First Time Fly Fishing for Trout? Iowa's Driftless Region might be the place to start.

Maybe you’re somebody who’s been angling for your whole life, but you are just getting immersed into fly fishing. Of course, the group of fish species that is closely tied to fly fishing in North America would be trout: rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout are some of the common ones in the Midwest.

If you’ve never fly fished for trout before, the idea might be a little bit intimidating. However, just like any type of fishing, with a little background knowledge, you will be on your way to being successful.

The Driftless region, including northeast Iowa, provides some of the more impressive scenery in the Midwest with miles of spring creeks that have cold, clear water year-round. Countless bluffs, hills, and other natural features exist to add to the visual appeal, and many who visit the Driftless region find themselves dreaming of that area for the rest of their lives.

Regulations

When it comes to fly fishing for trout in Iowa, it is important to know our regulations set by the Iowa DNR. Our season for trout fishing in Iowa is all year long. Be sure to also be familiar with the licensing requirements to pursue trout (see info about Trout Stamp/Trout Fee).

Rod/Reel/Fly Line

It can be a bit daunting to consider what fly rod, reel, and fly line you need to get started. Thankfully, some great companies have set up combos to help alleviate some of the difficulty behind getting the right setup to get you on the water and fly fishing.

A good Iowa trout fishing fly rod would be something in the 3,4, or 5 weight category, typically something between 8 and 9 feet in length. A shorter rod (7-8 feet) is often preferred in the Driftless region since many of the streams are tight and lots of brush surrounds the creeks, and a shorter rod can help reduce the amount of tangles you encounter in streamside vegetation and overhanging branches. If you get a chance, cast the rod before you buy it; it'll help give you an idea of what you're getting yourself into. For the Driftless, I personally prefer a 3 or 4 weight rod in the 7'6" to 8' range.

Some combos to consider buying are the TFO NXT Black label combo, the Echo Lift kit, or the Echo Traverse kit. Any of these kits will eliminate the need for you to choose the matching rod, reel, and fly line, and everything will come lined on your reel and have you ready to get to fishing!

Flies

The insect populations in the Driftless are diverse, and this gives the trout plenty of food options. Depending on the time of the year, the particular stream, and the time of day, different fly patterns will work best. Mayfly, caddisfly, and midge patterns are great options throughout the year. Feel free to contact us if you're needing some specific recommendations and we can give you more details.

Location

It can be difficult to know where exactly to go fishing. However, that is part of the fun! The Iowa DNR provides a great resource to help you find where to go trout fishing. Pick a few streams and then be prepared to move to another one if the first one doesn't turn out as expected. Also, we are happy to provide some suggestions of where to do some trout fishing if you reach out to us.

Trout fishing isn't supposed to be complicated and intimidating; it is supposed to be a fun and engaging outdoor activity.

Get in touch with us if you're interested in a guided Driftless outing or if you need other specific recommendations about trout fishing in Iowa. Tight lines, hope to see you on the water.

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