From the lakes of Illinois to the wild, untamed waters beyond, our trips bring fly fishing to life through exploration and travel. Discover breathtaking landscapes, immerse yourself in nature, and share unforgettable experiences with a community passionate about adventure and conservation. Wherever you go, the journey starts here.
We believe everyone should have the chance to experience the joy of fly fishing. That’s why we work hard to make all our trips as affordable as possible, covering essentials while keeping costs low for participants.
To BE ANNOUNCED
Scenes from this year’s Midwest Rendezvous through the lens of @lillianna_rose_
These photos capture the community, adventure, and connection that make 5 Rivers so special. Huge thanks to Lilli for documenting the weekend and sharing her perspective as both a fly angler and creative.
As a PhD student at UIUC, she shared that fly fishing has helped her step outside the world of academia, build lifelong friendships, and reconnect with her love for native fisheries and the outdoors, something that shines through in every frame.
Thank you Lilli, @illiniflyfishing and Tony for helping showcase what 5 Rivers is all about.
This past winter break, Illini Fly fishing had the chance to return to the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina.
We reconnected with WCU's 5 Rivers chapter, who offered priceless local knowledge yet again this year, and also provided great company!
Showcased in this post, you can see just a few of the catches we landed— beautiful brookies and rainbows. Better yet, we had multiple members land their first trout on the fly!
It's always great to connect with other TU Costa 5 Rivers members across the country, experience new surroundings, and watch newcomers flourish in them!
Stay tuned for the upcoming Midwest Rendezvous, where we'll meet up with even more 5 Rivers groups, and hopefully land even more fish!
This September, we returned to the beautiful Driftless region of Wisconsin, this time with our largest group yet! Many beginners have joined our group this year, and they got to test their skills on real-deal waters.
It's always such a reward to witness people's passion for the hobby grow, and the scenic views certainly heighten that experience.
We were blessed by some unexpected (but welcome) visitors on this excursion too.... 🐈 🐄
One weekend packed with conservation, education, and of course, fishing— surrounded by other like-minded Midwestern TU Costa 5 Rivers groups. Camping out in the beautiful Driftless region of Wisconsin provided an opportunity for anglers of all experience levels to enjoy nature and escape from the stress of school.
Attending the Midwest Rendezvous was the perfect way to cap off the semester, and we can't wait for next year's!
This past spring break, Illini Fly Fishing took on the rolling Appalachian range in Virginia. We were fortunate enough to visit during this time, just as the greenery returned to the vast landscape. Not only did we spend our days waist-deep in winding mountain rivers, but we also took time to scale rocky heights, cherishing a boundless view of the lands that made this experience possible.
The most rewarding part of this experience was seeing newer anglers use their skills out on the water, and walking away having had multiple rewarding catches.
We're especially thankful to Virginia Tech for helping us navigate the area, and sharing some of their spots with us. It's always a pleasure to meet up with other likeminded members from the Trout Unlimited Costa 5 Rivers community, who value nature and conservation just as much as us. Looking forward to our next excursions over the summer, and thank you to everyone who made this possible!
This past winter break, Illini Fly Fishing traveled to the Smoky Mountain area of Western North Carolina to experience some incredible winter fly fishing. We explored mountain streams, winding rivers cutting through charming towns, and frozen waters that offered both challenge and beauty.
The highlight of our trip was meeting up with the Fly Fishing Club at WCU, connecting with the larger Trout Unlimited Costa 5 Rivers community. Their local expertise made all the difference, providing an amazing opportunity to learn from passionate anglers who truly know their home streams. Trips like these remind us of the power of this network to bring together people from all over and the shared passion for preserving the wild spaces we love. We can't wait for more adventures like this and to continue building connections with fellow anglers across the country!
Our first-ever trip to the Iowa Driftless was an unforgettable experience! Surrounded by breathtaking fall colors, canyons, and farmland, we spent the weekend fishing together, adapting to the water, and understanding the fish. For many, this was their first time targeting trout, and watching everyone apply new techniques of carefully approaching the water, reading the currents, and adjusting to the conditions—was truly rewarding. The highlight? Reeling in those stunning native brook.
