Best Places in the World for a Fly Fishing Vacation

The Patagonia River Ranch Ranch is located near San Martin de Los Andes in Argentina and sits right along the world-famous Chimehuin River, but also within easy access of many of the Patagonia areas best rivers. Guests lodge in the luxury offered by the Patagonia River Ranch, which is five-star to say the least. Vaulted ceilings and rustic wood finishes make the lodging a place you'll long to get back to after a day on the water. The most valuable experience here for fishermen are the guides, which are native Argentinians but who also speak fluent English and are top fly-fishing instructors too. This is a fly fishing vacation that is suitable for beginners and veteran fishermen alike. The fishing here is for German Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. The rivers are crystal clear with a beautiful blue "glow". They meander slowly through oxbows and offer a lot of opportunities to target trophy Trout.

What you receive here is the best fishing gear, best fishing guides, and the best experience in a high mountain setting - the Patagonia River Range.

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The No-See-Um Lodge is a world-renowned fly fishing destination that provides an unforgettable experience. Nestled amid the famous Bristol Bay Watershed and along the banks of the Kvichak River, the No-See-Um Lodge is an epicenter of fly fishing.

That is a tall order, but the No-See-Um Lodge fills it with ease. You are sitting in the midst of 20 million unspoiled acres along one the most famous rivers in the world for fishing. The Kvichak River is the drainage for Lake Illiamna, and what that means for anglers is world class Rainbow Trout fishing. You also have access to many of the other local rivers like the Nushagak, Eggigek System, Naknek, and the Alagnak - all well known for their runs of Salmon and their resident populations of wild Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic Char, Arctic Grayling, and sometimes the massive Northern Pike.

One can list the fish that are available, but it is not the same. Fly-fishermen come here to experience fly fishing and it is the sheer number of fish that makes one fall in love with Alaska. There are millions of Salmon, Kings, Silvers, Sockeye, Chum, and Pinks. There are huge populations of Rainbow Trout some of which are 33-35 inches long. There is tons of Dolly Varden, which are a close cousin to both the Salmon and the Rainbow Trout. This is a fly-out lodge that offers over 30 remote fly fishing locations, and they are flexible. The ratio is two guides for four fishermen. There is just a tremendous opportunity for landing a world-class fish. The lodge and their staff, however, are what make dreams come true here. Expect a comfortable lodge with luxury furnishings and personal attention from the staff and guides. Your only job here is to enjoy the outstanding food and reel in trophy fish.

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Sweetwater's Mongolian Taimen Camps sit within the Eg Ur Watershed, which is a very special set of fisheries. Here the Taimen run from 30-40 inches with the opportunity to land fish that are above 40 inches in length. These are dry fly monsters that spend their entire life swimming up and down small rivers as they follow the food. It takes a lot of insects to feed such a large fish and for fishermen that is a beautiful thing because it means that these are a predatory class of fish that uses the opportunity to stuff their guts. They eat a wide variety of things, including medium-sized mammals. When fishing for these fish, think big flies and big rods. Mice, ducklings, even small beavers are fair game for these fish.

The local rivers also offer Grayling and Lenok, which are Asiatic Trout in the 20-25 inch range. The rivers are beautiful and comparable in some aspects to those you find in the wilds of Alaska. What they lack are the millions of Salmon, but the trade off here is amazing when you entice a 40-inch Taimen to strike.

Guests stay in Yurts, or, Gers, that are like luxury tents offering comfortable accommodations and with a staff that helps your fishing adventure become something you will never forget.

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Poronui Lodge is located on New Zealand's North Island and sits in the secluded and wild that promotes some of the best fly-fishing in the world. Here fishermen target Wild Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout that reside in the pristine waters of this 16,000-acre private wilderness. Guests are housed in luxury both in the main lodge or one of the seven guest cabins. The lodge sits above the Taharua River with outstanding views of forests, meadows, and the beauty of the river itself. Expect to be cared for, and to dine on gourmet food prepared by a professional staff.

Fishing-wise, this is a guided lodge and the guides here are outstanding. These are local fishermen who have fished these rivers for all of their lives. That knowledge is what helps to bring the fly-fishing here to a world-class level. Add into this the majestic rivers and the trophy sized Trout, and you have the makings for a true fly-fishing adventure. There are a lot of fishing options here too. Guests can helicopter to remote fishing streams, and hike or 4x4 into areas where few people ever meander. Guests also can partake in the overnight camp outs that put you in the epicenter of fishing. How you set up your itinerary is up to you - what remains is just a pure fly-fishing haven. The local rivers here are beautiful blue and green with clear bottoms and miles of natural Trout habitat. Expect 24-30 inch Brown and Rainbow Trout.

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Midfjarda is a Salmon-rich river in Iceland - the glacial and volcanic wonderland. It is also the name of a world class outfit that guides fishermen and hunters to some of the rarest and most wild rivers found anywhere in the world. The Midfjarda River stretches an incredible 115 km in length, but it is not always a raging white water rapid. It is, instead, a beautiful clear flowing ribbon that is made up of shallow banks and small deep channels. This is a river that is fished by wading in it or from the shore as well. In parts it is ankle deep, but stretched along its runs and riffles are over 220 pools, each with a name and endless stories. This is Salmon country, and anglers have four rivers from which to fish. The Salmon here are wild. The landscape is preserved. The history is endless, and the people of Iceland respect and value the natural system.

Opening day is June 23 and runs through September for Middle White Salmon (MWS) The best months to fish are Mid July through the end of August. By September, the weather turns and fishing is a cold rainy sport, but the action remains high. The early season is full of chrome bright Silver Atlantic Salmon in the 5-9 pound range with a trophy fish being in the vicinity of 20 pounds. This is a catch and releases river system so expect the average annual weight of the fish to continue to grow. Other fish include beautiful Brown Trout and once in a while a Sea Trout too.

Fishermen who come to Iceland leave a bit of themselves behind. In that vast place, you take a part of Iceland with you for this is a majestic land that settles easily into your heart. Expect to find luxury accommodations that offer comfortable beds and outstanding food, but it is the fishing that you will remember here.

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Madison Valley Ranch sits just outside of Ennis, Montana a small town where the Trout outnumber the people who live there. This is a beautiful country with outstanding rivers and a luxury level of living. Guests stay in rooms that are decked out in a western motif and have access to the Madison River and Jack Creek. Just for kicks there is a two acre stocked pond that you can use to warm up your fishing arm. There is plenty of ranch life here, but all of the modern conveniences of a big city too. Check your mail on the Wi-Fi or step off the porch into a night sky that will thrill you.

The best part of this place is the fishing. Here you can wander over to some of the best fishing in all of Montana - the Madison River Channels. There are many rivers here such as the Beaverhead, Bighole, Yellowstone, Ruby, and Gallatin Rivers, and all offer a tremendous population of big beautiful wild Trout. The Madison River is where you head for fly-happy Trout with plenty of appetite for Salmon fly hatch. The Yellowstone River is home to some of the best cutthroat Trout fishing you can find. The Gallatin River is shallow and wade-able and offers outstanding Trout fishing. The Ruby River is a wade-only river and not a lot of fishermen bother with it. That's good for you because there are some nice deep holes here with trophy Trout in them. The Big Hole River is perhaps a perfect Trout fishing river. It is a wade-in or drift fishing river with a lot of structures and plenty of big Trout.

Overall, you cannot beat Montana for Trout fishing. This is a fly fishing haven with plenty of opportunity for big fish. The guides are experts, and they can offer the master fly-fisherman a challenge and still provide the best teaching and fishing for kids and novice fishermen.

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Casa Blanca Lodge sits on the shores of Punta Pájaros, a remote and private island paradise. The island spans 25-miles and sits between Ascension Bay and Espiritu Santo Bay, in the Yucatan state of Quintana Roo. Casa Blanca Lodge is an exceptional destination as it sits between Unesco World Heritage site, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, which together make up one of the world's largest ecologically protected sites. Casa Blanca Lodge sits along the beautiful and tropical coast of Punta Pájaros. Getting here is a simple floatplane adventure from one of the local mainland airports.

The lodge is beautiful and sits on the shores of Ascension Bay. Guests can expect a remote location that is well-connected to the rest of the world via Wi-FI. Rooms are large and offer many top-notch amenities, including AC, Tile Floors, and Wood Shutters. The lodge holds 22 guests via ten rooms.

The main lodge offers comfortable sitting areas supported by a well-stocked bar with bartenders. The area is designed for a comfortable and restful non-fishing time when conversation flows and new friends are made. Meals are gourmet and chef-prepared.

Fishing is easy, and trophy fish are not scarce. The primary targets include Bonefish, Snook, Permit, and Tarpon and a host of other gamefish. Guided fishing is a must, but you can also fish trophy Bonefish right from the dock. There are three beautiful areas to fish here, and Ascension Bay is just a few steps from your room. Other areas include Espiritu Santo Bay and Santa Rosa Lagoon. One of the best features of Casa Blanca Lodge is the short trip to hit the trophy fish. The island is full of flats that are rich with sports fish year-round. The beautifully clear water makes this a haven for fly-fishing. Guests generally bring their fishing equipment, but the lodge rents Sage rods and gear. Fly requirement is species-based. You can shop the fishing shop at the lodge for all the best and hottest flies needed to fish here. You are also welcome to bring your own, just read up on the best flies for the species of fish you want to target. A good example is the Gurgler fly, which happens to be one of the favorites of the big Trophy Tarpon. The fishing here is so unreal that it is best to come prepared to try a little of everything.

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Agua Boa Amazon Lodge sits in the remote area of the Amazon and just 200 miles northwest of Manaus. Here you find the wild parts of Brazil. The primary fish here is the Peacock Bass, which is perhaps one of the strongest fighting fish you will encounter with a fly-fishing rod. These are beautiful fish with pinpoint vision. They see it; strike it, and its over. In fact, the strike is so hard that many people are often startled by it. However, it is not just the strike that amazes fishermen; it is a combination of a split second strike followed by a long run. Once these fish strike the fight is on and their aim is to see you lose.

The lodge is a series of small homes where you find wonderfully comfortable beds and sitting areas. The main lodge holds the dining area and a game room. The compound has a pool with lounge chairs, so there is plenty of rest-and-relaxation amid the trophy fly-fishing.

The Agua Boa River is a clear water fishing paradise where mostly you sight fish as you fly-fish. You will see the fish that is about to strike your fly. That is thrilling too. There are some amazing fish here. The Peacock Bass are fierce, but the Arowana, Pacu, and the beautiful Cichlids offer amazing fight and sport. Arowanaare are known as the monkey killers because they will rocket out of the water and take small monkeys out of lower tree branches. These are long fish that coil into a tight pack and can leap 5-10 feet out of the water. They are surface feeders, and they put up an amazing fight. This is a place to come and experience a different time. The rainforest is enchanting, and the fishing will leave you a changed person.

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