Large trout--we're talking fish over 20-inches long--do not come easily. They require a unique combination of being in the right place at the right time, a varying level of angling skill, and often fishing with a patient and knowledgeable fly fishing guide. Landing a truly large wild trout is a special event that doesn't happen every day. If you are serious about chasing larger than average trout you need to stack the deck in your favor. You can start by choosing any of these awesome fly fishing trips for trophy-sized trout.
Chilean Patagonia: Magic Waters Lodge
Magic Waters Patagonia Lodge offers some of the most diverse fly fishing opportunities in the world. Anglers can fish emerald green mountain rivers in a lush forest one day and small spring creeks in the arid pampas the next. Expect to fish a different water every day of your trip. This region offers spectacular dry fly fishing and the fishing pressure is virtually non existent. Huge attractor beetle patterns, hoppers and mouse patterns rule the day and big browns are common.
Read recent Trip Reports from Magic Waters Lodge:
March Magic Waters Trip Report
January Magic Waters Trip Report
February Magic Waters Trip Report
New Zealand: Cedar River Lodge and Owen River Lodge
New Zealand fly-fishing trips and lodges offer the world's best sight casting for large wild trout in gin clear rivers. Angler's searching for quality over quantity will appreciate a rich fly fishing experience amidst a spectacular backdrop. Fly fishing these backcountry rivers requires long casts to spooky trout. Catch rates are lower than on many of the legendary Montana Rivers but the average size is very high and nearly every trout is caught by "spot and stalk" tactics.
Read recent Trip Reports from New Zealand:
December Cedar Lodge Trip Report
December New Zealand Trip Report
Alaska: Intricate Bay Lodge
The Bristol Bay region is home to some of the largest rainbow trout in the world with trout over 26" caught regularly by lodge guests and true 30" trout occasionally landed by a few lucky anglers. The rivers that feed Lake Iliamna are home to all 5 species of Pacific Salmon which means anglers can have a rich and diversified fly fishing experience sampling multiple rivers and targeting multiple fish species all in one week. The drainage is famous for the world's largest salmon run with millions of sockeyes flooding the lake's tributaries every season. Although salmon are targeted at times it is the massive rainbow trout that are the primary target.
Read recent Trip Reports from Intricate Bay Lodge:
September Intricate Bay Trip Report.
Montana: Missouri River
High trout counts and larger than average fish help to make the Missouri one of Montana's most productive fisheries. Many anglers describe the Missouri River tailwater section as a large spring creek with glassy currents, weedbeds, and an abundance of trout food. The productive nature results in several thick hatches throughout the season including midges, baetis, caddis, pale morning duns and tricos. During heavy hatches trout are often rising across the river and sight casting to surface feeding trout is possible.
Check out this video from the Missouri River:
Mongolia: Wilderness Fly Fishing for the World's Largest Trout
Where else can you catch a 50 inch fish on a dry fly? Fly-fishing trips in Mongolia target the world's largest salmonid, the Taimen. In addition to the massive Taimen anglers can also other unique species such as Amur trout, lennok, grayling and Amur pike. Strict catch and release policies and improved awareness of conservation have resulted in some of the healthiest Taimen populations in the world. Experience this vast and unique landscape while targeting a variety of different species.
Read recent Trip Reports from Mongolia:
September Mongolia Taimen Trip Report.
Montana: Bob Marshall Wilderness
The focal point of this trip is the South Fork of the Flathead River and its tributaries. This remote river drains much of the "Bob" and is home to the largest genetically pure native trout population in Montana. The South Fork is also one of the few places in Montana where the threatened bull trout may be directly targeted by anglers. While bull trout numbers in other fisheries are low where they must compete with non native trout species, they are still healthy and robust in the South Fork. The South Fork drainage is the largest stronghold of these native Char in the Lower 48 states. These lunkers act like an anadromous species, migrating upstream every July from Hungry Horse Reservoir. Bull trout are frequently caught in excess of 20" and specimens up to 30" are possible
Read more about a Bob Marshall Wilderness Fly Fishing Trip.
Argentina: Variety in Patagonia
Argentine Patagonia is famous for classic wild trout rivers and lakes and dramatic scenery. In the far south the world's largest sea run brown trout can be found in Tierra Del Fuego in the Rio Grande river system, in the Pico and Chubut regions anglers can fish large rivers and lakes from drift boats or walk-wade smaller waters, and in the northern regions near Bariloche anglers have a wide variety as well. In all of these regions and waters the prospect of some massive trout exist nearly every day. The variety is awesome and includes site casting to huge trout on lakes, floating various sized rivers, and wade fishing on numerous private estancias.
Read more about trophy trout fly fishing trips to Argentina.
Chilean Patagonia: Patagonia Baker Lodge
The Patagonia Baker Lodge trip itinerary is quite simply the best fishing for large trout in southern Chile. The Rio Baker is Chile's largest river and is a natural tailwater as the outlet river for the largest lake in Patagonia (Lago General Carrara). The Rio Baker flows clear year round but always has a hint of glacial flower producing a magical azure color that has to be seen first hand to truly believe. This is truly one of the world's most beautiful trout rivers. Add to the mix a variety of smaller rivers, lakes, and a spring creek, anglers desiring large trout and great lodging and meals will find their expectations met at this unique destination in southern Chile.
Read recent Trip Reports from Patagonia Baker Lodge:
April Patagonia Baker Lodge Trip Report
March Patagonia Baker Lodge Trip Report
February Patagonia Baker Lodge Trip Report
March Patagonia Baker Lodge Trip Report
January Patagonia Baker Trip Report
Now that you've decided where and when to chase your next large trout, be sure to learn some of these special skills required to catch large trout. Big fish can create lasting memories. Whether it is the big one that got away or the big one that was finally caught and landed, the best fish stories usually involve big fish. Committing to fishing for, and improving, your big fish angling skills means more great fishing stories for you to tell.