Best Fly Fishing Retirement Towns and Cities

So what are the very best fly fishing retirement towns and cities in this country? I was just pondering this very question, recently. Why? Just cause I’m always looking for some new fly fishing areas to visit. Moreover, the last time I explored this question, I literally went on a few road trips around the country to find these places. And why’d I do that? Well, I got RIF’d from my job (downsized), so I needed to find an early retirement location, which wouldn’t be as expensive as my home town.

And, not surprisingly, I had an awesome time road tripping around the country. Visiting some of the very best fly fishing areas in the nation. So, with that said, I’d like to share with you all the best fly fishing towns and cities that I’ve explored, all of which also offer great communities for retiring. And finally, I’ll share some of the highlights of my stay at each of these amazing destinations. So let’s get right into revealing all these great fly fishing retirement locations, okay?

Best Fly Fishing Retirement Towns on the East Coast:

Arlington, Virginia:

Believe it or not, I’ll start with my hometown of Arlington, Virginia. But the Potomac River is a real cesspool, I can just hear some of you saying. Ah ha, clearly you’ve never fished the shad and striper run around Fletcher’s Cove from March to the end of May, when you’ll experience 80 to 100 fish days on the fly rod.

And no, that’s not the only game in town, as there’s also great large and smallmouth bass fishing. Moreover, it’s only a short drive to some stellar brook trout fishing in Shenandoah National Park, as well as the limestone streams of South Central Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, the only cons of living there are the HIGH cost of living, the oppressive summer humidity, and the outrageous traffic jams on the Beltway. And everywhere else in the Washington metropolitan area. Luckily, I bike commuted for most of my career.

Carlisle / Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania:

Just a few days after I was RIF’d from my job in Arlington, Virginia, where I’d been working for the last 19 years, I found myself sitting in the shade. And staring at the changing leaves surrounding Children’s Lake in Boiling Springs. And oh, what a place to retire if you like fly fishing. Cause the “Run” always has trout. And so does most of the water on the Yellow Breeches below it, for miles, downstream.

Meanwhile, you’ve also got lots of other legendary limestone spring creeks in the vicinity, like Falling Springs, Big Spring, and the fickle Letort. Carlisle is a fine town, as well.

There are already lots of retirees here, many of whom already enjoy fly fishing, so you’ll have plenty of company. No, you won’t believe the story a certain fly fisherman named “D” told me about hand-to-hand combat in the jungles of Vietnam, while we were cleaning up the “Run” in the shadows of the canopy one day. Meanwhile, a retired Navy vet named, Joe, once saved the day for me, when I’d all but given up on fly fishing shortly after my Dad passed away. Unforgettable lessons and memories are what this fine stream creates. Yes, the Yellow Breeches still calls my name. And that’s also why Boiling Springs and Carlisle, PA both make my list of the best fly fishing retirement towns and cities.

Harrisonburg / Staunton, Virginia:

I went to college at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. So my friend and I spent a lot of time fishing for smallmouth bass on the North and South Forks of the Shenandoah River after classes. We also fished for trout, sometimes, in George Washington National Forest. Great times, indeed!

Later, after I’d graduated, I’d often visit the area to fish for brook trout on the western slopes of Shenandoah National Park. Truly, the brook trout fly fishing in Shenandoah National Park is amazing. And yes, you can even fly fish for bigger browns and rainbows in the area on Mossy and Beaver Creek. So, the only downside that I can think of to retiring around here is that the brook trout watersheds sometimes suffer from summer drought conditions. But that’s when you go smallmouth bass fishing. Beyond the fantastic fly fishing, there’s lots to do in Harrisonburg, Virginia. So this small city makes my list of best fly fishing retirement places.

State College, Pennsylvania:

Is one of my favorite places in the United States to fly fish. In fact, in the month of May, there is no other place that I’d rather be fly fishing than the area around State College. And yes, it’s a great college town to explore, too, especially if you’re a fan of pubs and college football.

As for the fly fishing, you’ve got Spring Creek flowing right through town. Which flows into Bald Eagle Creek, where the locals also like to fly fish. There’s also the Little Juniata River to the south, where I landed one of the largest brown trouts (non-migratory) of my life. Epic.

And Penns Creek to the northeast of State College may even be even more epic with it’s legendary Green Drake hatch. No, you don’t want to get caught in the middle of the hatch. The coffin flies blanket the water just after the sun sets. Then, the browns slurp them up, getting fat guts. And the drakes fly into you like a blizzard, rushing upstream, peppering you in the face by the hundreds. The thousands!

And let’s not forget Big Fishing Creek, where the locals warn you to watch out for the rattlesnakes. I thought they were full of it. Until I saw the snake’s evil eyes glaring at me, right where I almost put my hand, as I was climbing out of the creek.

Too bad I don’t visit this area anymore, on account of a dangerous altercation I once got into with one of the locals. Still, world-class fly fishing is why State College makes my list of the best fly fishing retirement cities.

Pulaski, New York:

For years, I dreamed of fly fishing Steelhead Alley. And after much deliberation, I finally made the trip to Pulaski, NY to fly fish the world famous Salmon River. And no, it did not disappoint, as the steelhead, here, are measured by the pounds, not inches. Also, they transform into a bolt of lightening on the end of your line, when you set the hook.

The only problem with steelheading on the Salmon River is the crowds. And to deal with those, you need to learn the local etiquette. No, don’t come in after sunrise and expect to find a slot to fish. Cause you WON’T find it. And don’t try to sneak in on the line up, neither. Wait for a slot to open.

Despite the crowds, though, I loved fly fishing the Salmon River. However, when I mentioned to the locals that it would be great to retire in Upstate New York, they all just scoffed at me. Telling me that I should NEVER do that cause New York is one of the highest tax states.

Well, guess what? They’re right. That said, for a few months of the year, the Salmon River and the rest of Steelhead Alley offer some of the very best fly fishing in the nation. So, if you’re willing to pay the high taxes, Pulaski, New York, and many of the other towns and cities surrounding the Great Lakes, make my list of the best fly fishing retirement destinations. As for me, though, I’ll be content to just visit this incredible fly fishing area again. Yes, I still dream of fly fishing the Salmon River and Steelhead Alley.

Bryson City / Brevard, North Carolina:

Now Bryson City is on the doorstep of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And there are a lot of excellent fly fishing opportunities, here. For example, you have Hazel, Forney, and Deep Creek. A little further outside of town, you also have the Nantahala River, which is both a whitewater rafting and fly fishing destination. So you want to fly fish the Nantahala in the evening after the raft traffic has died down. And there’s some serious hogs to be caught in the cold waters. I know this, cause I used to be a whitewater raft guide on the Nantahala. And it was the adventure of a lifetime, which you can read more about, here.

As for Brevard, I spent a few memorable days there fly fishing the Davidson River on one of my vacations during my career. And wow! This is a beautiful area. Moreover, the fly fishing was outstanding. That said, I probably lucked out by unwittingly matching a stonefly hatch there, as I was casting a yellow stimulator and the trout were ripping it up with glee. Not only that, but I also stumbled onto a section of the Davidson, which was miraculously devoid of other anglers. In Brevard, I recall that I enjoyed some brews in town. Nice town. While, outside of town you can visit the marvelous, Looking Glass Falls.

Both the Nantahala and Davidson River have made it on the list of Trout Unlimited’s book, “Trout Unlimited’s Guide to America’s 100 Best Trout Streams”. So Bryson City and Brevard, accordingly, make it to my list of the best fly fishing retirement towns, as well as other towns in the vicinity, like Sylva, Cullowhee, Waynesville, and Asheville. And let’s not forget Boone and Blowing Rock. Man, I love those mountains in Western North Carolina.

Elkins / Webster Springs, West Virginia:

So the only fly fishing that I’ve done in between these two towns in West Virginia is on the Elk River. And no, I don’t know very much at all about either of these two towns. But what I do know is that the Elk River is, without a doubt, one of the finest streams I’ve ever fished in my life. Why? The stream is unique. A combination of freestone and limestone, which creates some of the greatest compound hatches I’ve ever seen.

Matter of a fact, I fished a quad hatch here. The bulk of which were sulphurs, a thick cloud of them. Meanwhile, dozens of browns were rising with abandon in a small seam in the river, formed by a feeder stream. I think I caught around 30 or 40 browns in roughly an hour and half before it finally got too dark to see them rising… Also, this is the stream where I learned to fly fish tiny size 26 to 30 flies. And to even catch some larger trout with those tiny flies. So there’s that. So no, I wouldn’t feel cheated if I retired somewhere near the Elk River in West Virginia. Take me home…

Best Fly Fishing Retirement Towns in the Western United States:

Sun Valley / Ketchum / Hailey, Idaho:

I came to Sun Valley to fly fish the legendary Big Wood River. Unfortunately, all the camping spots were taken. So I headed over the mountain pass to fly fish the Big Lost River. And proceeded to have one of the most mind-blowing fly fishing experiences of my life, which you can read about, here.

Still, there’s nothing that the area around Sun Valley doesn’t have in terms of being a great fly fishing retirement destination. As there’s great fly fishing on the Big Wood and Big Lost River. And, you also have some fine skiing at Sun Valley. Best of all, it’s also one of the most scenic areas that I’ve ever visited in my life.

But, the only problem is that it’s a “bit” out of my price range at this time. And I know that I’m not alone, here. As truly, a lot of this area is strictly reserved for the rich and famous, due to the steep price of real estate. That said, I enjoyed my visit here. And I’d like to go back to explore it some more and to finally fly fish the Big Wood River, just like Ernest Hemingway once did. Rest in peace… And yes, I pay tribute and my respects to the great writer, here.

Salida, Colorado:

Ah Salida. So this is where I stopped on the way back from my epic road trip around Idaho to rest and regain my strength. So how was the fishing? One might ask. That, I couldn’t say, cause I was all fished out by the time I got there. Although I did see plenty of trout swimming around in the Arkansas River right in town. So the fly fishing is gonna be great around here.

However, instead of fly fishing, I made a trip to a nearby hot springs. And they gave me the literal third degree before they let me enter. For what? I didn’t understand. Until a few girls from Louisiana and Norway showed up. And like everyone else at the hot springs … They chose to enjoy the insanely scenic hot springs, without donning their bikinis. Quite an experience. And, no joke, you can’t believe the view of the mountains from some of those higher elevation hot springs. Jaw dropping!

Also, just outside of town, I found a great place to enjoy a super affordable steak dinner! Unfortunately now, I forget the name of that place.

More of the Very Best Fly Fishing Retirement Towns on the East Coast:

Abingdon / Damascus, Virginia:

I haven’t visited Abingdon, yet. But I absolutely love Damascus. In fact, I probably would’ve retired early here if it was a larger town. What you get in this area is access to Whitetop Laurel Creek, which is one of the prettiest streams I’ve ever fished. And, you also have the South Fork of the Holston, which I’ve enjoyed fishing, as well. In addition, you’re close to the South Holston tailwater, which can’t be beat for wild brown trout fishing.

Not only that, but you’ve also got the Virginia Creeper Trail and Appalachian Trail running right through town! Yes, section hiking the Southern Appalachians is a thing here. And just up the road, on Route 58, you have Grayson Highlands, which is one of my favorite places to backpack. That’s cause there’s wild ponies there and views that you’ll never forget. So Southwest Virginia is definitely one of the best fly fishing retirement areas in my book. In fact, I like it so much that I often drive up there to fly fish, camp, and backpack.

Bristol / Johnson City, Tennessee:

I first arrived at the South Holston tailwater, years and years ago, when I was driving to the Smokies to attend a friend’s wedding. But beforehand, my girlfriend and I took a fun break to try the fly fishing in Northeast Tennessee on the South Holston River. Here, I caught a few small rainbows on a zebra midge in the river right below the grated steps and was elated. I did not realize at the time that I’d one day make this outdoorsy area my new home in early retirement.

And what’s not to like about this area? There’s fantastic local hiking at Buffalo and Roan Mountain. Meanwhile, the fly fishing is some of the very best on the East Coast. There’s two primary tailwaters, the South Holston (Soho) and Watauga. And lots of great fly fishing creeks, including the Doe River, Laurel Creek, Rocky Fork, and Beaverdam Creek. So that’s why it became my personal favorite fly fishing retirement city. That said, the state and area is fairly conservative. So some folks aren’t gonna like it. Particularly, loch-down and mann-date lovers. Moreover, I’ve heard some people complaining about the summer humidity, prolific bait casters, and puny rainbows on Soho. Also, helps if you arrive in your pickup truck. Getting it lifted, here, is not an option. Seriously.

2023 South Holston Tailwater Update/Fishing Report:

When fly fishing the South Holston in Spring of 2023, I quickly noticed a MAJOR decline in the quality and numbers of fish in the river. So much so that I stopped fishing this river from that point forward. I suspected this was because TVA was only releasing around 10 CFS during periods when they were not generating electricity. Whereas, during work on a generator and the weir dam, the “standard” non-generation release was around 90 CFS. Other interested parties noticed this situation as well and a meeting was held with TVA, where a proposal to increase minimum flows to 300 CFS was presented to restore/preserve/improve the fishery.

However, I’d guesstimate that if the current low water non-generation releases continue into the future, then we will see a further degradation of the South Holston tailwater fishery. As a result, it will most likely lose its status as one of the best fly fishing rivers in the East. So this would be something to seriously consider when choosing your best fly fishing retirement town or city. Or your next fly fishing vacation destination.

Honorable Mentions (Fly Fishing Retirement Towns and Cities):

Park City, Utah:

You have the Provo River to fly fish near Park City, UT. Some of the best powder in the world in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. There’s moose stalking the mountain trails around here that’ll mow you down if you’re not careful when hiking. So what’s not to love about this place? Not only that, but Park City, Utah is also a great destination to have a few beers. Apres-ski. Great town. Still, a bit expensive for me.

Titusville / Orlando / Cocoa Beach, Florida:

A few years ago, an algae bloom in the Indian River Lagoon wiped out one of the best Redfish sport fisheries in the United States. Devastating. That said, you still have the Mosquito Lagoon to the north. And the Sebastian Inlet to the south. Lots of Florida sunshine and fantastic pier fishing right in Cocoa Beach, Florida. I just pray that this Redfish mecca returns to its former glory someday.

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho:

In CDA, there’s a huge beautiful lake with a beach, Lake Coeur d’Alene. In fact, I’d say that it’s almost a beach town with one very good place to get an affordable burger. Man, I loved that place.

Now, to the southeast on Interstate 90, just over the mountain passes, you have some of the best cutthroat trout fly fishing in the lower 48. Better stock up on supplies and gas in Montana before you head into these remote wilderness areas, though. Basically, CDA has A LOT going for it, in terms of being a great fly fishing retirement destination.

Farmington / Aztec, New Mexico:

Close to the San Juan River, so that says it all. Not sure about these two cities, though.

Subscribe:

Thank you for reading my post about the Best Fly Fishing Retirement Towns and Cities in the USA. If you’ve enjoyed reading this, please subscribe so that I can send you notices about my future posts. Subscribing is FREE and I don’t spam or share your email. Also, please share this post with your friends, family members, and co-workers on the usual social networks. This will help support this blog and grow my audience.

Disclaimer:

Please note, as well, that this post contains affiliate links, meaning, I recommended products and services I’ve used or know well and I may receive a commission if you purchase them too (at no additional cost to you). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Gary Alan

After a long career in the publishing industry, Gary Alan left his corporate job to pursue his next adventures in life as a blogger, writer, investor, fly fisherman, hiker, and traveler. He is the author of the adventure fiction book, 'Big Thunder-Hearted River'.