In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions, including: The hooks on my size 24 Trico patterns keeping bending. Can I tie these flies on stronger hooks with heavier wire? I fished mouse flies and the fish went crazy over them but I couldn't keep them hooked. What am I doing wrong? What do you suggest for a first fly rod to catch bass, carp, and panfish? How would you approach finding trout on a remote river? If we are just catching shad and suckers but not trout, are we fishing in the wrong places or not using the right flies? In a small stream, how far upstream should I go to prevent "high holing" someone else? I love small stream fishing and want to get a 7 ½ foot Superfine rod. Do you recommend the fiberglass or graphite version? I lost a lot of big fish using size 22 nymphs. Do you have any advice on keeping them on the hook? Does it matter if the wing cases on my jig nymphs are on the upper side or lower side of the fly? I could see a bunch of fish in clear water and could not get them to take any kind of fly. What would you do in this situation?

View the full article

Hal Herring [50:31] has been reporting on conservation issues in the American West for over 30 years for Field & Stream magazine as well as other publications. In this week's podcast, he explores the many complexities of trying to keep enough water in our rivers for both agriculture and trout populations, which has become an increasingly difficult juggling act. Hal also gently berates today's hunters and anglers about educating themselves on the science and the politics behind these issues. It's not enough to just complain about the lack of water—it's important to understand the issue before you can have a credible opinion. In the Fly Box this week, we have some great tips and questions, including: Do bamboo and fiberglass rods load differently than graphite rods? When you have a very limited time on a river, do you have a fishing method that gives you the most bang for your buck? Is there an alternative to the "chuck and duck" method for fishing for salmon and steelhead on Michigan rivers? If you are buying older fly tying material, what should you look for to make sure it has not been degraded? How would you adjust your fly selection for smallmouth bass throughout the season? Is rising or falling water better on a fluctuating tailwater? Can I use my 10-foot, 8-weight rod in the surf? If my Mop flies have fallen apart, can I easily add a new piece of mop material to the hook and bead? I am not a fly tier. Are two three-turn whip finishes better than a single 6-turn whip finish? A tip that textured lines in a long day of stripping flies can cut into your fingers Is the San Juan Shuffle ethical? Is a fast action 5-weight rod actually a 6-weight? I have been lipping bass for many years. Why do you say it's bad for the fish?

View the full article

View the full article

The 2026 Stimmies Angler’s Choice Awards, presented by Scientific Anglers, Fly Fusion Magazine and IF4, brought together another outstanding collection of fly-fishing films and filmmakers and thousands of viewers had their say.

We’re excited to announce the 2026 Angler’s Choice winners:

Professional Filmmaker Winner

SHADOW PEOPLE — Backwater Media Productions

Shadow People follows April Vokey and Sam Lungren deep into the remote wilderness of Guyana in pursuit of arapaima, peacock bass, arowana and payara.

Set against one of the world’s most extraordinary fisheries, the film follows their journey while also shining a light on the uncontacted Indigenous peoples who continue to live in this remote region.

With the most votes in the Professional Filmmaker category, Shadow People is your 2026 Stimmies Angler’s Choice winner.

Emerging Filmmaker Winner

TRAPPED STILL — Jade Hertz

Trapped Still takes viewers to Alberta, where a passionate group of conservationists with The Trout Trust is working to expose a largely unseen threat to the province’s wild trout.

Every year, thousands of fish are swept into irrigation canals and become trapped in a system designed to move water, not wildlife. The film documents the problem, the people working to protect these fish and the effort to restore balance to Alberta’s waterways.

Voters responded to the story, making Trapped Still the 2026 Stimmies Angler’s Choice winner in the Emerging Filmmaker category.

Thank You to the Filmmakers

The Stimmies exist because talented filmmakers are willing to take us along on their adventures, introduce us to remarkable people and places, and tell the stories that matter to the fly-fishing community.

A huge thank you to all of this year’s participating filmmakers and production teams: Mike Kirkpatrick, Harrison Hughes, Beattie Outdoor Productions, Capture Adventure Media, Joshua Caldwell, Backwater Media Productions, Andrew Krantz, Michael Robert Thienes, Doba Productions, John Curtis, Jade Hertz and Jack Beaudoin.

And, of course, thank you to everyone who watched and voted.

Voting ran from July 27 through August 31, with viewers able to cast a vote in both the Professional and Emerging Filmmaker categories. This year continued the Stimmies’ record-breaking growth, with more anglers getting involved and helping recognize exceptional fly-fishing filmmaking.

Both winning films earn the Stimmies Grand Prize, including consideration as an Official Selection in the 2027 International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4).

Missed the Stimmies? Keep Watching.

Voting may be over, but the films are still available.

If you missed this year’s finalists — or want to watch your favourites again — head over to FlyFusionStreaming.comand experience the films that made the 2026 Stimmies another unforgettable year.

Congratulations to Backwater Media Productions, Jade Hertz and all of the 2026 Stimmies filmmakers!

The post The Votes Are In! 2026 Stimmies Angler’s Choice Winners appeared first on Fly Fusion.

View the full article

We ate wild game. Spent time outdoors. Tried to be as self-reliant as possible.

Independence, and the value of wild things and places, those were things that mattered.

One time, we were fly fishing.

My grandfather had severe Parkinson’s at the time. His green rubber chest waders filled with water, and he was swept downstream.

We managed to get him to shore safely, but after that, river safety became a theme in my life.

I have a lot of memories of the Miramichi River, fishing for black salmon in the spring. I’m forever grateful.

– Jamie C. | Pennfield

The post Father’s Day Collection | Jamie C. appeared first on Fly Fusion.

View the full article

View the full article

In the Fly Box this week, we have some questions and controversies, including:

Why do I get knots along my whole leader and how can I eliminate them?

I found a bunch of big brook trout at the mouth of a cold tributary and caught one of them. Was this ethical?

I want to restrict myself to Adams, Pheasant Tails, and Woolly Buggers for a season. What do you think of this idea?

A listener actually enjoys foul-hooking trout because they fight better. He thinks we all need to chill out about foul-hooking fish. What do you think of this?

My creek gets super low and I can't get a cast over the fish. What can I do, and do you think a tightline technique would be better?

I live in Washington State and have a 10-foot 8-weight rod for salmon and steelhead. Are there any other places I can use this rod in my area?

The bass jumped all over a Senko Worm but I can't catch them on flies. Are there any bass flies that will work as well?

What should I expect on my first float trip?

How can I identify good water for swinging wet flies

View the full article

In the Fly Box, my plea for phone calls has produced some great ones as well as the usual e-mails. Some of the questions and tips include:

Is there any reason I can't cut the hook off a jig head and use that for drop shotting? A tip from a listener on a way to make guides in foreign countries very happy. Any pros or cons to fly lines made from PVC as opposed to other materials? Will a 5-weight rod work for light saltwater fishing? How do you fish for carp in a lake with no visibility? A comment on fishing etiquette. Why do the catfish in my river jump clear of the water? Which hook should I cut off my articulated streamers? A great tip from a listener on tying blood knots.

View the full article

In the Fly Box this week, we have these questions and tips: With the increase in tungsten prices, will sinking lines be more expensive in the future? What do I need for a basic setup to begin steelhead fishing? A tip from a listener on a killer fly for catching bullhead A warning from a listener on his experience with flesh eating bacteria that he encountered on a fishing trip. A tip from a listener on using a bass bug taper for fishing large dry flies in the wind. In a tailwater that fluctuates daily, how do large changes in flow affect the trout and the insects? Why do I miss most of my hook sets when fishing dry flies?

View the full article

In the Fly Box this week, we have some particularly interesting questions that I think will be of interest to many of you, including: How can I read the water, and what is the best depth for finding trout in a river? Should I use tippet rings for bonefish? I have trouble with my knots when making fluorocarbon leaders for bass. What do you suggest? Should I be setting the hook more often when indicator nymphing? Is it true that New England fly fishers work a stream more rapidly? How long should I stay in one spot? How do I keep my foam bodies on dry flies from wrapping around the hook shank? I have high grass along the banks of my favorite stream. Would I be better with a Tenkara rod or a Euro rod? Is there really a difference between the various natural furs for fly tying? Can I substitute? Is it possible to build a fly rod with an interchangeable section that transforms a 9-foot rod to a 10-footer? What are the pros and cons of using a rope fly for gar?

View the full article

This week my guest is Colby Trow [38:08] of Mossy Creek Fly Fishing, one of the best smallmouth bass anglers I know. Colby talks about successful techniques in catching these critters in late summer, when they can be harder to catch than earlier in the season. The good news is that it's one of the best times to catch them on a surface fly like a popper or hair bug, which is always the most fun.

In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions and tips from listeners:

A listener who makes the point that it's quicker to land trout on light tippets with a Euro rod.

Can I fish carp flies with an indicator?

Are treble hooks more harmful than single point barbless hooks?

What do I do when trout take my hopper patterns deep? Should I leave the fly in them?

I have trouble catching smallmouths in clear water. Any suggestions?

Where do you store your leader between fishing trips? A tip from Sam, fishing manager at Orvis Houston, on catching redfish in dirty water.

What are the advantages and disadvantages in using a pedestal vise as opposed to a C-clamp?

How do I choose which size hair stacker to use?

How can I fish size 18-22 nymphs in four feet of fast water?

A suggestion for using 7 1/2-foot leaders in small streams in the Driftless Region.

Can I put a 7-weight sinking line on my 5-weight rod?

If I am catching trout in small mountain streams where the water is cold enough, do I need to worry about them moving downstream into warmer temperatures after I release them?

How many phone calls and questions do you get per week?

When I switch from Euro nymphing to my regular trout rod, I keep breaking off fish. Is this normal?

View the full article

In the Fly Box this week, I try to answer the following questions: What are tipping guidelines for a fishing guide in Italy? Are big articulated streamers mostly for targeting trophy fish? I had three fish completely swallow my dry fly. Do you have any insights on why they do that sometimes? Is it wise to sometimes start with a small fly rather than a large one? If I only have a leader and tippet on the water, should I still mend? Is it OK to have drag if only the leader and tippet are on the water? I am going to Patagonia this year. Should I bring my own gear? They recommend 6 and 7-weight rods and I only have a 4-weight and 5-weight. Should I ask if I can tie my own knots? What flies do you recommend for bigmouth and smallmouth buffalo? My stream has lots of weed on the bottom, and my nymphs and streamers keep getting coated with weed. How can I fix this?

View the full article

Presented by Scientific Anglers , Fly Fusion Magazine and IF4, the Stimmies celebrate the very best in fly fishing filmmaking from around the world. This year’s finalists represent remarkable storytelling, breathtaking cinematography, unforgettable adventures, inspiring people and powerful conservation stories, all brought together by a shared passion for fly fishing.

The post Stimmies Fly Fishing Film Awards – Anglers Choice Vote Open appeared first on Fly Fusion.

View the full article

In the Fly Box this week we have some great questions and tips from listeners, including: When fishing foam dry flies on a dry dropper rig, my leader keeps twisting. How can I prevent this? What essential gear should I take when fishing from my raft? I keep spooking carp with my heavily weighted flies but I need them to get down. How can I fix this? A listener tells us about a very clever method he uses for drop-shotting with nymphs that allows him to change weights easily. I saw dozens of trout stacked up in the middle of a run feeding in bright sunlight. Why were they there? I am trying to fish a short, deep plunge pool where the trout are in four feet of water. How can I get my flies down to them? My rooster hackle keeps twisting. What can I do to prevent this?

View the full article

In the Fly Box this week we have the following interesting questions and more: My cast keeps wrapping around my rod when doing the double haul. How can I fix this? What is the best way to approach a fly-fishing "personality" on the water? What should I do if I see someone violating fishing regulations? Is it ever appropriate to clear brush on a path to the river? What is the best way to evaluate a fly-fishing guide? Suggestions on a rod for fishing for sea bass. How should I approach a large pool with numerous fish rising. Should I work my way upstream or go to the biggest fish at the head of the pack? How can I find good redfish marshes using Google Earth? A listener suggests another instance of poor angling ethics—walking in front of an angler on the banks of a river. A recommendation for a good rod for fishing for smaller bass.

View the full article

Crayfish are prey that most gamefish can't resist. They're high in calories, abundant, and relatively easy for bass, trout, and many other gamefish to capture. Yet most of us don't know much about their life cycle and behavior (myself included). Guide Jake Villwock [47:02] has spent his life studying these critters, which gives him important insight on the right fly patterns, but even more important how and when to fish them. You'll learn a lot on this podcast. In the Fly Box this week, there are lots of good questions and I hope my answers will help you in your fly-fishing journey. They include: I can't seem to get my fly deep enough in bass lakes with my floating line. Should I get a sinking line for my 8-weight and fish surface flies with my 5-weight? A listener asks for help from listeners in ways to lessen the pain of losing his beloved fishing dog I fished a river that has always been full of trout and didn't see a thing. What happened to the fish? Should I apply my dubbing with clockwise or counterclockwise twists? Can I tie my dropper onto the tag end of my improved clinch knot? What are your thoughts and comments on how long a trout stays spooked? Why do you prefer a sling pack and where do you put your net? Do resident brook trout in a river get pushed around by migrating steelhead? Do they still feed? I didn't catch any fish in high, cold water. What should I have done? What do you think about tying a loop in the end of my tippet and attaching flies with a girth hitch? Why don't people use landing nets for striped bass? I saw an anti-reverse fly reel on EBay. What do you think of them?

View the full article

In the Fly Box this week we have these questions and more: What do you think about the AI in relation to fly fishing? Does the Orvis Wading Staff really self deploy? How do I fish high, clear water? What do the trout do under this condition? How do I know when I am fishing deep enough for salmon and steelhead? My graphite ferrule does not seat all the way. Is this OK? Which sinking line is best for bass fishing? Brass is 7% heavier than stainless steel. Why don't we use more brass for our nymphs given the scarcity of tungsten? A listener makes the case for the Helios D rods for trout fishing What do you think about the Hovering Leech pattern? Will this technique work in rivers? Do trout release stress hormones when we play them? Do chubs and trout feed in different places in trout streams?

View the full article

In the Fly Box this week, we have these questions and more: Tips on why the Orvis landing net is so great. Will we be seeing stainless steel beads to replace the expensive tungsten ones? Or is this fake news? Controversy: A listener suggests that if we don't have more "Fly Fishing Only" trout streams, the future of fly fishing is at stake (and Tom disagrees). Bass follow my fly but don't commit. What should I do? A listener asks for advice on whether to get a 3 or 4-weight rod for Colorado. I have trouble casting big Clouser Minnows and Meat Whistles. I think my leader is at fault. Can you help me correct this? I have a friend that does weird things on the river. What would you do? I have an intermediate line for bass fishing. I have had conflicting information on whether it will be useful or not. What do you think? Can I fish for winter flounder with a fly rod?

View the full article

A couple months ago I did a podcast with Jason Randall [36:39] on trout vision, and it was so popular that I asked him to come back on the podcast to do one on a trout's sense of smell and hearing. Can trout hear your metal studs on the bottom when you wade, or the tip of your wading staff? Can they hear you talking? Can they smell your flies, and does it make sense to add scents to your fly? Can they smell hatches coming? I explore these and other topics with one of our foremost experts on what trout perceive in their environment. In the Fly Box this week, we have a great assortment of questions and tips from listeners, including: What could I tie with size 16 and 18 Keel Hooks? When working the same pool, should the nymph or streamer angler cover the pool first? Where should you park when you see a stretch of unposted land? A listener relates a fun story of his first carp on the fly What would make me choose the more expensive textured Pro fly line over the Smooth version? What is your rod, leader, and fly setup when fishing a small stream? Is there a difference between a dubbing loop and the split thread technique? Do Recons and Clearwaters go through the same process of improvements that Helios rods do? I saw a lot of bugs but no trout rising. Do you think they were overwhelmed by too much food? If trout in the East don't eat adult stoneflies much, why does the Chubby Chernobyl work so well? I find sunglasses in the evening a hindrance. What should I do to protect my eyes after the sun goes down?

View the full article

In the Fly Box this week, we have some interesting requests, including many questions about leaders and tippet. What fly line should I use on my Helios 2 rod for dry-fly fishing? What can I do to prevent my tippet from kinking? What can you do when small stream trout refuse your fly? I have been using heavier tippet and seem to be doing just as well as with lighter tippet. What is your take on this? Is there a big difference between various brands of tippet material? Can I just add a tippet ring to my 9-foot 4X leader to make a nymph leader? Should the butt section of my nymph leader be made from fluorocarbon? What should I take on a multi-day fishing trip that I would not normally think of? Why am I foul-hooking so many trout and whitefish this year? What do you think of furled leaders? What rod should I get for my 8-year-old daughter? What rig should I start her out with? What do you think of Crocs as inexpensive wading shoes? What can you tell me about an older Orvis rod I purchased? How can I tighten the drag on an older spring-and-pawl fly reel? What is the deal with all these multi-fly rigs? Am I missing something by using a single fly? Do people fish for trout with poppers? Do I need sinking agents as well as flotants? At the end of my drift I stripped in a dry fly and got strikes. Should I change my setup and move my flies a bit?

View the full article

This issue explores the experiences, places, and people that continue to shape our time on the water. From technical trout fishing and legendary rivers to reflections on family, mentorship, and the lessons that stay with us long after the last cast, the Summer Issue delivers the storytelling, photography, and instruction that readers have come to expect from Fly Fusion.

Feature Stories

Killing the Dirty Water Blues
By Jim McLennan

When spring runoff turns favorite rivers into muddy torrents, many anglers assume the season is on hold. Jim McLennan offers a different perspective, guiding readers toward spring creeks and tailwaters where stable flows, dependable hatches, and technical dry-fly opportunities can transform challenging conditions into some of the most rewarding fishing of the year.

Borrowed Light
By Blake Clarkson

Some days on the water become less about the fish and more about what the river teaches us. In this thoughtful reflection, Blake Clarkson explores the subtle shift from pursuit to presence as changing light, moving water, and perspective reveal deeper rewards than any catch could provide.

Superhero
By Allen Crater

In this moving Father’s Day-themed feature, Allen Crater reflects on growing up, raising children of his own, and coming to understand the quiet strength of the man who shaped his life. Through memories of rivers, woods, work, and family, he paints a powerful portrait of fatherhood and the enduring impact of simply being present.

Lessons from the Roaring Fork
By Will Rice

A difficult day on one of Colorado’s most iconic trout rivers becomes the foundation for a deeper understanding of both the water and the angler standing in it. Through pocket water, canyon stretches, and broad downstream runs, Rice shares lessons about humility, adaptation, and the rewards that come from truly immersing yourself in a remarkable fishery.

Also Inside

The Summer Issue is packed with additional content designed to help you become a better angler and stay connected to the fly-fishing community, including:

• Stream Lines
• Editor’s Choice Rod Review
• Stillwater Secrets
• On the Vise
• Tight Loops, Tight Lines
• Long Lines
• Water Marks
• End of the Line

Available Now

If you’re a subscriber, watch your mailbox. If you’re not yet subscribed, pick up a copy at your favorite newsstand and discover why Fly Fusion continues to be one of the most trusted voices in fly fishing.

From practical instruction and destination inspiration to thoughtful storytelling and unforgettable photography, the Summer Issue captures the moments, lessons, and connections that keep us coming back to the water.

The Summer Issue of Fly Fusion is available now.

The post The Summer Issue of Fly Fusion Is Here appeared first on Fly Fusion.

View the full article

A beautiful day on the water, finally fishing with a friend I had lost touch with.

He was the one who taught me how to fly fish.

Not long after that day, I lost him.

And looking back now, that time together outweighs everything else.

– Jerry K. | London

The post Father’s Day Collection | Jerry K. appeared first on Fly Fusion.

View the full article

Every week I get some iteration of this question: "I hooked three fish and lost all of them before I could get them to the net. What am I doing wrong?" Well, often you did nothing wrong and it was just bad luck. But there are steps you can take to make sure you land the fish you've hooked and Josh Nugent [36:46], a regular on my podcast and one of the most thoughtful anglers I know, presents us with his Seven Deadly Sins. There are lots of helpful nuggets in this one. In the Fly Box this week, we have these questions and tips: You say I can fish small streamers on my 5-weight rod. What do you mean by "small'? I am using the Albright knot for larger sections of my leader. What do you think? A tip from a listener on how not to launch small brookies into the bushes when you hook them. Why am I losing half of my fish when using barbless hooks? Is there any situation where you would use an Improved Clinch Knot as opposed to the regular Clinch Knot? A tip from a listener on how to tie big foam flies that won't land upside-down. How do you balance various passions, family, work, and still have the energy and time to get out on the water? How do you set up your emergers, and what is your go-to emerger fly? Where can I find split shot that does not contain lead? How do you feel about the relative perceived intelligence of hatchery fish as compared to wild fish?

View the full article

In the Fly Box this week, we have the questions and tips: I was fishing for panfish and had a big fish make a huge run but I lost it. Any guess as to what kind of fish it was? I really enjoyed using the poly leaders Orvis used to sell. Any suggestions for a substitute? I am having problems casting my new Superfine rod after using a Helios D. Any suggestions on improving my casting with it? A tip on using a waterproof marker to color your thread if it's not the right color for the head of your fly. How can I fish my nymphs in pools that are 6-to 8-feet deep? What is the correct terminology when describing the size of a piece of moving water? What do you think of using the "washing line" technique in streams? My Double Davy Knot causes my big dries to lay off to one side but the clinch knot doesn't. Do you know why this happens? I was using a fly clip and the leader came back with a pigtail after I broke off a fish. Does this happen often with fly clips? Is there a way to quickly tell a wild trout from a stocked trout?

View the full article

He was a man’s man. He played hockey for the Portland hockey team and won an NHL arm wrestling contest. For a 10-year-old boy who loved sports and the outdoors, no one could compete with Grandpa as the arbiter of cool.

One morning at breakfast, Grandpa brought out a battered leather wallet populated with a half-dozen small, rusty lures. He pulled them out, one at a time, each reveal accompanied by a fish story about some monster he had landed with those tarnished miracles. I was hooked immediately.

With Grandpa as my gillie, I plunked the spoon into the holding water, as Grandpa explained where the fish might be hiding. I cast, a few feet. I reeled, also a few feet. And I hoped. Oh, how I hoped.

Though I didn’t know the expression at the time, the tug is the drug. The first rainbow I connected with was six inches of raw power. I can still feel that tug to this day.

Grandpa passed away shortly before his 85th birthday. He had gone for a morning walk, come home and done his daily 50 pushups, when an aortic aneurysm took him. He taught me to fish, and he shaped my life in ways for which I will always be grateful.

As an adult, fly fishing has become my passion. But my memory of one tiny, speckled rainbow, caught on a spoon in an unnamed creek outside Kamloops, with Grandpa crouched over my shoulder, will always be my favorite.

Thanks, Grandpa. 

– Dwight J. | Vancouver, BC

The post Father’s Day Collection | Dwight J. appeared first on Fly Fusion.

View the full article