Most of us know at least one or two fly anglers who just seems to get it. The ones who catch the biggest fish, the most challenging fish, and they always seem to make it look so easy. It might be a local legend sitting at the end of your favorite riverside bar every night, or it could be a quiet cashier at the local fly shop.
The mystery of what makes master anglers so successful remains a fascinating question. Was it instruction from another ace angler? Do they have an intuitive grasp of the ways of fish? Or possibly the result of exposure to a radioactive trout or divine intervention that elicited an impressive set of superpowers? Countless theories exist, yet I think the answer could be as simple as the notion that top-notch fishermen are shaped and polished by their local water sources, similar to how Division 1 sports teams foster excellence in world-class athletes.
How Are Fly Anglers Good?
While there’s an abundance of anglers who can haul in hordes of trout on severely stocked rivers, truly masterful fly anglers remain above this kind of activity. This isn’t to disrespect those who take part in it – as we all love to catch fish – but the truth is that it is troublesome to hone any talent without some form of challenge. Great fly anglers are those who push their skills on the water by chasing the most demanding fish species in the most difficult spots, learning from errors and improving until they reach an expert level.
No doubt, all throughout the U.S., there are skilled fly fisherman and fisherwomen. However, certain locations appear to have an abundance of fishermen who stand out above the rest– be it due to a local beverage, or something else in the water that begets such greatness. It may be attributed to the culture of fly fishing or even the unusually demanding bodies of water and fish in those regions. For whatever reason, these states are home to some of the premier fly anglers within our nation.
California, Oregon, and Washington
All of these states offer excellent trout fishing and ocean fishing opportunities, but one thing has led to the development and production of such skilled anglers in California, Oregon, and Washington: winter steelhead. Some of North America’s most challenging fish to catch on a fly are steelhead in these three states along the Pacific coast.
When steelhead return to rivers and streams in the Pacific Northwest to spawn, they rely solely on their fat accumulated during their time in the ocean, which is why they don’t need to feed when they do. Fly anglers consider catching the winter run fish to be the ultimate testament to their patience and skill, as they absolutely refuse any fly that comes in their direction.
According to Oregon fly fishing guide Chris Gerono, winter steelhead present a real challenge when it comes to catching them, since they aren’t usually in a feeding state. On top of that, the water is cold and their metabolism is sluggish, making them less likely to move for a fly. It can be especially tough to get them to move even a few feet away from their holding spot. Moreover, steelhead rivers tend to be complex with the fish scattered and hard to track down. With only four months available each year for fishing them out, one must possess great skill in order to be successful; otherwise, there will only be eight more months of tying flies and strategizing for the next attempt.
However, through dedication and an understanding of the sport, many West Coast anglers catch winter steelhead on a regular basis. However, this often takes years of practice and development.
Every year, fly fishing guide David Force spends his entire winter traveling up and down the West Coast in search of and learning about steelhead.
It takes a lot of time to uncover all the hidden mysteries of rivers, and much longer to turn the knowledge into useable information. Remembering where you got a fish, and in which circumstances, gives you the chance to recreate that set-up. Every shift in water depth or transparency requires another fly or sink suggestion. Anglers must master the skill of casting correctly and regularly from a myriad of spots, despite uncomfortable and hazardous conditions. To be successful, there has to be an appreciation for being there and solving the puzzle; from my point of view, this commitment renders winter steelheaders some of the most proficient fly fishers around.
A number of famous fly anglers cut their teeth on winter steelhead in California, Oregon, and Washington, including Bill Schaadt, Lani Waller, Ed Ward, and Dylan Tomine.
Montana
Located in nearly 170,000 miles of rivers, streams, and spring creeks, the Treasure State has created an entire fly fishing industry that revolves around wild trout fishing. This has helped Montana evolve from a seemingly barren yet beautiful wasteland fit only for cattle and cowboys to the absolute hub of fly fishing culture that it is today.
Flyfishing in Montana is phenomenal, yet presents its own sets of difficulties. From small freestones to huge tailwaters, the variety of rivers means the different trout populations exhibit distinct behaviors. Open year-round with large amounts of anglers around, Montana’s fish are heavily fished and can be tricky to fool. However, these hurdles have led to a highly capable group of anglers who are recognized nationwide for their talent.
A move to Montana has tempered Kara Trip’s fly fishing skills personally and professionally. She owns and guides Damsel Fly Fishing in Belgrade, Montana. “I have guided or hosted trips in all of the “Disney Land” fishing destinations around the world. You can learn to fish in Kamchatka, Patagonia, Alaska, but there is nowhere else in the world that will hone your hook like Southwest Montana.”
Montana’s anglers often have to be able to adjust their methods frequently. Hatches come and go at an incredible rate, allowing only brief spells of dry fly fishing before requiring switches to nymphs and streamers. Conditions in the mountains can also change drastically – sudden forty-degree temperature swings are not unheard of, nor is rainfall or snowfall that appears out of nowhere.
Tripp pointed out that while there may be the occasional dream day while fishing in Montana, anglers should come prepared to put effort into their outing. It demands perfect casts, fast knot tying, and a willingness to keep adapting throughout the day. Knowing the ins and outs of the sport distinguishes fly fishermen in Montana more than any other destination across the globe – here, you don’t just fish – you become a fly angler.
Throughout history, Montana has produced or helped develop some of the most skilled and influential anglers, including Norman Maclean, Bud Lilly, Dan Bailey, Joe Brooks, and Thomas McGuane.
Florida
Florida’s influence on fly fishing and the number of expert anglers it has produced is unrivalled. Saltwater fly fishers flock to the Sunshine State for its abundant variety of targets – from bonefish and tarpon to redfish, snook and barracuda. This breadth of species makes for some of America’s premier fly fishing spots, yet success still requires dedication.
Captain Brian Jill, owner of Lost Coast Anglers guide service in Tampa Bay, said, “Fly fishing in Florida takes some serious skills.”
Fly anglers here have had to become adept at reading the multitude of variables in order to sight fish and catch spooky fish on the flats. These range from natural occurrences, such as strong winds that can blow out reliable spots or drastically alter the tides in bays and backcountry, to manmade hindrances like cloudy sky and glare that drastically reduce visibility. Knowing where to go when, and how to still present a chance of success in difficult conditions is essential for any successful outing.
In addition to its plentiful saltwater opportunities, Florida also offers a plethora of freshwater ventures. Home to dozens of trophy bass lakes, including renowned Lake Okeechobee – the leading big lake in the US – anglers will have no shortage of options. For those seeking something out of the ordinary, exotic species such as peacock bass, snakehead and colossal arapaima (the world’s largest freshwater fish) can be found throughout the state. Nonetheless, there are still challenges that anglers must take on when it comes to pursuing these fish.
As Jill said in an interview, manmade factors include poor water quality, which causes algae blooms and fish kills, coastal development, heavy fishing pressure, boat and jet ski traffic, and poor etiquette from other fishermen. As a result of all of these obstacles, we are unable to fish in certain areas and compound the problems. I can say with certainty that we have all become better fly anglers as a result of navigating through these obstacles.
The state of Florida has produced a veritable who’s who of infamous and legendary fly anglers, including Lefty Kreh, Steve Huff, Jose Wejebe, and Flip Pallot, among others.
Michigan
Some of the country’s best steelhead and salmon rivers are located in Michigan, which has tens of thousands of miles of quality trout waters with substantial insect hatches. Also, it has some of the best warm water fisheries for bass, pike, and especially muskie, making anglers from the state some of the world’s best fly fishermen.
Michigan doesn’t boast quite the same number of trout as certain western states, but the fish we do have come with a different advantage – size. According to Tommy Lynch of The Fish Whisperer guide service in Baldwin, Michigan, “We have bigger fish, so you don’t need to sort through numerous small ones before getting a real monster.” The renowned hatches on the Au Sable and Upper Manistee rivers can be found on the eastern part of the state, while there’s also a wild and native brook trout fishery up north. It doesn’t end there either – our four freshwater oceans bring year-round opportunities for trout and steelhead anglers, plus an abundance of excellent warmwater spots. The possibilities really are endless here!
The variety of waterways in Michigan is one of the reasons so many great fly anglers come from the state, according to Lynch.
According to Lynch, catching fish in this environment requires certain skills and determination as there is minimal assistance available. With lots of woods and limited space for casting, the fish here tend to be much more reserved. Anglers must learn how to recognize opportune moments and make best use of them, which develops their abilities in terms of casting, line management and the like. It is all about being able to track the elusive creatures and seize chances with precision – perfection is key here.
Throughout the years, Michigan has produced some of the best fly anglers in the world, such as Charles F. Adams, Arnold Gingrich, Bob Linsenman, and Kelly Galloup.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has been a major driving force in shaping the fly fishing culture of today. The state boasts meandering creeks, lively freestones, and rivers inundated with rapids, granting anglers expertise that enable them to fish anywhere. Positioned at the hub of “steelhead alley,” Pennsylvania is not only known for its smallmouth bass bounty but also contains numerous tiny trout-stuffed streams, which have spawned many talented and renowned anglers.
Eric Richard has been guiding Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams for nearly two decades, and he is well aware of the nobility attached to fly fishing in the state. He highlighted that it’s a treasured activity with a deep-seated history, with even Presidents having visited the waters in pursuit of wild trout. There is an unspoken understanding among fishermen and hunters that an individual’s esteem can be judged by their ability to fish or hunt, thus engendering a sense of competition – which helps drive anglers to develop their capabilities further.
This state has produced some of the best fly patterns and trout fishing techniques in the country, as well as some of the country’s most infamous fly anglers including Ed Shank, Bob Clouser, George Harvey, and living legend Joe Humphreys. According to Richard, the state’s success has been the result of its love for fly fishing and a desire to share it rather than a desire to become famous.
“The best Fly angler in Pennsylvania is most likely someone no one has heard of or will ever hear of who has no desire to be known,” There are just so many good anglers here you’ve never heard of, and they’re not driven to be known. A personal relationship with fly fishing and trout itself drives them to be good.”
Vermont and New York
In addition to sharing a lot of waterways, Vermont and New York both have a long history of fly fishing. The late 19th century saw the arrival of aristocratic anglers from Europe on the waters of New York’s Catskill Mountains and Vermont’s Green Mountains. They established dry fly culture in the Northeast and helped develop fly fishing into what it is today.
These two states produce expert anglers primarily because of their ample trout streams, but also because of Lake Champlain, which is the largest body of water they share. Fly anglers interested in both warm-water and cold-water species and the challenges that can be found in fishing this massive body of water have made it a mecca over the past couple of decades.
“First of all, Lake Champlain is a very dynamic system,” Captain Drew Price, owner and operator of Master Class Angling on Champlain’s consecrated waters, said. Over a period of six months, the water level changes six feet. It’s crazy! That fluctuating environment is something you have to deal with and adapt to on a river, but when you’re dealing with it on a 120-mile lake, it adds a whole new challenge to the game.”
It is possible to catch trout, salmon, bass, pike, and even oddballs like bowfin, gar, tench, and even channel catfish on the fly on Lake Champlain. This may not sound unusual since many lakes host a diverse range of fish species, but what makes Champlain unique is that it is the only place in the country where such a variety of fish can be caught in the same day.
Price pointed out that great anglers on Lake Champlain need to possess the ability to be able to quickly adjust to variable conditions such as water levels, wind, and so on. But he thinks it is the adaptability of local fishermen that really sets them apart. He pointed out that one could be fishing for bowfin in shallow water using a floating line; then half an hour later be using full sink gear for lake trout in much deeper waters. It’s the diversity of the system and having these species in close proximity which gives fishers advantages not found anywhere else. Adaptability is what truly makes a great angler around here, Price concluded.
A number of legendary fly anglers have come out of Vermont and New York, among them Price himself, Theodore Gordon, Lee and Joan Wulff, Leigh Perkins, and Tom Rosenbauer.
