FLY FISHING SPECIES

BROWN TROUT
It could be the singular challenge of sight fishing for massive speckled brown beasts in the cool, gin-clear rivers of New Zealand. Maybe it’s casting a simple prince nymph across a favorite freestone stream to a shaded pool and coming up with a huge red and black spotted hog. Or perhaps it’s the distinctive feeling of line and leader straining under the tension of a connection with a hulking Patagonian brown trout. Whatever the fly fishing experience, one thing remains certain: Salmo trutta command respect. More...


STEELHEAD

Each year, a sturdy population of tiny, but energetic, steelhead fry grows a bit larger and begins the journey of a lifetime, a watery trek that will take them from their sleepy home tributaries to the raging mouth of the Pacific Ocean and ultimately to the other end of the world. More...

TARPON

The tarpon is a giant among saltwater game fish. Although it is not the largest game fish a fly angler can catch and release, it’s known as “the silver king” throughout the warm lagoons, estuaries, thick mangrove swamps, and saltwater flats of southeastern North America, the Caribbean, and northeastern coast of South America. The tarpon: saltwater royalty. Adult tarpon can easily reach 6 or 7 feet in length and can weigh well over 150 pounds. More...

STRIPED BASS

In the last few decades, the striped bass has rapidly stolen the hearts of saltwater fly anglers along the eastern coast of North America. Members of the Percichthyidae or temperate bass family, “stripers” are quite simply awesome on a fly fishing rod. These energetic anadromous fish are native to the inshore regions of the western Atlantic, but enjoy a wide range (51°N - 24°n, 94°w - 80°w) thanks to a host of introduction and aquaculture programs throughout the world. More...

BONEFISH
The bonefish has been called the “silver bullet of the flats” and rightfully so. This member of the Elopiformes order and close relative of the tarpon possesses lightning quickness and race car speed. In open water these fish have been clocked at nearly 23 miles per hour. This astounding physical ability has helped the bonefish survive 125 million years of evolution, solidifying its place among the earth’s most ancient species. More...

At Leland Fly Fishing Outfitters, we strive for the next perfect cast and the next big take.  When we’re not on the water, we’re dreaming of being on the water, and that means we’re committed to the constant and unflagging pursuit of fly fishing knowledge.  This commitment to learning does not stop at gear; we believe that fly anglers must understand the unique characteristics of the fish we chase.

Our roots are in the fast and cold trout water of California’s Sierra, but we vividly recall the first time we learned that fish beyond trout love artificial flies!  We’ve identified our favorite species on a fly and have gathered some interesting information about their histories, habits, and habitats.

Our passion for fly fishing has taken us to far flung corners of the globe.  We hope you’ll use this information as a starting point for your own important adventures in fly fishing.