Orvis

I did a podcast a few weeks ago that was billed as a canoe and kayak podcast but my guest and I spent a lot of time on Kayaks and not much on canoes. Some of you took me to task and asked for more information on fly fishing from canoes, so I asked retired president and CEO of Orvis, Perk Perkins [49:06], to share his tips with us. Perk fishes from a canoe more than anyone else I know, and has been using these craft all his life. He gives us some great tips on making fly fishing from a canoe more fun and productive. In the fly box this week, we have some fascinating questions from listeners, including: Should l I use a double taper or weight forward line on my small stream rod? If you fish barbless dry flies with a dry/dropper rig, won't the knot slip off the hook? What can I do to lessen my shoulder involvement in casting? I have severe arthritis in my right shoulder. Should I learn to cast left-handed? Do tippet rings make tying on a dropper less fussy? Won't the fish see a tippet ring? What is your opinion on attractor patterns? What do you think of UV resins and tying materials? If I want to fish a leader with a light butt section, what diameter should the permanent loop be on my fly line? The permanent loop on my fly line got damaged. My fly line says "cold to moderate temperatures". Can I also use this line for fishing for bass during the summer? Do flies need to be perfect and symmetrical? I s road kill of any use in fly tying? We were catching hickory shad on spoons we made using Krystal Flash and UV resin. People told us we weren't fly fishing. What's your take on flies that aren't really "flies"? How are fly rods most often broken? What rod do I need to make my mono rig work better? I see many color variations in pre-made dubbing blends, for instance one March Brown dubbing is brown and another one is light tan. Do insects vary in color? Does color even make a difference? View the full article

This week, my guest is Dom Swentosky of the Troutbitten blog [33:16], podcast, and guide service. If you have not seen his stuff it's definitely one of the most informative and thoughtful fly-fishing blogs out there. Dom devotes a lot of his blog to the mono rig, which is sorta like Euro-nymphing in that it uses a long leader and no fly line, but it's more of a method for everyday anglers than pure Euro nymphing, which is based on competitive rules that prohibit things like split shot. Dom goes through why it is such an effective method, how he builds his leaders, and how he presents his flies this way. It's just one more thing to try if you're interested in new ways of using a fly rod. In the Fly Box this week, we have some helpful tips from listeners and an assortment of questions from rigging to watercraft to fly tying, including: If I am using a drop-shot rig with a single nymph, can I just tie the weight on a long tag from the clinch knot I use to tie on my fly? What is your opinion of traditional Catskill-style dry flies? Could spawning affect a trout's diet? In your canoe and kayak podcast, you didn't say enough about canoes. If I want to use my canoe for fly fishing, what considerations should I have? And should I put a trolling motor on my canoe? I have a stream nearby that has nice gravel, cold water, deep pools, and nice riffles. I have not caught any trout there. How can I find out if trout even live there? A great tip from a listener for finding tiny leaks in waders Do trout use shelf ice as cover? A listener suggests the float tube as a great option in the inflatable category, which I did not mention in my recent podcast on inflatables. A great tip from a listener on how to cover up items in a boat that could snag your fly line. When do you switch from a floating to a sinking line in streams? A great tip from a listener on using forceps to hold tiny flies when tying them on. I am looking at monofilament thread. What is the difference between 6/0 and G size, and where did the G designation come from? And is there any application in tying freshwater flies with monofilament thread? View the full article

This week, we delve into the confusing world of inflatable watercraft. There are so many styles to choose from, including SUPs, kayaks, and rafts. Which are best for fly fishing? What are some tips on how to fish from one? How do you handle anchoring and paddling while being ready to make a cast? Regardless of which type you choose, they are lightweight and packable (except for the larger rafts) and they'll get you into places where drift boats and motorboats can't go. Mike Dolmage is a fly fishing fanatic and is in charge of marketing fishing craft for NRS so his knowledge will help you make an informed decision and give you some tips on fishing from your inflatable. In the Fly Box this week, I try to answer some easy and difficult questions. Some of the questions include: Would you recommend a Power Taper or Bank Shot fly line for fishing for largemouth bass form shore? How can I catch striped bass on the Hudson River? I have a 6- and an 8-weight rod and I want to streamer fish in Montana. Do I need a 7-weight? How can I get permission to fish private land when bluelining? I am catching big trout on nymphs and want to get a rod longer than 9 feet. Can I fish Euro-style and still land big trout on a 10-foot 3-weight, or should I look at a 10-foot 4-weight or 5-weight? How long do you think is too long to play a trout? Can I use a sinking Polyleader with an intermediate line? How do you fish attractor flies? Do I just throw one out there or should I pay more attention to hatches? What line should I get for tarpon fishing with my 11-weight rod? Do brown and rainbow trout have different feeding strategies? Is there a sinking fly line I can use with both streamers and nymphs? View the full article

Learn how to decide between a canoe and a kayak, what kind to get, and how to maneuver and cast using these hard-sided watercraft (next week I'll be doing a podcast on inflatables). Ryan Lilly [47:30] is a fly fisher and Old Town's expert on fishing from these craft, and has many great suggestions for how to make the most out of your canoe or kayak experience. In the Fly Box this week, we have some interesting questions that I'm sure will be of interest to many of you, as well as some thoughtful tips from other listeners, including: What do bead-head nymphs imitate? Aren't flies tied without beads more natural in the water? Isn't it more natural to use a nymph without any added weight? How do you fish wet flies? Do you use a single one or more than one? And do you ever use weighted wet flies? I recently saw a bunch of large carp in a pond in Florida. Why didn't I see any smaller ones? I had trouble getting a good drift against the slow water on the far bank of a river. Every time I tried to mend my line the small dry fly sank. What else could I have done? Can I fish two dry flies at once? A suggestion from a listener on why upgrading from an entry level fly line is a wise investment. Are there any performance differences between a 6-piece rod and a 4-piece rod? How can I get an extra tip for my Orvis rod? A great tip from a listener on how to make a device to hold scrap pieces of tippet using two pieces of Velcro. I am going to a place where they have stocked golden rainbows. Do these fish behave any differently from normal rainbows? Can I use a Poly Leader for tarpon? Is there any difference between up-eye and down-eye hooks? A tip from a listener on how to change thread colors with a permanent marker. A tip from a listener on how to keep a partially used tube of Aquaseal stay fresh. Why do people hold bass by the jaw? I have heard that this can dislocate their jaw. I am taking my first guided trip. Should I do a float trip or a walk/wade trip? View the full article

Back in 2008 when I first began this podcast I had two dreams—that I would have my two literary heros, John McPhee and Thomas McGuane as guests (they are both passionate fly fishers). I was lucky enough to record a podcast with John in August of 2021 and this week's podcast is with Tom McGuane [44:36], author of 20 highly regarded novels, screenplays, collections of short stories, and what is in my opinion the finest book of fly-fishing essays ever written, The Longest Silence. Most people who interview Tom want to talk about his crazy days in Key West in the 1970s, , fishing for tarpon with Jim Harrison, Guy de la Valdene, Jimmy Buffet, and other notable characters. However, in the podcast we talk about what he is doing now—his fascination with small-stream trout fishing, why he would rather wade than fish from a boat, his opinion on guides who yell at their clients, and how to grow old gracefully and still continue to fish with a fly rod. It was a real honor to chat with him and I know you'll enjoy this very special podcast. In the Fly Box this week, we have some wonderful and thought-provoking questions and tips form listeners, including: What is that white rod that Pete Kutzer uses in your casting videos? Is there a written history of Orvis? What is the best reel lubricant, and how should I maintain my cork drag surface? Can dumbbell eyes damage fly rods? If so, what should I do to keep flies tied with them from hitting my rod? Do trout eat those little black and brown stoneflies that hatch during the winter and early spring? Can you explain when I would use weighted flies vs. split shot vs. poly leaders when fishing nymphs? Can you compare the relative advantages of the 10 1/2-foot 3-weight and the 11-foot 3-weight Blackout rod? I saw people catching fish on nymphs. I tried exactly the same patterns and didn't catch anything. Why? I have a reel that takes a 9-weight line. Can I get an extra spool and put it on my 7-weight rod? Why am I not catching anything when fishing nymphs in the winter? Great tips from a world traveler on taking your vaccination records with you, and warnings about carrying gear when traveling to Mexico or New Zealand. What environmental cues will tell you when specific flies are hatching? Is it true that emerger patterns are more effective when they look messy? How do you explain when trout take smaller insects and ignore bigger ones? View the full article

This week, we go into great detail about the life cycle of caddisflies and the various species found in the eastern United States. Tom Ames [33:05], author of the book Caddisflies is my guest and although we go into great detail on the various types of caddisflies, don't let it overwhelm you, as imitating these insects is merely a matter of observing what stage of their life cycle is present and what the trout are eating. It's not something you can predict in advance—you need to arrive at the river and then figure out the puzzle by your powers of observation. But this podcast does get geeky so be prepared! Our Fly Box questions this week are much more basic, a good counterbalance to our discussion of caddisflies. Questions and tips include: I want to go beyond my typical attractor patterns and match some hatches. What basic flies do you recommend? A great tip from a listener on fixing rough fingertips for fly tying Tom's thoughts on the Murdich Minnow fly What three lines should I get for fishing lakes? Why don't more people wear PFDs? What color of Clouser Minnows should I get for smallmouth bass? Can I tie my second Euro nymph fly onto the bend of the other fly, or can I leave a tag end long on the knot to the first fly and use that? Several rod selection questions Can I double haul with my bamboo fly rod? Is it a good idea to pinch the line against the cork to put added pressure on a running fish? Tips from a listener on wearing felt boots on a trail and drying out wading boots. What rod is best for practicing my casting skills? View the full article

This week is my guest Seth Berger [1:00:18], Fly Fishing Travel Specialist with Orvis Adventures. In his job, Seth visits Orvis-endorsed operations around the world and always packs his fishing gear, so he's a great resource for advising us how to travel with rods, waders, and flies—how to pack them, what to carry on, and pitfalls you should avoid. Seth also talks about what to pack, and items that are often forgotten or ignored by traveling anglers. Anyone who gets on a plane, whether it's a short hop or an international flight, will benefit from his knowledge. In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions and comment that run the gamut of the fly-fishing experience, including: A listener who recommends the mono rig method, which is different from the standard Euro nymphing setup. And tries to tell me 20lb. mono casts just as easily as fly line (I'm not buying it) Why not put a tippet ring on the end of a poly leader? I've used straight monofilament for a leader for bass and bream. Why do I need a tapered leader, and do I need tippet? When you fish two dry flies, what should the distance between them be? Do I need to learn entomology to pick flies? Is there any difference between picking flies for small streams vs. bigger rivers? What do you look for to help you choose a fly? Can I fish steelhead with my 9-foot 5-weight rod? Is it true that lighter lines cast better in the wind because they have less air resistance? Have you ever fished with just a bead on a hook? Some great suggestions from a listener on how to keep fly tying materials away from young children. I am coming from Korea to the US. Will I have problems brining flies and fly tying materials into the country? Have you ever tried wiggle nymphs? Why do Euro nymphers stand in the water and make short upstream casts while people with conventional lines try to fish as far away as possible? Why don't we see a lot of blue streamers? How deep can I effectively fish with a fly rod? How can I tie patterns with partridge feathers smaller than size 16? View the full article

Capt. Pete Scafaru [32:53] is a new Orvis-endorsed guide in New Orleans (he's not new at guiding, just new to the Orvis program), and he shares his vast experience on what to expect at different times of the season, how to present the fly, and how to target redfish in shallow water. Regardless of where you fish for redfish, his tips will be valuable. In the Fly Box, we have some questions and tips that I think will be of interest to all fly fishers, including: What tips or tricks do you have for an older angler who has problems threading small flies? A tip from a listener about how he attaches a dropper nymph to his tippet with a clinch knot so he can change either fly without re-tying both flies. A tip from a listener on how to estimate measurements using parts of your arms and fingers. Why does Orvis not sell a 7-weight Superfine Glass fly rod? Do you ever use indicators when fishing nymphs on small mountain brook trout streams? Can I fish soft hackles during the winter? Why are people so nasty when I post fly-tying videos on social media? Do you get those kinds of comments in the podcast mailbox? Does it matter where I put my wing case on Perdigon nymphs, and why are some Perdigons relatively fat? I thought "thin for the win" was the mantra for these flies. Why would people throw streamers on Euro-nymphing rods? I bought an old 7½-foot, 6-weight Madison bamboo fly rod. Will this be better with a 5- or 6-weight line, and will it be OK for general trout fishing? View the full article

This week, my guest is Joshua Simmons [44:00], who with his brother Caleb hosts the podcast "Dads on the Fly". (It's not just for dads, it's for moms and families as well, but they just both happen to be dads and brothers who wanted to give back to the world of fly fishing.) In their podcast they explore the ways families can get together through fly fishing, and have talked to many people across the country about this subject, so Joshua has a lot to share from his conversations and research. If you have always wanted to bring your family together in fly fishing, you'll pick up some great suggestions. In the Fly Box this week, we have an eclectic mix of suggestions and questions, including: Why do I have trouble mixing my dubbing in an old coffee grinder? It comes out like rope. I have trouble tying with a hackle cape with thick stems. What can I do? I have trouble hooking steelhead. What am I doing wrong? A comment from a listener on the growing movement that helps fish and game departments protect all aquatic species, not just gamefish and game animals. How can I practice casting before my next bonefish trip? What footwear do you recommend for wading the flats? It seems like I can get closer to bonefish wading that from a boat. Is that usually the case? I have a new baby coming. How can I childproof my tying area? Phil Rowley says that eutrophic lakes offer the best trout fishing, but all the eutrophic lakes I fish in New Hampshire are too warm for trout. Why the disconnect? Someone told me to switch from left-hand wind to right-hand wind when I go saltwater fishing (I am right-handed). Should I heed their advice? Why don't more fly anglers wear a PFD? If Tom had one final trip, where would he go? A great tip from a listener on pre-rigging flies at home I can't cast a Euro rig with my 905 rod. Should I invest in a specific Euro nymphing rod and what will it give me that my current rod does not? View the full article

This week, since we have not had any hard-core fishing podcasts in awhile, I thought I would give you all some tips on winter fly fishing with Chip Swanson [40:09] of Breckenridge Outfitters in Colorado. Chip won the Orvis-Endorsed Freshwater Guide of the Year in 2019 for good reason. He's fun, patient, superbly knowledgeable, and a terrific teacher. He also does a lot of fishing and guiding throughout the winter, no matter what the weather. He has some great tips on staying warm, techniques to use, and what conditions are best for winter fly fishing. In the Fly Box this week, we have some especially helpful tips from listeners as well as some questions that will be helpful to many fly fishers, including: Is using a scented fly for sturgeon not fly fishing? And do you have any tips for catching these giants on a fly rod? I am having trouble casting a double nymph rig plus split shot and an indicator. What casting advice do you have? When is water too cold to try a dry dropper rig? Some good advice from a listener on kneeling instead of sitting in a canoe for easier casting A fly shop owner told me not to fish a local river because the flows were too low. Why is this bad in the winter when oxygen levels are higher? How can I use online product reviews to inform my tackle purchases? Which ones are the most reliable? What should I look for in a pedestal for my vise? What are Tom's top 10 fly tying materials for fresh and salt water? What is Tom tying right now? Great advice from a listener on kayak fishing and first aid kits for fishing trips How long will it take my local river to recover after severe wildfires last year? What can I use to hold those tippet scraps I want to dispose of? View the full article

This week, my guest is Tom Kiernan [38:50], President and CEO of American Rivers, an organization Orvis supports and endorses highly for the world-class work they do to protect our rivers. I wanted to explore the ins and outs of the Clean Water Act, one of the most important pieces of legislation of the 20th century. I think it's important that anyone who enjoys time on the water understands just what it has done for us, and what it can do in the future. In the Fly Box this week, as usual we have some thought-provoking questions, including: What kind of personal watercraft do you recommend for lakes and slow-moving rivers? Is the abdomen of a natural insect the only important thing to imitate? What do you prefer when fishing, a rain jacket or a wading jacket? If I can't use weighted flies because of regulations, how can I sink my nymph? What's the difference between a nail knot and a loop-to-loop connection? Is there a time when one is better than another? How do I keep the bodies on my big foam flies from twisting around the hook? What do you do with your rod when landing a fish? What is a Bimini twist used for? When do you know that a fish is too much for the rod you are using? A great tip from a listener on how to teach kids to tie flies without using a sharp hook. If there are people swimming in a small mountain brook, how far away will the fish be spooked? View the full article

This week my guest is award-winning investigative journalist Robert O'Harrow [44:45], who has been with the Washington Post for over 30 years. Last fall he wrote an extensive article on the threats to mayfly populations worldwide and is continuing to research this issue, so I thought it would be interesting to share his findings. Bob is also a lifelong fly fisher who admits he didn't know a lot about the plight of mayflies in the past, so he gives us a great perspective. In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions and phone calls, including: What is a good net for wade fishing when pursuing multiple species? I recently caught a bunch of large trout in a river but no small ones. Where do the small ones go? Can a "working fly box" apply to non-competition anglers as well? What does Tim Flagler use to cut his thread on his videos? I am a beginning fly fisher and the trout in the larger rivers in my area are difficult to catch. Should I first concentrate on small streams, ponds, or reservoirs? What is the best way to give a fish line when it's running without giving it too much slack? Is it a good idea to put UV resin over my nail knots? How do you determine how deep the water is so you can set the indicator at 1 ½ times the water depth? I keep getting crowded by other anglers on Colorado rivers. Should I try to educate them? I lost a big fish by following it downstream. My buddy says I should have stood my ground and not followed the fish. What do you think? Do you think it's a bad idea to use beard trimmings in my dubbing to imitate hare's ear? View the full article

This week, my guest is Orvis product developer Jesse Haller [43:48], who besides being responsible for products like nets, wading shoes, and fishing packs and vests spent many years as a fishing guide. Jesse discusses how to pick the right net, some cool tips and carrying a net, how to plan your netting before you get a fish close to you, how to get the fish in the net with a minimum of fuss—and some great tips on releasing the fish you've caught. In the Fly Box this week, we have some fascinating questions and some helpful tips from listeners, including: Do you think it's a good idea to blacken your tippet close to the fly with a sharpie? What conditions decide whether you should fish a large or a small streamer for bass? A listener has a conundrum about booking a guide who used to work for another outfitter. Some great tips from a listener about safety when bluelining in the Smokies. What advice do you have for fishing out of a canoe? I have trouble finding trout in larger rivers, coming from a small stream background. What should I do? Where can I find trout in winter? What should I do about families with kids throwing rocks in the water when I am fishing? How can I fish small midge emergers just under the surface? During a heavy hatch, is it better to look for an individual fish or prospect a likely seam or run? A great tip on a device for letting people know where you are when fishing the back country. If I am running multiple midge nymphs, should I use a light or heavy tippet? What is the best beginner outfit for saltwater fly fishing? View the full article

Ian Rutter [43:06] is a long-time guide in the Smokies and one of our top field testers. He specializes in small mountain creeks (as well as their local tailwaters) and because I have had numerous requests for a podcast on "Blue-lining" I wanted to get him on to get the views from someone who does this in the heart of wild mountain brook trout country. For those of you who don't know the term, blue-lining refers to looking for new small trout water on a map and then exploring it to see what it holds. It's part hiking, part fioshing, and part discovery. In the Fly Box this week, we have lots of tackle questions, some good tips from listeners, and some other technique related questions. I was gifted a Helios 3 906F. What reel do you recommend for it? I have a 7 ½ foot rod for panfish, a 4-weight for trout, and an 8-weight for steelhead and stripers. I want to fish streamers, redfish, and corbina. Should I get a 6-weight for that? I have a Recon 10 foot 4-weight and a Blackout 11 foot 3-weight for Euro nymphing. What rod would you recommend for a standard trout rod for bigger rivers? Can I catch smallmouth bass in stained water with trout techniques like big dries or a dry-dropper rig? I have the opportunity to make my own bamboo rod. What length and line size do you recommend for small to medium0sized rivers? I listened to your podcast recommending a touch of parrafin on loose ferrules and thought I would do it later. On my next trip I broke my rod because of a loose ferrule and realized I should not have put it off. I see all these videos of people sight-fishing for trout but I almost never see them in the water myself. Should I practice spotting trout or is there something else I should do? After reading the book Lords of the Fly by Monte Burke I decided I never want to fish for tarpon. And what do you think of guides who "discover" a spot and then claim it as their own and push other people out? What is Tom's most memorable worst day of fishing? What tips and tricks does Tom keep secret and not share with us? Where does Orvis get its products. I know you make some of your rods but where does other tackle come from? View the full article

My guest this week, Sarah Baker [35:40] is a woman who has a job most of us would envy—she studies and manages the populations of wild, native brook trout in the mountains of northern Georgia. Learn more about these southernmost populations of brook trout, their life history, and where you can find them (no spot burning, just some general areas to investigate for yourself). In the Fly Box this week, some great questions that range the spectrum of fly fishing, such as: A listener is confused by recommendations for sinking lines for an Alaska trip Can I tie flies smaller than size 18 with the regular jaws in my tying vise? Do I need to purchase midge jaws? Someone told me not to use water-based head cement on size 20 and smaller flies. Why? If I know I have a reasonable fly and good drifts, does it make sense to spend more than a half-dozen casts in one spot? I am a newbie and other than the typical questions about what fly to use, what other questions should I ask in a fly shop that will be helpful? If I want to try Spey casting with my single-hand fly rod, what fly line would be best? Can smaller Spey patterns be used for trout and bass on a single-handed rod? I am taking my first saltwater trip to Turks and Caicos. I have an 8-weight freshwater outfit. Do I need to get a special saltwater rod and line? Can I use a 450-grain Depth Charge line on my 10-weight rod? And besides fishing for striped bass, what other saltwater applications are there for this line? I am having trouble with my Clinch Knots breaking in cold weather. What am I doing wrong? Any advice for tying on a size 22 Zebra Midge in cold weather? View the full article

Can you really catch giant cutthroat trout in the desert? Are they truly a native species? And do they really fish with ladders? You'll find out in my interview with Orvis-endorsed guide Mike Anderson [45:23], who guides for the Reno Fly Shop. In the Fly Box this week, we have some wonderful comments and thought-provoking questions, including: I can keep the knots in my rubber legs on hopper patterns. How do you do it? What common fly-tying materials can I get from animals I have harvested, what parts should I use, and how to you prepare and store them? What is the advantage of going from 140 denier tying thread to 70 denier and when and why should I use it? A listener explains why he welcomes new people to the sport. I just got an intermediate line for fishing in lakes. Will it be useful in streams? I have an old rod with a loose ferrule. Is there any way of fixing it? Is my 9 ½ foot 6-weight rod too light to throw big articulated flies for bull trout? I know trout lie in seams in a river. Will steelhead be in seams as well? Can I use sewing thread for tying flies? My double surgeon's knots keep breaking. What am I doing wrong? Are there special fighting techniques when you hook a fish on a downstream drift? Why do people tell me to fish at high tide, when I can walk out farther at low tide? Can I swing a streamer in salt water? Do changes in air temperature affect fish in the ocean as much as in fresh water? What do I do to take my trout fishing to the next level? What should I concentrate on? Why are bamboo rods typically shorter than graphite, and how do I travel with a two-piece bamboo rod? I am losing more fish with large flies than I do with small flies. What is the issue? View the full article

Bill Sisson [27:29] is the founding editor of Angler's Journal magazine and his recently published book, Seasons of the Striper, is an elegant pictorial love letter to striped bass fishing. Bill has seen many changes in the striped bass fishery over the years, and his family goes back for generations of striped bass anglers — both sport and commercial fishing. He tells some great stories of past striped bass escapades, which I know you'll enjoy listening to. In the Fly Box this week, we have some solid questions and some informative information from listeners, including: On a recent podcast a listener described a method of pre-tying nymphs on a dropper with a perfection loop, but I can't figure out how to attach them to my dry fly with a loop-loop connection. How do you accomplish this? A listener gives us some great background on the history of public stream access in the United States. A listener warns of of an alarming trend of beaver misinformation Why do I keep losing trout on my barbless flies? Am I putting too much pressure on the fish? What tips can you give me on fishing with my fiberglass rod in salt water? I fish for bass in spring creeks. Do you think they will be active in late fall and winter? How do the gases in the exoskeleton of a midge pupa form? Is there any hope of fishing a dry dropper in winter? Do you have any tips for fishing small streams when there is ice in a creek? View the full article

I get a lot of questions about midges and their life cycle, so I thought I would invite a professional entomologist to give us an overview of these insects and how to imitate them. Rick Hafele [3816] has not only been an entomologist all his working life, he's also a superb angler and fly-fishing author and perhaps one of the best authorities on aquatic entomology we have. Learn about what color midges to imitate, which part of their life cycle is most important to trout, and how to effectively fish these imitations. In The Fly Box this week, we have some thought-provoking questions and some terrific suggestions from listeners, including: I have used both rubber and felt soles and I still have problems wading. I am in good shape and have good balance. What wading shoes do you suggest? I witnessed a huge hatch of insects but only caught largemouth bass. Is there a depth and current speed where fishing a dry fly is futile? What type of poly leader would you suggest for my 5-weight rod? How long should my leader be when fishing a poly leader? What CFS do you consider safe to wade in a river? If I catch a wild brown or rainbow in a brook trout stream, should I relocate that fish below a waterfall? What is the purpose of releasing large hatchery brood stock trout into wild trout streams? Do they have any effect on a wild trout population? How would you fish a slow, tannic river with a mud and sand bottom? How long do you stay in one section of a river? Should I match the diameter of the butt section of my leader to the diameter of my fly line? What should I do if I hook a large striped bass and it thrashes close to me but does not take line. Should I try to get the line on the reel? Some great tips from a South Dakota angler on how to find superb fly fishing close to home. View the full article

My guest this week is Steve Carew [40:58] of Fulling Mill Flies. Steve is the guy who gets fly patterns from an original sample to those gorgeous flies you see in the fly bins of your local Orvis store or dealer. How do commercial flies get made? Who are these people who tie flies for a living? Do they actually fish? How good are they? And how do they produce such consistent, high-quality flies in large volumes without sacrificing quality? In the Fly Box this week, we have some helpful tips from listeners as well as some interesting questions, including: A great tip on how to protect the tip of a fly rod when carrying it inside a vehicle fully assembled. How do I know what color midge to use? Are there seasons and times when different colors work better than others? I saw a carp feeding but tried a dozen flies and none of them worked. How can I catch these fish? I fish a lake with trout, bass, pike, walleye, and perch in it. How can I target each one of these fish? I am going to fish a lake and want to know what two fly lines I should take. Does the newer technology Orvis uses in its fly rods make older rods obsolete? I am fishing an older fiberglass rod and lost a bunch of fish. Do you think the rod is the problem? I fish an aqueduct with steep banks that prevent a back-cast. Do you have any suggestions on fly lines? A tip from a listener on gluing an aquarium thermometer to his net. Do you think the occasional flip of my fins when using a float tube will spook fish? Do you have any tips for mending a dry dropper rig without moving the fly? What is Tom's favorite fly to tie and favorite fly to fish? I purchased an old bamboo rod. How do I find out what line size it takes? I saw some brook trout actively working a redd. Does that mean I should quit fishing that stream entirely? View the full article

My guest this week is Alex Waller [41:36] from New Zealand. You've likely seen his great videos on Orvisnews.com or on You Tube, in his channel Trippin on Trout. Alex shares his techniques for fishing nymphs in late fall and winter with us, and his techniques are a bit different than what most of us use, so you make pick up some tips for your own trout fishing wherever you live. And because he often fishes for migratory rainbows coming out of giant Lake Taupo, his techniques will play well with Great Lakes "steelhead". In the Fly Box this week, we have a host of interesting questions, including: What is the most buoyant natural material for dry flies? Does adding UV resin to dry flies affect their buoyancy? What is the best way to carry and store tube flies? Is there a universal rule for what size nymph you can use on a dry dropper? How do I keep my hook gap clear of materials so I don't miss strikes? What should I do when a big fish shakes its head when fighting? If black is the most visible color for flies, why do some anglers prefer black hooks when fish are spooky? If black is most visible in murky water, why do some people recommend bright flies under these conditions? I am stuck in the rolling plains of the Midwest, four hours from a trout stream. Can I still go fly fishing? A local river is highly pressured with very clear water, so everyone uses tiny midges. Would a bigger fly work sometimes? What is the best upgrade I can make to my Clearwater outfit, without spending hundreds of dollars? Do you ever swing wet flies in small streams? If so what leader do you use? When do you use a strike indicator instead of a dry dropper? And what kind do you use? I have a floating line for striped bass fishing and have done well with it. What other line would you recommend? What do you suggest if I want to try night fishing for striped bass? View the full article

This week, my guest is Dave DiBenedetto, Editor-in-Chief of Garden & Gun Magazine, who is a lifelong fly fisher. If you read the magazine, you can see that they frequently publish fly-fishing stories, and also that they stress conservation. In their latest issue, they make public their Champions of Conservation Awards, which go to people who are making a difference at the grassroots level in all areas of conservation. Recipients range from Capt. Bennie Blanco in the Florida Everglades; to Savi Horne, who works to keep agriculture sustainable for Black farmers; to Dr. Jennifer Rehage, who has discovered shocking levels of pharmaceuticals in Florida's bonefish population—and seven other fascinating individuals who have made a difference. We also talk fishing, from marsh redfish to small-stream trout in the mountains of the South. In the Fly Box this week, we have these questions and more: What is your take on small river fishing from a kayak for smallmouth bass? What is the best way to travel with a fully assembled fly rod inside an SUV or Jeep? Can I fish a dry/dropper or indicator with my 10-foot, 3-weight Euro rod? What is the minimal number of fly rods one can own for the most diverse situations and number of species? And what rods should they be? Is there any way to have a smooth connection from line to leader with the convenience of a loop-to-loop connection? Do we need to be as careful when releasing bluegills and bass as we are with trout? Is there anything wrong with adding colored marks to the end of my fly line and Euro-nymphing with a short leader? Will trout that are eating tiny flies take a bigger dry at last light? Can I Euro nymph in small streams with a short rod? What is the minimum and maximum amount of gear you would take for an afternoon of fishing? The fish I get in my net quickly often struggle a lot. Should I play them longer? Is there an app to analyze your casting? Someone suggested using thinner-bodied Zebra Midges. Is that a good idea? View the full article

I've long been fascinated by the way geology affects the character and richness of a trout stream, and I know other anglers are as well. My interview this week is with geology professor Dr. Nelson Ham [40:36], who has been studying the effects of both geology and historical land use practices on the character of our trout rivers. The discussion also goes into the value of ground water on how productive our rivers can be. I learned a lot in this interview and I know you will as well. In the Fly Box this week, we have some interesting an unusual questions and comments, including: I have six Helios 3 rods and want to sell one. Which one should I sell? Do you think the affect of COVID on swelling the ranks of fly fishers will go down? I found an Orvis 1856 bamboo fly rod in the attic of my new house. Was it really built in 1856? A listener encourages me to keep making fun of various kinds of fly-fishing methods. In places I used to catch brook trout I am now only catching chubs. Do you think trout will re-inhabit these streams? A listener reminds me that organizations like Project Healing Waters promote the therapeutic value of fly fishing in young veterans. Do you think tube flies would be effective for golden dorado? If it's legal, how many flies do you think are too many on a single leader? When I fish a dry dropper, why do the smaller fish take my small Zebra Midge and the larger trout take a poke at my dry fly? What flies and gear are recommended for catching Atlantic mackerel on a fly? If I don't want to use head cement, is a double whip finish a good way to increase the durability of my flies? When I use a throat pump on trout, why do my samples sometimes come up empty? View the full article

This week we take a trip Down Under to talk to guide Angus Reynolds [41:21] in Australia. Angus customarily guides trout anglers, but because of the recurring drought in Australia he has been pursuing alternate species and carp are one of his major targets. I thought we could learn some techniques to try on our North American carp, which are the same species, and Angus has some interesting tips on fishing a sunken dry fly for them. He also tells some great stories about catching Murray cod and eels on a fly rod! In the Fly Box this week, we have some interesting questions and comments, including: Can I use my 11-foot, 3-weight Helios Blackout rod for trout Spey? If so, what grain weight should I use? When should I use jig hooks and slotted beads as opposed to regular nymph hooks and beads? Do you have some tips for Eastern stillwater trout fishing? Is it much different than what they do in the West? Is there a reasonable do-it-yourself repair kit for fly rods I can take into the field with me? Does UV resin attract trout? And are UV materials really attractive to trout? A listener from the UK says the whole idea of public water in North American blows his mind. He asks if it is really true that we can fish any river we want? A listener takes me to task for insinuating that people who use Euro nymphing techniques are only after racking up numbers of fish. What is the difference between graphite and fiberglass rods for small streams, and which is better? If I see a beaver on one end of a pond and an otter on the other, which one should I stay away from when fishing? A listener shares his experience of brown trout favoring one fly on his nymph rig and rainbow trout the other fly. View the full article

Originally Released Jul 09, 2021 This week I am delighted to have biologist John McMillan back as my guest [46:00]. John gives us a detailed view on the affect of water temperature on a trout's metabolism, particularly at the upper end of their safe range. In this summer of low flows and high water temperatures nearly everywhere in North America, it's a critical topic. And as usual, John puts his critical eye on how we, as anglers, can mitigate these effects by changing our fishing behavior. John is never without optimism, and I think you'll enjoy his discussion and learn more about trout biology and how we can be more responsible anglers. In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions and tips from listeners: Why did my guide tell me to use heavier tippets? Why did she suggest this would put less stress on the fish? A suggestion from a listener on getting an old bamboo rod and refurbishing it to bring one back to life. What is the difference between hen and partridge? How do I know where to find trout streams? What size should I tie my ants in? A new way of tying a clinch knot with heaver hooks is suggested by a listener Why, when fishing with a dry dropper, do I only catch browns on the nymph and only cutthroats on the dry? What do you suggest for catching pressured largemouths in summer? A belated Father's Day message Can I use the Euro nymphing method from a drift boat or float tube? Why am I having trouble mending at 30 feet with a dry dropper? When tying a Chubby Chernobyl, how do you get the legs to separate? When you see a large mammal like a beaver or otter in the river, is it time to move on? Why do I catch myself with my fly when casting? Is it OK to dry my waders and boots in the sun? How should I handle my gear for air travel? Why do I keep losing fish when using bead head flies? Does using a frog pattern change the flex of my rod? Why do Scandinavians hold their rods so high when playing a fish? View the full article

Anyone involved in the world of fly fishing knows that young people are getting involved at a rate greater than any time in its history. Why? What do they want out of fly fishing, why does it appeal to them, and what do they see as the future of fly fishing? This is Part two of a podcast series where I interview young people about these questions, and this week my guest is a college student, Lukas Draugelis [37:14], president of the University of Vermont Fly-fishing Club—a very vibrant organization. In the Fly Box this week we some great questions, as well as a bit of humor, including: I get my fly line, rod tip, net, and flies stuck in trees and bushes, sometimes at the same time. Does this happen to anyone else? How do bursts of rain and muggy days affect fly fishing? How about barometric pressure? I have never seen a good hatch on a river. What kinds of environmental cues trigger a hatch? What grain weight should I put on a fiberglass rod that calls for a 5/6 line? What does the term “boat rod” mean in fly fishing? I fish a wild trout stream with numerous small fish with the biggest around 14 inches. How many and what size can I safely harvest? Any tips on how to make my first casts in a pool as good as the ones I may 15 minutes later when I am “warmed up”? How can I avoid foul hooking fish, and am I killing fish that I foul hook? What does a fish sound like when it is spooked? If I came fly fishing with you on small streams, what rod, leader, and flies would you be using? Is there a good way to make an adjustable dropper on a dry/dropper rig? View the full article