New York has long been one of the birthplaces of American fly fishing. The legendary rivers of the Catskills helped shape modern fly fishing techniques, fly tying, and rod design, and those traditions remain alive today. Combined with the vast wilderness of the Adirondacks and the Great Lakes tributaries, New York offers one of the most diverse fly fishing experiences in the country.

Trout anglers can explore iconic waters like the Beaverkill, Willowemoc, Delaware, Esopus, Ausable, and Battenkill, where brown, rainbow, brook, and wild trout thrive. The Catskills continue to produce some of the finest dry fly fishing in the East, while countless lakes and streams throughout the Adirondacks provide opportunities to escape the crowds and experience truly wild country.

When autumn arrives, New York becomes one of North America's premier destinations for migratory fish. Massive runs of Chinook salmon, coho salmon, steelhead, and brown trout ascend Lake Ontario and Lake Erie tributaries, drawing anglers from around the world. Add outstanding fishing for smallmouth bass, carp, pike, and muskellunge, and it's easy to see why New York remains one of the country's great fly fishing destinations.