There are certain tools that are indispensable in fly fishing.  A rod and line are obviously important. You need flies, too. Tangible on-stream items begin to add up quickly. Often overlooked, but no less significant, are all the resources needed to be successful on the water. Casting instruction and reading the water aren’t automatically imparted once you step into a stream. And before you step in the water, you need to know if you can legally fish in that particular spot and, if so, how you get there.

Figuring this out has always meant relying upon the guidance of others. Similarly, you could cross-reference state regulations with maps. If you wanted to add another layer of information, you could overlay the access information  found in local or regional guidebooks. Or, you could download TroutRoutes.

There are a number of fishing apps out there. What differentiates TroutRoutes, first and foremost, is that the data is not crowdsourced. Neither is it about you sharing your information.  TroutRoutes was designed so that anglers can know  where and how they can fish, legally and conscientiously.

At its core, TroutRoutes is a map of the contiguous United States. In fact, it looks a lot like what you see when you head to Google Maps. But once you start  toggling layers and filters, you have access to resources that have been gleaned from hundreds of sources.  Realtime stream gauges, parking options, and river quality classifications are only  a tap or click away. State by state, special regulation area information is being added to each listing. Most of the information is out there and accessible in some way, shape, or form. But TroutRoutes synthesizes it into a slick, easily navigable, and angler-conscious package.

A quick spin through the platform reveals countless angler friendly features. 3D modeling and elevation profiles give you an idea of the gradient and hike you’ll be facing.  Offline access allows for functionality even when you’re on the water or deep in the backwoods. Color-coded icons mark the barriers between public and private land. And the ability to tap in personal notes or details means that you can keep  your study and research at your fingertips.

But your fingertips are as far as your personal data gets with  TroutRoutes. Many, the author included, are very hesitant to share any personal data online. The last thing that most fly fishers want is to share if they’ve caught fish and where they are fishing. Your input in TroutRoutes  is yours and yours alone. It isn’t an app for bragging, spot burning, or competing. It is about utilizing competently aggregated data for ethical and efficient angling.

Part of that is having a tool that helps you approach new water well. Here, TroutRoutes truly shines. It serves as the initial stop for determining where you are going to fish, how you are going to get to the water, and what are some of the major stream features. It is all there; and new waters can be found by simply zooming and scrolling. Instead of  mining a fish and game department’s (potentially cumbersome) website or surfing (likely outdated) blogs, productive trout fisheries and all the local amenities are displayed. Other online resources can and will be helpful, but TroutRoutes functionally becomes the first step in pursuing personal fly fishing discovery with a spirit of adventure.

In fly fishing you need a lot more than a rod and a few flies. You need experience. You need resources. And while an app can’t replace decades of seasons or a hardened fishing mentor, it can  equip you with virtually everything you need to head outside with great confidence. Whether you are becoming confident in approaching a new area in a fraction of the time it would otherwise take or simply ensuring you’re walking and wading where you can legally be, TroutRoutes has you covered.

Check out a limited version of TroutRoutes for free here. Better yet, give the PRO tier a shot and see what you discover about your local water that you hadn’t yet noticed.