Fly Fishing Hot Spots

There are plenty of incredible destinations worldwide for fly fishing enthusiastsHand Tied Fly Fishing Fly image by Chuck Alexander from Fotolia.com

There are probably as many fly fishing hot spots as there are reasons to fly fish.The choices are limitless. You can travel across the country or around the world. Everywhere you go, you'll be able to challenge yourself to land that perfect catch, no matter what the type of fish. Whether you're looking for peaceful settings or exotic vistas out of the water, you'll be communing with Mother Nature at her best and experiencing the great outdoors in all its splendor.

Norway

It's no wonder Norway is a hot spot for fly fishing. There are 629 rivers in Norway, far above the Arctic Circle, making it an angler's dream come true. It's not just the pure, clear rushing waters of rivers like the Guala, Aero, and Alta. It's the monster salmon averaging more than 25 pounds. Some top 50 pounds. The scenery is spectacular too. And don't forget, this is the land of the midnight sun. You'll have plenty of hours to fish.

Head for British Columbia if you're angling for steelheads. Typically 20 to 30 inches long and weighing in around 10 pounds, they're definitely high jumpers and furious fighters. You won't be disappointed. The best news is that fly fishing is a year-round activity here, especially in hot spots like the Fraser River which is also popular because of its proximity to Vancouver.

Most fly fishing enthusiasts think bonefish when they think of Belize. It's the most numerous game fish in Belize and presents an incredible challenge because of its incredible strength, especially for a flat species of fish. You'll often find them in schools of 300, and fly fishing for bonefish is more effective than spin fishing. Head for Ambergris Caye or the Turneffe Atoll, the largest of only four coral atolls in the western hemisphere. A 90-minute boat ride away are the Turneffe Flats with outstanding bonefish challenges.

If you're looking for the ultimate challenge of saltwater fly fishing, consider tarpon. Most plentiful from mid-April to October, tarpon can weigh anywhere from 60 to 90 pounds. There have also been catches of 150- to 200-pounders.

Another not-to-be-missed adventure is wilderness fly fishing camps which take place in April.

Wild brown trout is the catch-of-the-day in Ireland, known for its huge network of rivers and loughs and one of the last refuges for truly wild trout. This native Irish species can be found in small mountain streams, broad limestone rovers and the 500,000 acres of loughs. The season begins in mid-February and ends at the close of September.