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:
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Dry flies: Elk Hair Caddis, Parachute Adams (sizes 14–18)
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Nymphs: Pheasant Tail, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Hare’s Ear
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Streamers: Zonkers, Woolly Buggers (olive, black)
Tip: Base yourself near Ennis and fish early morning or golden hour to avoid crowds.
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:
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Dry flies: Pale Morning Duns, Yellow Sallies, Caddis
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Nymphs: Prince Nymph, Copper John, Soft Hackles
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For steelhead (late summer): Skaters, Green Butt Skunk, Muddler Minnow
Tip: The Lower Deschutes near Maupin offers access, views, and good swing water.
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:
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Dry flies: Green Drakes, Hoppers, Ants, Caddis (sizes 10–16)
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Nymphs: Soft Hackles, Pheasant Tails
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Fish dries aggressively—these cutthroat love surface eats
Tip: Mornings and early evenings are best. Carry bear spray and give bison space.
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:
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Dry flies: Blue-Winged Olives, Caddis, Terrestrials (beetles, ants)
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Nymphs: Scuds, Zebra Midges, Pink Squirrel
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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.
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:
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On the lake: small streamers or jig-style nymphs under an indicator
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Nearby rivers (Flathead or Swan): Hoppers, Caddis, PMDs
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Nymphs: Hare’s Ear, Prince Nymph, Rubber Legs
Tip: Combine morning lake fishing with a midday hike—Bear Dance Trail is a favorite.
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:
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Surface: Poppers, Boogle Bugs, Deer Hair Divers
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Subsurface: Clouser Minnows, Woolly Buggers, Crayfish patterns
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Smallmouth are aggressive—cover water and vary retrieves
Tip: Access points along Skyline Drive or U.S. Route 340 are ideal for day trips.
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:
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Dry flies: Tricos, Griffith’s Gnat, Parachute Adams (sizes 18–22)
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Nymphs: RS2, Juju Baetis, Zebra Midge, Barr’s Emerger
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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:
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Travel-sized sketchbook or journal
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Fly rod + reel + tippet
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Camp stool or sit pad
- Painting things
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Water, snacks, and sunscreen
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Fly pack, waders, boots
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Lightweight layers and bug spray
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Your favorite hat or flannel
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Phone on airplane mode