USA, West: 8 Day 5 State Trout Fishing Marathon

by | Fresh Water

Western Trout Video

I recently returned from a summer of volunteer work in Northern Utah. Having lived and fished only in Maine and Virginia I had no idea what to expect when I arrived and was some what intimidated by the stories that I had read about the very technical fishing in the Rockies. I had a lot of free time and was able to travel often to the surrounding states of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. I learned very quickly that my east coast tactics simply did not work on the more difficult and pressured waters of the west coast. I was suddenly thrust into a world where fly fishermen worried about things like micro-drag, if the #24’s they were fishing were too big, or which emerger pattern might work on any given day. In some of the western rivers that I fished, I really had to have the exact fly size, fly pattern, drift, and a little bit of luck just to hook a fish. Luckily, there were many remote hike-in places where I could go for some fast fly fishing and lots of catching after a tough weekend on some of the tricky spring creeks. I ended my trip to the west with an 8 day 5 state fly fishing marathon. It was a very exciting way to fish and travel. I would usually only have 3 to 5 hours to figure out, as best I could, where I was going to fish and to dial into some fish before heading to the next river. I had a great trip out west, saw some beautiful country and experienced some amazing fly fishing. I already know that I will be returning to the west coast; perhaps for a lifetime.

8 Comments

  1. jeremy on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    marc — amazing journey and great pictures … you seemed to really experience and capture the essence of fly fishing out there … and, did it with no frills and on your own … that is what i enjoy about fly fishing and the way i like to roll too … traveling cheap, trying to figure out “the puzzle”, seeing new sites and sounds and new fish and new water and keep moving on …. …. good stuff marc … if you do “return for a lifetime” … maybe you can help me “dial in” to some nice stuff when i make trips out that way …. take it easy .. i am sure i will bump into you in maine somewhere trout or salmon fishing or maybe out west …… see you then ..

  2. greg on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Super video! I really want to get back out there and enjoy the Western fishery and it’s landscapes. I was also glad to hear the Banjo in this piece. I don’t believe I have heard it used before. Great adventure .

    Thanks
    Greg

  3. joe-m on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Great work! I really enjoy watching anything about fishing the west. Welcome home
    Joe-m

  4. waterwhippa on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Excellent video and pics, You did a nice job with it. I loved the shot of the odometer turning a 100 grand, that is what it’s all about….chasing fins around! Silver Creek is one of my all time favorites, you’re basically in a desert environment that seems totally barren, until you near the creek and then bam….life everywhere, the trout, the bugs, the birds, the flora, fauna etc…awesome stuff, you did it right!

  5. joey on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Marc- great pics. What a wonderful journey. I had done the same thing over the past couple years. Not through that many states But mostly in Colorado. I was a Mainer for 25 years but the west has drawn me away and now I live in CO. An experience like yours can truly open your eyes to some wonderful places.

  6. Austin on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Hey Marc! Fantastic video, i felt like i was there the whole time with you. I also enjoyed the 100,000 mark. I have only been out west once, but it made for an experience of a lifetime and one that i will never forget. I can certainly see why you like it out there.

  7. patm on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Look at the colors on that Brookie. I love those trout. I also love the West for fishing. You certainly put it altogether…

  8. papafsh on November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Very well done! enjoyed the whole experience including the music. got your money’s worth out of that blue checked shirt…lol
    Hope you make it back to the west sooner than later.

    Papafsh