From Canada to New Mexico the Rocky Mountains offer rivers, streams and lakes that serve as the habitat for a variety of fish and fly fishing Rocky Mountain waters can provide some of the best opportunities to pull in trophy size trout and other species. Cutthroat, rainbow, brown and brook trout can be caught in the many waters as the mountain streams make their way through the country.

The Snake River especially can provide excellent results, provided the angler does not let the size of the river overwhelm them. For fly fishing Rocky Mountain waters, the larger rivers need to be thought of as different areas as opposed to looking at the entire body of water. Sand bars, holes, pools and side runs can all serve to house various species of trout, depending on the time of year and the depth of the water.

Henry's Fork, the Madison and Yellowstone Rivers may be slightly more famous for fishermen, but he Snake offers some of the best cutthroat fishing along the pathways for fly fishing Rocky Mountain rivers. By fishing it a piece at a time, the hot spots can be found and learned for later trips.

Big Or Small Fish, Goal Can Be Achieved

Many fly fishing for Rocky Mountain trout are out after the bigger fish, looking to bring in at least four or five-pounders or larger, while others are not particular about the size, as long as they hook a trout on their dry flies. Those that insist on dry flies claim it is so they see the fish take the fly, adding excitement to the take. Those who prefer bigger fish will use wet flies, knowing they are looking at potentially larger species and do not anguish over watching the fish take the bait.

The Gallatin River cuts a path of about 120 miles, joining the Madison and Jefferson Rivers to form the Missouri River, with a tremendous population making fly fishing Rocky Mountain rivers some of the best in the country. With a population estimated at about 4,000 fish per mile, with 12 to 14-inch fish being considered normal.

When anglers look at waters for fly fishing, Rocky Mountain streams and rivers are quickly brought into the discussion, with difference of opinions between wet and dry flies usually entering the debate. Whether the angler prefers to witness the strike or is happy to fish the deeper pools looking for the larger ones, there is no argument about the success available in the waters.