[JesseC]

I just wrapped up a big project at work and I don't start my next gig until 8/2. That means I have about a month to get on the road and enjoy the summer. I'm in the process of packing up the car and am planning on leaving on Wednesday at the butt crack of dawn. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you look at it, this has come at really short notice. This means that I've had about 2 days to plan my route.

Here's what I've got so far.

We'll probably blast through Oregon, passing up the great fishing, because I know I'll be back there someday within range of WA. I'll be crying over the steering wheel. My wife has been looking forward to some actual real world sun in California, so we're likely to take our time going down the northern and southern coasts (might take the 8wt along for some surf - then a quick stop to vegas to lose some cash and see some family (and try for stripers in the tail waters of hoover dam! - then blast off to the grand canyon to see the world's largest ditch. (and toss some monster stoneflies in the Colorado

THEN - Here's where the trip gets interesting. Fly fishing. Lots and Lots of blatant good for nothing pure fun Fly Fishing.

I'm thinking about going up through Colrado - heading through Silverton, Grand Junction, Then scrambling up to Wyoming. I know nothing about Wyoming or Montana. I'm thinking about getting a guide in CO, WY, and MT - but have no idea what rivers I should really be targeting.

I'll be doing a ton of searching of the forums as I get the time - but I'd appreciate everyone's sage wisdom here in terms of where I've gone wrong with this initial route.

Where should I really plan to spend some time if I really want to cherry pick the best out of each area? What would you do?


I can't even believe I'm getting the opportunity to take a trip like this. I thought I turned in my summer vacation pass after the 5th grade! I'm freaking out excited

:beer2:

 

[JesseC]

PS - In terms of what kind of fishing I'll be doing

-The ideal would be some long backpacking hikes along streams or rivers with the occasional wade in
-I'll have a watermaster, but also a wife - so there's not going to be a ton of floating.
-I'm budgeting two guide trips - which is a stretch - so I've got to pick em right. Most of this will be explore on my own.

-Jesse

 

[Pat Mahony]

You best talk to Charles @ 307outfitters.com. He fishes out of Lander WY. I would change your route just for him.

 

[Mike Lee]

Jesse, That is an awesome trip! When you come into Colorado the Animas River comes down through Durango. Not sure how well it will fish in the heat, but early mornings and sunset are pretty good there. Lots of 18"+ Browns & 'Bows. The Grand Mesa Area near Grand Junction has a bunch of alpine lakes and small creeks. If you veer off onto HWY 40 E when coming up on 11 [ if you go this route] you can hit The Yampa River in Steamboat Springs. Of course these are locations other than the obvious Colorado, Arkansas, & Platte.

Have a great time, Safe Travels.

 

[Wormonhook]

I got this quote from a friend, thought you might enjoy it:

"Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit…what a ride!’” ~Hunter S. Thompson

Have a great adventure.

 

[d. rose]

Jesse,

Sounds like an awesome trip! Looking forward to the reports.

 

[Mumbles]

Jesse, Have you checked the Gear Program calendar? I did. I realize that the normal check out time for gear is much shorter than your trip plan, but if you beg, plead and bribe your way through... No reason the misses can't row the stuff you can row, maybe she'll have a hell of a time and you can use the WM for access for bank angling if she is interested. Packs up nicely into its own bag, as you know, so it is pretty compact and much easier than towing or assembling a two person boat. Best to you both on a safe and fun journey. I'm sure there will be much more than just fishing, but I'll be standing by waiting for the report(s).

 

[jasmillo]

That is an incredible trip to be taking. I cannot see the exact route you are taking but from the map, it appears you will be within earshot of some great river. In CO, it looks like you will be staying away from the front range so I would look into the following: Animas and Yampa (as mentioned above), Frying Pan, Roaring Fork, Taylor, Gunnison. All these rivers are in the general area of the map you have driven. No secrets here; all these rivers are pretty famous. If you do not mind some crowding (depending on when you arrive during the day and what day it is), I have heard the Taylor River has been fishing really well this year with a good amount of big fish being caught. I mean, how often do you have a legit shot at catching a 10+ pound trout that is not a steelhead in a river? If you are looking for great hike in fishing, try the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

Other than those, there are a ton of others along the way depending on the route. It looks like you might be near the San Juan in NM, if you stray farther to the east you may be close to the various forks and sections of S. Platte not to mention a plethora of other CO rivers and streams. Overall, CO is a lot like MT; what’s the saying? If it’s flowing and its cold, it probably holds nice trout. In reality – that is probably pretty true of any river from CO through ID on your trip

 

[NW Steve]

Shorten your route. Less asphalt, more time on the water. Get to know the areas you are going better. Just a thought. I have done plenty of trips where we went hard all day and drove at night to the next spot. They were fun, but I enjoy the slowed down relaxed trips more.
Have fun!!!

 

[gt]

south of eugene on I5, take the turn to drain heading to reedsport, hwy 38. this is the best part of the entire west coast, go see it. continue on down through the redwoods. south of eureka you will come to a great stand of trees, stop, take a short walk, marvel at what is there. easy enough to get back to I5 by continuing south a bit and then cutting over.

 

[Old Man]

Don't come to Montana as there isn't any fish left for you out of Staters.

 

[bitterroot]

Don't come to Montana as there isn't any fish left for you out of Staters.

Out of staters!!! Now there's the pot calling the kettle black! You transplant!!!! :rofl:

 

[JesseC]

south of eugene on I5, take the turn to drain heading to reedsport, hwy 38. this is the best part of the entire west coast, go see it. continue on down through the redwoods. south of eureka you will come to a great stand of trees, stop, take a short walk, marvel at what is there. easy enough to get back to I5 by continuing south a bit and then cutting over.

Sounds good - marking this on the map. Thanks!

 

[JesseC]

That is an incredible trip to be taking. I cannot see the exact route you are taking but from the map, it appears you will be within earshot of some great river. In CO, it looks like you will be staying away from the front range so I would look into the following: Animas and Yampa (as mentioned above), Frying Pan, Roaring Fork, Taylor, Gunnison. All these rivers are in the general area of the map you have driven. No secrets here; all these rivers are pretty famous. If you do not mind some crowding (depending on when you arrive during the day and what day it is), I have heard the Taylor River has been fishing really well this year with a good amount of big fish being caught. I mean, how often do you have a legit shot at catching a 10+ pound trout that is not a steelhead in a river? If you are looking for great hike in fishing, try the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.

Other than those, there are a ton of others along the way depending on the route. It looks like you might be near the San Juan in NM, if you stray farther to the east you may be close to the various forks and sections of S. Platte not to mention a plethora of other CO rivers and streams. Overall, CO is a lot like MT; what's the saying? If it's flowing and its cold, it probably holds nice trout. In reality - that is probably pretty true of any river from CO through ID on your trip

Lots of good information in here to pour over. I've heard the black canyon is a great spot and am going to make sure I spend some time there.

LD makes a good point - it might be better to tighten the loop a bit and get more downtime as opposed to time on the road.

 

[bitterroot]

Jesse,

You'll be close to Helena, MT. Consider taking an easy float down the Missouri out of Craig. Monster browns!

I can recommend a guide if you would like.....

 

[Guy Gregory]

You might consider a detour out of Flagstaff, heading southeast to Show Low and hooking up with a tribal guide who can take you in for Apache Trout. Benkhe's book has a neat description, then cut over to NM, and head north through Minument Valley past Shiprock to Farmington. A couple of miles out of the way, but ...I'm glad I did it.

 

[Old Man]

Out of staters!!! Now there's the pot calling the kettle black! You transplant!!!! :rofl:

Well what can I say. :beathead:There is no Bitterroot in Washington unless you eat something from out in the woods that you shouldn't.:ray1:

Jim:beathead:

 

[troutpocket]

To elaborate on LD's comment: take the money you budgeted for a guide and spend it on comfortable lodging near the water. This will give you time to adjust your frame of mind from covering miles of road to appreciating the change of scenery. Treat your wife to good food and spend a couple days getting the fishing dialed in. Talk to the other fishermen on the water. In the evenings stop by the camps of the guys who are doing well. Share your beer and they will get you dialed. It's trout fishing, not rocket science!

 

[gt]

oh yeah, the missuri below holter dam, wow. way better than the park or the pay spring creeks. really big fish in the largest 'spring creek' you will ever fish. fussy fisihng to make it a great challenge but really rewarding if you figure out how to bring the whoppers up for a grab. this might be worth more than a day for'yah.

 

[Salmo_g]

Jesse,

Since you're packing your 8 wt, you might give summer steelheading a try on Oregon's Siletz and the lower Rogue. July isn't much for steelheading in CA, but there will be good trout fishing in the Redding area if you can take the heat. I don't know what southern CA has to offer for fly fishing in July, and maybe it's not worth the time. If you want to fish the Colorado, use one of your guide days there as access is very limited, and a jet boat is necessary to get to most of the fishable water. During the Colorado or Wyoming leg you might swing west a bit and fish Utah's Green River - stunning scenery and fishing. The rest of your loop crosses lots of good fishing opportunity. Oh, and Las Vegas is better fishing for single men. Since you're taking your wife, you might want to skip Vegas.

Sg