Although famous for Crazy Horse, Mt Rushmore, Badlands National park and Wall Drug, South Dakota fly fishing is an experience you don’t want to miss.
Black Hills Fly Fishing @ Pactola Lake Reservoir
In mid-June we left our home waters of Eagle, CO with a trailer loaded full of SUPs and fishing equipment. The drive north through northern Colorado and Wyoming was filled with long empty roads and expansive views. We decided to stop off for some South Dakota fly fishing en route to Northern Michigan where we planned to fish the famous fresh water flats of Beaver Island and Wilderness State Park. I had heard rumor of some off the beaten path spots to visit and paddle/fish in South Dakota. One of those places was in the Black Hills region where we had the good fortune of catching up with Ryan Gabert from Dakota Anglers in Rapid City, SD.
Ryan grew up and has fished his entire life in and around the Black Hills. When Ryan is not guiding or fishing trout he is chasing pike and carp around the hills or prairies of South Dakota with a fly.
Pactola Lake Reservoir (just west Rapid City) was a great place to set up base camp and fish in the reservoir or the tail-water. The campground was set in a gorgeous surrounding with many lake view sites.
Below are a few pictures from our visit as well as a few recent photos of Ryan with some of those Black Hills fish we were mentioning.
Add South Dakota fly fishing in the Black Hills to your fishing bucket list and be sure to look up Ryan when you do. dakotaflyangler@gmail.com
605-341-2450
