Turn a white line fever into a fly line fever with a short roadside trout stream fishing moment
By BROCK RAY
ITJ
5/7/2008
As a writer known to be knowledgeable about trout fishing throughout the South in the 1990s, I took some pride in being able to direct anyone who asked to good, easily accessed fishing. Don Webster, an editor out of Chicago, called one day to say he would be traveling to Nashville. He was interested in learning where he might cast a fly for a few hours near the Music City during his stay.
Without thinking too much, I told him that the Caney Fork River tail waters crossed I-40 several times, and at one crossing was a rest area not far from the river. I mentioned that if he were able to catch the river down between periods of water releases at the upstream dam, good fishing was likely. Don took my advice, caught the water down at the Caney Fork River, and within two hours of tossing the #18 Ginger Quill, caught over 200 rainbow trout. He thought I was more responsible for the high point of his trip to Nashville than credit was due to me for my directions.
Ironically, such hot fishing for trout is hardly unusual when one takes the time to study interstate highway maps and how often they cross over some of the best known trout streams in the world. Partaking of the great fishing these trout streams and rivers have to offer can be so easy you may wish a thousand times over you had “gotten wet” sooner.
In terms of carrying along tackle and related gear, trout fishing is the easiest of the higher levels of fishing to pack gear for. Unlike the bulky gear needed for bass or striper fishing, your tackle needs for trout are incredibly streamlined. Trout tackle for stream fishing by definition is compact and lightweight. Modern waders are paper thin and roll up for packing into pouches half the size of a loaf of bread. Fly rods come in 2- to 3-piece sections that are under less than 4 inches long, while light weight spinning rods often are even shorter. A single fly or lure box the size of a wallet can hold a hundred flies or three dozen bantaem-sized spinners. A rod, reel, lures, sunglasses and hat are all you need. Even if you over-pack, your entire array is rarely more bulky than a typical gym bag.
A fishing license, of course, is significance and at times challenging when you are on the road. However, you now can purchase one in advance by visiting state fishery/wildlife sites on the Internet or even by telephone. Unlike nonresident hunting licenses that are always expensive, fishing licenses for nonresidents rarely cost more than $20 for two to five days of fishing. Additionally, if you have down time, you may want to do more than just try roadside casting. If possible, hire a guide for a float trip or even pay a trespass fee to get onto one of the prime spring creeks in places like Wyoming.
Here is a list of places you may cross frequently without ever realizing you were napping next to a blue ribbon trout fishing stream or river. This is merely the tip of the iceberg.
Letort Creek: The East’s Top Limestone Stream
Pennsylvania’s famous Letort Creek is the best known of the Eastern limestone trout streams. Flowing through the historic Southeastern Keystone State town of Carlisle, Letort Creek flows beside and under I-81, one of the East’s most heavily traveled north-to-south routes. The Letort is largely found on private land, but permission to trespass as still as simple as asking in most cases.
South Fork of the Powder River: Rooftop Trouting
The South Fork of the Powder River begins in the lofty Rocky Mountains, fifty miles west of the Wyoming city of Caster. Flowing north, it travels over forty miles to a crossing of I-25. This river is lightly fising, and is brimming with large rainbow and brown trout. It is a great roadside stop, especially in early July when there is a heavy hatch of green drake mayflies that bring the river to life with surface feeding trout.
Caney Fork, Tip Top Tennessee Trail Water Trouting
Big trout holding rivers don’t occur naturally in the South, but are created when cool streams and rivers are dammed, as is with the Caney Fork to create Center Hill Lake. Cold water pulled from deep beneath the surface is pushed through the hydroelectric turbines, resulting in manmade trout waters called tail water rivers. Caney Fork crosses I-40 three times in a ten mile stretch, one being at a rest area. Wade fishing is easiest and safest when the upstream dam is not releasing water.
Au Sable River: Michigan’s Ah Yes Trouting
It was a favorite of Hemingway’s, and is widely regarded as the best brook for trout fishing in the United States. The pristine headwaters of the Michigan’s Au Sable River crosses beneath I-75 near the fishing of Mecca Grayling. Not only is wade fishing available at this point, but float trips are easy to arrange with local guides and outfitters based out of Grayling. The best hatches occur during July and last until mid-August.
Canadian River: New Mexico’s Best Kept Secret
If your route ever takes you along I-25 in northern New Mexico, then a stop along this highway’s crossing of the Canadian River is an absolute must. One of the West’s best kept trout fishing secretes, the Canadian River is chock full of scarlet slashed rainbow trout and big growing browns. Great summer fishing is a given, but unlike other streams, this one is hot through the autumn months as well.
Adirondacks: New York’s Step Back in Time Trouting
A good argument can be made that I-87 is the key artery between the US and Canada, and that I-87’s one hundred mile plus run through the New York’s Adirondack Park is sheer eye candy for drivers. Although often overlooked, I-87 crosses or traces alongside a dozen prime trout streams and small rivers. Ironically, these roadside stretches of water get less fishing pressure than the most remote waters in the Adirondacks. If you have the time, fish in one of the smaller rivulets along this route and you may find it to be very rewarding.
Sacramento River: Fruit State Salad
Okay, we all hate runs to California, but we also all know that northern California is a “different” state.
The headwaters of the Sacramento River cross under I-5 south of Redding, where great trout fishing is found in several locations near this busy throughway. Portions of the Sacramento River are on private land, and other reaches are on public property. The best fishing occurs in early summer. Remember to share your love for fishing with a kid. You can find us on the Web at www.interstatesportsman.com.
