Never Fly Fished in the Twin Cities? Perfect. Let’s Fix That.

A Twin Cities largemouth bass - and a reminder that you don’t have to go far to find this.

So…you’ve been thinking about fly fishing.

Maybe you’ve seen it on Instagram. Maybe your friend won’t stop talking about it. Maybe you just want an excuse to stand in a river and ignore your phone for a few hours.

Perfect.

Because here’s the truth:

You don’t need to know anything to start fly fishing in the Twin Cities. Honestly…it might even be better if you don’t.

What Fly Fishing in the Twin Cities Actually Looks Like

It’s not all remote mountain rivers and dramatic music.

Sometimes it’s:

• A quiet Driftless trout stream an hour outside the city in Minnesota or Wisconsin

• A local lake with bluegill and bass that are way too willing

• The Mississippi River running right outside or in downtown Minneapolis

It’s accessible. It’s local. And it’s way more fun than it has any right to be.

Close to the Twin Cities, far from the noise - this is where learning to fly fish really starts.

What You Might Catch (and Why That’s a Good Thing)

Let’s set expectations properly.

You might catch:

• Trout (cool, respectable, makes you feel like you know what you’re doing)

• Smallmouth bass (aggressive, chaotic, will humble you)

• Bluegill (the undisputed champions of fun)

And here’s the important part:

None of these fish care if you’re new.

They’re not grading your cast. They’re not judging your knots. They’re just out here making bad decisions - and we love them for it.

A brief moment - net, water, and a brown trout before it slips back into the current.

What a Guided Trip Actually Feels Like

If you book a trip with Twin Cities Fly Guides, here’s what it looks like:

• We meet up, say what’s up, maybe talk about the weather like true Midwesterners

• I hand you the gear (waders, boots, fly rod setup - you don’t need anything)

• We go over casting on dry land - simple, no pressure

• We then go to the river to show off your new casting skills

• One of those castslands in the perfect spot

• A fish eats

• And suddenly…you get it...kind of.

Somewhere in there:

• You’ll laugh

• You’ll mess up (totally normal - we still mess up)

• You’ll absolutely think you snagged the bottom at least once (you didn’t…probably)

“But I’ve Never Done This Before…”

Good.

That’s literally who this is for.

You don’t need:

• Experience

• Gear

• Fancy outdoor knowledge

• A vest with 47 pockets

You just need to show up.

We’ll handle the rest.

A mother and daughter learning to fly fish and doubling up on bluegill on a Minneapolis lake - doesn’t get much better than that.

Why People Keep Coming Back

It’s not just about catching fish.

It’s:

• Slowing down for a bit

• Being outside

• Learning something new

• Having a day that feels different than the usual routine

And yeah…occasionally catching a fish that makes you feel like a legend for 3–5 business minutes.

A grandfather and grandson dialing in their casts and stacking memories on a Driftless trout stream.

When Should You Go?

Short answer: Soon.

Longer answer:

• Spring = trout streams waking up

• Summer = bluegill topwater chaos + bass

• Fall = crisp air, great fishing, pike are on the prowl

There’s always something happening around here, and it depends on what you want to fish for.

Smallmouth bass at iconic Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis.

Let’s Go Fishing

If you’ve been even slightly curious about fly fishing…

This is your sign.

No pressure. No expectations. Just a good time on the water.

👉 Book a trip with Twin Cities Fly Guides