Although I haven’t had the opportunity to fly fish in exotic locations like Russia, Mongolia, or even Alaska, I feel that I am still fortunate enough to have grown up fishing some of the best rivers in Montana, Wyoming and Utah. However, lately I’ve come to the realization that I am simply a trout fisherman. I have never fished for permit, tarpon, or anything other than trout on a fly. I’ve listened to Al tell stories of fly fishing for tarpon and bonefish down in Androse Island, and read Marshall’s adventures with permit in the Florida keys, but have never had the chance to fish for anything comparable.
This last year I decided to make an honest effort at catching different fish species on a fly, and I think I did rather well. In one trip that started in Washington state and ended on the Big Hole River, I caught large-mouth bass, small-mouth bass, and an arctic grayling. Sure, catching trout on a fly will always be my favorite, but catching bass on a fly is nothing short of exciting.
I think this year I’ll go a bit further. Here’s my list:
Large-mouth bass Small-mouth bass Kokanee Walleye Carp Striped bass Crappie
If you have a list, I’d like to see it.