Touring - Touring for Trouts

I noticed some posters in the commuting forum that seem to be both avid trout fishermen and bike riders. I'm thinking about putting together maybe a week-long ride to combine trout fishing and bike touring. Anyone have any suggestions for routes? I imagine I'll be using my five-piece fly rod for ease of carrying, but is there a way to carry an 8' two-piece?

Last summer I contacted a couple of guys in Montana that were willing to help set up a tour for me to whatever location I was willing to go to - Blue ribbon waters or not in Mont. Not certain if other areas of the country are as helpful in the planning and setting up of a tour for flyrodders. don't know about 2 piece rods - got my 4 piece 4 wt. on my Bacchetta w/out difficulty.

you could try New Zealand... big fish, but a bit more than a week long trip...

I noticed some posters in the commuting forum that seem to be both avid trout fishermen and bike riders. I'm thinking about putting together maybe a week-long ride to combine trout fishing and bike touring. Anyone have any suggestions for routes? I imagine I'll be using my five-piece fly rod for ease of carrying, but is there a way to carry an 8' two-piece?

The road from Yellowstone NP and Jackson Hole WY west to Idaho Falls is along the Snake River, fantastic fishing all the way. Then you have your pick from some amazing fishing in Idaho.
Colorado, you could try the Gunnison River, starting in Taylor Park to Gunnison, then into Black Canyon (huge fish in the canyon, but you'll have to hike down in).

The road from Yellowstone NP and Jackson Hole WY west to Idaho Falls is along the Snake River, fantastic fishing all the way. Then you have your pick from some amazing fishing in Idaho.
Colorado, you could try the Gunnison River, starting in Taylor Park to Gunnison, then into Black Canyon (huge fish in the canyon, but you'll have to hike down in).

For Colorado, you could also do Rocky Mountain National Park. Lots of fishing within easy access to the road, especially on the west side of Trail Ridge Road. Spectacular scenery, too. You could also follow the Colorado from Granby downstream as far as Kremling. Good fishing all along the road.

As for the fly rod choice, if you pack rod is a good rod, why not take it? I have a 3 wt 5 piece from Cabelas that is an excellent rod. Since I fish almost exclusively with a 3 wt, I don't have a problem with such a light rod.

I also have carried all of my fishing gear up Waterton Canyon south of Denver using a trailer. If I were taking a mountain bike trip, I'd use a trailer anyway. So I'd probably end up taking a long rod.

Stuart Black

For Colorado, you could also do Rocky Mountain National Park. Lots of fishing within easy access to the road, especially on the west side of Trail Ridge Road. Spectacular scenery, too. You could also follow the Colorado from Granby downstream as far as Kremling. Good fishing all along the road.


Stuart Black

I have rode and fished that area around RMNP quite a few times when I lived in Boulder. If someone began at Lake Granby and followed the river, except for the stretch between Kremiling and Yarmony, you could ride and fish your way down the Colorado to Glenwood Springs make a side trip up the Roaring Rork river for some spinner and wet fly action, Then continue down the Colorado to Grand Junction and then up the Gunnison River for a day or two . That should be about 300 miles total.

I have rode and fished that area around RMNP quite a few times when I lived in Boulder. If someone began at Lake Granby and followed the river, except for the stretch between Kremiling and Yarmony, you could ride and fish your way down the Colorado to Glenwood Springs make a side trip up the Roaring Rork river for some spinner and wet fly action, Then continue down the Colorado to Grand Junction and then up the Gunnison River for a day or two . That should be about 300 miles total.

If you went further up the Roaring Fork and over Hagerman Pass (mountain bike ride), you could drop down into the Arkansas River. If it were a dry year you could find excellent fishing all the way to Pueblo. Last couple of years have been great all year long. Too much snow this year however. Water flows will be very high all summer long. That's good for the rafters but bad for fishermen.

Or if you wanted to turn east at Buena Vista, you could go up to the South Platte drainage and follow it all the way to Denver. Some really excellent spots along there.

Stuart Black

Hey GT,
I have been cycling and fishing, took rod out to coast to salmon fish, in a pvc homemade deal, similar to ones that are used for maps etc, go into any plumbing/hardware store to make an indestructable custom one - with end caps and foam to protect those tips. I also use a sleeve over rod to slide inside. Securing to bike depends on bike type. Or you can go to link below if you want to buy a case. http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/ultralight_fishing_fly_rod_case.html

My rod is a 9" heavy rod. Don't know about routes in your area, I just carry my reel in a cloth bag in my pannier.

I wish I had a picture of my 10 pound salmon hanging off my bike, didn't have a bag...but I had dinner :D