Bites and Brews: World-Class Fishing and Beer in the West

Toast a successful fishing day at one of the region's many craft breweries.

August 12, 2024 By Scott Linden

There’s a famous quote that goes, “In victory I deserve it; in defeat, I need it.” While there’s some disagreement over who uttered it—some say Churchill, others Napoleon—it’s widely agreed that it was in reference to champagne and war. It also applies nicely to beer and fishing.

And if you’re a beer drinker, your fortunes have never been finer. Craft brewers are as prolific these days as mosquitoes on a trout stream in August, pumping out a dizzying selection of lagers and sours, IPAs and stouts—hoppy, malty sirens beckoning us to celebrate a day on the water. And when the fishing stinks, there’s no better way to drown our sorrows. As luck would have it, many of the West’s top fishing spots are within casting distance of some of the region’s best breweries. Here are a few to consider when planning a fishing road trip.

BEND, ORE.

The Deschutes River is legendary for its steelhead and redside rainbow trout, with the fishing hottest north of town on the reach between the Warm Springs boat ramp and Trout Creek takeout. The salmonfly hatch here is epic, with crowds to match. But after that Mother’s Day madness, riffles can pay off with a caddis imitation or deep-drifted nymph. Fish the slow current right up against the banks, bounce a fly under overhanging alders and wade carefully.

Once the drift boat is trailered, visit Bend’s Van Henion Brewery for leading-edge German-style lagers, including a Helles that will take you to Munich—at least in your mind.

HAVASU CITY, ARIZ.

Arizona’s Lake Havasu has a resort-like vibe, virtually unlimited bank and deep-water fishing, and thirst-quenching suds. The bass spawn starts early here, in March when the water is clear and the jet skiers are sparse, but three varieties of bass (largemouth, smallmouth and stripers) and a jungle of underwater cover draw anglers year-round. Jigs are the lure of choice, especially in coves where water warms soonest.

fishing on river — Lake Havasu may be best known as a spring-break destination, but the bass fishing is solid throughout the year. (Shutterstock image)

College Street Brewhouse & Pub has a view of the lake, so you can relive the glory of reeling in a lunker bass while raising a glass. Hoist a pint of Big Blue Van, a light and gentle local favorite that’s perfect for a sultry summer evening after a long day on the boat.

SAN DIEGO, CALIF.

Perhaps not so coincidentally, San Diego first made its bones as a fishing destination, then enjoyed a 20th century renaissance as a craft-brewing hotbed. The saltwater fishery offers something for every angler, from tuna to rockfish. Experience close-in halibut fishing in the bays, inshore waters and even the surf. Find a beach and try light-colored baitfish imitations near shallow rips, adjacent to rocky stretches where halibut hang on smooth, sandy bottoms.

Then, knock the sand off your shoes and head for one of North Park Brewing Company’s two locations for a mug of Hop-Fu!, a double-dry-hopped West Coast-style IPA.

CREEDE, COLO.

This sleeper destination is tucked into the San Juan mountains of southwestern Colorado. Directly south of town is the Rio Grande, a rollicking freestoner with big brown trout that take streamers dragged through the narrow slots and deep pools. Drift a stretch of Gold Medal Water (designated as such by the state’s Division of Wildlife) or wade some of the accessible pieces. Where allowed, try a Panther Martin No. 9 with black body, yellow dots, and a gold or silver blade. Some days, the tributaries are a better bet if you aren’t up for matching wits with the nitpicky bruisers (rainbows are the predominant species in the tribs). Several nearby reservoirs are available to still-water anglers, including Rio Grande and Continental.

Spare Keg Brewerks offers “grain-to-glass” brews in its taproom in Creede. A day on the Rio merits a pint of Black Betty Schwarzbier, an easy-drinking dark lager that goes down like a classic lager: crisp, clean, malty. The Duke, a Helles bock that screams Oktoberfest, is Spare Keg’s most popular beer.

TRUCKEE, CALIF.

Follow the Truckee River east from the touristy town of the same name for a trifecta of rainbows, browns and cutthroats. The Little Truckee is also worth a look, as are smaller nearby streams. Crystal-clear plunge-pools and monolithic granite boulders punctuate your exploration. Late-season fishing predominantly involves stripping streamers for browns, though high-sticking nymphs—from stoneflies to midges—is a useful prospecting tactic all season. When water levels merit, small spoons and Rapalas pay off in deeper pools under the bridges.

When you’ve had your fill on the water, stow your rod and head to town for a hop-forward drinking experience at The Good Wolf. The small batches often feature ingredients wild-crafted from the Sierra Nevada mountains where this little pocket of paradise is nestled. Try “Lake of the Sky” for a taste of spruce needles in a delicious rendition of an IPA.

Anglers dream of Lewiston for good reason. A good year here is epic, and a so-so one is still worth the drive. At the juncture of the Snake and Clearwater rivers, this fishery has something for everyone. The Snake is legendary for summer smallmouths. For salmon, troll herring, eggs or plugs, or back-bounce eggs. A guided sturgeon trip is your best chance to hookup with a prehistoric relic.

Once you’ve caught your breath, Groundwork Brewing offers several of its own ales plus a rotating assortment of other beers from exotic locales such as Salzburg and Oklahoma to tempt your parched palate.

TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES, N.M.

Elephant Butte Lake is New Mexico’s superstar fishery, where largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleyes, catfish, crappies and stripers lurk. With it being the largest body of water in the state, summer can be a mob scene of recreational boaters, but the live-bait fishing for stripers can be worth the screaming kids and water skiers. I once saw a nice stringer of white bass caught on a Reef Runner Deep Little Ripper 600 here.

Down the road, Truth or Consequences Brewing Co. offers a Green Chile Amber (of course) among its wide selection. Like Elephant Butte, the chalkboard has something for everyone, from light, sessionable lagers to an oatmeal stout that will melt your leader.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

OK, I left the daddy of them all for last—Yellowstone country. So much water, so many fish, so little time. From a lake full of lake trout to streams large and small loaded with rainbows, browns and suicidal cutthroats, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to bend a rod before bending an elbow. Nothing is brewed in or adjacent to the park, but there are plenty of local pints enroute, so stock up for the many celebratory occasions you’ll have in fishing’s Valhalla.

In the town of West Yellowstone, many of the region’s beers are showcased at the Slippery Otter Pub. Thank the streamborn jewels you caught by lifting a bottle of Pine Creek Pale Ale from Neptune Brewery in Livingston, Mont. Visit any Yellowstone General Store for a Katabatic Brewing Co. Lower Falls Lager, a German pilsner also crafted in Livingston. If you enter the Park from the east, fill your cooler at Cody Craft Brewing.

George Carlin once said, “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.” Save the celebration until the rods are put away and the boat’s on the trailer, then rest assured there’s a local brewery nearby, with beers as lovingly crafted as a hand-tied fly.