Via the marginally frightening crew at Moldy Chum comes this list of GORP’s (an outdoor site) “Top Ten Global Fly Fishing Spots”–which includes four top trout destinations:
- Hampshire, England
- North & South Islands, New Zealand
- Labrador, Canada
- Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
This comes on the heels of a UK Guardian list of the world’s top fishing spots, and interestingly, neither list includes a single destination in the United States.
- Sutherland, Scotland
- Lough Corrib, Connemara, Ireland
- South Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia
- Tusket River, Nova Scotia, Canada
- River Lochy, Queenstown, New Zealand
- River Lanio, Swedish Lapland
- River Moyola, Northern Ireland
- River Wye, Monsal Head, Derbyshire
- River Teifi, Wales
- Rio Grande, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Huh?
Putting aside the world’s acknowledged #1 fly fishing opportunity (where you fish the Upper Sacramento River just for the chance to see me), we wonder what happened to the trouty fleshpots of the Rocky Mountain West?
Have they become so overrun with Brad Pitt wannabes that there’s no point in going?
Has the American Trout Fishing Experience been worn out by the post-movie onslaught, or is it just sooooo 1990s in an industry that thrives on hype instead of zen?
Or do the authors of both lists simply have their heads up their butts?
The Underground Wants to Know
At the Underground, we’re always poking sticks at things that would be better left alone, and there’s no reason to stop now.
Does the Rocky Mountain West contain any spots worthy of a Top 10 Fly Fishing list?
Is steelheading so existential that it none of the better rivers deserve recognition?
The floor is yours.
[tags]fly fishing, top 10, tierra del fuego, labrador, montana, brad pitt[/tags]
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I find it hard to believe that there isn’t one single spot in America that would rank.
Certainly there’s got to be SOMETHING here!
(Quote)
Cotter, Arkansas is the Trout Capital of America.
Nothing to see in Montana, folks. Just turn your heads and keep driving.
(Quote)
Sully, I knew you’d come through.
(Quote)
As a rule these lists are ridculous, and this one is exceptionally so. I’m pretty sure this was someone’s idea of a joke. You have to look at it diffently. Do you really want want Nigel Pentington-PantyHose the 3rd fishing your water?
- rriver
(Quote)
Think of it this way, tis just more water that you don’t have to share. The Brits in the know aren’t correcting the Guardian, so why should anybody else. As far as the Gorp List, it may be case of send them elsewhere.
(Quote)
I think it is time that TC “gives back.”
Now that his blog has catapulted him to fame and private number is on Paris Hilton’s cell phone … I think it is appropriate that he promotes some domestic venues to keep the Kiwi’s and Royalists at bay.
I am thinking along the lines of “Fishing the Upper Sacramento with the Stars.” TC personally guides us “little people” onto his favorite haunts, serving chilled Chardonnay and Foie Gras, accentuated by full linen and china service.
That should beat crap out of Labrador, at a minimum.
(Quote)
I suppose it is just the writers opinion of the top ten fishing spots. Most probably it is the ten places they have fished ranked from one to ten ;-)
Alistair
ps I do think Scotland has some of the finest fishing though, it is just that you can never catch em’
(Quote)
The only two areas outside of the U.S. that I’m interested in (if I could afford it) are Patagonia and the Kamchatka Penninsula so let all the others go elsewhere, not that most U.S. anglers can afford to travel to these places anyway so I doubt that publishing these lists is going to give any of us any more fishing room on our favorite streams.
(Quote)
Joe Butler has a podcast on monster brown trout in the Lake Erie tribs. He says that multiple fish in the 10 -24 lb range are common on streams you can cast across. He said that it is currently out producing anything in South America or New Zealand. My guess if he is only half making it up, this beats Scotland, of anywhere for that matter. Who would be crazy enough to have a Lake Erie trib on the top 10?
- rriver
(Quote)
Alistair: If it wasn’t for that nasty language barrier, I think Scotland would be a great fishing destination.
rriver: The Great Lakes steelhead thing is getting big, but I’m also hearing lots of reports about crowding. Still, sounds far more productive than most West Coast Steelhead rivers.
As for TC “Giving Back,” I’d like to point out that “Fishing with the Stars” is far more likely to involve me fishing with Rich, Famous, Good-Looking People instead of the ratty pack of Undergrounders.
No offense mind you, but ratings are ratings…
(Quote)
GREAT LIST: I hope all the riff-raff jet across the pond and have a smashing good time. This leaves less of a chance they find my top ten list.
(Quote)
ratty pack are we? Does anyone want to take TC’s seat in the boat that he use to have?
Just kidding Tommy
David
(Quote)
“rattt pack of undergrounders”?
(Quote)
TC, I’m happy to be your “ratty pack”
rriver, I make a trip to fish the New York tribs ever year, and I have to say it is great for big fish. I have many pictures to prove it. But the crowds are getting bigger ever year.
I’m happy to see no US streams in the top ten list. That give me more room to hook up and yell “WooHoo Fish On”!!!
(Quote)