The spring of 2025 has been a wild ride for fly anglers across the US, with some local stories and gear news lighting up the scene. Right now, if you’re in the mood for a homegrown trout adventure, the Lower Deschutes in Oregon is hard to beat. The crew at The Fly Fishers Place says the early season has been full of nymphing action—think Stonefly Nymphs and little streamers in olive and black doing work. The classic PMDs and Caddis are making their usual comeback with every passing day, and there’s even been some legit dry fly fishing mixed in. Over on the McKenzie River, folks are already picking up big fish on salmonfly patterns and chunky dries. Flows are settling into that sweet spot, which has guides buzzing about the impending caddis and those wild flying carpenter ants that show up just when you think you’ve seen every hatch in the book. It’s anybody’s guess when those ants will hit the water, but the bet is about two weeks out.

On the stillwater side, lakes like Haystack Reservoir are putting up some serious numbers for those who like a little more room to spread out. The story from Haystack is all about a 24-inch “Haystack Hawg” taken on what else—a #12 Tequila Blob. And don’t sleep on the balanced leech if you’re after fat rainbows. Farther north, the Justesen Ranch Lakes are heating up fast, with Callibaetis and damsel nymphs starting to hatch. Guides are saying this spot will be the number one option for another couple weeks before things heat up too much.

If you’re a gearhead, The Fly Shop is showing off some hot new rods and reels for 2025. They’re raving about skinnier, lighter rods with better backbone for fighting big trout and a new wave of tactical fly lines that make those tight loops look easy, even into the wind. Dry fly fans will love the new hydrophobic materials—think flies that actually float all day even when you’re too lazy to dry them off.

Over on the East Coast, the Great Smoky Mountains are flush with high, stained water, but the bug hatches are cranking up. Recent reports mention all the classic Smoky Mountain fare—Yellow Sallies, Light Cahills, and some of the prettiest wild trout you’ll see anywhere. The Perfect Fly shop is staying busy filling orders for custom fly boxes tailored to the hatches, so if you haven’t refreshed your stock, this is your nudge.

And if you’re looking for a left-field fishing story, The Drake’s spring issue has a feature on Wyoming trout that’ll make you want to pack the truck and head for the high country. They get into how streamer junkies are pushing the limits with bigger flies and heavier lines, targeting those old, smart browns tucked into the undercuts. There’s also a quirky piece on how dirtbag Patagonia is the new cool, with guides and weekend warriors hiking deep for those untouched stretches where every fish feels like a wild card.

So, whether you’re a lakeside lurker or a river rat, 2025 is shaping up to be a banner year for fly fishing, with new gear to try, local spots firing, and bug hatches happening right on schedule. See you on the water.