I've dabbled in backcountry aviation for a couple of decades, and recently I've gotten into fly fishing. I catch rainbows and a few browns here in Arkansas, mostly nymph fishing on a 5-weight rod. Here's my average rainbow:



On prior trips to Idaho, I've seen fishy-looking waters, and I've watched plenty of YouTube videos of guys pulling trout out of streams that look like where I've been. I've camped at places like Moose Creek and Miracle in Wyoming where I know there are fish, and I want to catch a couple this summer. I'm not opposed to hiring a guide, but I also want to be able to do it myself if I'm in the backcountry.

I appreciate any general recommendations for fly-in fishing anywhere. But specifically to Idaho/Montana, if you were going to carry one rod, what size and weight do you recommend? What about waders? Or can I get by with sandals? Any other good recommendations on gear or spots that you're willing to share?

Thanks!

IMO this is like…the #2 reason to fly, after just…the joy of flight. I love light angling on dry flies…3-4 wt on a small stream.

Here in Minnesota I enjoy chucking bugs off the end of my dock with my 5wt in the evenings. It almost gets boring with bass after little bass and sunfish.

That’s a beautiful Rainbow.

You’ve got the right equipment. Nymph fishing gets to 80% of the fish. Carry a few dry flies as you never know when hatch is going to go off and they are short lived. I catch my bigger fish on streamers but those require a little bit heavier rod. Waders are a game changer for access to holes. White River is a world class destination right in your backyard.

That 5 wt. will do just fine. If you want to fish some streamers, just go with a shorter/stouter leader. 7 1/2’ maybe a 3 or 4X. If you need to taper down more, just do it with short sections of tippet. Hiring a guide for a day to understand the area isn’t a bad idea, ( full disclosure I have been guiding fly fishing trips among other things for 40+ years), but honestly, trout are trout. Sure they may eat a little different stuff region to region, but it ain’t rocket science. If you can figure them out at home, you can figure them out anywhere. Waders are nice and lightweight enough now that packing them is easy peasy. Sandals would be tough, especially on a rocky freestone stream. Grab a pair of lightweight wading boots if you want to wet wade. Have fun!"


Pete

Zzz wrote:That’s a beautiful Rainbow.

Thanks Zzz. One of my bucket list trips is to spend a week in the Boundary Waters and catch some fish along the way. I had a trip planned to Ely and into the Boundary Waters a couple years ago but we had to cancel it... will try again.

skyward II wrote:White River is a world class destination right in your backyard.

Yes, and if someone here asked where to fly in to Arkansas I'd probably tell them to go to Gaston's. But there are other rivers in Arkansas with trophy-sized trout. I do most of my fishing on the Little Red River near Heber Springs, where a gentlemen caught a 40-pound, four-ounce world record brown in 1992. I haven't seen anything close to that, but maybe someday I'll get there.

pburns wrote:I have been guiding fly fishing trips among other things for 40+ years, but honestly, trout are trout.

Thanks for the tips Pete. Do you guide in the Adirondacks? Any good fly-in fishing up there that I can add to the list?

I'm certainly not the foremost expert, but I've got into fish at Moose Creek and Shafer Meadows with a 5 wt and your average assortment of flies. Waders depends on where you want to go and time of year - I generally bring them but have only used them half the time or less.
My experience is limited, and I'm aiming to change that this year - tons of places to explore. On my list so far are Fish Lake, Chamberlain, and Big Creek to name a few.
For perspective though my most important advice is don't forget your beverage of choice(bourbon for me) - if you can't catch a fish you can always catch a good time.

slowmover wrote:

Zzz wrote:That’s a beautiful Rainbow.

Thanks Zzz. One of my bucket list trips is to spend a week in the Boundary Waters and catch some fish along the way. I had a trip planned to Ely and into the Boundary Waters a couple years ago but we had to cancel it... will try again.

skyward II wrote:White River is a world class destination right in your backyard.

Yes, and if someone here asked where to fly in to Arkansas I'd probably tell them to go to Gaston's. But there are other rivers in Arkansas with trophy-sized trout. I do most of my fishing on the Little Red River near Heber Springs, where a gentlemen caught a 40-pound, four-ounce world record brown in 1992. I haven't seen anything close to that, but maybe someday I'll get there.

pburns wrote:I have been guiding fly fishing trips among other things for 40+ years, but honestly, trout are trout.

Thanks for the tips Pete. Do you guide in the Adirondacks? Any good fly-in fishing up there that I can add to the list?

I do, mostly just a few return groups/year at this point . My oldest daughter is helping me run the business and she, being much smarter than me realizes we make more on whitewater trips, so that’s what I have been doing more of the last few years. There is a ton of water and fishing here, but no real backcountry strips like Idaho. Some floatplane accessible water, but most of the decent fishing you’re driving to a river or stream or hiking into the backcountry to a wilderness pond or stream.

Pete

The real gems here are the backcountry ponds. The better ones involve a hike of a couple of miles or more, but produce some beautiful Brook Trout. Most are too small to fly into or off limits due to being in a wilderness area. This is one of my daughters a couple of years ago before she migrated to Idaho. We don’t get the five pounders like in Maine or Quebec, but still decent. Didn’t weigh this one, but 2lbs+. Came from a spring fed pond about 1/4 mile long and 15’ deep. About a 3 mile bushwhack.

I managed to get into Fish Lake, Idaho for a night last week after spending a night at a Skywagon fly-in in Ryan Field, Montana (thanks RAF for that awesome spot!).

I've been in the Idaho backcountry before but had never been to Fish Lake. It's been on my bucket list for a while and finally the weather and my schedule lined up. We caught a mess of these cutthroat trout on dry flies and threw them all back.



A rain shower blew up later in the afternoon. I had to set up my tent, which I am loath to do. But the clouds were cool.



It is a long slog across the plains to get to Idaho, but it's always worth it!

Fly fishing is so much fun.

Stanley Idaho’s airport is a short walk to the salmon river and several river guides doing float trips. A typical boat has two people and the guide. Every time we go to Stanley we get a 3/4 day trip that includes lunch. If you’ve never done a float trip you should do it.

Using waders and boots was a game changer. You can also use shorts, neoprene sock and your boots if it’s warm.

Have fun

That’s great! Beautiful fish.

Pete

Fly fishing is indeed a beautiful pastime.
I am fortunate to live under an hour and a half from very nice fly fishing spots in Maine.
Its a tossup weather the fishing or the flying is more enjoyable.
One thing I might add is if your wading never go deeper than your waist and bring and use wadding staff.

We got cutthroat in WY…

They like streamers.

That's a beauty! What river is that? The only place I've landed in Wyoming with nearby fishing is Miracle on the North Platte. Would like to find a couple more spots with fly-in access there!

slowmover wrote:That's a beauty! What river is that? The only place I've landed in Wyoming with nearby fishing is Miracle on the North Platte. Would like to find a couple more spots with fly-in access there!

Salt River. No “off airport” access but Afton at one end and Alpine at the other end of valley. Many small grass strips throughout with permission.

I fish from my drift boat and always looking for eager passengers.

skyward II wrote:I fish from my drift boat and always looking for eager passengers.

I've been through the Star Valley several times! Beautiful area and next time I pass through I might take you up on that!

slowmover wrote:

skyward II wrote:I fish from my drift boat and always looking for eager passengers.

I've been through the Star Valley several times! Beautiful area and next time I pass through I might take you up on that!

Me too!

We are through there every couple of years or so. We have friends in Salt lake, Ogden and Victor and usually drive right through there.

Pete

slowmover wrote:

skyward II wrote:I fish from my drift boat and always looking for eager passengers.

I've been through the Star Valley several times! Beautiful area and next time I pass through I might take you up on that!

Fishing just really getting started as it’s been a hot summer for the record books.

pburns wrote:

slowmover wrote:

skyward II wrote:I fish from my drift boat and always looking for eager passengers.

I've been through the Star Valley several times! Beautiful area and next time I pass through I might take you up on that!

Me too!

We are through there every couple of years or so. We have friends in Salt lake, Ogden and Victor and usually drive right through there.

Pete

I’m here most of every summer. Drop in for a drift.