I'm a bass fisherman but wanting to learn fly fishing. My mom is sending my dad and I on a 3-4 day trip for his birthday (lucky me right!!). She wants me to book it. I need help guys. Where should we go? Time of year? Recommended guides? Any info will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

your talking guided right?

dont do salt, you need to be able to cast for that and your not there yet.

i'd recommend Arkansas for trout. for the little red look up Jamie Rouse. or you can go to the white, look up Jimmy T Traylor

The White River in Arkansas would be a good choice as 2flyFish said. Most of the White is wadeable from Fairview down to Cotter, AR with good access, UNLESS Bull Shoals Dam is generating. You can stay in a campground on the river at Cotter, or I highly recommend Stetsons Resort on the White in Fairview. Nice cabins, on the river, and reasonably priced. Stetsons has a fly shop with AR licenses, flies, boat rentals, and gear if you need it.

Dally's Ozark Outfitter is in Cotter, on the main hwy. east of the river. They are a full service fly shop, and can set you up with a guide, as well as Stetsons.

Bill

Ive always fished below table rock. Id call one of the fly shops, and check out how the fishing is.

Another option is Beavers Bend Park north of Broken Bow, near the town of Hochatown, OK. Do a search on this forum about Lower Mountain Fork.

LMF can be a tough river system to fish. There is a lot of fishing pressure there, and its crowded on weekends. Best time is during the middle of the week, don't know if that will conflict with your work schedule.

For info, contact Three Rivers Fly Shop near the Park. Website says its in Broken Bow, but is actually located across from the park in Hochatown. Hochatown has several motels, and lots of cabins for rent. And several places to eat.

Bill

Northern New Mexico or Colorado in September.

I'm going to take the middle management approach and counter your questions with other questions.

Is there a part of the country/world that you'd like to see with your dad?

Would you rather catch a lot of fish or a few big fish?

Do you want to see a trout sip, or would you rather see a striper smash?

Is there a time of year that's better for you and he to get away from work?


That is excellent advice, but, if you're not going in the next month, you'd probably have time to learn to cast. In fact, no matter when or where you're going, you'd be money and time ahead to get some professional instruction in fly casting.

Think of it this way: would you go on a vacation centered around bicycle tours if you were going to show up not knowing how to ride a bike?

Taking at least a couple of lessons will make your trip that much more enjoyable and gives you some more time to bond with your dad. It probably wouldn't be as expensive as you think.

Finally, while trout are the "classic" fish to pursue with a fly rod, there are few species that you can't get a shot at, given the right guide, time of year, and luck.

Since we're all spending your money, I'd say southern Florida for a couple of days of peacock bass / largemouth bass fishing and a couple of days of salty fishing with the possibility of a shot at a tarpon. If I'm remembering what I read right, that would be a late Fall kind of deal.

Good luck, and remember that our consulting fee is that you have a great time and come back with stories and pictures to share with us.

thanks for all the advice guys! We are booked for Jackson Hole in late August. Can't wait! Snake River! I will be learning to cast before we get there.

Try alvin deaxbea hes a great guy and you save a little cause you only have to travel to Austin but hold on he catches big fish.

For a chance of a lifetime Rainbow Trout you may want to look into Williamson River in Oregon. I have caught several 10+lb Rainbows out of there.