When considering the best fly-fishing destinations, don’t overlook the North country.

Iconic movies like A River Runs Through It show off the great fly fishing of the Mountain West, but the North holds some of the most underrated (and underfished) great fly fishing spots around.  Fly fishing is often said to be best in the cold waters that have coarse stream beds and little runoff from construction operations or plants, and there are plenty of spots like that in the Northern U.S.

Upstate New York

Upstate New York offers fly fisherman the perfect conditions for catching Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Brook Trout, as well as plentiful waterways chock full of Salmon.

BeaverKill

The BeaverKill is situated in Delaware and Sullivan counties and it is a tributary of the East Branch Delaware River that spans about 44 miles. This area is considered to be the birthplace of fly fishing in the United States, and Sullivan county is the home to the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum. The deep pools in the upper portion of the river are fed by cold springs and home to many Brook trout. Fly fishermen from all around the world travel here to fish these astounding waters, and a large number of those anglers make their way to the covered Beaverkill Bridge where the trout fishing is reported to be some of the best in the world.

The West Branch of the Au Sable River

The West Branch of the Au Sable River is situated in the Adirondacks near Lake Placid. The area is stocked with brown, rainbow and brook trout, but the water is also home to wild brown and brook trout. You just might land a Grayling while you are fishing these waters. The Grayling were a large attraction here starting in the 1880’s when there was a grayling hatchery located on the river. The graylings became almost obsolete here until they were reintroduced in 1987.The scenery is breathtaking, the water is clear, and this 138 mile waterway should be on the bucket list of every fly fisherman.

North Shore of Lake Superior

You will find many great fly fishing streams and bodies of water located here, along with a culture and incredible scenery that makes the trip worth it all by itself.  On the North Shore, some main attractions are:

The Gooseberry River

The Gooseberry River spans 23 miles before it flows into Lake Superior. At one time the extensive logging in

the area had caused this river to lose favor with anglers, but the forest has reclaimed its glory and the supply of Rainbow trout, Brown Trout, and Brook trout is plentiful. Fish above the barrier falls for best luck with the trout, but in April and May get your dry flies ready for a steelhead run through these waters. Remember that steelheads are often suckers for those flies that imitate floating fish eggs.

Sucker River

The Sucker River has been the focus of a habitat improvement project designed to increase the fish population and improve the water quality. That project has been very successful and this body of water provides ample riffles and pools for the Brown and Brook trout that like to call it home. The mayflies hatch out in early June and provide you a great cover for your flies. Nymphs and streamers are best used to catch the larger fish, but keep those dry flies handy for the fish swimming closer to the surface.

Maine

Maine offers the perfect water temperatures and climate to produce amazing numbers of trout. Fly fishing in the following locations will not be disappointing.

Rapid River

You cannot go to Maine fly fishing and skip the Rapid River. This river has been a fly fishing hot spot since the

early 1900s. This river is unlike other rivers because it has a pond situated in the middle section of the river. This pond creates an excellent habitat for Landlocked Salmon and Brook trout to survive, and the fishing is superb all summer. Fly fishing is the only type of fishing that is allowed in this river. You will find that the trout are catch and release only on the Rapid River, and there is a three fish limit on the salmon.

The Roach River

For six miles in North Central Maine, starting at the First Roach Pond in Kokadjo, and winding into Moosehead Lake through Spencer Bay you will find spectacular opportunities to catch Salmon, and Brown trout using a wide variety of nymphs, streamers and dry flies. This stretch of water is a fly fishing only water way, but some say the drawback is it is catch and release only. The river is only fifty feet across at its widest point, and it has some amazing areas that will test your skill and delight your senses.

Kennebec River

This top ranked river flows from Moosehead Lake all the way to Bath where it flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The upper sections of the river are famous for their supplies of Brook trout, and they respond well to dry flies. Farther downstream you are going to me more likely to land Brown trout or Rainbow Trout who like both the dry flies and a nymph or two.

Southeastern Minnesota

Southeastern Minnesota offers some of the best Brown and Brook trout fly fishing available in the United States.

Trout Run Creek

If you are looking to hook some Brown trout than there is possibly no better place than Trout Run Creek in Minnesota. This stream of water produces some of the biggest Brown trout to be caught. Large sections of

Trout Run Creek are surrounded by private property, but you will find plenty of public access easements to this spectacular place. You will find breathtaking waterways that are alive with fish. Use your dry flies and fish close to the banks for some great catches.

Whitewater River

This river has a large amount of public access to some of the best trout fishing available. The river has a plentiful supply of Brown trout and Brook trout. A spider web of streams flow into the river and each one of them offers a unique and promising opportunity for fly fishing enthusiasts. The river is accessible from both the Whitewater State Park and the Carley State Park. Try a little nymph fishing in the Whitewater River for some prize winning catches.