I think the Field & Stream website has reached its traffic-driving zenith with their photo essay, led by an attractive, topless Euro chick hugging a giant catfish ...  Realizing that I simply cannot crash through that ceiling, I bring you the next best thing... one of the world's most notable pro bass anglers happily engaged with a fly rod...

You know the drill... write the caption, win a prize.  This time the winner gets...

...an autographed, personalized copy of my semi-obscure book, Castwork, Reflections of Fly Fishing Guides and the American West... a $40 value, just in time for the holidays.  Good luck.

Deeter

I'm on my way to the Everglades for a few days of high adventure, camping, kayaking and hopefully catching some snook, redfish, and/or tarpon.  Every time I go saltwater fishing, however, I bring a baitcaster along.  I'd rather catch a fish on a pinfish in dirty water, than get stuck with just a fly rod when the fly thing isn't happening.  And sometimes it doesn't happen.  

Now... in trout fishing, I actually believe that a fly floated the right way is deadlier than any old lure... and I'm just not going to bait fish for trout, no matter what.  I haven't fished garden hackle in years, and I simply can't and won't go there.

But I can turn into a downright bait-chucking, heavy metal-chucking monster in the salt, in a relative hurry.

Is this wrong?  Should I just man up and stick to the "fly or die" ideal, even in the saltwater?  Or is fishing about catching, and all is fair game?

Not that you'll change my attitude (or actions) in the next few days... but I am interested in your opinions.

Deeter 

Every now and then I dabble in the dangerous editorial waters of trying to write about subjective topics like the Best Fishing Towns in America... which usually makes me a temporary chamber of commerce hero in a few places, and a full-blown idiot in others (I'm not bringing this up to remind the good folks of Cody, Wyoming, to re-start the E-mail campaign)...

So now I'm going to share the heat.  I'm interested in how the Fly Talk Nation would rank the best fly fishing STATES in America.

Oh, I have some opinions, but don't let them sway you.  Feel free to agree or disagree and mix in a few of your own (as if that's ever been an issue).

Highlighting my list would be:

Florida. Pros: Think about all the myriad species to be caught on the fly in Florida, from tarpon and snook, to bass and panfish.  Fly fishing isn't, after all, only about trout.  Cons: You cannot catch trout on a fly in Florida, and despite what I just said, the best fly fishing state should at least offer some trout fishing, yes?

Montana.  Pros: Wild, brawling rivers, beautiful fish, a strong fly-cultural tradition, and wide-open spaces made available by enlightened stream access laws.  Cons: That November-April thing.

New York.  Pros: The Catskills. Cradle to the tradition.  Babbling brooks teeming with mayflies... oh, and don't forget that striper thing happening on Long Island.  Cons: High probability of encountering a Yankee fan on the water.

Michigan.  Pros: Another cradle of tradition... after all, this is where the first brown trout was introduced in America, it's where Trout Unlimited started, and you're never far from a fishable river or lake.  Add to that the steelhead scene, and it's hard to top the Enchanted Mitten.  Cons: That November-April thing.

Oregon.  Pros: Start with the sea-run fish, the cutthroats, the steelhead and salmon, then work your way east to include trout rivers, and smallmouth bass waters.  Cons: Bring a raincoat, at least along the coast.

Alaska.  Pros: Leopard rainbows, char, grayling, and the most prolific salmon runs in the world.  Cons: Not exactly a weekend destination for most folks.

Sure, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Utah deserve some props.  Pennsylvania and North Carolina also.  Louisiana (how could I forget Louisiana?)... and Texas.  Of course.  California... yes you have everything there, from stripers to trout, to tuna, to massive largemouth bass.  Washington.  Hmmmmm.  Tough decision.  But where should legitimately, honestly, rank as the best fly fishing state in America?

Deeter 

I'd have caught that scum-scum sucking pig rainbow trout if...

I'd have done what jvento suggested:

"Size up to an 18 non-parachute pattern and keep the emerger on. Cast and play the waiting game. Let him find your fly instead of presenting it in front of him."

Play the waiting game.  That is the key, I think.  I've replayed the situation over and over, and have thought I cast too much... should have found a pocket of clear water, placed the fly, and waited.  I think that might have worked.

So, as the scum-sucking pig contest winner, jvento wins a Temple Fork fly rod. Not too shabby.  Hit me, jvento, at kirk@anglingtrade.com, and I'll send it out to you, but not for a couple weeks (I'm on my way from the Bahamas, to Montana, to the Everglades... more on those adventures to follow...)

Deeter