Orvis

This week we continue our exploration of small streams with Brian Slusser in California [@37:47] and Brown Hobson of North Carolina [@1:24:38]. Both are experienced guides and love small stream fishing. Even if you don't fish these regions, you'll find plenty of great tips and fly suggestions for your own region. In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions and also some great additional information from listeners, including: I have a small bass pond in my neighborhood. What would you suggest regarding patterns and techniques? I have a bunch of old flies from the 1940s. How can I tell if they are still good? Is there a comparable approach to Euro nymphing when fishing for steelhead? Some great information from a listener on the confusion around greenback cutthroat restoration in Colorado. Why aren't all hooks barbless? Do you have any tips on tying with calf body hair? What are some good crab patterns for fishing for striped bass in New England? Can you suggest some tips on tying in biot tails for nymphs like the Copper John? Should I always be fishing my nymphs dead drift or should I try imparting some movement to them? A listener calls in with some great tips for finding small stream trout in Colorado View the full article

This week, continuing with my small stream double features programs, I interview Todd Fuchigami of the Ellensburg Angler in Washington [@ 45:48], plus Mel Hayner of Driftless Fly Fishing Company in Minnesota [@1:24:51]. It's been fascinating for me to learn about the similarities, and the differences in small stream techniques throughout the country. Regardless of where you fish, you'll pick up great small stream tips from these two. In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions and comments: What is your preferred wet-wading outfit, or do you even wade wet at all during the summer? If I need a longer dropper on my dry/dropper rig, should I add the extra length with another section of tippet added to the existing one or should I tie on a whole new dropper? A listener takes me to task and says I should "spend more time on crowded public waters to better answer the fly box questions" What is the best way to fish small streams when they get turbid from a summer rainstorm? A couple book recommendations from a listener on small streams and alpine lakes I normally take both my fly rod and a spinning rod with worms when trout fishing. What do you think of this method? Are "bait chuckers" seen throughout the country or is it just my local fishing culture in Iowa? And what are some ways to help them see the beauty in fly fishing? I have a bunch of old fly lines and rods. How do I figure out what line sizes I have? What really matters when I stare into my fly box? What attributes do you look for and how do you rank them? How often before you decide to switch flies? How do I gauge the size of my hen hackles when tying soft hackles? View the full article

This week, continuing with my small stream double features programs, I interview Todd Fuchigami of the Ellensburg Angler in Washington [@ 45:48], plus Mel Hayner of Driftless Fly Fishing Company in Minnesota [@1:24:51]. It's been fascinating for me to learn about the similarities, and the differences in small stream techniques throughout the country. Regardless of where you fish, you'll pick up great small stream tips from these two. In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions and comments: What is your preferred wet-wading outfit, or do you even wade wet at all during the summer? If I need a longer dropper on my dry/dropper rig, should I add the extra length with another section of tippet added to the existing one or should I tie on a whole new dropper? A listener takes me to task and says I should "spend more time on crowded public waters to better answer the fly box questions" What is the best way to fish small streams when they get turbid from a summer rainstorm? A couple book recommendations from a listener on small streams and alpine lakes I normally take both my fly rod and a spinning rod with worms when trout fishing. What do you think of this method? Are "bait chuckers" seen throughout the country or is it just my local fishing culture in Iowa? And what are some ways to help them see the beauty in fly fishing? I have a bunch of old fly lines and rods. How do I figure out what line sizes I have? What really matters when I stare into my fly box? What attributes do you look for and how do you rank them? How often before you decide to switch flies? How do I gauge the size of my hen hackles when tying soft hackles? View the full article

[Rachel Therkildsen interview 36:25] [Brett Damm interview 1:04:52] I have been interviewing guides across the country on their techniques for small-stream trout fishing and I want to get these out sooner rather than later, at the peak of small stream trout season. So this week, we have a special double feature on small trout streams East and West. We have Rachel Therkildsen on fishing high altitude streams (and lakes) in Colorado, and then we move East to hear about small stream brook trout fishing in the Rangeley region of Maine with Brett Damm of Rangeley Region Fly Shop. In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions: I use mostly streamers in high mountain lakes. Should I be using nymphs and dries? Is there a good resource for organizing my fly boxes? Are there any podcast episodes on panfish? A suggestion from a listener on wearing a wetsuit when fly fishing. Do you have any tips on how to fish difficult waters? I think carp are eating blueback herring spawn on my local river. Do you have any suggestions on how to catch them? Can I fish emergers upstream? If I take my new Mission rod to Florida to fish deep channels, when should I use a Scandi line and when should I use a Skagit line? Is it OK to carry two rods with different rigs to maximize fishing time? Is it OK to leave my wading boots wet for a day or two. I always dry them but do I need to do it every day? If I plan to use my Euro nymphing rod for more conventional fishing, should I overline the rod? View the full article

[Rachel Therkildsen interview 36:25] [Brett Damm interview 1:04:52] I have been interviewing guides across the country on their techniques for small-stream trout fishing and I want to get these out sooner rather than later, at the peak of small stream trout season. So this week, we have a special double feature on small trout streams East and West. We have Rachel Therkildsen on fishing high altitude streams (and lakes) in Colorado, and then we move East to hear about small stream brook trout fishing in the Rangeley region of Maine with Brett Damm of Rangeley Region Fly Shop. In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions: I use mostly streamers in high mountain lakes. Should I be using nymphs and dries? Is there a good resource for organizing my fly boxes? Are there any podcast episodes on panfish? A suggestion from a listener on wearing a wetsuit when fly fishing. Do you have any tips on how to fish difficult waters? I think carp are eating blueback herring spawn on my local river. Do you have any suggestions on how to catch them? Can I fish emergers upstream? If I take my new Mission rod to Florida to fish deep channels, when should I use a Scandi line and when should I use a Skagit line? Is it OK to carry two rods with different rigs to maximize fishing time? Is it OK to leave my wading boots wet for a day or two. I always dry them but do I need to do it every day? If I plan to use my Euro nymphing rod for more conventional fishing, should I overline the rod? View the full article

[Interview starts at 37:17] This week, our podcast is all about carp. It's a more advanced carp podcast with my buddy Dan Frasier, who is one of the most knowledgeable carp anglers I know. Carp are almost never easy and sometimes they are damn near impossible. But they are a fascinating challenge, and a good fish to chase when you aren't able to travel to more exotic places for big fish--something we all need to concentrate on. I'm going to be doing more podcasts about fishing close to home--a bunch of small stream tips from various parts of the country, and also on bass and panfish. Stay tuned in the coming months. In the Fly Box this week, we have these questions and suggestions form listeners: Can I fish steelhead with a single-handed rod? I can't find any information on it. What type of stream bottom is best for rubber with metal studs on the soles, and what type is best with just rubber soles? How can I find small wild trout spring creeks in the Northeast? My flies don't look as good as the ones I buy in a fly shop? Should I still fish with them even if the bodies do not have as nice a taper or the wings are too long? Does it matter where I put the rubber legs on my panfish flies? A suggestion on how to hold onto big trout when they jump If a fish in a certain feeding lie gets caught every week, will it move away or will it just become harder to catch? What is the best knot for tying a light tippet to a hopper imitation? A tip from a physical therapist who has developed an Instagram channel on mobility and strengthening articles just for fly fishers Which H3 rod would be best for trout streamers and fairly large bass? What is the difference between a good and a really great fly fisher? View the full article

[Interview starts at 37:17] This week, our podcast is all about carp. It's a more advanced carp podcast with my buddy Dan Frasier, who is one of the most knowledgeable carp anglers I know. Carp are almost never easy and sometimes they are damn near impossible. But they are a fascinating challenge, and a good fish to chase when you aren't able to travel to more exotic places for big fish--something we all need to concentrate on. I'm going to be doing more podcasts about fishing close to home--a bunch of small stream tips from various parts of the country, and also on bass and panfish. Stay tuned in the coming months. In the Fly Box this week, we have these questions and suggestions form listeners: Can I fish steelhead with a single-handed rod? I can't find any information on it. What type of stream bottom is best for rubber with metal studs on the soles, and what type is best with just rubber soles? How can I find small wild trout spring creeks in the Northeast? My flies don't look as good as the ones I buy in a fly shop? Should I still fish with them even if the bodies do not have as nice a taper or the wings are too long? Does it matter where I put the rubber legs on my panfish flies? A suggestion on how to hold onto big trout when they jump If a fish in a certain feeding lie gets caught every week, will it move away or will it just become harder to catch? What is the best knot for tying a light tippet to a hopper imitation? A tip from a physical therapist who has developed an Instagram channel on mobility and strengthening articles just for fly fishers Which H3 rod would be best for trout streamers and fairly large bass? What is the difference between a good and a really great fly fisher? View the full article

[Interview starts at 41:18] We could all use a little escapism these days, so why not listen to a podcast about adventures in the Amazon? Fly Fisherman Magazine editor and publisher Ross Purnell, in a pre-Covid recorded interview, will thrill you with his adventures with a fly rod in the Amazon, and you will be shocked at how he celebrated the trip. Few of us will be traveling to exotic locations this year, and many of us never will, but it is always enlightening to hear about what fishing is like in a different world. In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions and suggestions: Further warnings on UV cure epoxy vapors How do I keep my fly tying organized in a small apartment with a wife, dog, and cat? Can I use steelhead swinging techniques for skating a caddis when trout fishing? How do I learn Euro nymphing? How can I find and catch bigger trout than the 12-inchers I usually catch? Are there any advanced courses to improve my skills in fly fishing? More tips from a fishing guide about how to improve a client's experience Will a very hot car in Texas damage any of my fly-fishing gear? I lose trout when they jump. What can I do to prevent this? Why didn't you mention Strike Putty in your TV show on using indicators? I caught a trout and got slime on my fly, then the fly didn't work afterward. Does slime on a fly scare off trout? View the full article

[Interview starts at 41:18] We could all use a little escapism these days, so why not listen to a podcast about adventures in the Amazon? Fly Fisherman Magazine editor and publisher Ross Purnell, in a pre-Covid recorded interview, will thrill you with his adventures with a fly rod in the Amazon, and you will be shocked at how he celebrated the trip. Few of us will be traveling to exotic locations this year, and many of us never will, but it is always enlightening to hear about what fishing is like in a different world. In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions and suggestions: Further warnings on UV cure epoxy vapors How do I keep my fly tying organized in a small apartment with a wife, dog, and cat? Can I use steelhead swinging techniques for skating a caddis when trout fishing? How do I learn Euro nymphing? How can I find and catch bigger trout than the 12-inchers I usually catch? Are there any advanced courses to improve my skills in fly fishing? More tips from a fishing guide about how to improve a client's experience Will a very hot car in Texas damage any of my fly-fishing gear? I lose trout when they jump. What can I do to prevent this? Why didn't you mention Strike Putty in your TV show on using indicators? I caught a trout and got slime on my fly, then the fly didn't work afterward. Does slime on a fly scare off trout? View the full article

[Interview starts at 55:00] This week, Joe Hebler of the Blue Quill Angler in Evergreen, Colorado, answers the question "How do I become a fishing guide?" Whether you are graduating from high school or college, or in another career looking to escape daily stresses and an unsatisfying job, Joe gives a great road map on what steps to take to successfully land a job in this competitive field. And if you aren't interested in becoming a guide, Joe also gives some great tips on current fishing conditions on Colorado streams. In the Fly Box this week, we answer some questions, share some tips from a listener, and alert people to a threat on one of Pennsylvania's finest trout streams. Should I buy a 4-weight or a 5-weight rod for trout? Whatever happened to that little barbed thingee that goes into the end of a fly line to attach a leader? An alert about a proposal by a meat packing plant to withdraw 700,000 gallons of water a day from the springs that feed the headwaters of Fishing Creek. Are wet flies a legitimate strategy when you have trout rising downstream of your position? How do I get a large trout close to my net if my leader is long? What could I have done to catch a smallmouth bass in deep, clear, swirly water? What mouse pattern is best and how should I fish it? A great list of tips on why starting out in a small stream will build your skills for fishing tougher, more technical waters later. My father wants to remove the brush along our stream to make it easier to cast and for my kids to splash in the river. Should I try to talk him out of it? What is the best way to remove wind knots from my leader? A listener asks me about my top 3 places to fish I foul hooked a brook trout in the belly but it was only a flseh wound. Do you think the fish will survive? Should I match my leader length to my rod length? View the full article

[Interview starts at 55:00] This week, Joe Hebler of the Blue Quill Angler in Evergreen, Colorado, answers the question "How do I become a fishing guide?" Whether you are graduating from high school or college, or in another career looking to escape daily stresses and an unsatisfying job, Joe gives a great road map on what steps to take to successfully land a job in this competitive field. And if you aren't interested in becoming a guide, Joe also gives some great tips on current fishing conditions on Colorado streams. In the Fly Box this week, we answer some questions, share some tips from a listener, and alert people to a threat on one of Pennsylvania's finest trout streams. Should I buy a 4-weight or a 5-weight rod for trout? Whatever happened to that little barbed thingee that goes into the end of a fly line to attach a leader? An alert about a proposal by a meat packing plant to withdraw 700,000 gallons of water a day from the springs that feed the headwaters of Fishing Creek. Are wet flies a legitimate strategy when you have trout rising downstream of your position? How do I get a large trout close to my net if my leader is long? What could I have done to catch a smallmouth bass in deep, clear, swirly water? What mouse pattern is best and how should I fish it? A great list of tips on why starting out in a small stream will build your skills for fishing tougher, more technical waters later. My father wants to remove the brush along our stream to make it easier to cast and for my kids to splash in the river. Should I try to talk him out of it? What is the best way to remove wind knots from my leader? A listener asks me about my top 3 places to fish I foul hooked a brook trout in the belly but it was only a flseh wound. Do you think the fish will survive? Should I match my leader length to my rod length? View the full article

[Interview starts at 37:18] This week, the podcast is about native trout, specifically the Rio Grande cutthroat of New Mexico. It's the story of two communities, one a small New Mexico town and the other the Taos Pueblo tribe, told by Toner Mitchell of Trout Unlimited, and Talisa Puentes Ortega, a biologist who worked on the project with the Taos Pueblo. In the Fly Box this week, we have lots of questions, as usual, including: Can I use Dragon Tails for trout spey? Can I use scaled down versions of classic salmon and steelhead for trout? Can I fix a cut in my 5-weight line? Do you ever wish you could go back in time and fish a particular river? Why do people often recommend different flies for tailwaters as opposed to freestone rivers? How should I rinse my Clearwater reel after fishing in salt water? Do creek chubs in a river indicate the absence of trout? Should I boil my leaders to straighten them? My buddy and I caught nice bass on small nymphs while fishing for sunfish. Is this a fluke? What are your recommendations for wet wading gear? I bought a hen cape and realize it's not good for dry flies. What can I use it for? What rod should I get for going after carp, smallmouths, steelhead, and Pacific salmon? View the full article

[Interview starts at 37:18] This week, the podcast is about native trout, specifically the Rio Grande cutthroat of New Mexico. It's the story of two communities, one a small New Mexico town and the other the Taos Pueblo tribe, told by Toner Mitchell of Trout Unlimited, and Talisa Puentes Ortega, a biologist who worked on the project with the Taos Pueblo. In the Fly Box this week, we have lots of questions, as usual, including: Can I use Dragon Tails for trout spey? Can I use scaled down versions of classic salmon and steelhead for trout? Can I fix a cut in my 5-weight line? Do you ever wish you could go back in time and fish a particular river? Why do people often recommend different flies for tailwaters as opposed to freestone rivers? How should I rinse my Clearwater reel after fishing in salt water? Do creek chubs in a river indicate the absence of trout? Should I boil my leaders to straighten them? My buddy and I caught nice bass on small nymphs while fishing for sunfish. Is this a fluke? What are your recommendations for wet wading gear? I bought a hen cape and realize it's not good for dry flies. What can I use it for? What rod should I get for going after carp, smallmouths, steelhead, and Pacific salmon? View the full article

[Interview starts at 45:51] This week's podcast was recorded prior to Covid 19 but I sat on it for awhile because it was about saltwater fly fishing in the San Francisco Bay area and I wanted to wait until sheltering at home restrictions were eased a bit and people could get out to try these ideas. Sarah Landstrom of Lost Coast Outfitters regularly leads trips for this accessible and interesting urban fishing, and she has some great tips, and even suggestions for locations to try. In the Fly Box this week, we have a number of interesting questions--plus a great e-mail from a listener on how he successfully uses two-handed rods for nymphing in Alaska. Some of the questions this week are: Do you think planning a trip with a guide will help me learn new skills? What is the best way to go about asking for permission to fish on private land? I don't have much time to fish. How can I streamline things and become more efficient so I don't spend all my time rigging and tying knots? Do you think a surgeon's knot is visible to fish? Where on my leader do I put my indicator? Why can I hook trout on dry flies? What locations, flies, and weather conditions are best for night fishing? Should I use mothballs in my fly tying materials? Should I microwave my fly-tying materials? View the full article

[Interview starts at 45:51] This week's podcast was recorded prior to Covid 19 but I sat on it for awhile because it was about saltwater fly fishing in the San Francisco Bay area and I wanted to wait until sheltering at home restrictions were eased a bit and people could get out to try these ideas. Sarah Landstrom of Lost Coast Outfitters regularly leads trips for this accessible and interesting urban fishing, and she has some great tips, and even suggestions for locations to try. In the Fly Box this week, we have a number of interesting questions--plus a great e-mail from a listener on how he successfully uses two-handed rods for nymphing in Alaska. Some of the questions this week are: Do you think planning a trip with a guide will help me learn new skills? What is the best way to go about asking for permission to fish on private land? I don't have much time to fish. How can I streamline things and become more efficient so I don't spend all my time rigging and tying knots? Do you think a surgeon's knot is visible to fish? Where on my leader do I put my indicator? Why can I hook trout on dry flies? What locations, flies, and weather conditions are best for night fishing? Should I use mothballs in my fly tying materials? Should I microwave my fly-tying materials? View the full article

This week I interview Devin Olsen, who you may know about from competitive fly fishing, but we’re not going to talk about competition. Devin walks us through what to look for when you first approach a stream and how to come up with a strategy for a day of fishing. His new book Tactical Fly Fishing is now available but we get a sneak peak on what you’ll learn from his book. In the Fly Box this week, we talk about: Moving kids from a spinning rod to a switch rod How to deal with muddy and bloody feathers from a duck-hunting friend How to display fly rods in your house If my jig hooks bend when I get stuck in a snag, should I just bend them back and re-use them? If a 5-weight is considered an all-around rod in graphite, is it the same for fiberglass rods? What is the difference between hen necks and hen capes? A great suggestion for carrying a landing net on a plane Do catastrophic floods ruin trout fishing and the insect life? What length and line size do you recommend for both smallmouth bass and steelhead? Can I catch catfish with a fly rod? How should I organize my bonefish fly boxes? Which grain weight in the Depth Charge lines is best for surf fishing? View the full article

This week I interview Devin Olsen, who you may know about from competitive fly fishing, but we’re not going to talk about competition. Devin walks us through what to look for when you first approach a stream and how to come up with a strategy for a day of fishing. His new book Tactical Fly Fishing is now available but we get a sneak peak on what you’ll learn from his book. In the Fly Box this week, we talk about: Moving kids from a spinning rod to a switch rod How to deal with muddy and bloody feathers from a duck-hunting friend How to display fly rods in your house If my jig hooks bend when I get stuck in a snag, should I just bend them back and re-use them? If a 5-weight is considered an all-around rod in graphite, is it the same for fiberglass rods? What is the difference between hen necks and hen capes? A great suggestion for carrying a landing net on a plane Do catastrophic floods ruin trout fishing and the insect life? What length and line size do you recommend for both smallmouth bass and steelhead? Can I catch catfish with a fly rod? How should I organize my bonefish fly boxes? Which grain weight in the Depth Charge lines is best for surf fishing? View the full article

This week I have an interview [starts at 39:52] that was recorded pre-Covid with Peter Bring, long-time Montana guide for Blackfoot River outfitters in Missoula. I always learn new things form every guide I fish with, but I thought Peter had some especially helpful tips on fishing with indicators and dry droppers. Being on the water every day and expected to produce fish in any condition, guides develop efficient, fun, and easy ways to catch fish and have polished their techniques through thousands of hours of helping other anglers become successful. In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions Has anyone ever caught two fish at once on a two-fly rig? Can I use dog hair to tie flies? I want to chase redfish, pike, steelhead, Pacific salmon, and muskie. Will an 8-weight rod handle all those species? Can I use the 10-foot sinking Salmon poly leader for trout? Can I cast it on a 6-weight? What can I tie with hen saddle patches? What switch rod would you recommend for striped bass fishing in the surf? What is the weight relationship between non-toxic wire and lead wire? I live in Switzerland. What should I expect regarding European fly hatches? I keep losing big trout when they run downstream. Do you have any suggestions on how I can land more of them? A great tip on joining Trout Unlimited's Citizen Science Initiative Can I use a popper/dropper rig for bass? View the full article

This week I have an interview [starts at 39:52] that was recorded pre-Covid with Peter Bring, long-time Montana guide for Blackfoot River outfitters in Missoula. I always learn new things form every guide I fish with, but I thought Peter had some especially helpful tips on fishing with indicators and dry droppers. Being on the water every day and expected to produce fish in any condition, guides develop efficient, fun, and easy ways to catch fish and have polished their techniques through thousands of hours of helping other anglers become successful. In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions Has anyone ever caught two fish at once on a two-fly rig? Can I use dog hair to tie flies? I want to chase redfish, pike, steelhead, Pacific salmon, and muskie. Will an 8-weight rod handle all those species? Can I use the 10-foot sinking Salmon poly leader for trout? Can I cast it on a 6-weight? What can I tie with hen saddle patches? What switch rod would you recommend for striped bass fishing in the surf? What is the weight relationship between non-toxic wire and lead wire? I live in Switzerland. What should I expect regarding European fly hatches? I keep losing big trout when they run downstream. Do you have any suggestions on how I can land more of them? A great tip on joining Trout Unlimited's Citizen Science Initiative Can I use a popper/dropper rig for bass? View the full article

[Interview starts at 38:46] This week I have the pleasure of interviewing one of my very favorite non-fiction writers, Mark Kurlansky. Author of such award-winning books as Cod, Salt, Paper, 1968, and A Continent of Islands, Mark is a tireless journalist who digs into the very essence of anything he does. His new book, Salmon, is his first book that involves sport fishing as well as the natural and economic history of both Atlantic and Pacific salmon. (And he has a book on fly fishing coming out next April). In the Fly Box this week, we have the following tips and questions: Should I use a cauterizing pen to clean material out of the eyes of my flies? A host of solid tips for the novice Spey caster from a listener What makes a good skater fly, and how do you fish them? Why don't more people use the drop-shot method when fishing nymphs? How do you attach a dropper to a Euro rig with passing the bottom fly through the loop? How can I fish a Euro rig in really tiny streams? Is my 8-weight rod too light for pike fishing? Where should I fish in relation to a tailrace below a dam, and is a Spey rod a good idea? Why did I see a big smallmouth slowly cruising up a small creek? What is the best way to break off a fly when you are snagged? How can I fish plunge pools in a small stream? Does using a UV light when curing epoxy harm your eyes? View the full article

[Interview starts at 38:46] This week I have the pleasure of interviewing one of my very favorite non-fiction writers, Mark Kurlansky. Author of such award-winning books as Cod, Salt, Paper, 1968, and A Continent of Islands, Mark is a tireless journalist who digs into the very essence of anything he does. His new book, Salmon, is his first book that involves sport fishing as well as the natural and economic history of both Atlantic and Pacific salmon. (And he has a book on fly fishing coming out next April). In the Fly Box this week, we have the following tips and questions: Should I use a cauterizing pen to clean material out of the eyes of my flies? A host of solid tips for the novice Spey caster from a listener What makes a good skater fly, and how do you fish them? Why don't more people use the drop-shot method when fishing nymphs? How do you attach a dropper to a Euro rig with passing the bottom fly through the loop? How can I fish a Euro rig in really tiny streams? Is my 8-weight rod too light for pike fishing? Where should I fish in relation to a tailrace below a dam, and is a Spey rod a good idea? Why did I see a big smallmouth slowly cruising up a small creek? What is the best way to break off a fly when you are snagged? How can I fish plunge pools in a small stream? Does using a UV light when curing epoxy harm your eyes? View the full article

[Interview starts at 27:44] This week I have the pleasure of interviewing perhaps the nicest human being on the planet, Tim Linehan of Linehan Outfitters in Libby, Montana. I think you'll get a sense of what kind of person he is by listening in. We talk about how the recent pandemic has affected fishing guides and lodges, but on a more fun note, Tim describes his fishery in northern Montana--the only place in Montana where you can catch a true native rainbow trout (rainbows on famous rivers like the Madison, Bighorn, Missouri, and Gallatin were originally stocked). In the fly box this week, we have these tips and questions: An easy way to make crab eyes Why don't people use a piece of yarn in between blood knots as a strike indicator? Will a 3-weight switch rod handle streamers for smallmouths? What can I do to protect flies and tying materials? Can I use springbok hair in place of deer hair? Can I fish tungsten nymphs on a sinking line effectively? When do I set the hook when sight-nymphing for trout? How do you re-sharpen fly-tying scissors? If I test my dry flies in water and they tip over on their sides, should I still use them? Some further information on how chemical sharpening of hooks works View the full article

[Interview starts at 27:44] This week I have the pleasure of interviewing perhaps the nicest human being on the planet, Tim Linehan of Linehan Outfitters in Libby, Montana. I think you'll get a sense of what kind of person he is by listening in. We talk about how the recent pandemic has affected fishing guides and lodges, but on a more fun note, Tim describes his fishery in northern Montana--the only place in Montana where you can catch a true native rainbow trout (rainbows on famous rivers like the Madison, Bighorn, Missouri, and Gallatin were originally stocked). In the fly box this week, we have these tips and questions: An easy way to make crab eyes Why don't people use a piece of yarn in between blood knots as a strike indicator? Will a 3-weight switch rod handle streamers for smallmouths? What can I do to protect flies and tying materials? Can I use springbok hair in place of deer hair? Can I fish tungsten nymphs on a sinking line effectively? When do I set the hook when sight-nymphing for trout? How do you re-sharpen fly-tying scissors? If I test my dry flies in water and they tip over on their sides, should I still use them? Some further information on how chemical sharpening of hooks works View the full article

[Interview starts at 37:13] This week I interview Sam Sifton, former Cooking Editor, now Assistant Managing Editor of The New York Times, and an avid fly-rod striped bass angler. It's quite a rambling discussion, from striper fishing on Long Island to the current state of striper populations to the writing of Peter Matthiessen. Along the way, of course we get some fish cooking advice but only for bluefish. Learn why Sam and I don't eat striped bass (and it's more than just about catch-and-release for the sake of the population). In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions: Do you have any tips for fishing a very large river? How long do hooks stay sharp, and can I re-sharpen chemically sharpened hooks? Why don't you develop biodegradable hooks? Why am I having problems catching spring trout in Alaska? I was recently fishing a delayed harvest section and caught some smaller, beautifully colored trout. Do you think they were wild? Why am I developing pains in my wrist when casting my 8-weight? Should I concentrate on getting really good at catching just one species, or should I try for all the species that are available in my area? In a boundary layer between dirty and clean water, where will I find the trout? In your TV show, you recommended a full sinking or depth charge line for bass in deep water. Can I use a sinking poly leader on my floating line as well? I am having trouble tying off the hackle at the base of the post on my parachute flies like the Klinkhammer. Can you suggest some tips? Can I get a fly rod that will be good for both steelhead and musky? View the full article

[Interview starts at 37:13] This week I interview Sam Sifton, former Cooking Editor, now Assistant Managing Editor of The New York Times, and an avid fly-rod striped bass angler. It's quite a rambling discussion, from striper fishing on Long Island to the current state of striper populations to the writing of Peter Matthiessen. Along the way, of course we get some fish cooking advice but only for bluefish. Learn why Sam and I don't eat striped bass (and it's more than just about catch-and-release for the sake of the population). In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions: Do you have any tips for fishing a very large river? How long do hooks stay sharp, and can I re-sharpen chemically sharpened hooks? Why don't you develop biodegradable hooks? Why am I having problems catching spring trout in Alaska? I was recently fishing a delayed harvest section and caught some smaller, beautifully colored trout. Do you think they were wild? Why am I developing pains in my wrist when casting my 8-weight? Should I concentrate on getting really good at catching just one species, or should I try for all the species that are available in my area? In a boundary layer between dirty and clean water, where will I find the trout? In your TV show, you recommended a full sinking or depth charge line for bass in deep water. Can I use a sinking poly leader on my floating line as well? I am having trouble tying off the hackle at the base of the post on my parachute flies like the Klinkhammer. Can you suggest some tips? Can I get a fly rod that will be good for both steelhead and musky? View the full article