The river whispers as it rushes past your waist. Through khaki hip waders, you feel the vibrations of the current tugging at you like a little boy begging to point out an anthill. In the water below, the fin from a coquettish bluegill brushes against the top of your boot. Elbow in, you raise your forearm and point the fly-rod tip to the sky; the line unfurls behind you. In one fluid motion, you bring your arm straight down and send the line gently over the stream.

The fly lands six inches from the spot where you just caught a glimmer of silver—either the reflection of the snow-tipped mountain hovering in the distance or the sparkle of a trout facing upstream with its mouth open to catch insects caught in the flow. The trout, unaware of your motionless mass, strikes for the fly, and as the line pulls taunt, you reel in a beautiful ten-inch rainbow, your first catch, only to dislodge the barbless hook from its mouth and let it go to fight another day.

Congratulations, you’ve just become addicted to fly-fishing, where each river is a new chessboard ready to be played, and where each fish is a uniquely beautiful competitor. Fly-fishing is that rare sport that can be a mystical experience or simply good ole fun for couples, friends and families alike.

And yes, fly-fishing is a sport, a quiet sport of stealth and strategy set in some of the most scenic places on earth. The once simple pastime of lazy afternoons and passed-down split-cane fly rods has transformed over the years into a high-tech competition. Yet purists and newcomers alike prefer the old-fashioned way—one rod against one river, two hands deftly tugging the line against a battle-tested armada of trout, tiger muskies and northern pike.

This experience is reeling in people from all corners with fly-fishing tours and packages available for those who have never baited a hook. These packages include lavish nights in picturesque hotels, savory meals, top-notch gear, expert training, and a guide to lead you to the best spots on the river. All you need is the desire to connect with nature and a trusted travel agent to find you the best package.

A worldwide sport, fly-fishing’s birthmark on Americana can best be seen in the great northwest, where pine trees reach the clouds and the rivers run on clear through eternity.

First-class fishing adventures begin way up north in Alaska, where the lodges embedded deep within the wild timbers are a minute’s walk to clear rivers loaded with trophy salmon. The Rainbow River south of Anchorage is without equal with its key location next to Katmai, a National Park famous for its wild Alaskan rainbow trout, active volcanoes, brown bears and rugged wilderness.

Also near Anchorage is the Talachulitna River, called “the Tal” by anglers from all over, where special tours are designed especially for women, teaching the sport in a non-competitive environment. Remote and productive, the Tal is perfect for bank fishing in the wild surrounds. Just don’t be startled as puffins, sea otters and eagles watch nearby, critiquing your form.

In the lower 48, Washington and Oregon are states full of fabled fishing locales hidden throughout the verdant forests and snow-capped peaks. The Yakima River is considered by many to be Washington’s finest trout stream, with more than 80 miles of prime catch-and-release waters that amble through the canyons. If you find yourself in the Olympic Peninsula, then aim for the Sol-Duc River, where the sock-eye salmon come for the scenery and stay for the fly at the end of your line.

Oregon’s fabled fishing holes include the McKenzie River—regarded as the preeminent trout river in the Pacific Northwest—and the Sandy River, a completely natural waterway near Portland without dams, creating a haven for elusive steelheads waiting for the morning’s first cast.

Fishing a few miles east in Idaho can be a religious experience, as experts call Henry’s Fork the world’s premier dry-fly fishing stream. Silver Creek, outside of Ketchum, is a famous fishermen’s paradise, with so many rainbow and cutthroat you just may be able to walk clear from one bank to the other without getting your ankles wet.

Which leaves Montana, a fly-fisherman’s idea of heaven. Right outside of Butte, the Beaverhead and the Big Hole Rivers make a formidable pair for any adventure seekers. Two of the most scenic trout streams in the country, these crystal blue mountain waters hold many surprises, along with many species of trout, for an angler with a well-presented fly.

Fly-fishing tours are perfect introductions to this majestic sport and great gifts to surprise your loved ones. A guide will show you the flies and lead you up to the water’s edge for your first perfect cast, but falling in love with the sport is all up to you.

Get your feet wet—contact a travel agent today to set up a fishing excursion you’ll always remember. And if you’re lucky, you’ll come back with a photo of you knee-deep in the stream, holding the catch of the day in both hands, with a smile on your face as big as all outdoors.

Click here to find a travel agent to plan your perfect fishing adventure.

Images ©1998-2002 David Glasscock and courtesy of Alaska Division of Tourism