Where should we go???

[alexlaw]

I am planning a trip this Summer and am looking for somewhere new to go. Any suggestions for a place that has incredible fishing in rivers and float tubes, beautiful scenery, is relatively secluded and is within 5-8 hour drive of Salt Lake? Montana, Idaho......anywhere new. Was thinking about Wind Rivers in Wyoming....but looking for some suggestions from others. We plan to go in early July. Thanks!

[crimedog]

I would go up to Henrys Lake in Idaho. You have incredible float tubbing on Henrys plus you have all of yellowstone 15 minutes away. And all the rivers in the area including the Maddison, Yellowstone etc... and it's only about 5 hours from SLC.

[Kent]

My vote would go for the Wind's! Get a little ways into the backcountry and you would have exactly what you are looking for.

[flyfshr8]

Alexlaw-
I'm with Crimedog. Take HWY 20 out of Idaho Falls the back way in to the slide area of the Madison. Turn up State HWY 87 just on the other side of Henry's Lake before you get to West. Hebgen Lake is there, Henry's Lake and Henrys Fork, the Madison, South and West Fork of the Madison, FireholeGibbonYellowstoneFallRiver....Sorry, got me going there....

15 camping spots from Hebgen to Ennis too! You'd be right where it ALL happens dude, and a few phone calls, keep your ears open, and you could find out what's hatching in any of a number of Blue Ribbon waters!

[alexlaw]

All,

Thanks for the replies. I have been to Henry's lake and the surrounding area a few times and I would have to agree that it is an incredible area. We may end up going there for the big trip, but I was hoping to discover some new areas to try that might be comparable....perhaps in Montana? Any more ideas would be great. Thanks again!

-Alex

[Caddfly]

Head up I-15 until you get to Dillion and fish anywhere you want. With still waters I'd recommend Clark Canyon or Georgetown. Last year we were headed up to Rock Creek and when we passed Georgetown I saw the biggest stillwater hatch going on in my entire life! Clouds of mayflies and caddis were out and splatting on the windshield. The fish were going absolutely crazy too on the surface. Didn't stop, but sure do wish we did.

With the rivers, an endless smorgasboard awaits you. Rock Creek is my fav for the scenery is hard to beat, but at times you might encounter another fisherman (but nothing in comparison to the Provo). Big Hole is another fav but make sure you save some time on Sunday morning to go to a local church there..."Church of the Big Hole" is the name. Well worth it for that is a classic bed time story for the kids or bragging rights to the friends. :)

Have fun whatever you do.
CADDFLY

[alexlaw]

Still looking for some more good ideas if anyone has something to offer. Getting down to the time when we have to committ to our destination! Thanks again for all the great replies.

-Alex

[MOKE]

See my posts in 'Other Waters' forum regarding the Sacramento River and its trib drainages. The original post was by G Stone (sp?).
This is within your parameters...maybe a little further. You were looking for another Montana...good luck! This area of California is beautiful beyond description, and well worth the small extra effort. And if you pretend hard enough...sort of like Montana, and equally blessed with trout waters.

OUT...MOKE

[Juke]

Try the North Park region of Colorado. It has the headwaters of the North Platte, and other medium sized streams that feed it. Also the Delaney Buttes complex of lakes offer what colorado calls "gold medal" water. A good chance to pick up a 20 inch brown on a stillwater(North Delaney). And decent sized brookies on the south lake. North Delaney also serves as the source for broodstock for CDOW brown trout egg take operations. Also Lake John has very good possibilities for 16-22 inch trout. CDOW help poison Strawberry in 1992(?) and took what it learned to Lake John. A very productive water.

Use Walden or Saratoga, WY, as a base and explore. About 5-6 hrs(max) from SLC.

P.S- I forgot the tiger muskies at Big Creek Lakes, grayling at Joe Wright Res, and Greenback Cutthroats at Zimmerman Lake.

I have not even started to talk about the area around Steamboat, the Zirkels, Pike on the Yampa, and Goldens.

[Cor]

I hear the Provo is hot! Go there. You'll love it.

[mike b]

try cliff and wade lake. you can also fish for cutts in
yellowstone lake. go into blue ribbon fly shop
for advice where to fish on yellowstone. cliff and wade-
you can figure out for yourself.

[alexlaw]

Is the area quite picturesque? Big mountains, trees, etc. like maybe a Mirror Lake or the like? What are the camping areas like, same type of scenery? Finally, I looked up some of the many private waters in the greater Dillon area, has anyone paid to fish them (like McCoy Spring Creek, etc.).

Thanks......Dillon area is looking like the plan right now.

-Alex

[ticketP1]

I see that you were thinking of the Winds... In my humble opinion this is the most bang for the buck. In fact there are very few if any places more spetacular in the Lower 48 to be seen (alpine-wise). This of course take alot of stuff into account such as jaw-dropping scenery, reasonable distance, immensity in size, variety of terrain, ruggedness, etc. - and of course, fishing. The main deal with the Winds is you can't just drive on up, hop out of the front seat and expect to be there (maybe thats what you are trying to steer clear of). Anyway, the extra effort makes it all worth while when you finally make it into the backcountry. Yes lots of folks go there but its some serious big country and it hardly ever feels crowded (to me atleast) when you get back in there. If you are going in early July though just bring the bug repellent, or better yet wait a month. That'd be my two bits. Have fun wherever you end up!

[flyfshr8]

Alexlaw-
Dillon is a ranching/river bottom town. Not big although they have lodging and places to eat like Subway, McDonalds and such. Bars, ranch supply etc. Classic south western Montana town. Find out what's fishing at Frontier Anglers 1-800-228-5263, frontieranglers.com. Talk to Tim Tollett or one of the guides like Leon Sagaloff.

I'm not a big fan of pay and fish. Canyon Ferry Reservoir is right there, the Beaverhead river, (reccomend the pipe organ bridge and barrets park accesses) also Poindexter Slough off exit 59 and Blacktail Deer Creek have been good for me in the past. The Bighole too, the Salomon Fly access at Melrose is super nice. Just get there and go crazy!

[Mr. Loopy]

For what it's worth, Wind Rivers was the best fishing/hiking trip I have ever been on in my life! We went on the reservation side and never saw a soul. And the fish would gobble up a wide variety of flies. That would be my first choice.

[ticketP1]

Mr Loopy-
Where did you go to get a permit to hike on the res?
I heard the fishing is better there. How much $ did it cost?