Idaho is home to some of the best trout streams in America, rivers whose names—the Teton, the Snake, the Clearwater—will be recognizable to fly fishers far and wide. It should come as no surprise then that Idaho also offers some truly exceptional fishing lodges.
Some fly fishing lodges in Idaho are grand and luxurious, others bare-bones and rustic. Some are sleek and modern, and some exude history from their trophy-covered walls and well-trodden floorboards. All of them provide exceptional accommodations for anglers.
Henry’s Fork Lodge
Perched atop a bluff overlooking the legendary Henry’s Fork in Eastern Idaho, Henry’s Fork Lodge is one of the best fishing lodges not only in the state but anywhere in the US. In addition to being within view of what might just be the best dry fly river in the west, the lodge provides exemplary accommodations, with rooms and common areas that are at once luxurious and rustic. Between days spent fishing the famed Railroad Ranch and Box Canyon stretches of Henry’s Fork, you can dine on chef-prepared farm-to-table cuisine and enjoy nightly cocktails by a crackling fire.
Flying B Ranch
North-central Idaho’s Flying B Ranch is a sprawling property on the banks of Lawyer Creek, a small stream that feeds the Clearwater River. It includes an expansive 14,000-square-foot lodge with 14 luxurious guest rooms and a refined wood-clad space that recalls the sporting lodges of another era. The Flying B Ranch has been a destination for outdoor adventure since 1985, including fishing the Clearwater River’s annual steelhead and chinook salmon runs. The guides at the ranch also offer hunting excursions in Nez Perce and Clearwater National Forests and Clearwater River smallmouth bass fishing trips, plus cutthroat trout fly fishing at the ranch’s backcountry camp on Osprey Creek.
China Bar Lodge
The China Bar Lodge, along with the nearby Ram House Lodge, is one of two lodges operated by Salmon River Tours in the heart of Idaho’s largest wilderness. Located directly overlooking the free-flowing Salmon River, the China Bar Lodge feels like a true wilderness getaway, with a great balance between modern amenities and rustic charm. The hosts are friendly and accommodating, and the fishing is exceptional. Professional guides offer jet boat and drift boat trips for salmon and steelhead on the Salmon River and the nearby Hell’s Canyon section of the Snake River. Another option is a “walk and wade” fly fishing excursion on the South Fork of the Salmon River, home to some of Idaho’s best fishing for westslope cutthroat trout.
Teton Valley Lodge
Located within casting distance of some of Idaho’s best fishing, the Teton Valley Lodge is one of the premier fly fishing lodges in Idaho. In addition to directly overlooking the Teton River, the lodge is also close enough to Henry’s Fork and the South Fork of the Snake River that anglers can fish all three in a single trip. Teton Valley Lodge offers upscale log cabin lodging and experienced Idaho fishing guides who take guests out to target brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout on some of the best water in America. They’ve been offering unforgettable fishing experiences since 1919.
Redfish Lake Lodge
Surrounded by the rugged peaks of the Sawtooth Range, Redfish Lake Lodge has been one of the premier fishing lodges in Central Idaho since 1929. The lodge overlooks Redfish Lake, a sprawling alpine lake where anglers can catch rainbow trout, bull trout, kokanee salmon and whitefish. Local guides also provide fly fishing trips to the nearby Salmon River and its South Fork, which flows through the stunning River of No Return Wilderness. Accommodations at Redfish Lake Lodge include private cabins and suites as well as rooms in the lodge, and the onsite restaurant and lounge offer rustic ambiance and a Northwest-inspired menu.
Three Rivers Ranch
Few fly fishing lodges in Idaho offer a wider range of options than Three Rivers Ranch. Just 16 miles outside of Yellowstone National Park, the lodge is centrally located near some of Eastern Idaho’s best trout streams. The Warm River flows right through the lodge’s backyard, but the seasoned Idaho fly fishing guides here also offer trips to Henry’s Fork, the Teton River, the South Fork of the Snake River and even the Madison River in Montana. All-inclusive packages include three meals a day, accommodations in a lodge room or private cabin, and fishing guides for up to five days and six nights.
The Last Resort Lodge
The Last Resort Lodge is located alongside the Little Salmon River in West-Central Idaho. Though it’s right on US-95—the only route connecting northern and southern Idaho—the lodge is surrounded by some of the wildest and most rugged countryside in the state. The accommodations in the lodge are homey and inviting. It’s no luxury resort, but a comfortable and relaxing stay is a given. The lodge is operated by Last Resort Outfitters, who lead guided fishing trips on rivers all over Idaho, from the nearby Salmon and Snake Rivers all the way up to the remote and under-fished Kootenai River in Northern Idaho.
South Fork Lodge
The South Fork of the Snake River is undoubtedly one of the best fly fishing rivers in Idaho, and the South Fork Lodge is the perfect place to stay while fishing it. Close enough to the river that you can stroll down to the water from the back patio, the South Fork Lodge offers a variety of accommodations—lodge rooms, cabins, riverside A-frames—all of which nicely blend modern luxury with rustic style. The lodge is ideally located so that all the best sections of the South Fork are nearby, and the staff fishing guides lead day trips in fabled areas like “the Upper,” “the Canyon” and “Brown Town.” A great meal and craft cocktail awaits at the end of the day at the onsite restaurant and bar.