If you are reading this, there is a good chance you fly fish. And if you fly fish, you have likely caught yourself dreaming of jumping on a plane with fly rods packed to some far off destination, or of loading up your SUV headed to a wilderness area in search of colored up native trout. These trips could be once in a lifetime opportunities, or a yearly outing with your fishing partners. Either way, we all have a place we dream about visiting to challenge our fishing skills, catch new species, and experience a new place. The crew here at the shop is no different!
The good news for you is that we have a select group of destinations we have curated over the years for exactly this purpose. To help you, our customers and friends realize the dream of a destination fly fishing trip. We have the knowledge, the relationships and the passion to get you on a trip of a lifetime. It is never too soon to start planning such a trip. And to help you look into 2024 and beyond, we have put together a quick list of our favorite trips and when the best time is to go.
Flat Tops Wilderness, Colorado
You may not need a passport and to jump on a plane to experience a destination fly fishing trip after all! Our partner, Budges Flat Tops Wilderness Lodge puts on an amazing Colorado backcountry experience just 4 hours from Denver. Stay in onsite cabins, or in their wilderness camps and fly fish in the largest wilderness area of Colorado. Enjoy great food, great people, days on horseback or on foot and beautiful backdrops while targeting Brook, Cutthroat, Rainbow and even Lake Trout.
Best time to go: We like July and August for incredible dry fly fishing and warm days. But September, with its terrestrial fishing, fall colors and crisp clean air could be our favorite.
Length of trip. The two day, three night lodge experience is the perfect long weekend getaway, but custom longer trips can be built for any angler.
For more details on the Flat Tops, click → HERE
Cinco Rios, Chile Patagonia
Who hasn't dreamed of fly fishing in Patagonia? We sure have, and we have helped dozens of anglers get down to Southern Chile for an amazing week of fishing for big Browns and Rainbows over the past 10 years. The program our friends at Cinco Rios runs is a unique one for the area. You will experience a dizzying amount of different fishable water during your 6 day, 7 night stay. Spring creeks, freestone rivers, and both glacial lakes and high plateau stillwater opportunities can all be reached within a one hour drive from the lodge. While the fishing is magical, the lodge accommodations, food, staff, guides and scenery are world class.
Best time to go: The fishing season in Chile extends from November through April. And remember, their seasons are opposite ours. These months mark their summer. We like the end of November through December for late spring, higher water streamer and early dry fly fishing. But our favorite time to go is February. This month has opportunities at some of the best dry fly fishing in the world.
**A few spots are still available on our 2024 hosted trip February 10th to 17th.
Length of trip: With a day of travel on both ends, and 7 nights stay, with 6 days of guided fishing, the total trip length is roughly 10 days.
For more details on Cinco Rios, click → HERE
Turneffe Flats, Belize
Another shop favorite, but on the saltwater side. Turneffe Flats lodge is located on the far edge of Turneffe Atoll, 20 miles into the ocean from the mainland. This amazing flats and lagoon fishery is inhabited by tarpon, trigger fish, snook, bonefish and permit. The guide staff is some of the best in the business and by the time you mix an amazing fishery, tropical locale, and top class accommodations, it's tough to not have this spot on your list!
Best time to go: While the fishing can be good all year around, prime dates include May and June, especially for migratory tarpon. Late October and November can be stormy, but the rest of the year can be fantastic!
Length of trip: After a sometimes direct flight from the US into Belize city, you hop a boat for a 90 minute ride to the atoll. From there, the 7 night and 6 day fishing program kicks off!
For more details on trips to Turneffe Flats, click → HERE
Bay Flats Lodge, Texas
The newest addition to the Anglers All travel program, Bay Flats Lodge in Seadrift Texas is a redfish paradise. Chris and his team have built a comfortable and friendly lodge setting next to a vast and prolific fishery off the coast of Texas, smack dab between Matagorda Bay and Port Aransas. The beautiful part of this destination, unlike so many other redfish trips is, once you arrive, it's all taken care of. Lodging, food, drink, guides, and awesome fishing for redfish, speckled trout, and black drum is all in one place.
Best time to go: We have found the weather pleasant and the fishing hot in the months of April / May and September / October, but if big reds are what you are after, pack your layers and book your trip for January / February.
Length of trip: Trips to BFL are totally customizable. Considering it takes the better part of a day to get there from Denver, we like the 3 night / 2 full fishing day program for a long weekend. Or the 5 night / 4 full days of fishing trip to really get after it.
For more details on chasing redfish at Bay Flats Lodge, click → HERE
Gunnison Gorge, Colorado
Another incredible destination trip in our backyard. The Gunnison river runs out of Blue Mesa Reservoir and into the deep and dark Black Canyon. As it works its way downstream a few trails have been cut from top to bottom. You will be on this trail early in the morning to meet your float guides on the river, waiting with set up rafts. You will then spend the next 2 nights and 2 days camping, floating, and fishing one of the greatest wilderness river sections in the lower 48. The stars by night are incredible and the dry fly fishing can be lights out all the way down to the confluence with the North Fork. Target big Rainbows and buttery Brown Trout on this trip.
Best time to go: Yes, if you hit it just right, you could fish the world famous Salmon Fly hatch on the Gunnison, but with it being a moving target and also landing right in the middle of run off, we like to recommend July for excellent hopper and caddis fishing, and September / October for late caddis action and streamers.
Length of trip: After spending the night in the Hotchkiss or Delta area in order to meet your crew at 6am, this trip will consist of 2 nights camping riverside, and 2 and a half days of fishing back to the boat ramp.
For more details on the Gunnison Gorge Trip click → HERE
Rio Manso, Argentina
Another chance to fish in South America! The team at Rio Manso puts on an amazing and unique opportunity to fish in Northern Argentina near the town of Bariloche. The Manso river and its famous natural interconnecting lakes provide opportunities for trophy Brook Trout, as well as Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout. Beyond the fishing, the team at Rio Manso has crafted some amazing non-angling activities in the region that make this a perfect destination for those looking to split fishing and sightseeing time, or groups with non anglers. There is so much to enjoy in the region, you can experience it all with Rio Manso.
Best time to go: In the past we have helped customers target the famous dragon fly hatch which occurs in late November / early December. Dry fly season extends until mid January. Another option is the opportunity to target fall run brown trout in late March / early April.
Length of trip: With a day of travel on both ends, and 7 nights stay, with 6 days of guided fishing, the total trip length is roughly 10 days. Custom trip lengths and split sightseeing / fishing weeks are available.
For more details on a killer trip to Rio Manso, click → HERE
Whether these trips peak your interest or you would like to talk to us about other world wide destinations, chances are we know someone to get you in touch with. Give us a call to start planning an extra adventurous and fishy 2024! We are here to help, and we can be reached at 303-794-1104 or at travel@anglersall.com.