Moving to CO - Planning on fishing my way out there

[valdesd1]

So I'm leaving for Colorado mid-June and I'm in the process of putting together a little itinerary of places to visit and fish on my way out there. Curious to hear anyone's recommendations on places to hit along the way. Depending how things go, I plan on taking my time during the course of a week or two. I also plan on camping so that I can keep things cheap.

So far this is what I have put together:
1) Clear Fork River, Ohio
2) Wisconsin Driftless Area - Viroqua
3) Badlands National Park (for tourist purposes)
4) Deadwood/Sturgus, South Dakota
.....

Ideally, I'd like to try small/medium water where I can wade easily and throw dries and maybe hoppers.
Driving from NJ if that helps. Any feedback would be much appreciated! Thanks

 

[JeffK]

Sounds like a good plan.

For Black Hills info, I like the Al Campbell "Home Waters" articles from 2003 on http://flyanglersonline.com/ I always like the Black Hills streams, but the trout and streams aren't always that big.

It's out of your way, but maybe a stop at the Bighorn is called for?

 

[Thursthouse]

That sounds like an awesome idea! Surely there are some great trout streams in PA regardless of which direction you take to Ohio. I think you should attempt a trout in each state you pass through.

 

[lightenup]

Driftless region in Wisconsin(see Moosekid)...Pennsyltucky....Virginia(Mossy Creek)....I hear that Arkansas has some great fishing in one of the big rivers, I think it's the White River....sounds like a great time...North Carolinas mountains....

 

[Rusty Spinner]

That sounds like an awesome idea! Surely there are some great trout streams in PA regardless of which direction you take to Ohio. I think you should attempt a trout in each state you pass through.

Especially since he'd be travelling west on I-80 right past State College.....

 

[moosekid]

Driftless region in Wisconsin(see Moosekid)...Pennsyltucky....Virginia(Mossy Creek)....I hear that Arkansas has some great fishing in one of the big rivers, I think it's the White River....sounds like a great time...North Carolinas mountains....

yeah take a northern route. fish pa, hit the driftless for sure -- super unique fishery, then onto the black hills in the spearfish SD area, through into montana and fish down montana, wyoming, CO.

 

[moosekid]

yeah take a northern route. fish pa, hit the driftless for sure -- super unique fishery, then onto the black hills in the spearfish SD area, through into montana and fish down montana, wyoming, CO.

also this is very helpful for planning routes to coincide with nice free campsites -- a map of the us with reviews and regulations of all free campsites https://freecampsites.net/

 

[lightenup]

yeah take a northern route. fish pa, hit the driftless for sure -- super unique fishery, then onto the black hills in the spearfish SD area, through into montana and fish down montana, wyoming, CO.

if you do that The Big horn will be on your way...fished there last year, nice place, but you will need to rent a boat or hire a guide....

 

[valdesd1]

Thanks Moose, that website is going to be super handy. A northern route seems to make the most sense through SD and Montana.

also this is very helpful for planning routes to coincide with nice free campsites -- a map of the us with reviews and regulations of all free campsites https://freecampsites.net/

 

[CTobias]

Especially since he'd be travelling west on I-80 right past State College.....

Exactly. Lots of great spring creeks in PA.