western hemisphere, lagoons, rivers and more. It'?s often refereed to as a fly angler?s paradise, and it certainly offers the possibility of giving anglers the fishing story of a lifetime.

Labrador

Rounding out this list is another Canadian destination for fly anglers that is considered by many to be the best spot for fly fishing in North America, if not the world. The rivers that run through Labrador are notorious for the clarity of the water and the large runs of Atlantic salmon, with some fish tipping the scales at upwards of 40 lbs. The wilderness is largely untouched, creating a quiet, serene, and picturesque environment that offers the perfect conditions for the avid fly angler. Make no mistake ? if you?re looking for an opportunity to fly fish for a trophy salmon or trout in conditions that will make you forget all about the city life, Labrador is the spot for you.   If you're looking to plan a fly fishing trip and need more information, swing by WFN's Travel page.