# 2026 Fly Fishing: The Year Things Get Interesting

So here's what's brewing in fly fishing right now, and honestly, there's some wild stuff happening that every angler needs to know about.

First up, Wyoming just dropped some serious changes on the North Platte River, and if you fish the Miracle Mile or Gray Reef, listen up. Starting January first, you've gotta use single-point barbless hooks on those high-traffic stretches below Seminoe Reservoir. The Wyoming Game and Fish folks say this cuts down on hook injuries when you're releasing fish, which makes sense when you're catching and releasing the same trout dozens of times a season. But here's the kicker – they also banned pegged attractors at Gray Reef and Fremont Canyon, and extended the flies-and-lures-only rule all the way downstream to Government Bridge. Plus, there's a new spawning closure from April through mid-May to protect rainbow trout during breeding season. If you fish there regularly, you're gonna need to dial in your technique.

Over in Colorado, things are getting contentious on the Lower Blue River, and it's got nothing to do with anglers like us. According to a December 2025 fishery survey from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the real problem isn't floating anglers – it's the pellet-feeding programs that landowners are running. The state's aquatic biologist flagged these feeding operations as a top risk for overcrowding and gill lice infestations that are killing fish. The report basically said angler-induced mortality is minor compared to what artificial feeding does to the system, but wealthy landowners are still pushing to restrict floating anglers with a ten-year permit system. It's turning into a real power struggle between public access and private interests.

Then there's Montana closing Red Rock Creek entirely as of January first. The entire creek from Elk Lake Road to upper Red Rock Lake is off-limits now, and that's a bummer because it's one of the few places where you can actually cast to native Montana grayling alongside serious cutthroat trout. Montana Fish, Parks, and Wildlife made that call, so if you've been planning a Centennial Valley trip, you'll need to find another water.

On the brighter side, Maryland is investing big in anglers like us. The state's bumping up trout stocking by twenty-six percent for 2026 with a monthly schedule, which means more fish in the water and better catch rates. That's the kind of news that makes you want to dust off your waders.

Thanks for tuning in to this week's fly fishing update. Come back next week for more intel on what's happening on the water. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out Quiet Please dot A I.

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Hey folks, gather round the campfire, its your old pal here with the straight scoop on whats shakin in fly fishing news across the US right now. First off, that snow drought hittin the West hard, like Midcurrent reports, means our freestone rivers in Utah, Colorado, and the PNW could see hoot owl restrictions kickin in early this summer. Water temps hittin 73 degrees for three days straight? Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks shuts down fishin from 2pm to midnight, and without snowmelt coolin things off, trout could cook at 77 degrees. Plan your trips smart, boys, or well all be sweatin it.

Over in Wyoming, Wyoming Game and Fish dropped some game-changers for 2026 startin Jan 1. Single-hook artificials only now on the Miracle Mile, Alcova Afterbay, Gray Reef, and Fremont Canyon to cut down on catch-and-release injuries. Pegged attractors banned at Fremont and Gray Reef, fly-lure zone stretched downstream to Government Bridge, and a new spawn closure April 1 to May 15 below Ledge Creek on Gray Reef for them rainbows. But good vibes in Jackson: no more October closure on Jackson Lake, and higher limits on key waters. More time sightin big browns, fellas.

Then theres the drama on Colorados Lower Blue River, where Colorado Parks and Wildlife just dropped their fishery survey. Biologist Jon Ewert calls out pellet-feedin programs for overcrowdin, gill lice, and trout die-offs, sayin it pushes fish past natural limits and spreads disease. Landowners like Blue Valley Ranch are pushin a permit system for floaters, but CPW says angler mortality aint the big bad here, especially on catch-and-release fly-only stretches. Keep an eye on this access fight, its got us all on edge.

And nationwide, the MAPWaters Act just passed the Senate, headin to the prez. Thatll make it dead simple to check if you can float or wade federal rivers from your phone. Plus, Flylab predicts 2026s a banner year with Gen Z tyin bugs like crazy and anglers gettin wise on river temps and PFAS. New gear too, engineered for cold conditions per Midcurrent.

Whew, lots to chew on for your next drift. Thanks for tunin in, come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for me check out Quiet Please Dot A I. Tight lines!

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# 2026 Fly Fishing: The Year Things Are Getting Real

Hey folks, buckle up because this year is shaping up to be something special for us fly fishers, and not always in the way we'd hope.

Let's start with what might be the biggest mess in fly fishing right now: the Lower Blue River in Colorado. According to a December 2025 fishery survey from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, things are getting pretty ugly down there. An aquatic biologist named Jon Ewert dropped a bombshell finding that's got everyone paying attention. Turns out those pellet-feeding programs that landowners have been running are absolutely wrecking the fishery. We're talking overcrowding, gill lice infestations, and fish dying left and right. The worst part? Some folks have been blaming us floating anglers for the problem, but Ewert's research shows that angler-induced mortality is actually minor compared to what's happening with all those fed fish. Now there's talk of a ten-year pilot permit system to restrict floaters, which has the whole community at odds. It's messy, it's political, and it's worth paying attention to because what happens on the Blue might set the tone for other rivers.

On a brighter note, Wyoming just did something pretty cool for fall fishing. According to Wyoming Game and Fish, they're ending a seventy-year October closure on Jackson Lake starting next year. That means we're finally getting fall lake trout action that's been off limits forever. Even better, the tailwater stretch below the dam is bumping up the daily trout limit from three to six fish, with no length caps on abundant browns. For us sight-fishing folks, that's a game changer.

And here's something that flew under the radar for a lot of people: the feds are quietly expanding sport fishing access across wildlife refuges in states like Idaho, Montana, and Washington. Fish and Wildlife Service just opened up over eighty-seven thousand acres of new public water to wade and cast. No lead tackle drama, just more places to fish. That's the kind of news that should get your heart racing.

Thanks so much for tuning in today. Come back next week for more fly fishing news and stories that matter to you. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out Quiet Please dot A I.

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Hey folks, grab your rods and wade in, cause 2026s got some buzzworthy fly fishing news hittin the US streams thatll get any local caster pumped. First up, that Lower Blue River in Colorado near Kremmling is stirrin drama, accordin to Colorado Parks and Wildlifes December 2025 survey report by aquatic biologist Jon Ewert. Theyre pointin fingers at pellet-feedin programs causin overcrowdin, gill lice, and trout die-offs, not so much us floatin anglers. Landowners like Blue Valley Ranch are pushin a 10-year pilot permit for drift boats, but CPW says angler mortalitys minor under catch-and-release rules. Keep an eye on this access scrap, boys, it could crimp your lower Blue floats.

Over in Wyoming, Game and Fish dropped new Chapter 46 regs January 1, straight from their updates. North Platte tailwaters like Miracle Mile, Gray Reef, and Fremont Canyon now demand single-point barbless hooks to cut hook injuries on catch-and-release fish, plus no pegged attractors and an extended fly-lure stretch to Government Bridge. Bonus: new spawnin closure April 1 to May 15 below Gray Reef protects rainbows, and Jackson Lakes open all October with bumped limits. More shots at big browns and lakers without the old closuresgreat for us fly slingers sightin fall hogs.

Snow droughts hittin hard too, per Midcurrents January 15 piece. Warm temps turned precip to rain in Colorado, Utah, and Pacific Northwest freestone rivers, leavin low summer flows and hot water. Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks already eyein early hoot owl restrictionsno fishin 2pm to midnight if temps hit 73 for three days. Trout start stressin at 77, so pack your thermometers and plan early season trips before rivers turn to bathwater.

And big win: the MAPWaters Act passed the Senate, headin to the prez desk, as noted in Flylabs trends roundup. Soon, youll pull public river access info right from your phone, makin federal waters easier to hit without the guesswork.

Theres more like Wyoming openin Snake River near Jackson Lake year-round and refuge expansions in Idaho and Montana addin 87,000 acres, per Wyoming Game and Fish and Fish and Wildlife Service news. 2026 shapes up solid if the late La Nina snow dumps.

Thanks for tunin in, tight lines till next week. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for me check out Quiet Please Dot A I.

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Hey locals, grab your 6-weight and a cold one, cause 2026s fly fishing scene is lit with changes thatll have you slinging flies harder than ever. First off, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission just greenlit new trout regs after those brutal hatchery wipeouts at Norfork and Jim Hinkle last year. Effective February 1, you can keep two trout a day on Beaver, Greers Ferry tailwaters, and White River stretches, but toss back anything over 14 inches. Smart play to rebuild stocks without gutting the rivers, per their January 16 unanimous vote.

Head west to Wyoming, where Game and Fish dropped barbless hooks on North Platte tailwaters like Miracle Mile and Gray Reef starting January 1. Less fish stress on catch-and-release, plus no pegged attractors at Fremont Canyon. Jacksons poppin too: Snake below the dam doubles trout limits to six daily, length caps gone, and Jackson Lake stays open year-round, ditchin that October closure. More shots at trophies, boys.

Colorados Lower Blue River is heatin up with drama. Colorado Parks and Wildlife fishery survey calls out pellet-feeding for overcrowdin trout, spreadin gill lice, and crashin populations. Biologist Jon Ewert says fed rainbows displace locals and spike mortality, way bigger issue than us wade anglers. Landowners pushin float permits, but CPWs data shows angler harvest aint the villain here.

And nationwide, the MAPWaters Act sailed through Senate to the prez desk. Soon, pull public access maps for federal waters right on your phone, no more trespass drama.

These tweaks mean more fishin freedom if you play smart and check regs. Thanks for tunin in, locals. Come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for me, check out Quiet Please Dot A I.

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# 2026 Fly Fishing: The Year Everything's Shifting

Hey folks, grab your coffee because 2026 is already throwing some serious curveballs at the fly fishing world, and honestly, it's the kind of drama that's got us all talking.

First up, remember that whole mess with the Lower Blue River in Colorado? Well, it just got way more interesting. According to a December 2025 fishery survey from Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the real culprit behind the trout population crash isn't the floating anglers everyone's been blaming. Nope. The aquatic biologist who authored the report found that fish pellet-feeding programs are the primary problem. These feeding operations are creating overcrowding and spreading gill lice like wildfire through the system, which is decimating both brown and rainbow trout populations. The kicker? Angler-induced mortality is actually described as "minor" in this stretch. So all those landowners pushing for restrictions on floating anglers might've been barking up the wrong tree the whole time. It's the kind of revelation that changes everything about how we think we've been managing this fishery.

Then there's the conservation win that's gonna make your life easier. The MAPWaters Act just passed the Senate and is headed to the president's desk. What does that mean for you? Pretty soon, you'll be able to pull up public river and lake access information right on your phone. No more mystery water, no more guessing whether you've got legal access to those sweet federal spots. It's a game changer for planning trips and respecting boundaries.

But here's where it gets really interesting for some of you. Arkansas just approved new trout regulations that took effect February first. After hatchery disasters wiped out stocks at places like Norfork and Jim Hinkle last year, the Game and Fish Commission loosened things up. Now you can keep two trout daily on Beaver, Greers Ferry tailwaters, and parts of the White River, but anything over fourteen inches has to be released. It's a smart recovery play that lets anglers get back to business while the fisheries rebuild themselves naturally.

The industry itself is buzzing too. Word from the folks running the Fly Fishing Show is that 2025 broke all kinds of attendance and exhibitor records, and they're already lined up with shows across the country. Meanwhile, observers are predicting 2026 will be an "up" year overall for fly fishing, with more anglers paying attention to catch-and-release ethics, water temperatures, and conservation issues that actually matter. Plus, Gen Z is apparently getting serious about fly-tying, which means the next generation of anglers isn't just buying flies, they're building them.

Thanks so much for tuning in today, folks. Come back next week for more fly fishing news and insights. This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out Quiet Please dot A I.

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Hey locals, grab your 6-weight and a cold one, cause 2026s fly fishing scene is lit with changes thatll have you rigging up pronto. Picture this: youre driftin a pheasant tail on the White River in Arkansas, heart pumpin as a fat brown slurps it down. Last years hatchery wipeouts at Norfork and Jim Hinkle had us skunked, but the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission just greenlit two trout daily on Beaver, Greers Ferry tailwaters, and parts of the White—release any over 14 inches startin February 1. Smart play to rebuild stocks without emptyin the joint, per their January announcement.

Now swing west to Wyoming, where the Game and Fish Departments droppin barbless hooks on North Platte tailwaters from January 1 to cut fish stress. Jacksons blowin up too: year-round on Jackson Lake, no more October Snake closure, and trout limits bumped to six daily below the dam. More chances at those hawg cutthroats without the gut punch.

Nationwide, the MAPWaters Act sailed through the Senate and hit the presidents desk, per Flylab reports. Soon youll pull public access maps for federal rivers right on your phone—no more trespass drama. And check Colorados Lower Blue River drama: Colorado Parks and Wildlife survey blames pellet-feeding for overcrowdin, gill lice, and trout die-offs, not us floaters. Biologist Jon Ewert says fed fish push biomass past limits, spread disease, and tank populations. Landowners pushin float permits, but CPW notes angler mortalitys minor in this catch-and-release stretch. Keep an eye, could change how we drift the Blue.

These tweaks mean more water, healthier fish, and less headache for us fly slingers. Thanks for tunin in, come back next week for more. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for me check out Quiet Please Dot A I.

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Hey locals, grab your 5-weight and a stool, cause 2026s got some fly fishing news thats gonna get your waders wet. First off, down in Colorado on the Lower Blue River near Kremmling, Colorado Parks and Wildlife just dropped their December 2025 fishery survey, and its stirrin the pot. Biologist Jon Ewert says pellet-feeding from spots like Blue Valley Ranch is overcrowdin trout, spreadin gill lice, and tankin populations—way worse than us floaters hookin em. Landowners want a 10-year pilot permit for drift boats, but CPW notes angler mortalitys minor under catch-and-release rules. Keep an eye on this access scrap, boys—it could change how we float the Blues.

Shiftin east, Pennsylvanias Fish and Boat Commission met January 30 and added three streams to Class A wild trout lists, plus tweaked delayed harvest artificial lures only spots on Muncy Creek and Manada Creek. They also went all-out at Rose Valley Lake in Lycoming County—lifted all limits ahead of a full drawdown, so scoop up what you can before its mud. Wild trout fans, mark those maps.

Out west, Yellowstone Nationals extendin the 2026 season early on the west side—rivers like the Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon open sooner for us fly slingers. And nationally, the MAPWaters Act just hit the presidents desk per the American Sportfishing Association, makin it dead simple to check public water access on your phone. No more guessin if that riffles fair game.

Plus, Flylabs callin 2026 an up year—Gen Z tyin bugs like crazy, more conscience on catch-and-release and river temps, and events like the F3T Rooster Fly Project hittin tours nationwide.

Thanks for tunin in, tight lines till next week. This has been a Quiet Please production, and for me check out Quiet Please Dot A I.

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Hey folks, grab your rods and listen up, cause 2026 is kickin off with some wild fly fishing buzz thats got us locals talkin. First off, down in Colorado on the Lower Blue River near Kremmling, Colorado Parks and Wildlife just dropped their December 2025 fishery survey, and its stirrin the pot. Biologist Jon Ewert says pellet-fed fish are overcrowdin the joint, spreadin gill lice, and tankin trout numbers, not us floaters like those Blue Valley Ranch bigwigs claim. Friends of the Lower Blue River is pushin back hard against their 10-year permit scheme for drifters, sayin the real fix aint lockin us out. Keep an eye on this one, could change how we hit that blue ribbon water.

Shiftin east to Arkansas, the Game and Fish Commission unanimously approved new trout regs January 16, hittin February 1. After hatchery disasters at Norfork and Jim Hinkle wiped out stocks last year, theyre easin up: two trout daily on Beaver, Greers Ferry tailwaters, and parts of the White River, but release any over 14 inches. Its a smart recovery play to get us back slinging flies without emptyin the river.

Wyomins droppin bombshells too, per the Game and Fish Department. North Platte tailwaters go barbless hooks startin January 1 to ease fish stress, but Jacksons gettin love with year-round fishin on Jackson Lake, endin that old October closure on the Snake, and bumpin trout limits from three to six daily below the dam. More shots at big boys without the heartbreak.

And big win nationwide: the MAPWaters Act passed the Senate, headin to the prez desk. Soon, youll pull up public river and lake access on your phone, no more guessin on federal waters. Plus, Fish and Wildlife Services expandin sport fishin over 87,000 acres in Idaho, Montana, and Washington refuges, all tungsten-friendly.

Water might warm up west-wide thanks to La Nina snow patterns, per Flylab trends, so watch temps and handle fish gentle, anglers. Gen Z kids are tyin bugs like crazy too, keepin it real.

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Hey folks, grab your rods and listen up, cause 2026 is hittin' the fly fishing scene like a hot hatch. First off, that snow drought in the West is no joke. The Conversation reports much of Utah, Colorado, and the Pacific Northwest kicked off the year bone dry, meanin' summer rivers could heat up fast without snowmelt to cool 'em. Montana's already slappin' hoot owl restrictions at 73 degrees, shuttin' down from 2pm to midnight, and temps over 77 can straight-up kill trout. Plan those Rocky Mountain trips early, boys.

Over in Colorado, the Lower Blue River's stirrin' drama. Colorado Parks and Wildlife's December survey nails pellet-feedin' programs for overcrowdin' trout and spreadin' gill lice, not us floaters like some rich landowners claim. Those big estates want a 10-year permit to limit access, but CPW says fed fish are the real villains pushin' populations past natural limits. Keep an eye on that fight, it could lock down prime water.

Good vibes though: Fish and Wildlife Service is openin' 87,000 acres of new public water in Idaho, Montana, and Washington refuges. No lead tackle hassles, just state rules, so more wadin' spots for all us locals.

Reg changes everywhere too. Wyoming's droppin' a 70-year October closure on Jackson Lake near the Snake, and bumpin' trout limits from three to six below the dam. ODFW slaps a $9 Ocean Endorsement on Oregon marine fishin' to fund surveys, Vermont caps panfish at 50 a day with new bait rules, and Washington and Oregon add spot-specific endorsements for Columbia and Pacific waters. Always double-check your regs, or you'll be buyin' fines.

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