Not every Sun Valley winter activity requires a lift ticket. Although the area has become synonymous with winter sports activities since the 1930s, Sun Valley boasts nearly one million acres of surrounding wilderness and just about as many summer activities. Fishing here is almost a religion.

To many summer visitors, Sun Valley's proximity to some of the West's best fly-fishing streams equals its reputation as a skiing Mecca.

Fine fishing exists right near town, at various spots along the Big and Little Wood Rivers where catch-and-release is the rule of thumb. Fishing along Warm Springs Creek, Trail Creek and Penny Lake are particularly good for kids, because you can keep and eat the fish.

Serious anglers will head south to the world-famous Silver Creek Preserve, one of the world's premier dry-fly streams. Protected with the help of the Nature Conservancy and the Hemingway family, Silver Creek yields trophy-sized browns and rainbows.

There are numerous friendly retailers that provide all the gear, bait, information, tips, and packages you need to wet a line in the Ketchum area: Bill Mason Outfitters (www.billmasonoutfitters.com); Sturtevants Mountain Outfitters (http://sturtos.com/); Silver Creek Outfitters (http://silver-creek.com/); and Lost River Outfitters (http://lostriveroutfitters.com/).
Also, Ketchum On The Fly (http://www.ketchumonthefly.com/) is a community created for women who seek an authentic and
unparalleled fly fishing and wingshooting experience.