• Will my Clearwater fly lines be OK in salt water?
• Why don't we use grain weights instead of the AFTMA number system for identifying the weights of trout fly lines like we do for double-handed rods?
• The fly shops are always out of my favorite fly pattern, the Purple Haze.  I just want to tie those.  Should I start with a kit or should I just buy the materials I need for that fly pattern?
• A tip from a listener on how to attach a fly so that it does not twist your leader
• When you work a section of water, should you work the near seam or the far seam first?
• A tip from a listener on how to replace the permanent loop on your fly line with a new one
• A tip from a listener on how to remove burrs or grooves in your fly-tying bobbin
• A tip from a listener on why you should save old waders, and how to use them to patch new ones.
• A tip from a listener on why it is important to support your local fly shop
• Tips from a blind fly fisher on methods he uses to enjoy fly fishing, and a couple tips from him on how to make threading a fly easier—something that all of us can benefit from.
• Tips from a listener on practicing your fly casting from the position you'll most often be fishing from.
• What is the etiquette when wading anglers and boaters cross paths on the water?
• Why would someone pick a 91/2-foot or 9-foot, 5-inch rod over a 9-footer?
• What tips do you have for casting a sinking leader?
• Can I keep my rods set up in or on my car for extended periods?

• What is the best rod length, line size, and leader for brook trout?
• Can I throw a small Woolly Bugger with my 3-weight rod or do I need a heavier rod?
• Are there any fly-tying materials that could have a negative health impact?
• Do you know of a source for those bags used to hold fly-tying materials?
• What flies can I use ruffed grouse feathers on?
• Should I use my heavier nymph as my point (lower) fly?
• I am looking at an Amplitude Creek line for small streams but it states the line is one size heavier.  Will it spook the brook trout I am after?
• How many flies do you lose every season, and how do you lose most of them?
• How long should I expect a fly to last?
• I love carp and bass fishing and have always been underwhelmed by trout fishing.  What am I missing?
• Are 6-piece rods any good, and would you take one on a long trip?
• I got some old feathers that are bug infested.  How can I clean them to make sure all the critters are gone?
• A useful tip from a listener—to slow you down and help you observe a river better, don't string up your rod until you get to the river.
• What do you do when you change species?  Do you have separate fly boxes for each?
• When coming up with a new fly pattern, how do you decide hook style and thread type?
• Tip for keeping young kids away from a fly-tying area—use a baby gate
• What is the most versatile fly for catching bass, carp, and panfish?
• I get seasick.  What is the best place to go bonefishing where I will find calm water?

• Will a 2-weight rod give me more enjoyment  than my 7 1/2-foot 3-weight when bluelining on my local streams?  How about a 10 foot two-weight?
• What is the purpose of tying a tippet ring on the end of big dry flies?
• Three great fly-tying and fishing  hacks from a listener
• A listener describes how he fixed a bobbin that kept cutting thread using a fly-tying bead.
• What hook sizes can I cast on my 5-weight when fishing for bass?  And would it help to put a 6-weight on my rod when casting larger flies?
• What do you think of trying weedless carp flies for fish that are in pockets between weeds?
• If I am tying various styles of streamers in a range of sizes, should I get a rooster cape?
• Do I need to dry out my fly line before putting my reel away?
• I want to try a tenkara rod but my fishing buddy says it's not fly fishing.  What do you think?
• I could catch trout on Woolly Buggers but had trouble catching them on small midges.  What should I try in this tailwater the next time I go?
• Three tips from a listener on getting success when tight-line nymphing.
• Is it possible to get transcripts for the podcasts?
• What is the process for experimentation with new fly patterns?
• A listener adds another common way to break a fly rod
• When you talk about leader length, do you include the tippet?

This week's podcast is a recording of a live interview I did with Sue Doroff [48:56], co-founder and outgoing president of The Western Rivers Conservancy, which does amazing work throughout the West by buying valuable riparian land, making the surrounding habitat more natural and resilient, and enhancing public access to many of our important trout, salmon, and steelhead rivers.  You'll learn how Western Rivers finds these areas, the financial model for how they do this, and how most are eventually transferred into public ownership.  It's fascinating story of how a small organization punches well above its weight.

 

In the Fly Box this week, we have lots of questions and valuable tips from listeners, including:

• How to use forceps to smooth down weighting wire
• How to easily reverse your tying thread using a dubbing needle
• How do I get deer hair to behave?
• Any tips for attaching eyes to Game Changers?
• Why can I catch trout from tiny streams on dry flies but not on nymphs?
• Advice on the differences between Helios and Recon rods
• How do I get into commercial fly tying?
• How far do stocked trout travel?
• Can I catch a carp on my 8 ½ foot 5 weight rod?
• Can I use split shot with streamers?
• Advice on a fiberglass rod for bass and panfish
• Do I need to adjust water type or tactics for browns vs. rainbows?
• A great tip from a listener on how to avoid losing beads and hooks under your tying table
• What should a non-angler do when going fishing with a fly fisher?
• How can I prevent losing fish on size 24 flies?  Should I keep the barbs on?
• Does how you tie a clinch knot have any bearing on how it rides in the water?
• A listener suggestion for another great writer of fly-fishing essays