So you want to catch colossal trophy trout on your fly fishing vacation – who wouldn't! At our collection of international fly fishing ranches and lodges, that goal is absolutely achievable.
While you can catch trout most anywhere, there are a few extra-special regions in the world where fishing for trophy trout really lives up to the hype.
Some places, like our fly fishing lodges in Montana are relatively easily accessible, while others, like fly fishing lodges in Alaska require some travel and additional logistics to put a great trip together.
Fly fishing aficionado Zach Lazzari has put together a list of the five best must-visit trophy trout fishing destinations on the planet and however you choose to travel, this list has some of the most iconic and productive destinations a trout angler can dare to dream of...
Trout fishing in the Rocky Mountain States
From the Canadian border to Northern New Mexico, the number of fly fishing ranches and lodges with world class trout populations and size is unmatched.
You could easily spend a lifetime without covering half of the opportunities here, I’ve been exploring the region for 20 years and still have a long list of fisheries to cover!
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Trout fishing in Colorado USA
Dramatic mountain peaks lend way to fast-paced rivers and some of the best trout habitats in the world.
When on a fly fishing vacation to Colorado, you will find tailwaters, freestones, insect-rich lakes and fly fishing lodges with truly large trout catching opportunities.
Staying at a guest ranch with fly fishing, like the C Lazy U Ranch, offers private access to special waters, but you can always chase down trophy trout on ample stretches of public waters.
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Trout fishing vacations in Wyoming USA
From high plains to the rugged Tetons and Wind River Ranges, Wyoming likely has more under-the-radar trout fishing than any other state.
The Platte River system is well known with a series of exceptional tailwaters and you can also explore long stretches of the Green River.
Large Golden Trout patrol the high elevation Wind River range, and there are countless winding streams and wild rivers with big brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout to discover.
Like Colorado, some of the best trout fishing in Wyoming is found within the boundaries of Wyoming fly fishing ranches and lodges, and private inholdings.
Look to Brush Creek Ranch or the French Creek Sportsmen’s Club for world class trout fishing in Wyoming.
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Fly fishing lodges in Montana USA
The Big Sky state has some of the best access to high-level trout fishing destinations in the world.
From developed boat ramps to backcountry horsepack trips, trout fishing lodges in Montana should be on every angler's fly fishing bucket list – the hatches, numbers of fish and the views are flat out exceptional.
The Big Horn River is a favorite with near year-round fishing, and Forrester’s Bighorn River Resort has the guides and intimate knowledge of this fishery.
In the Western region, the Ranch at Rock Creek and Big Hole Lodge cover two of my personal favorite drainages. The Bitterroot River is also one of the best dry fly fisheries in the state and Triple Creek Ranch runs the West Fork and mainstem.
Top tip! The log jams create incredible habitat for big brown trout in this river!
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Fishing vacations in Idaho
Completing the best places for trout fishing in the Rocky Mountain states is the great state of Idaho.
Head to Ashton or Jackson Hole to begin your journey through the Snake River system – the Henry’s Fork is the perfect starting point and Idaho's best luxury fly fishing lodge, Henry's Fork Lodge, sits on the banks of this iconic dry fly fishery.
Continue downriver to explore long stretches with big brown trout potential – the size and quality of the fish coming from the Yellowstone-adjacent region is pretty incredible!
Or, why not head over to the Sun Valley for Silver Creek and a pile of other river systems? From Boise to the Sawtooths, you won’t be disappointed by the variety of ecosystems, landscapes and trout fishing in Idaho.
Trout fishing vacations in Patagonia, Chile
Heading to the other end of the globe, Patagonia is a region in the southern hemisphere that's much like the Rocky Mountains in the northern.
Fly fishing in the southern hemisphere is the inverse of North America and the Andes separate Chile from Argentina, with wild rivers spilling both east and west.
On the Chilean side, the sheer amount of water is overwhelming. Long rivers, big rivers, huge lakes, glacial systems, secret spring creeks and waters with both trout and salmon make for a fly fishing paradise.
I’ve fished a big swath of this place and love the Carretera Austral, and the fisheries around Aysen and Coyhaique.
In terms of fly fishing lodges in Chilean Patagonia, Flywise Anglers and the Manihuales Eco Lodge's riverside glamping yurts both cover this region, and have the boats and guides to navigate these rivers.
The Manihuales, Simpson and many other options are best accessed with skilled rowers and rafts specially set up for fly fishing adventures in Patagonia.
Trout fishing lodges in Patagonia, Argentina
While Chile is loaded with dense rainforests and coastal ecosystems, Argentina is a high steppe that very much looks like Montana and Wyoming.
The Lanin Volcano is visible in a large section of northern Patagonia and the broad river valleys born out of lake systems dot the landscape.
Estancia Pilolil is one of the most special fly fishing lodges in Argentina, with great access – their highly skilled guides of Patagonia Outfitters will take you safely over the Alumine River, allowing you exclusive access to local spring creeks.
Farther south, Bariloche is a two-hand-rod paradise where giant brown trout migrate between ocean-sized lakes and rivers.
The hatches and unpressured fisheries are really unmatched in Argentina. Sometimes, it feels a bit like having Montana to yourself!
Fly fishing lodges in New Zealand
Southern hemisphere fly fishing opportunities are also abundant in the stunning waters of New Zealand and you’ve likely seen photos of picture-perfect brown trout with high-rise peaks backdropped on the South Island.
But both the North and South Islands are chock-full of rivers and lakes, and offer truly unique fly fishing vacations!
Unlike the western United States and Patagonia where trout populations are high, much of New Zealand has low-density populations with exceptional size and quality trout.
When choosing your fly fishing lodge in New Zealand, you won't be short on luxury with North Island's Relais & Chateaux Huka Lodge, located on the banks of the mighty Waikato River.
Also on the North Island, right on the banks of the world-renowned fly fishing Mecca, the Tongariro River on the southern shore of Lake Taupo, is boutique fly fishing lodge, Tongariro Lodge.
And down in the South Island's Nelson Region, luxurious Owen River Lodge boasts access to over 29 rivers within a 90-minute drive of the lodge.
On your fly fishing vacation to New Zealand, you can plan on walking banks, stalking and managing your adrenaline while casting to a 28-inch brown trout that is slowly rising in crystal clear blue water. Heaven.
Trout fishing in Alaska
Last but certainly among the most wild and unique places you can head out to on a fly fishing vacation involves the rivers and lakes of Alaska. Expect exhilarating flights in sea planes and wildlife galore!
Fly fishing in Alaska for big rainbow trout, salmon and dolly varden battling alongside brown bears makes for some seriously incredible memories.
Fact: These Alaskan fish gorge and consume most of their calories for the year in a very short window of time.
While you can DIY Alaska, utilizing a local lodge or guide with sea planes, jet boats and knowledge of little-known key locations offers a serious advantage.
The incredible all-inclusive Bear Trail Lodge is just a short 20-minute flight from the famous Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park and Alaska Rainbow Adventures runs unique float trips through the wilderness, while Crystal Creek Lodge is also a top-tier fly-out operation in Bristol Bay.
If you want the wilderness fly fishing trip of a lifetime, head to the frontiers of Alaska!
So that's our roundup of the absolute best places to fish for trout on the planet! Our international fly fishing lodges and ranches offer the height of luxury, impeccable service, expert guides and epic adventure, all in some of the most diverse and fish-rich destinations in the world.
They're a wonderful opportunity for experienced and new anglers alike to fly fish, but take note, many book up a year in advance, so make sure you start planning soon. Here are our top tips to planning your epic fly fishing vacation.
And if you're tasked with or know someone who's been tasked with organizing a girls getaway, read our advice on fly fishing for women, five reasons to try this feel-good sport today.
Wishing you tight lines!
Original article written by Freelance Writer and fishing afficionado, Zach Lazzari.
Co-written, edited and created by Kate Hammaren; luxury and adventure travel writer, editor and world traveler.
About our author, Zach Lazzari
Zach Lazzari is a freelance outdoor writer, fly fisherman and full-time adventure traveler. After a decade of guiding anglers in Colorado, Montana, Alaska and Patagonia, he turned to the travel and media industry to continue pursuing new species in exciting locations. Zach has written for The Drake, Orvis, NRS, and many other brands and publications in the outdoor industry.