7 Wild Places to Take Your Journal, Rod, or Sketchbook This Summer (Across the U.S.)

7 Wild Places to Take Your Journal, Rod, or Sketchbook This Summer (Across the U.S.)

7 Wild Places to Take Your Journal, Rod, or Sketchbook This Summer (Across the U.S.)

Whether you're casting into still water, scribbling in a notebook, or sketching beside wildflowers, these places invite you to slow down, breathe deeper, and reconnect with yourself and the outdoors.

1. Madison River – Montana

The Madison is one of Montana’s most iconic trout fisheries, with fast water, grassy banks, and classic Western beauty. It’s a place where early mornings feel sacred, and every bend offers a new rhythm.

Best for: riverside journaling, sketching trout fins, fishing solo
Fly fishing: Rainbow and brown trout
What to fish with:

  • Dry flies: Elk Hair Caddis, Parachute Adams (sizes 14–18)

  • Nymphs: Pheasant Tail, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Hare’s Ear

  • Streamers: Zonkers, Woolly Buggers (olive, black)

Tip: Base yourself near Ennis and fish early morning or golden hour to avoid crowds.

Airbnb's Ennis


2. Deschutes River – Oregon

Flowing through rugged canyon country, the Deschutes is known for its wild trout, big scenery, and high-desert energy. It’s challenging but rewarding, perfect for both fly fishing and finding creative solitude.

Best for: fly fishing breaks, watercolor landscapes, desert solitude
Fly fishing: Redband trout and summer steelhead
What to fish with:

  • Dry flies: Pale Morning Duns, Yellow Sallies, Caddis

  • Nymphs: Prince Nymph, Copper John, Soft Hackles

  • For steelhead (late summer): Skaters, Green Butt Skunk, Muddler Minnow

Tip: The Lower Deschutes near Maupin offers access, views, and good swing water.

Deschutes River


3. Lamar Valley – Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Wide meadows, big skies, and a river full of native cutthroat—Lamar Valley is wild, cinematic, and peaceful. It’s the kind of place that reminds you how small you are, in the best way.

Best for: journaling big thoughts, sketching wildlife, peaceful solo time
Fly fishing: Yellowstone cutthroat trout
What to fish with:

  • Dry flies: Green Drakes, Hoppers, Ants, Caddis (sizes 10–16)

  • Nymphs: Soft Hackles, Pheasant Tails

  • Fish dries aggressively—these cutthroat love surface eats

Tip: Mornings and early evenings are best. Carry bear spray and give bison space.

Lamar Valley 


4. Kickapoo River – Driftless Area, Wisconsin

Gentle, spring-fed creeks wind through rolling hills and hidden valleys in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area. It’s a quieter kind of beauty, with slower water and rich greenery.

Best for: sketching wildflowers or trout, quiet creativity
Fly fishing: Brook and brown trout
What to fish with:

  • Dry flies: Blue-Winged Olives, Caddis, Terrestrials (beetles, ants)

  • Nymphs: Scuds, Zebra Midges, Pink Squirrel

  • Use lighter tippet (6X) and long leaders for spooky trout

Tip: Early summer and fall are ideal. Wade slowly—this water is clear and technical.

Kickapoo Airbnb's


5. Flathead Lake & Wildflower Trails – Montana

Flathead Lake’s calm, expansive water pairs beautifully with nearby hiking trails bursting with color in early summer. Combine fishing with flower-filled journaling hikes.

Best for: plein air painting, journaling with mountain views
Fly fishing: Lake whitefish, rainbow trout, cutthroat in nearby rivers
What to fish with:

  • On the lake: small streamers or jig-style nymphs under an indicator

  • Nearby rivers (Flathead or Swan): Hoppers, Caddis, PMDs

  • Nymphs: Hare’s Ear, Prince Nymph, Rubber Legs

Tip: Combine morning lake fishing with a midday hike—Bear Dance Trail is a favorite.

Flathead Lake Airbnb's 


6. Shenandoah River – Virginia

A peaceful stretch of water winding through trees and farmland, Shenandoah offers warmwater fly fishing, green canopies, and quiet eddies that are perfect for reflection.

Best for: quiet reflection, journaling under trees, sketching waterlines
Fly fishing: Smallmouth bass and sunfish
What to fish with:

  • Surface: Poppers, Boogle Bugs, Deer Hair Divers

  • Subsurface: Clouser Minnows, Woolly Buggers, Crayfish patterns

  • Smallmouth are aggressive—cover water and vary retrieves

Tip: Access points along Skyline Drive or U.S. Route 340 are ideal for day trips.

Shenandoah River Airbnb's 


7. South Platte River, Cheesman Canyon – Colorado

Nestled in the rocky cliffs of central Colorado, Cheesman Canyon is a fly fisher’s dream—and a deeply peaceful place to journal or sketch between casts. It’s a hike-in destination with clear, technical water and breathtaking views.

Best for: solo fly fishing days, sketching canyon walls, writing between drifts
Fly fishing: Wild rainbow and brown trout
What to fish with:

  • Dry flies: Tricos, Griffith’s Gnat, Parachute Adams (sizes 18–22)

  • Nymphs: RS2, Juju Baetis, Zebra Midge, Barr’s Emerger

  • Sight-fishing is key—use long leaders, small flies, and stealth

Tip: It’s about a 1.5-mile hike into the canyon—pack light and give yourself the day. Weekdays are quieter than weekends.


What to Bring in Your Wild-Creative Kit:

  • Travel-sized sketchbook or journal

  • Fly rod + reel + tippet 

  • Camp stool or sit pad

  • Painting things 
  • Water, snacks, and sunscreen

  • Fly pack, waders, boots

  • Lightweight layers and bug spray

  • Your favorite hat or flannel

  • Phone on airplane mode