Interview starts at 41:08
New York State’s Salmon River—you either love it or hate it, and some of us love and hate it at the same time.  It’s an amazing resource, with large quantities of high-quality fish that are often chrome-bright and every bit as hot as their ocean-going relatives.  It’s a beautiful river.  It’s got great water for swinging flies.  And then there’s the tough news.  A river this productive will draw crowds, and some of them are not as well-behaved as most of us would like.  But you can get away from crowds on this river, and Matt Ertzinger,  veteran guide with Tailwater Lodge, shares his secrets on when to fish the river, how to avoid crowds, and what flies and tackle to use.  Is it worth the trip?  This podcast may help you decide.

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

• Should I feel dirty about using Squirmies and similar flies?
• What rod can I use for bass in Mississippi and trout in Arkansas?
• Are there scuds and sowbugs in Eastern rivers?
• What advantages do the new Recon Euro-nymphing rods offer?
• Can I put a 9-weight line on my 6-8 weight reel?
• Can I prevent my fly line from stacking to one side of the spool?
• How can I fish a tiny, brushy stream in southern California?
• How can I get my flies deeper in fast, deep water when fishing for sea-run brook trout?
• What is the best ay to fish for pike in a small stream?
• How can I put the hatch guidebook that I bought to good use?

This week we talk about Project Healing Waters and the amazing things it has done for veterans with both physical and mental issues due to their service.  Over 8,000 veterans have been introduced to the healing properties of nature and fly fishing in this program, with hundreds of chapters throughout the country and thousands of volunteers.  Todd Desgrosseilliers, decorated Marine veteran and a beneficiary of this program personally, is now the president of Project Healing Waters and he talks frankly about his experiences as a participant and then as an administrator.  Learn about the program and how you can get involved, whether you are a veteran in need of healing or as a possible volunteer.

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

• What effects on fishing will the Australian wildfires have?
• If I see a lot of tiny black stoneflies in the water, does that mean I should be fishing imitations of them?
• A great additional suggestion on the benefits of a rotary fly-tying vise
• A stream near me is stocked with brook, brown, and rainbow trout but it can support wild trout.  Why are there only wild rainbows in this stream?
• Can flies be made by machine?
• What stream conditions are best for a single-handed Spey cast?
• How do I tie a second streamer behind an articulated streamer?
• What should I teach my wife, who has never fly fished, before we go on a guided trip together?
• How can I practice for a tarpon trip if I only have an 8-weight rod?
• What technique would you use on the Green River in Utah?
• Is my 8 ½ foot 7 weight rod enough rod to use on the Salmon River in New York?

Interview starts at 51:28

This week’s podcast is a spirited discussion with Dr. Andy Danylchuk, Professor of Fish Conservation at UMass Amherst, Science Advisor for Keep Fish Wet (www.keepemwet.org) and Research Fellow for Bonefish Tarpon Trust. My question to Andy was about the effectiveness of catch-and-release as a conservation tool, and as always when talking with a scientist it depends on your definitions. Like “What is conservation?” and predictably that varies with a person’s values and experiences. I thought it was a thought-provoking conversation and hope you do was well.

In the Fly Box this week, we have these questions and tips:

• How do you put the hackle on a Stimulator?
• What’s the best way to be ready for smaller cutthroats or big bull trout at the same time?
• How can I maximize my success when fishing with my 4-year-old?
• How can I plan  trip to fish the Rocky Mountains?
• Why do I keep losing fish?
• Where do natural fly tying materials come from?
• What is the best way to cast big streamers or nymph rigs?
• What rod do you recommend for fishing Chesapeake Bay?
• A tip for a great, inexpensive seine for trout streams
• Where do you draw the line between ethical and unethical use of electronics when fishing?
• What do you think of ultra-light fly fishing?
• Should I get a saddle or cape for tying flies?
• Do you recommend upgrading to a premium fly-tying vise?
• Can you explain the difference between tailwaters, headwaters, and freestone rivers?

Interview segment begins at 43:02

I get regular and frequent questions on the differences between nylon and fluorocarbon tippet—when and where to use them, appropriate knots, special properties, and shelf life.  I used to be involved in the development process of tippet and have visit many places where tippet is made.  But that was years ago and a lot of progress has been made since my time in product development.  So I invited Josh Jenkins, R&D manager at Scientific Anglers, to talk about recent innovations in tippet material.  Josh is intimately involved in the development and testing of tippet for both Orvis and Scientific Anglers, and his knowledge is far greater that mine.  I think you’ll learn some surprising tips on both tippet material construction and knots because I learned a lot in speaking with Josh.

The Fly Box this week is a little different.  This one was recorded live at The Fly Fishing Show in Edison New Jersey.  Rather than telling you what kinds of questions were asked (none of which were prompted or ones I had heard beforehand) I’ll let you discover these on your own.  You never know what might happen in New Jersey…