If you think mending is just lifting your rod and flipping it upstream—well sometimes it is—but there is so much more you can do with line mends to add slack in just the right places, and to deal with tricky currents. Mike Pease [30:41], Orvis-endorsed guide and great storyteller, gives us 10 tips for increasing the utility of your line mends. I learned a bunch of new tricks on this podcast and I am sure you will as well.

There are some helpful tips from listeners and some questions that may answer things you have been curious about, including:
When would you use a drop shot nymphing rig?
Have you ever used a dry fly, nymph, and wet fly at the same time?
I am debating about which Helios rod to buy. Should I get the 9 foot 5 weight or the 9-foot 5-inch version?  Can I use the longer rod for wade fishing?
A listener gives his version of a Euro rig for steelhead.
Which 10-foot rod should I get for Lake Erie steelhead?
Do you think tying a dropper to the bend of a hook is any hindrance to fish taking the upper fly?
Sometimes when I hook a big fish it takes line right away and my tippet breaks. Do you think my drag is set too tight?  How tight should I set my drag?
A great tip from a listener on an easy way to remove split shot with a tool everyone carries.
You say that trout can always see the tippet. If so, why would I ever want to use something as fine as 6X? 

When is a trout a steelhead and when is it a rainbow? Are steelhead just rainbow trout that migrate to the ocean?  Is it something in their genes or just random chance? And in a given population of rainbow trout, will only some of them migrate to the ocean? And according to a biologist, are the Great Lakes "steelhead" truly steelhead? My guest fisheries biologist Katie Kobayashi [32:13] has studied these fish down to the genetic level and has some exciting information on their life histories.

In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions that I think will be helpful to many of you, including:
If I hook a trout in the back behind the dorsal fin, will it survive OK? And can I count this fish as "caught"?
What is the most useful saltwater fly line for inshore species?
For my smaller creeks in Pennsylvania, would an 8 ½ foot 4-weight or 7 1/2-foot 3-weight be better?
Have you used articulated flies? Have you had success with them? Are there articulated subsurface flies other than streamers?
I have an 8-weight rod for flats fishing in salt water and want a second rod for bigger stuff.  Should I get a 9-weight or a 10-weight?
For fishing in a Colorado tailwater, when should I use an indicator setup and when should I Euro-nymph? And when Euro nymphing, how can I get a tiny size 22 nymph down into the right zone?

My guest this week is Orvis-endorsed guide Joe Garza [32:54], a guide from JAG Fly Fishing, who explains the intricacies of still water trout fishing. He discusses common mistakes that anglers make, the importance of understanding food sources, and the need for patience in still water environments. Joe shares insights on matching fly profiles and colors to natural food, as well as effective techniques for using indicators. The conversation emphasizes the unique challenges of still water fishing compared to moving water, providing valuable tips for both novice and experienced anglers. He shares his extensive knowledge on fly fishing in still waters, focusing on techniques such as the hand twist retrieve, effective casting, and the importance of proper hook setting. He emphasizes the significance of maintaining tension in the line and understanding fish behavior, particularly in relation to external factors like weather and water temperature. 

In the Fly Box this week we have a lot of questions about tackle and winter reading, including:
Is "Sinking Gel" for nymph fishing a waste of money?
What is the difference between the 7'1/2 foot 3-weight Superfine Graphite and the 7 ½ foot 3-weight Superfine Glass rods?
Is there a book you recommend on trout biology?
Are there some books you recommend on learning about hatches?
Can you explain the differences between your three books:  Reading Trout Streams, Finding Trout, and Prospecting for Trout?
How do manufacturers set the line recommendations for their fly reel models?
I am 6-feet, 2 inches tall. Does that mean where most people would recommend a 10-foot rod that I should get a 9-foot rod?
What three fly lines would you recommend for a wide variety of fish in fresh and salt water?
What fly patterns do I need to imitate the gigantic Cantaria beetle in Chile?

My guest this week is philosophy professor and fly fisher Thi Nguyen [33:31], who has spent his career studying the psychology and the value of games to our mental well-being. He argues that fly fishing is not one game but an infinite number of games that can be played by rules that we invent to challenge ourselves. And you might even change your rules within a single day of fishing. This podcast and my discussions with him have changed the way I view and teach fly fishing and I hope the interview will be equally fascinating to you.

The Fly Box this week has some interesting tips and questions. Perhaps not as thought-provoking but still interesting, and I hope helpful.
Will a premium rod magnify my casting mistakes?
Will my 4-weight Helios handle brown trout over 20 inches?
Can you elaborate on why someone would want to use two indicators and how to set them up?
Will my nymphs sink better with 12-pound fluorocarbon or with lighter tippet?
I am confused by the differences in hook sizes recommended for various diameters of beads. They don't seem consistent. Can you help?
A tip for using paper key tags to learn to identify various flies
A tip for using parachute cord to eliminate the loss of small items
Why do I see bugs under rocks in one part of a river and not in another?

In this episode, my guest is Brian Slusser [32:13], an Orvis endorsed guide based in Truckee, California, who tells us about the nuances of winter streamer fishing. With over 29 years of guiding experience, Brian shares his insights on effective techniques for fishing during the colder months, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the unique conditions of winter. He discusses the significance of dressing appropriately for the cold, the best times to fish, and the types of setups and flies that work best in winter conditions. Brian also highlights the advantages of using streamers over traditional nymphs during this season, providing listeners with practical tips to enhance their winter fishing experience.

In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions form listeners:

What time of year should I go to the Florida Keys for tarpon?

Do I need to get a warm-water fly line for tarpon?

When fighting a tarpon, do I need to point my rod at them when they jump?

What do you think of treble hooks for Atlantic salmon in Quebec?

What are the crown jewels of your fly rod collection?

Which two-handed outfit should I get for swinging flies for smallmouth bass?

What is a good but relatively inexpensive reel for my 9-foot 5-weight trout rod?

What should I do if I get stuck in deep muck when wading?

I saw hundreds of trout in Alaska jumping into the air to catch tiny white flies and I could not catch them. What should I have done?

I have a whole bunch of flies but I am relatively new and never know what size I am pulling out of my box. What can I do?

Want to get away from the crowds? Want a high mountain lake or stream all to yourself?  The best way to do this is to take a backpacking trip, but you need to prepare more than you would for a car trip or a trip to a lodge. What exactly should you take and what should you leave behind?  What kinds of flies and accessories should you bring? How can you save weight and still have enough gear for a fun fishing trip? Derek Bargaehr [37:36], an experienced fly fisher and backpacker, gives us tips on how to make the most of your next backpacking trip.

In the Fly Box this week, we have some questions. A couple of which could only be answered by my co-workers at Orvis so we have responses from both Pete Kutzer, our casting guru and Shawn Brillon, our bamboo rod craftsman.
How can I easily estimate how much backing is on my unlabeled reels?
A listener relates how some podcast advice on emergers helped him and his son have a successful trip
I took a lesson on two-handed casting and it was all done on grass.  Was this wrong?
What advice do you have on cleaning the ferrules on bamboo fly rods?
Are Orvis bamboo fly rods impregnated?
On a tarpon trip, the fish were in deep water so I used a sinking poly leader on my floating line.  Should I have used a full-sinking fly line instead?
Is the Albright knot a better knot than the nail knot for attaching a leader to a fly line or backing to a fly line?
When connecting pieces of tippet I will normally go up two X sizes, like from 2X to 4X.  Is this wrong?
Is it OK to clear a casting lane on a trout stream?
What can I do to find bigger trout during the dog days of summer?

This episode was originally published on July 14th, 2023.

I think most stream anglers are interested in foraging, since we're immersed in nature all day long and although we watch for fish and insects and birds, many of us don't pay attention to the plants. And there are many delicious plants along trout streams you can take home for dinner—most of which will be more nutritionally dense than what you buy in the store—and free. If you have done any foraging at all, you have probably read some of more of Sam Thayer's [40:38] books. In our household his books are the primary source. I was lucky enough to spend some time talking to Sam about why foraging along streams is especially good, and what we can expect to find there. 

In the Fly Box this week, we have no phone calls but some great questions via e-mail, including:

Why do trout in small streams take flies more readily when the water is high?

Where do you recommend I go trout fishing in the East in July when I visit this summer?

A great story about a listener getting generous advice from a famous angler along a trout river.

A tip for keeping rod sections together using clothespins.

What is the best streamer reel, line, and leader for a 7-weight rod?

What do you do when there is a very heavy hatch and almost too many natural insects?

I am having trouble hooking fish using the hand-over-hand retrieve when striper fishing. What can I do to increase my hooking rate?

What are three things a novice dry-fly angler should pay attention to?

Do you ever tie up dry/dropper rigs at home prior to going fishing?

Will my 8-weight be enough rod for fishing for striped bass from a boat?

What are some tips on picking flies for striped bass fishing at night?

This episode was originally published on August 19th, 2022.

Want to know how a bamboo fly rod is made? How long it takes to make one? How many different hands touch an Orvis bamboo fly rod before you (and your children and grandchildren) become its lucky owner. And finally, what's so great about bamboo fly rods? How are they different from fiberglass and graphite, and what will they do for you on the water? This week I interview Orvis bamboo fly rod craftsman Shawn Brillon [45:09], who loves to talk bamboo rods as much as he enjoys making and fishing them.

In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions and tips from listeners, including:

I could catch rising trout in one part of a pool, but when I moved 50 meters upstream I couldn't catch any. What was going on?

How do I determine the correct size leader if I am going from a single size 16 fly to a hopper or multiple nymph rig?

What are your thoughts on weed guards on flies?

I caught a dragonfly on my elk hair caddis. Am I the first?

I hooked a trout in the corner of the mouth and even with a barbless hook it bled and looked like it would die. Would it have been better if I left the fly in the fish?

I have been fishing with an 8-weight shooting head outfit for striped bass and halibut. I want to catch corbina but I hear they are spooky. Do you think my 8-weight is too heavy?

I keep seeing these large fish rising in a heavily pressured river but can't catch them on any multi-fly rig. What can I do to fool these fish?

What do you do to stay in shape for fishing?

What are the advantages of a big dry fly over a bobber?

Does bead size really matter regarding attractiveness to trout? And is there a seasonality to what color beads you should use?

I have been catching catfish on a fly. Does anyone else do this and is it a "thing" or is it bycatch?

I went to Banff to fish and they required that all my tackle, including lines and leaders, could not have been used for 45 days and had to be cleaned and treated. What do you think about the potential for things like lines and leaders to transfer invasive species?

This episode was originally published on March 10th, 2023.

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?

My guest this week is photography expert and co-host of the Petapixel podcast Chris Niccolls [28:39]. Chris has access to nearly every kind of expensive camera in the world because he evaluates photo equipment for his day job. But when he is fishing, guess what he takes most of his photographs and videos with?  You guessed it—his iPhone. Chris shares tips on how to set up your shot, how to get a photograph and still have minimal fish handling, and what settings to use on your phone. He also gives great tips on setting up the scene so that your photos are better than just grip & grin snapshots.

In the Fly Box this week, we have these questions and tips:
You say Orvis fly rods are true to line weight but you say you use a line that is a half-size heavy. Why?
With a fly line that is rated for colder water, is it OK to use it for the occasional largemouth bass fishing trip in warmer water?
A tip from a listener on how to get an estimate of a fish's length and weight using AI.
A tip from a listener on great places to fish close to Chicago.
Can I get a rod that is suitable for carp and for large salmon in the Great Lakes?
How can I target suckers on a fly rod?
Would a leader with a long stiff butt and abrupt taper be a good one for fishing big Chubbies in western rivers?
What do you think of double taper leaders?
What are some fly fishing books form the 1960s and earlier that are still worth reading?
A great tip from a listener on using hockey laces for wading boots.
A tip from a listener on a hot fly to use in the Driftless Region during the winter.
Is there a trick for fly casting in rough seas?

My guest this week is Captain Dan Andrews [37:51], co-founder and CEO of Captains for Clean Water, one of Orvis' most trusted conservation partners. Orvis has been aligned with this grass roots group since their inception and it's been a valuable partnership. Dan tells us what is going on with the Everglades restoration project, what progress has been made, how it has affected the fisheries, and current threats to progress. He is also very optimistic about this winter's fishing conditions in Florida and looks into his crystal ball to predict how fishing will be in various regions of the Florida Coast this year. If you live in Florida or spend time visiting there during the winter you'll want to listen to this one.

In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions and tips, including:
-Do you think it’s worth it to fish bugs on a marginal river with a lower fish count, or should you focus on covering water with a streamer?
-Should I get my 14-year-old grandson a fiberglass or graphite rod for Christmas?
-Why does the industry seem to push loop connections on fly lines? I had a problem with a loop system hanging up in the guides. Shouldn't people spend more time learning the blood knot or surgeon's knot?
-Brian Fleshig and the late Flip Pallot recommend cutting the permanent loop off a fly line and replacing it with a nail knot. What do you do?
-A listener who had great luck finding pinhole leaks in his waders using a flashlight.
-For small stream fishing, should I get an 8/12 foot Clearwater of a 7'11" Superfine?
-Will brass beads instead of tungsten allow a fly to drift more naturally in the current?
-How would you deal with a couple anglers who high-holed you on a steelhead river?
-I think I saw PMDs on a river in late October. Is that possible? What affects the hatch timing of mayflies?
-How do you know when you have too much weight when tightline nymphing?
-When fishing nymphs in deep water, why do the smaller fish get off easier but the bigger fish stay hooked?

I am not a big fan of using split shot but after this interview with Dom Swentosky [36:41] of the Troutbitten blog and podcast, I'm going to use it a lot more. Dom's method of using split shot is simple and convenient, and he teaches us about placement, adding shot, and removing shot easily—and how to keep it from sliding on your tippet without placing it above a knot. Whether you fish nymphs or streamers, Dom has some great suggestions on using split shot properly.

In the Fly Box this week, we have some great tips and questions form listeners, including:

Is a 10-foot, 4-weight fly rod a good all-around rod for fishing in New England?
If I have a floating and full sinking line for bass fishing, would an intermediate line be the next one to try for largemouth bass?
Why aren't there more resources like books on fly fishing for largemouth bass?
How many different floating fly lines do you have at home?
When you are taking a trip, how many floating lines do you take?
I have been steelhead fishing in Alaska with a tight line presentation. In what situations would an indicator be beneficial?
I don't quite understand why we would take food out of a fish's mouth by using a throat pump. How can you justify this?
Will egg flies work in Colorado?
Is it possible to shoot line with a bow-and-arrow cast?
Are there any saltwater barbless hooks?
Why do spawning shrimp patterns always have the egg cluster tied near the head?
A tip on using small magnets to hold hooks at the fly-tying bench
A tip on using a pool noodle to hold larger saltwater flies after tying them
Is an 8-pound bass leader the same as a 3X leader?
A tip from a listener on how to alleviate shoulder pain when fly fishing.

• Help in picking an array of fly rods and lines for fishing for various species in Pennsylvania.
• How to get deeper for crappie in fall.
• Is there a way to determine the line size of older, non-labeled fly lines?
• Is putting a spoon on a fly rod considered fly fishing?
• I bought a Euro rod but don't like that method. How do I use my 10-foot 3-weight rod for dry fly and nymph fishing from a float tube?
• Where do trout go during droughts when the water gets painfully low?
• Do you have tips for casting heavy flies like Clouser Minnows?
• My son and I were frustrated during a blue-wing-olive hatch when the fish would just splash at our dry flies. Do you have any suggestions?
• Do I need to cut the loop off my fly line and attach my leader with a nail knot?
• Should I keep my waders away from electric engines when storing them?
• A tip from a listener on using a pipe cleaner for a material clip on your tying vise.
• I got a pigtail in front of my fly when using a Uni Knot. How can I prevent that in the future?
• How much of a tag end does Tom trim off when he ties on a fly?  I seem to use a lot of tippet in the course of a day.

• Advice on the best 6-weight to choose for all-around fly fishing.
• I am having trouble deciding between a 9foot 5-weight and a 4-weight Superfine.  Please help me decide
• When should I use micro-swivels in my trout setup?
• Should I worry about getting bitten by a snapping turtle when wading a smallmouth river?
• Why do I see people playing steelhead with their rod held horizontally, pointing at the fish. Aren't you supposed to keep a bend in your rod?
• Can I use the Orvis Knot as a loop knot? 
• Can you review how we should handle fish to increase their chances of survival?
• What can I do to renew the floating properties of a line that seems to be in good shape?

I've wanted to get Brian Flechsig of Mad River Outfitters [49:59] on the podcast for quite a while and we finally made it happen. Brian is the star of many great YouTube videos and he loves to get into the details of tackle rigging. He's a knotted leader expert and he explains his simple three-part system for tying saltwater and bass leaders. He also talks about his use of furled leaders and the now-extinct Orvis Braided Leaders. Brian and I also discuss our favorite knots and a philosophy for choosing your own knots—always a hot topic.   

In the Fly Box this week we have these questions and tips:
When does it make more sense to modify a fly instead of changing flies?
If you don't see any bug activity, can you still catch fish on dry flies?
Why would you ever use a strike indicator when you can use a dry dropper rig?
I live on a trout stream that hardly anyone else fishes. How long should I rest the river in between trips?  Will the fish move out if I fish it too hard?
I saw a bunch of dead and struggling rainbows in the shallows. What do you think caused this?
How can I get my Comparaduns to fan out when I tie them?
When wouldn't you substitute CDC, rabbit's foot, or a synthetic when tying Comparaduns?
What are your thoughts on winding foam around a hook to make flies float better?
What is your favorite cricket pattern?
If modern graphite rods are so stiff, why design a 5-weight rod that is really a 6-weight?
How should I orient my rod when I cast to make sure I take advantage of the spine properly?
I have heard that you should fish a small stream downstream so the fish doesn't see your fly line. Is this correct?
A tip from a listener on how to keep fly boxes dry when wading deep.
Do you ever take backpacking/fishing trips?

• How can I keep my dropper from twisting around the leader when Euro nymphing?
• What kinds of flies are banned and why?
• If I only fish a few days a year, how long will my fly lines last?
• Do guides tell Tom "set!" when he fishes with them? And do they tell him where to put his flies?
• Do brook trout feed less than brown trout during spawning season?
• Am I missing something by not building my own leaders?
• What does a 3-weight rod give me that my 4-weight won't?
• When you under-line a fly rod and increase your line speed, does that detract from your accuracy?
• On articulated flies with only a single hook, should I keep the hook in front or in back?
• I want to learn to fly fish next season. Should I buy a rod now and practice over the winter before taking an FF101 class?
• I had a frustrating day with spooky brown trout. I could not get 25 feet away from them without spooking them. How can I catch these trout?
• What fly patterns use micro mink Zonker strips?

• Are all fly lines today one size heavy? Can I use my 5-weight line on my new 6-weight rod?
• A tip from a listener on the best way to carry multiple fly rigs to the river after constructing them at home.
• How can I start my roll cast to get a decent amount of line out when I have no back cast room?
• Can you skip a tippet size when adding a new tippet to a leader?
• Do you think adding a small piece of orange or white yarn to a standard dry fly for visibility impacts fishing?
• A tip from a listener on adding a lightly weighted nymph to his streamer rig when swinging flies.
• A tip from a listener on how to seal the thread when finishing small flies.
• I had trouble getting beads on some nymph hooks until I pinched the barb first.  Does everybody do this?
• I recently saw some freshly stocked trout chasing each other in circles in a pool. Is this spawning behavior or something else?
• Do juvenile trout eat the same thing as adults? If I am only catching small fish should I try a different fly?
• What is your favorite flotant for keeping a dry fly on top?

This episode was originally published on October 11th, 2019.

In today's podcast my guest is Shawn Combs, head of Orvis Rod & Tackle product development and Orvis rod and reel designer.  The topic is "16 Things I Wish I Knew About Trout Spey Before I Started". If you have been thinking about trying to swing wet flies or small streamers for trout with a two-handed rod, also known as "Micro Spey", this will be a valuable lesson for you. These are light two-handed rods, in line sizes 3 and 4, designed for covering larger waters. It's especially effective in the fall, when trout are getting aggressive as the move into winter and brown and brook trout are migrating to their spawning grounds. It's a fun and for many of us a new way to fish for trout.

In the Fly Box this week, here are some of the questions and suggestions from listeners:

-I know there are large trout in my river.  What kind of water do I look for and what else should I keep in mind when targeting these larger fish?

-I have been setting the hook on smallmouth bass by sweeping my rod parallel to the water. Can you take a moment or two to discuss the pros and cons of various rod angles when setting the hook?

-How can I tell if my waders are leaking or if I am just sweating inside them?

-My wife and I had over 40 fish rise to our dry flies and only hooked a couple.  Any idea what was going on or how to land these fish?

-What, to you, is the essence of Atlantic salmon fishing?

-A tip from a listener on how to target flathead catfish on a fly

-If I take my nine weight switch rod to Florida, what line size should I use on it for fishing from the surf?

-A suggestion from a listener on another thing to be careful of regarding river etiquette.

-What is the best way to get unstuck when you hook your fly on an object?

-Do you have any recommendations on fishing crayfish patterns for smallmouth bass?

-When there is thick aquatic weed on a river, what do you suggest for nymphing techniques?

-Why am I suddenly beginning to hit my rod on my back cast?

-A suggestion from a listener on the benefits of multi-focal contact lenses.

This podcast was originally published on December 28th, 2016.

In this podcast Stefan Woodruff, Orvis-endorsed guide with Ellensburg Anglers in Washington State, reveals (some of) his secrets to catching steelhead, plus an overview of ths steelhead opportunities in his state. Trout anglers will also enjoy his tips on fishing the Yakima River, tips that should work anywhere. 

In The Fly Box we range from tying gel-spun backing to fly line, how to fish with a friend and really fish together, what to do if you get snagged on a small stream, hooking fish on fiberglass rods, identifying jumping fish, what materials to save for fly tying from hunting trips, how to avoid drag when fishing to fish in a slow pocket on the other side of fast current. I also decline to give marital advice to one listener.

This week my guest is—me [34:55].  I asked Reid Bryant of the Orvis Wingshooting Podcast to interview me because I have worked at Orvis for 49 of those 50 years and lived through the various stages of Orvis rods, plus I just spent the past two months writing a history of the Orvis graphite rods. You'll learn about some interesting things that went on during those times that have never before been published. Some of them are quite surprising.

In the Fly Box this week, I answer these questions and more:
What hatch makes large brown trout leap fully out of the water?
Is there a hook sizing standard for fly-tying hooks?
How can I hide the final whip finish on my bead head nymphs?
What characteristics make for a good prospecting dry fly?
What do you recommend for a fly-tying light?
Can I use heaver hooks on my small nymphs? My lighter hooks keep getting straightened by large trout.
Is there a database for fly fishing locations around the world? I travel a lot and like to fish various places.
What rod should I travel with if I have no idea what I will fish for?
What flies should I carry that will work anywhere in the world?
What type of fly line should I put on older fiberglass and bamboo rods?

• Is there a single weight rod I can take to Belize to fish for bonefish, permit, and tarpon?
• What were your personal experiences with the old Power Matrix rod, and which one in the current Orvis lineup is most similar?
• I inherited some 1980s-era fly lines in new condition. Are they still good, and how do the tapers compare to modern lines?
• Can you explain the terms "skating a fly" and "swinging a fly" and explain briefly how to do them?
• Is there any schedule for your tie-offs with Tim Flagler and Cheech?
• I love my Ultralight Waders but I worry  they won't last as long as other waders.
• What is the proper way to store fly lines for an extended time period?
• I am a steelheader that wants to fish for trout. Can you skate flies for trout? And when fishing streamers should I swing them or strip them?
• What is the origin of the term "gin clear"
• Why can't I find a fast-sinking clear line?

Mary Orvis Marbury, daughter of Orvis founder Charles Orvis, is an important figure in the history of American fly fishing. She was the first person to catalog and standardize American fly patterns, but she led a sad and mysterious life. Historian Steve Woit [37:50] has written and expansive and spectacular book about Mary and the artifacts that helped her catalog flies and has also uncovered some little-known aspects of her life. If you are interested in how our fly-fishing traditions have developed you'll want to listen to my interview with Steve.

Coming back to the present we have some great questions in the Fly Box that may help you on your endless fly-fishing learning experience:
Can trout see tiny midges at night?
Should I grease my leader?
Will Mucilin hurt my bamboo rods?
What should I do when a fish is hooked deep?
What should I do if I inadvertently "high-hole" another angler?
A great tip from a listener on how to travel through the woods with a nymph on a dropper.
Is there a rule of thumb on how long to make a leader loop?
Are there orthotics that can be used in wading boots?
A tip from a listener on a great way to apply desiccant powder to dry flies.
A tip from a listener on how to fly fish without stressing the fish.
Why do other fish chase a hooked fish?
I though snowshoe rabbit's foot would make my flies float higher. Why do you use it and how do you fish these flies?
What is the best way to put a fly rod into a rod sock? 

Before you write this one off if you don't tie flies, although this is a podcast on a fly tying material, there is much more in this one. Like how to fish small flies and how to see those tiny flies on the water. But we do talk about one of the most amazing materials in fly tying—pheasant tail fibers. And it's not only for nymphs. Learn about why pheasant tail is such a magical material, how to tie a durable pheasant tail body, and how to use it on dry and wet flies as well as nymphs. Craig Matthews [42:22] is a legendary fly tier, guide, and conservationist and it is always valuable to catch his words of wisdom.

In the Fly Box this week, we have these questions and more:
Do I have to sight-fish in saltwater, or can I just fish my flies around likely structures?
Are "hot spots" as effective on dry flies as they are on nymphs?
Have you used those new clear-tip lines from Scientific Anglers for trout, and what do you think of them?
Why did I not catch trout on my first day on a river, yet clean up on fish two days later?
A tip from a listener on how to not lose your wading belt.
Can I fish streamers for smallmouth bass upstream like I do for trout? All the videos tell me to cast at a 45-degree downstream angle.
For fishing for striped bass from shore, is a 9-foot or a 10-foot rod better?
What type of leader do you recommend for swinging wet flies and soft hackles?
Have you ever tried to make your own amadou?
What fly box should I use for my tiny nymphs?
What is the best way to remove materials from a fly to re-use the hook and bead?
Is there any etiquette about wading an alpine lake?

Mike Ward [46:32], owner of Adipose Boat Works, recently tied Del Brown's lifetime permit count with 513 permit caught on a fly rod. On a bamboo fly rod! Now Mike would be the first one to say he may not be the world's best permit angler, but he has put in the time and energy to catch more than anyone else in history. And along the way he's learned some tips that we could all benefit from. I asked Mike to share his tips with us and he happily agreed. And, yes, Mike has also been skunked for days at a time when chasing permit so it happens to all of us.

In the Fly Box this week, we introduce a new theme song and have some of the best questions of the year, including:
I saw a couple cutthroats in a high lake spawning in August and none of the fish were rising, despite plenty of insects on the water. Would one spawning pair cause to whole lake to shut down like this?
What are some tips for casts to use on small brushy streams?
What are some tips for getting into saltwater fly fishing after a lifetime of trout fishing?
What advice would you give to a young fly angler who wants to make a living in the fly-fishing world?
Can you summarize when you might use a particular type of thread in fly tying?
What can I do to prevent my fly line loop from cracking when I attach a leader directly to the loop with a clinch knot?
Has your view of rod length for small streams changed over time?
If I find a great pool on a small stream, how long should I rest it before going back? A week? A month? Next year?
I have had some broken hooks from commercial fly patterns yet on my own flies they never do this. Are commercial flies tied on lesser quality hooks? And why do some hooks bend while others break?
Do you recommend magnifiers for tying on small flies? My eye doctor says my close vision is fine but I still have problems.
Should I replace my nylon tippet every year? Do fly shops make sure they rotate their tippet material so I don't buy older tippet?

This episode was originally published on August 14th, 2018

This week I have the pleasure of interviewing Jenny Mayrell-Woodruff [40:26]—the Orvis-endorsed Freshwater Guide of the Year for 2018. Jenny has recently relocated to Montana to run a lodge on Rock Creek and she took time out of her very busy schedule to share her knowledge of late summer terrestrial fishing. It’s an educational podcast and a timely one.

In the Fly Box this week we explore a wide range of topics, as usual:

How to transition from small trout streams to big rivers.

Why do I keep missing fish when fishing mouse patterns at night?

Can I use perfection loops in the middle of my leader to add droppers?

What is the best way to touch up the blades of nippers?

How do I make my fly attract trout by its entry into the water?

What happens to Tricos when nighttime air temperatures don’t go below 70 degrees?

Do tippet rings wear out?

Can I use my Clearwater line for trout fishing?

Do you measure the cast length from your body or from the rod tip?

How do you prospect for trout in long, slow pools?

What do you do if a big trout runs downstream and the water is too deep to wade below it?

I know a lot of listeners are relatively new to the fly-fishing game, and so I asked Phil Monahan [30:31], editor of Midcurrent.com (who also helps people through this sometimes-steep learning curve) to share with us ten pitfalls you may want to avoid when learning the game. And I am willing to bet that even you experts out there make some of these mistakes every time you go out. I know I do.

In the Fly Box this week, we have some basic and not-so-basic questions, including:
What fly line can I use in the Bahamas and for fly fishing in the Northeast?
Is the 'chuck and duck" method an ethical way to fish for Great Lakes salmon?
Should I replace my old Power Matrix 905 with a newer model or should I invest in a 904 to have a more diverse quiver?
I tie all of my juvenile tarpon flies on a size 2/0 hook. Should I invest in some smaller hooks?
How long should I leave my dry fly in the water before pulling it out?
How much tippet should I be going through?
You say that fish can always see my tippet. So why is it necessary to go to a smaller tippet size?
The tube in my New Zealand Strike Indicator always splits when I add yarn.  I am using 5X tippet. What am I doing wrong?
When fishing with trout Spey, should I concentrate more on my casting or what fly pattern I am using? And what is your favorite fly for trout Spey?
Are red and green lights any less impactful when night fishing?
Are weighted streamers recommended for night fishing?

My guest this week is Scott Barmby [35:56], director of the Orvis Chesapeake Fly Fishing Schools, who educates us on threats to the Bay's population of striped bass, and also the many fly-fishing opportunities in the Bay. It's a vast ecosystem that I didn't know much about, so it was interesting to me and I am sure it will be to you. I think you'll learn some surprising things about this national treasure.  

In the Fly Box this week, we have lots of comments and tips from listeners as well as questions, including:
A listener reminds people of the importance of making your presence known on the river
A listener gives some other tips for night fishing for trout and smallmouth bass.
A listener reminds us that catch-and-release is a valuable tool in certain fisheries, for both management and economic reasons.
Do you have any tips on keeping track of what leader you have on your line?
Do you think trout that are close to a hiking path avoid that side of the river because they are constantly spooked?
A listener wants to know which vintage Orvis reel he should put on a small stream rod.
Can you give me some tips on keeping the deer hair on top of the hook shank when tying Sparkle Duns?
After making a cast with tight line nymphing, how do I tell when my point fly is on the bottom?
Is a 6-weight rod strong enough for Labrador brook trout?
Do you know of any way to remove rust from a hook eye to prevent abrasion of the knot?

My guest this week is Joe Cermele [40:00], who you may know from his podcast "Cut and Retie", or from his work over the years at Field & Stream as a writer and videographer. Joe loves hunting big trout, and one of his favorite ways of fishing for them is night fishing with mouse flies. Joe is always fun and informative and I know you'll enjoy this one.

In the Fly Box this week, we have some especially interesting questions, including:

If I get a 10-foot 5-weight rod for nymph fishing and tight line fishing, will I sacrifice anything when I want to fish with dry flies or streamers?
I keep breaking off large carp when they head for structure. Should I use something different than a surgeon's knot?
Where do I find past live fly-tying videos and your tie-offs with Tim Flagler and Cheech?
A listener who is also an aquatic toxicologist explains why smoke from fires may be deleterious to our rivers and lakes.
What can I do to keep googly eyes from falling off my streamers? And do streamers even need eyes to be effective?
Hiking the Appalachian Trail, should I take my 7 ½ foot 3-weight or 9-foot 5-weight?
Why did a hybrid rainbow/cutthroat I played quickly turn belly-up?
Do you think the fly-fishing culture should reflect more deeply on the morality of catch-and-release fishing?
Do you have any suggestions for fishing hatches after dark? I typically high-stick with a dry fly and listen for the rise.
When water warms up, do trout go into faster water to take advantage of the higher oxygen content?

This episode was originally aired on June 16th, 2023.

OK, I lied. There aren't 15 tips. There are probably more and if you want to count them up you can e-mail me and correct my mistake. But I get a lot of questions about fishing emergers, and I thought a podcast on how to identify when fish are taking emergers and how to fish them would be welcome. Not only that, world-famous and beloved fishing guide and author Pat Dorsey [36:05] gives us his favorite fly patterns for fishing emergers including a couple secret ones.

In the Fly Box this week, we have some thoughtful questions and a few tips from listeners, including:

A great tip on casting with your non-dominant hand

Will wildfire smoke affect trout populations?

If I hear there are native brook trout in a stream, how do I find out where they are?

 A nice tip on untangling snarls of fly line.

Bigger brook trout started taking my nymphs on the swing instead of dead-drifted.

How should I take advantage of this next time?

How much of an incline in a small mountain stream can trout survive?

A listener was disappointed in my podcast with John Gierach because we did not discuss how anglers can have a positive impact on climate change.

Two listeners want to know what type of floating line to put on their Euro rods when they switch to dry flies.

Why are some articulated streamers tied with the hook down and why are some tied with the hook up?

I have a busy life. Am I missing opportunities by not tying my own flies?

Brown trout are invasive in my cutthroat stream. Should I take them home to eat them, or just kill them and throw them up on the bank?

 Is it ethical to back and fish a place on my own if a guide showed me the spot?

I have heard if you cut the welded loop off a fly line you can't use it any more because it will absorb water. Is this true?

My guest this week is one of fly fishing's best writers and storytellers Monte Burke [31:35], whose writing you may have seen in Garden & Gun, Forbes, or The Drake—or perhaps you've read his book, and one of my favorite fishing books, Lords of the Fly.  To discover who Monte, and many other people (including me) consider the finest fly-fishing guide who ever lived, you'll have to listen to the podcast.  You'll also learn about his new book of stories, Rivers Always Reach the Sea.

In the Fly Box this week, we have some questions that I think will help many other fly fishers solve problems they may have, including:
A listener informs us about the different grain weights in standard fly lines, and how there is a much bigger percentage difference in lighter lines than heavier ones.
What do you think about hooks that get left in a fish's mouth?
What would you look for in an ideal brook trout spot?
How can I keep panfish from grabbing my carp flies?
Is there an advantage to silicone fly boxes over ones with foam strips?
If I practice casting with my 4-weight fiberglass rod, will that affect my casting on other rods?
How do you use a dubbing loop and when do you use one?
The solid metal eyes on my redfish flies sink too quickly. Should I use bead chain or plastic eyes instead?
What is it about CDL feathers that make it worth using?

We've recently won a big battle for public lands, and my guest this week, Joel Pedersen [25:56] of Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, fills us in on what we've won and what we need to keep an eye on for the future. But the podcast is much more than that. Joel educates us on the differences between the major classes of public lands—National Forests, BLM land, National Parks, and Wilderness areas and just what uses are allowed on each—and who makes the decision on extractive industries in these vast tracts of land that WE as citizens and taxpayers own.

In the Fly Box this week, as usual we have some great questions that might benefit your own fly fishing, including:

I'm curious about who might be your successor on the podcast
A listener informs us why he thinks a 4-weight rod is a better option for smaller streams than a 3-weight.
Why do most of the hook eyes on flies orient horizontally? When would I want a fly with a vertically oriented eye?
I have the Orvis Essential Trout Fly Selection. What else would I need for fishing the great Arkansas tailwaters this summer?
Another listener asks if a 3-weight or 4-weight rod is better for small streams.
When my indicator is bobbing along in riffles, does that action hurt my presentation?
A good tip from a listener on how to get a stuck rod apart.
What are the pros and cons of using a stand-up paddleboard for carp and pike fishing, and what brand do you recommend?
I have not done well fishing as high water recedes. Is this typical?

• How can I tell what line is on my old reel?
• Should I get a 3-weight or 4-weight rod for small streams?
• Do those devices to remove flies from fish quickly really work?
• I have seen carp opening up their mouths and taking repeated gulps of food from the surface. Is this common and what do you call it?
• A fly shop told me that using tippet rings is not a good idea because I would break off fish. Is this true?
• A listener reports on conditions on the rivers in western North Carolina after the floods.
• I put a nick in my fly line and have to cut off the last 12 inches. Can I still use this line?
• My foam flies keep landing upside-down. How can I correct this?
• How should I fish streamers in clear pools where you can see right to the bottom?
• How should I cast to a fish that is directly below a branch trailing in the water?
• A suggestion from a listener on using a room dehumidifier to dry out waders and boots.
• Can I rig two flies on a blood knot, using both sides of the knot, one longer and one shorter?
• Would a 9-foot, 9-weight rod be the right one for fishing in Chesapeake Bay?  And can I use the same rod for steelhead in Michigan?
• I see a lot of goose feathers on my local golf course. Can I use these for biots on flies and which part should I use?
• What can I do with saltwater flies where the hook has gotten slightly rusty?

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

This episode was originally published on November 20th, 2023.

Todd Tanner [43:02] is a lifelong fly fisher and journalist and spent years as a guide on the Henry's Fork, one of the best (and toughest) dry-fly rivers in the world.  He also prefers not to fish nymphs.  Todd shares his 12 tips on improving your success with dry flies this week, and they are solid and helpful.
 
In the Fly Box this week, we have a great and varied selection of questions and tips from listeners, including:
I don't see any brook or brown trout in the usual places this fall. Are they all upstream spawning?
Two great tips from a listener for beginning fly tiers.
Is a 10-foot 4-weight a good rod for both Euro nymphing and dry-fly fishing?
A great tip from a listener on how to prevent your dry fly from getting too soaked before retrieving it for the next cast.
A listener makes the point that watershed-level stream restoration is often not possible.
If my stream is stocked with rainbows, will I find them in other parts of the river system and will they survive?
Can I use a less expensive spool of fluorocarbon spinning line instead of the expensive stuff sold for fly fishing?
If I use only the tip of a CDC feather, can I use the remaining fibers for something else?
Kudos from a listener on a wonderful experience he had in the Orvis retail store in Atlanta
What kind of insects are most common in infertile streams?
Is there a reason Orvis makes a 10 ½ foot and 11-foot H3 rod and not a 10-footer?
A great rattlesnake story from a listener
I found a whole bunch of trout rising in a seam and tried everything but could not catch them. I tried all kinds of dries and nymphs and changed my tippet and my angle of approach. What do you think the fish were eating? 

• Do you have any advice to help me catch more trout on dry flies?
• Does it matter that jig flies ride upside-down?
• Why can't I catch a fish on a Pheasant Tail nymph?
• What is the best color for a background on a fly-tying table?
• How do you keep track of the leader and tippet you have on a fly line?
• How long with rivers in North Carolina take to recover from the devastating floods?
• Why has trout fishing been so lousy in the Northeast this spring?
• What should I do when trout are feeding on tiny flies? Small dries are too small for me to see.
• Should I work a small bass river upstream or down?
• I don't do well on dropoffs. How should I fish them?
• What is the difference between Helios F and D versions, and what is the difference between the 9-foot and 9-foot 5-inch Helios 5-weight models?
• A listener takes me to task for making fun of conventional bass anglers.

This episode was originally published on February 5th, 2024.

My guest this week is Charity Rutter [39:50], a great friend and longtime guide in the Great Smoky Mountains.  She and her husband Ian have just finished a great book (I read the manuscript and loved it) and although it won't be available until April, you can pre-order it  here: 

https://randrflyfishing.com/store/fly-fishing-guide-to-great-smoky-mountains-national-park/

Charity shares her secrets for making more out of your time on small waters, and although she concentrates on her area, she has fished small streams throughout North America and her tips will help you no matter where you fish.

In the Fly Box this week we have a nice assortment of questions and tips on fly fishing and fly tying, including:

Why do you hate hook keepers so much?

Is it true that you should not hook your fly onto your stripping guide?

A listener recounts his first experience with selling flies he tied himself.

A number of people chide me for not using a wading staff—yet.

Will it hurt my fly line if I stretch it first before fishing?

A listener gives some good advice on how to get out of a dangerous situation while wading, and how to prevent your waders from acting like a sea anchor.

A tip from a listener on how he deals with litter during a day of fishing and one on how he carries rods on the back seat of his vehicle.

A listener tells me how pleased he was with Orvis reel repair service.

Should I wear socks when wearing the new Pro Approach Hikers in salt water?

Can I Euro nymph in lakes and ponds?

A tip from a listener on making more durable peacock herl bodies.

Where should I put the heavy section of mono on a shock leader?

A listener shares a tip on playing darts during the winter to keep those casting muscles in shape

I used rubber soled wading shoes on slippery rocks and had poor traction.  Should I stud them or just get a pair of felt-soled boots?

In a remote lake with an inlet and outlet, will trout move into the outlet as well as the inlet?

How can I keep my dropper and tippet from slipping off my barbless hook when fishing with a dry dropper?  And what knot is best when attaching a dropper to a hook bend?

I have a 9-foot 5-weight rod and want a rod for fishing for panfish and streamers for trout.  What rod should I get next?

• Is there a rule of thumb for how long it takes a sinking line to get to a particular depth?
• Can I fish in lakes with a shorter, softer fiberglass rod?
• How do I elegantly get the fly line out of my rod before I start casting?
• I catch trout in Alaska when they are eating eggs behind salmon, but at other times of year I can't catch them on dries or nymphs. Are they not in the same places at other times of year?
• How many different flies are there in the world?  s there a registry of them? And can they be copyrighted or trademarked?
• If I can't use gel flotant once my fly has gotten wet, why don't I just use the powder right off the bat and forget about the gel?
• I heard that when you cast a dry fly, you should pull back a bit at the end of the cast to develop some slack. But can this be executed in a smoother fashion?
• Why empty my wallet for a Helios rod when the Superfines are so good? What will a Helios do for me that a Superfine won't?
• Where can I find Hungarian partridge to tie smaller flies like size 16s?
• Is there a way you mark what line is on what reel so you don't have to use a magnifying glass to look at those tiny line markers?
• Is there a national registry of fly-fishing clubs?

• You say I can fish small streamers on my 5-weight rod. What do you mean by "small'?
• I am using the Albright knot for larger sections of my leader. What do you think?
• A tip from a listener on how not to launch small brookies into the bushes when you hook them.
• Why am I losing half of my fish when using barbless hooks?
• Is there any situation where you would use an Improved Clinch Knot as opposed to the regular Clinch Knot?
• A tip from a listener on how to tie big foam flies that won't land upside-down.
• How do you balance various passions, family, work, and still have the energy and time to get out on the water?
• How do you set up your emergers, and what is your go-to emerger fly?
• Where can I find split shot that does not contain lead?
• How do you feel about the relative perceived intelligence of hatchery fish as compared to wild fish?

• I have heard that you should only fish streamers upstream in smaller streams. Would that hold true for smallmouth bass as well?
• I have heard that you should avoid getting into a river to keep from spooking fish. Should I do this all the time?
• A great tip from a listener about how to keep track of what leader is on your reels or spools.
• I saw a small, stocked stream in a suburban area that appeared to have very small trout in it. Could these be wild trout so close to a city?
• What is the best connection to attach a tippet to a tapered leader?
• Do you think a 7 ½ foot 4-weight rod is too short for my daughter to use on a trip to the Grand Teton/Yellowstone area?
• Why did a fish try to eat my strike indicator numerous types and refuse the dry flies I changed to after it happened?
• How do I keep from losing fish when using barbless hooks?
• For making my own dry-fly leaders, should I use fluorocarbon or copolymer material?
• A tip from a listener on how to make cool fly-tying gadgets with a 3-D printer.
• A tip from a listener on how to organize beads and hooks on your fly-tying bench.
• Do people ever use tandem dry-fly rigs?

• How do I deal with leaders that get knotted up when I am ready to use them?
• When you have fished a section of water, how long do you stay there, switching flies and techniques? Or do you move on?
• From a listener, a great fly and technique for catching yellow perch. 
• A listener relays his approach for minimalist equipment when fishing close to home.
• What is your opinion using balsa wood for fly tying?
• My casting with a dry fly is OK, but I struggle with dry dropper and streamer rigs.  What can I do?
• Do trout get "lost" after being landed in another part of a river?
• A listener adds some corrections to the proposed selling off of public lands.
• When fishing a double nymph rig, do you put the bigger fly above or below a smaller fly?
• How do I keep my dropper from slipping off my barbless dry fly?  I don't like using separate droppers on the leader.
• If I mess up and tie a dry fly with oversized hackle and wings, will it matter?
• How many flies of a given pattern will you tie? What is the minimum number?
• Is there an easy way to get beads on a size 18 hook?

• Will you ever have a podcast on targeting yellow perch on a fly rod?
• Is there any need for a "shorty" Euro line if I want to Euro nymph with my regular weight-forward line?  Can't I just attach a very long leader?
• Are swimming holes "fish-free" zones or are they worth targeting in early season before the swimmers arrive?
• Where can I find Orvis BigEye hooks?
• When I fish in fast water I have problems shooting line because my excess line gets carried away by the current.  I don't want to use a stripping basket.  Is there another solution?
• I never use tippet, only leader material.  Do I need special tippet?
• What knot would you recommend instead of the Perfection Loop?
• I have problems catching flying insects over a trout stream and my hat doesn't work.  What would you suggest?
• How do you tell what fish are feeding on under the surface?
• Can you elaborate a bit on why you should make your first cast count?  How important is that and how do I do it without making a few bad casts first?
• When tying nymphs, I have trouble getting CDC to wind evenly.  And I don't like using a dubbing loop.  Any tips on how to make my CDC flies look better?
• What tips or recommendations do you have for getting into fly tying? 

• Is the Orvis Tippet Knot a suitable substitute for the blood knot?
• Do you think there is a chance that dry-fly purism will come back?
• Does a saltwater line cast worse in fresh water?
• Can you suggest a use for the fluffy material at the base of a Coq de Leon feather?
• Do you have any tips for dry flies in salt water?
• A listener suggests some kind of national organization to purchase public lands that are planned on being sold as part of the inflation reduction act.
• Will there be Orvis Pro Wading Boots in size 15?
• What is it that Tom brings on the water that most people might not have in their pack or vest?
• I keep catching landlocked salmon of the same size.  Can you suggest a way to target the bigger ones?

• Can I re-use an old Depth Charge running line with a shooting head, and if so how should I connect it to my heads?
• Can I put my reel in the water when landing a fish?
• Would the 7-foot, 9-inch Superfine Graphite rod be a good one for redeye bass?  Will it add to the fun factor?
• A listener has a question about getting around another angler while fishing public water surrounded by private land.
• A biologist answers a question from a previous podcast—where are all the baby carp?
• What is this Tenkara stuff all about? Can I use conventional flies on a Tenkara outfit?
• An anonymous listener please for listeners to contact their elected representatives regarding the defunding of the EPA's Office of Research Development.
• How do native brook trout get so high up in remote streams?  
• I can catch fish in low gradient brown trout streams on nymphs and dries but streamers don't seem to work. Why?
• Will floods that have increased flows tenfold in a river have a deleterious effect on the trout population?
• Can you recommend a good long dry-fly leader that is knotless?  Is it as good as a hand-tied leader?
• What kind of fly-fishing gear should I avoid using in salt water?

• A listener looks for advice on how to carry his fishing gear on a plane.
• How do I fish plunge pools? Why don't I catch anything in the deep spot below the waterfall?
• What rods do I need for fishing both small streams in Smoky Mountain streams and steelhead fishing in Ohio?
• A listener gives advice on the Orvis Dropper Rig Fly Box and why you need to check local regulations before you use a 3-fly rig.
• A listener relates a story of his great customer service experience
• Why did trout smash my size 20 dry fly but not connect?
• Will smallmouth bass and rainbow trout hold in the same water?
• What knots do you recommend for different presentations and why?
• What is the best way to get my fly under the mangroves without hanging up?

• A great tip from a listener on how to estimate a fly line size using a kitchen scale.
• Does UV resin dry completely?
• Can I add head cement to the head of my Elk Hair Caddis?
• What is the protocol for tipping at a fly-fishing school?
• When you carry extra lines to the river, do you put them on extra spools or carry extra reels?  And where do you put them?
• I have some 20-year-old tippet I was given. Should I use it?
• Do you have any recommendations for easily transferable materials that can be used for fry flies as well as streamers?
• A tip from a listener on how to safely carry a full-size camera when fishing.
• Where do baby carp hide? I never see them.
• Does adding split shot make it harder to hook fish?
• A tongue-in-cheek story about using songbird feathers on flies.
• I want to buy a house on a trout stream. What should I know before I do this?

• What are some guides to western aquatic insects you recommend?
• What wading boots do you recommend for hiking into remotes ponds and streams?
• What water temperatures are ideal for trout, and are there certain temperatures to expect hatches?
• What do you think the effect of dry summers and falls has on small trout streams in New England?
• What time of year is best for crayfish patterns, and how should I fish them in smaller streams?
• My large indicator dry flies keep falling over and landing upside-down. What do you think is causing this?
• What can I do to preserve and clean the cork handle on my fly rod?
• Great tips from a listener on a chair for tying flies and some lighting and magnification tips.
• How should I wash my waders?
• How can I determine the line weight of an old fly line with no identifying marks?

• What are your thoughts on drop beads for saltwater flies?
• I am having problems with blood knots and leader sections ending up the right length.
• On which Orvis rods will overlining help?
• How can I get my fly deep enough to catch walleye on a fly?
• A listener has various questions about fishing for striped bass on Cape Cod.
• What line should I put on my new Orvis Superfine graphite?
• Two fly-tying tips and a first aid tip from a doctor.
• I am swinging 5 or 6 wet flies at the same time, all in line, and sometimes drop fish on the lower flies.  How can I fix this?
• How can you catch fish that are nearly impossible to approach in low, clear water?
• Some great tips from a listener on how to stay warm when winter fishing.

• I can't seem to get my fly deep enough in bass lakes with my floating line.  Should I get a sinking line for my 8-weight and fish surface flies with my 5-weight?
• A listener asks for help from listeners in ways to lessen the pain of losing his beloved fishing dog
• I fished a river that has always been full of trout and didn't see a thing.  What happened to the fish?
• Should I apply my dubbing with clockwise or counterclockwise twists?
• Can I tie my dropper onto the tag end of my improved clinch knot?
• What are your thoughts and comments on how long a trout stays spooked?
• Why do you prefer a sling pack and where do you put your net?
• Do resident brook trout in a river get pushed around by migrating steelhead?  Do they still feed?
• I didn't catch any fish in high, cold water.  What should I have done?
• What do you think about tying a loop in the end of my tippet and attaching flies with a girth hitch?
• Why don't people use landing nets for striped bass?
• I saw an anti-reverse fly reel on EBay.  What do you think of them?

This episode was originally published on January 30th, 2021

This week, continuing our series of podcasts on winter fly fishing for trout, I interview George Daniel, author and guide. George is also an Orvis ambassador and field tester, and teaches fly fishing at Penn State. As you'll discover, there are many similarities with winter fishing in other parts of the country, along with some flies and techniques a bit more appropriate for the Northeast.

In the Fly Box this week, we have some great tips and questions, including:
Do you use touch dubbing, split thread dubbing, and composite loop dubbing techniques?
I'm looking for a fly line to fish streamers for bass, trout, and panfish. Which line should I get?
What leaders do I need for my Clearwater Trout Spey setup, for both Skagit and Scandi lines?
What's your technique for catching largemouth bass, and what are your favorite flies?
Why can't I get my dubbing noodle to behave?
Which intermediate line should I get for fishing streamers and indicators in four to eight feet of water?
A great tip on a method for wetting marabou and other materials without putting them in your mouth.
I went fishing before a cold front and got skunked. I thought fishing was supposed to be good before a cold front.
What line and leader and tippet would you use for trout in lakes in 15 feet of water?

This episode was originally published on January 14th, 2021.

My guest this week is Rachael Leinweber [39:38], general manager of The Angler's Covey fly shop in Colorado Springs. One in a series of podcasts about winter fly-fishing tips, Rachael has some great ones for us, and it's been interesting to see how each guide we've talked to has a slightly different take on effective winter tactics.

In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions and tips:
Is there an easier way to balance a fly rod than buying a heavier reel?
How can I get my parents to approve of my fly-fishing passion?

Dave is one of the best young voices in fly fishing [38:14]. He's the real deal—he is a fishy guy and can handle a fly rod with the best of them, but he's also a teacher of writing at the college level and a published author. (His new book is terrific and the title is Calling After Water.) Dave gives us what I consider a mini master class on how to write about fly fishing so that your stories are engaging, concise, and fun. I know you will find many useful tips in this podcast.

In the Fly Box this week, we have an assortment of great questions from listeners, including:

What are the benefits of tube flies?

Can I nymph fish for steelhead with a Spey rod?

Is there a benefit from using UV fly-tying materials?

What is the best way to attach pre-made droppers to my leader?

Tippet ring, surgeon's knot, or blood knot?

Why do people look down on swinging wet flies for trout?

How can I fish a bigger river without wasting my time trying to fish it all?

Is it better to go to a smaller streamer when fish are just bumping the fly?

How can young people help to improve our environment?

• How do I know when it's appropriate to use resin instead of head cement?
• I am very new to fly fishing and want to keep my initial fly selection simple. Do you think that's a good idea?
• Is it a good idea to tie a sacrificial mono loop at the end of my fly line to preserve the loop?
• What size dry flies do you use in the East for dry/dropper rigs?
• Are there more "vintage" Orvis reels that you still use?
• Are there notable distinctions between the various kinds of dubbing?
• I saw a single caddisfly on the snow recently.  Is this unusual?
• I had something snap my 12-pound fluorocarbon tippet in a clean break while fishing in salt water. What could have caused this?
• What do you keep on your fly tying desk, other than the typical tools and materials?
• What should I bring for a traveling fly-tying kit?
• Great tips from a listener on how to lessen backache when tying flies.
• How do you target cold, high rivers?

• Is there a performance difference between a hand-tied knotted leader and a knotless leader?
• A tip from a listener on the best way to begin your life as a fly tier.
• Do trout lose the rods and cones in their eyes when they get to be about 17 inches long?
• Are there any colors you would avoid when fishing a Sparkle Minnow?
• As a beginning fly tier, what tools and materials should I get first?
• What is the effect of major floods on small brook trout streams?
• A great tip from a listener on exactly what type and size of nitrile gloves are best for winter fishing.
• Can you give us a history of Superfine Graphite rods, and what is the new release like?
• If I use a 12-foot leader with a 9-foot rod, how can I easily land fish?
• If my waders end up frozen, will that hurt them?
• How can I fish in a river where everyone else is fishing indicators?  I don't like fishing indicators.
• Can I keep my fly rods in the trunk of my car over the winter?
• A listener has a hard time wrapping his head around the fact that trout can learn and that trout in rivers with a lot of fishing pressure have learned to avoid certain flies.  Is there any scientific research on this topic?

• What is a good chair for fly tying?
• What is a good light for fly tying?
• How do you organize your tying desk?
• What setup should I use to fish streamers in a narrow, brushy piece of water?
• A piece broke off the jaws of my fly-tying vise.  How can I prevent this from happening in the future?
• Why don't they make polarized sunglasses with clear magnifying inserts?
• A tip from a listener to always pack an extra pack with dry clothes in case you fall in.
• Should I recycle my hooks after all the dressing has fallen off a fly?
• I want a rod for pike and musky fishing.  What is the difference between the 10-weight and 11-weight Clearwater rods?
• Is it bad a stretch a leader by hanging a pair of forceps on it?
• For small stream trout, should I get a Battenkill Disc or Battenkill spring-and-pawl reel?
• If I want to practice casting to my "off" side prior to a float trip, should I practice casting with my left hand or use my right hand to cast over my left shoulder?

• Which river types are richer in insect life, and does that affect your success with dry flies?
• Why is there so much shame about fishing around brown trout redds but not the same with brook, rainbow, and cutthroat trout?
• How do you set up your leaders for striper fishing?
• Why don't we go through the eye of the hook twice on every knot, as we do for the Trilene Knot?
• Why is there so much spot burning with social media?
• A listener who had a life-threatening experience in a kayak gives us some great tips on being safe on the water.
• Any thoughts on organizing fly boxes?
• A listener tells us that washing CDC feathers will not let them float properly but I respectfully beg to differ.
• A tip from a listener on how to lessen line tangles when fishing from a pedal kayak.
• What is meant by "nervous water"?

Peter Laurelli [40:07] is a film-maker and fly fisher, and specializes in fly fishing from a paddleboard.  And not in just any place—Peter fly fishes off the northeast coast for striped bass and false albacore, and if you can fish from a paddleboard in these conditions you can do it anywhere.  Peter shares his tips on launching and landing a paddleboard, as well as tips for rigging a paddleboard for fly fishing, and of course approaching fish and playing and landing them.  If you want to see a sample of his fishing and filming in salt water you can see it here:
Surf & Inshore Fly Fishing - SIFF18: Four Years For Life  It includes some spectacular drone footage of striped bass and false albacore schools feeding on baitfish.

In the Fly Box this week we have some interesting questions, including the inevitable queries about what rod and reel to buy and how to handle issues with leaders.  Questions include:

Can I replace the tippet ring I use in my leader setup with a Perfection or Surgeon's Loop?
Can I use 6X or even 7X when hanging a size 14 nymph from a larger dry fly?
Can you recommend a quality reel for the fiberglass rod I own that won't break the bank?
What is your take on fishing tandem streamer setups?
I'm planning on taking my first tarpon fishing trip to Florida in June.  Is a 10- or 11-weight rod suitable or do I need to go to a 12-weight?
Can I use my Mirage LT IV for bonefish?
I want a rod for midwest trout and bass.  Can you help me pick one?
I typically modify my knotless leader back and forth.  But at what point should I replace my leader with a fresh one?
What are your thoughts on glow-in-the-dark fly lines for striped bass at night?
Which species does Tom always go barbless for, and which does he stick with a barbed hook?
What is your take on the no-targeting regulation proposed for striped bass?

This episode was originally published on January 27th, 2022.

This week, my guest is Orvis casting guru Pete Kutzer [47:31], and we talk about casts for difficult trout. Often you don't need great casting skills or special casts to catch trout, but there are times when a little razzle-dazzle will make the difference. Pete talks about those situations and what to do--and he also introduces a new way of making a Bow-and -Arrow cast that was new to me. I think anyone can benefit from Pete's advice.

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

What do you think about tying on eyeless hooks and making eyes out of silk bead cord?

What do you mean by the term "swinging flies"?

Can I target grass carp on a fly?

Can you ice fish with flies?

How do I fish a lake for trout from my kayak?

What do you think of the electric socks that are controlled by an app?

A great tip from a listener on avoiding spooking trout in small streams.

Can a figure-8 knot be used in fly fishing?

What do you recommend for a rod for fishing larger eastern rivers?

How can I correct a casting issue where my fly gets caught on my line-to-leader connection?

Do I need to buy a specific saltwater outfit for Belize or will my current steelhead rod work?

Do you recommend weed guards for fishing in Belize?

How much do brown trout move in the fall?

Do you think it's possible that a stocked tiger trout could have moved 30 miles from where it was stocked?

Can I overline my 3-weight rod by two line sizes for really short casts?

My wife has problems with glare on the water. Do you think there is something wrong with her eyes?

Which precautions should I take releasing trout in subzero weather?

This week's show is a Backcast episode from January 8th, 2021.

This week, we're continuing our series on winter fly fishing for trout.  I interview Antonio Rodrigues [42:50] manager of Front Range Anglers in Boulder, Colorado, and he has a different take on winter fly fishing, and some different methods.  I've found it fascinating to see how each guest approaches this differently and hope you pick up some tips as well.

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

What do you use for a fly box when surf fishing?

I have not had good luck with guide trips and want to know what you recommend so I get a better trip next time.

Are fly rods built on continuous blanks and then cut into sections, or is each section made separately?  And are sections interchangeable from one rod to another?

What is the purpose of adding flash to nymph patterns?

A tip on using special flies for casting practice.

What do I do about fishing places where lots of swimmers have been?

Are wire bite guards worth it?Can I tie a 3X tippet to a 3mm tippet ring?

Are all Orvis leader lengths built to the same basic taper or are they different?

Another suggestion on where to donate flies you don't want.

What uses do you have for magnets when fishing?

What do I use huge streamer patterns like the Manbearpig for, and how should I fish them?

Originally posted February 5. 2012.

In the fly box this week, we talk about where fly tying materials come from, getting wet flies to swing deeper, fishing logs, and fishing small flies under water. In the main topic, we discuss different kinds of trout and how to fish for them--hatchery vs. wild, and pressured trout streams vs. remote trout streams. We've had some great suggestions for podcast topics lately so keep them coming

Any kind of two-handed fishing is confusing for those of us who mostly fish with a single-handed rod. I asked the great Pete Kutzer [37:34]to simplify the selection of a rod, reel, line, leader, and tips for getting a start in swinging flies for trout and he then offers a number of tips for casting, attaching the leader, fly selection, and more. It's a great basic guide to getting started in this fun way to fish for trout.

 In the Fly Box, I thought we had some unusually interesting questions this week, including:

Will weed guards on my flies help me from catching on oyster bars?

If the tip of my hook gets bent over, should I try to put it back into shape?

Can I catch striped bass in New England in the winter?

What can you tell me about Orvis boron rods from the 1980s?

Can I get one rod for tarpon, bonefish, pike, muskie, giant trevally, triggerfish, snook, redfish, and dorado?

Why did you not mention the Davey Knot when you talked about knots a few weeks ago?

How can I keep my yarn indicators floating?

I am having trouble getting long downstream drifts with a dry fly. I keep moving the fly. What do you suggest?

I can't seem to catch any fish on scuds. When, where, and how should I fish them?

A tip from a listener on learning to fall safely.

Can I use a Skagit or Scandi line on my 10-foot 8-weight?

• Can I use flies for ice fishing?
• I mostly fish lakes and am having problems on streams.  With long casts I get drag and with shorter casts I worry about spooking fish.  What should I do?
• Can I work downstream with a streamer and then work back up through the same water with a dry dropper?
• Is there a risk in tippet material breaking down in sunlight when it is on a tippet holder exposed to the sun?
• I see people catching trout on worms but I can't seem to fool them on flies.  What am I doing wrong and do you have any tips?
• Is it legal to raise jungle cock for feathers in the US, and is anyone doing it?
• A listener corrects me on a statement I made regarding using molted feathers from songbirds to tie flies.
• Do you have any tips for traveling to Chile to fish at Magic Waters?
• If I see water striders and small baitfish in a pool, does that mean there won't be any larger trout there?
• How much life can I expect from a leader I made myself?
• Can I tell the difference between wild and hatchery trout by looking at them?
• I can't seem to catch more than two trout from any one pool.  What am I doing wrong?

Jessica Strickland [38:07] is Trout Unlimited's California Inland Trout director and is an expert on the historical and curent range of this rare trout species. Where do they live today as compared to their original range? Can you still fish for them, and do you need to hike for many miles or are they more acessible close to a trailhead? You'll learn the answer to these questions and many more in this interview.

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

For Colorado and Oklahoma trout fishing, should I get a 5-weight, 4-weight, or 3-weight rod?

Is there a rule for overlining a trout rod when it is longer than 9 feet?

Can I Spey cast with a single-handed rod?

The welded loop on my running line broke. What is the best way to make a new loop to attach it to my head?

Do you have any tips for catching stocked rainbow trout after they have been in the river for a while?

A great suggestion from a listener on how to educate other anglers from walking on trout redds.

My felt soles have not been working well. Are there different grades of felt on wading boots?

 What are the guidelines for tipping a guide?

When bushwacking should you carry your rod with the tip pointed forward or back? Can I leave the legs off small nymphs? I have trouble tying them in.

Can I tie a small fly on a bigger hook?

What are your tips for winter fishing in the Northeast?

• I have an old, heavy bamboo rod. I can't reel heavy enough to balance it. Is the balance between a rod and reel weight really that important?
• I am frustrated with fish eating my strike indicator. Should I tie a big egg pattern to act as a strike indicator?
• A suggestion for making a great cat toy out of old flies (with the hook cut off!) and a question about the use of cat hair in tying flies.
• What is the proper way to prevent drag? Should I mend my entire line or just the leader?
• A tip from a listener on how to keep fly line from wrapping around your rod tip.
• A tip from a listener on the best way to hang up your waders for the season.
• Why do waders often fail at the junction between the bootie and the upper?
• I just bought a drift boat and want to learn how to row. Should I hire a guide to take lessons on rowing?
• How do trout behave when the water gets higher and dirtier?

• How should I treat CDC feathers I got from a friend who hunts waterfowl?
• A listener asks why people who write into the Fly Box don't just go out and try the things they are asking about.
• A spooky Halloween story from a listener
• How do I avoid a size 12 dry fly twisting on a 6X tippet?
• What is the best Orvis rod for hopper fishing on western rivers?
• Can I keep my fly rods set up all season?  Do I need to wax the ferrules?
• How can I do a better job of hooking trout on a downstream cast?
• Am I missing something by not using tapered leaders when fishing for bass and panfish?
• If a 6X leader makes a size 12 fly twist, why don't we just use 1X and 2X leaders on all of our flies, down to a size 24?
• How can I get a single nymph down into deep, fast water without using split shot?
• Would a longer rod help keep my Clouser Minnows from hitting the rocks behind me on my back cast?
• I have a 5-weight rod and want to fish for bass, carp, and suckers.  Should I get a 6-weight or a 7-weight rod?

• How do I keep my fly line from wrapping around my rod when I am tying on a new fly?
• A listener is looking to add a 7-weight rod for bass fishing and throwing trout streamers and looks for advice.
• Can I use a 6-weight sinking or sink-tip line on both my 5-weight and 7-weight rods?
• Do you know of any good fly-fishing books for a 6-year-old?  And what is the best first saltwater fly-rod fish for kids?
• Is there a difference between Zonker strips and Rabbit strips?
• Why have I gotten occasional bite-offs from large brown trout?  
• Do you have any tips for casting wiggle-tails?  I have trouble casting them.
• Do you think eyes make a difference on pike flies?
• Can I legally keep songbird feathers that I find under my bird feeders?
• A tip for using toothpicks at the fly-tying bench.
• When tying a clinch knot, does it matter if you twist the fly or wind the tag end around the standing part?
• Any tips for the bow-and-arrow cast?
• How many more casts should you make in a small pocket if you miss a fish?
• Would it be unethical to target swarms of trout during spawning season?
• A listener gives a tip for tying a clinch knot at the bend of a hook to attach a dropper.
• If I move a trout on a streamer but do not connect, does it make sense to come back for that fish later in the day?

• I keep getting accused of "flossing" Pacific salmon when fly fishing for them but I see them aggressively take my flies.  What are your thoughts on this?
• What purpose does dubbing serve on a dry fly?  Does it add buoyancy?
• A listener thanks us for the podcast on knots and also on our support of policies to address climate change .
• I recently opened a box of my grandfather's tackle from 1944 that includes a bamboo rod, gut leaders, flies, and a silk fly line.  Should I use them?
• What sort of performance should I expect from the new Orvis Superfine bamboo fly rod?
• What impact will the recent disastrous floods in North Carolina have on the future of fly fishing?
• I want to purchase a vintage Orvis bamboo fly rod.  Would one be a reliable fishing tool?
• When I switch dry flies, should I be more concerned with size, pattern, or color?
• What can I do to prevent the unnatural curves in saltwater flies after they are used?
• My brother and I were using the same streamer in a slow-moving river.  I caught a bunch of fish and he didn't but I was casting my streamer at a different angle to the current.  Do you think this made the difference? 

Tom is on a fishing trip this week. While on this trip he learned his friend and legendary fly-fishing author, John Gierach had passed away at 78. In his honor Tom asked me to post his last intervew with John from May of last year and to share this with all of you:

"John Gierach was one of the finest voices in fly fishing. He passed away suddenly last week. Always humble and kind, his writing never reached into navel gazing but he just told great, honest, and funny stories and like all great writers he never wasted a word. I once had the pleasure of spending a week sharing a cabin with him in Labrador and he was exactly the man in person that he was in his writing. We will all miss him greatly."

Here is the show descrption from May 19, 2023

• If I break a section of a rod, why won't a section from a different rod fit it?  Are the diameters different in different types of rods?
• Are there benefits to fishing nymphs without an indicator?
• When fishing, are you more likely to change the fly size up or down if the one you're using is not working?
• Am I missing some flexibility by not carrying two rods when wade fishing?
• What is the best way to fish for a trout that lives under a bridge?
• When I get a tangled mess I usually cut everything off and re-tie.  Should I be carrying a safety pin to untangle my leader?
• I am having problems with drag when fishing straight upstream.  Do you have any tips to help this?
• I keep foul-hooking small brook trout when using a dry dropper.  Why does this happen and what can I do to avoid it?
• I accidentally dropped my fly box in the river.  I don't see any rust on them, but should I throw all of them out?
• What is "attitude" when discussing the choice of dry flies?
• What is your current recommendation on the noise created by studded boots or metal wading staffs?
• I have gone on 8 saltwater fly-fishing trips and have been skunked on 6 of them.  It's a combination of bad guides and bad weather.  What can I do to avoid this?
• What is the best way of getting my fly off a branch if I don't want to wade in and spook the pool?

• Will the 10-foot 7-weight Helios D rod offer me enough tippet protection when using 5X for steelhead?
• My local wild trout stream has almost dried up this year.  Where do the fish go, and how long until this stream can recover?
• When wading deep, when I pick up the line and cast I notice I make waves in the water.  How can I eliminate this?
• When swinging wet flies in a tight stream I need to use a roll cast, but how do I make another roll cast after my flies complete their swing?
• I see fish on the bottom of a spring creek but I can't catch them using my tight line technique.  What do you think I am doing wrong?
• I was scolded by an outfitter when I changed direction when fighting a big fish.  He said it will wear a hole in their mouth and they will get off.  Was I doing it wrong?
• Can I go from a 4X leader with a tippet ring to a 7X tippet?  Will not having tapered sections in there be bad?
• I don't have much finger dexterity and have trouble saving my tippet scraps.  Do you have any suggestions?
• A listener reminds us that in lakes in Maine that are listed as fly fishing only, it is illegal to troll a fly.
• When trolling a fly from my canoe, how can I get my fly deeper?
• Which be the best Helios rod for fishing the Henry's Fork?

•  Will I find steelhead in the same places I find resident rainbows?
• How much time do you spend swinging a run for steelhead before moving on?
• A listener makes a case for the positive cost/benefit ratio of fishing with a guide.
• How much can a fly rod bend before breaking?
• Do trout seem to have an affinity for one color of nymph over another?
• How long does a frightened fish stay spooked?  And do hatchery fish differ from wild fish in this respect?
• If you use a barbless hook on a two nymph rig and attach the bottom fly to the bend, how do you alleviate the problem of losing the lower fly and tippet?
• Do you fish a streamer in the same way you would fish a spinning lure?
• How can I get smaller nymphs down into very deep, fast pockets in a river?
• What would I consider the best roll-casting rod Orvis makes?
• Do you have any tricks for hooking fish on a direct downstream presentation?

• A suggestion from a listener on a way to spot small dry flies if you have trouble seeing them on the water
• Do you ever fish under bridges?  Is it worth it?
• When tying in palmered hackle, what is the point in tying hackles in tip-first?
• What is your philosophy for selecting a dry fly when using a dry/dropper rig?
• I recently caught some nice fish on the edges of strong whirlpools.  Have I been missing something, and what suggestions do you have for fishing this kind of water?
• If trout aren't actively feeding in higher water temperatures, what difference does it make if we stop fishing at 68 degrees?
• I fish two different streams and the fly size recommendations for each one is different.  Why such a discrepancy?
• What knots do you suggest for tying a 65-pound fluoro shock tippet to a 20-pound class tippet for pike?
• Do you think construction a half mile upstream of a spot has scared all the trout away?
• Is it OK to move the fly when you mend?  Is it OK to mend when fishing a dry fly?
• Should you come in from the top of the eye or from the bottom when tying a knot to your fly?
• I am only catching smaller smallmouth bass in a spot.  How can I find the bigger ones?

• Do you have any tips for fishing really muddy water or is it just not worth it?
• Does a fish's sense of smell work better in warm water or cold water?
• A great story about a listener breaking off a big rainbow and then coming back later in the day, catching the fish, and getting his fly back.
• Any tips on a fly rod for a 6-year-old kid?
• I have been nymph fishing with a fluorocarbon leader.  Should I switch to a nylon leader when dry-fly fishing?
• Do you have any tips for setting the hook when fishing dry flies?
• Should I use side pressure when playing Atlantic salmon?
• Can I use Water Shed on my floating fly line?
• Any tips on catching smallmouth buffalo on a fly?
• My line and leader won't go straight at the end of the cast and end up curling in on the cast.  Any tips as to why this is happening?
• I'm taking my first saltwater fly-fishing trip.  Will the Battenkill Disc reel give me enough retrieve speed?

• I get conflicting advice on how close I can get to fish when tightline nymphing.  Can you give me some guidelines on how close I can approach them?
• Any tricks for seeing small flies in low light?
• I bought some Stimulators and see they have wire wraps on them.  Can I fish these as wet flies?
• I struggle to get a bite from river smallmouth bass in July and August and I could consistently catch them in spring.  Any suggestions?
• How can I avoid creek chubs in a small weedy stream when I want to target the larger brown trout?
• Would it be a good idea to put a small length of sighter material between my fly line and my leader?
• Any tips for solo fishing from a raft?
• I have been wading with old neoprene waders and Crocs as wading shoes.  Do you think I would benefit from modern waders and wading shoes?
• I live in Great Lakes steelhead country but sometimes want to avoid the crowds during the winter and fish for smaller trout in inland streams.  Do you have any advice for late fall and winter fishing in these streams?

• I fish a lake that is stocked with rainbows and has a small tributary stream.  Do you think the rainbows will run up into it?
• Do you have any tips for being stealthy on a trout stream other than not stepping right into the water?
• Can I use a sinking Salmon Poly Leader for trout?
• When do you extend the butt section of your leader?
• I am using a switch rod for distance in warm water fishing and have tried all kinds of lines but am not happy with my casting.  Do you have any tips?
• Any tips or tricks on how to travel; with waders and wading boots?  I am concerned with my wet wading boots.
• Can trout smell us and should I worry about it?
• Do Zero-weight fly rods exist and what are they used for?
• A tip from a listener about learning to cast at all angles to your body without moving your feet.
• I fished a cold Colorado tailwater in the morning and a local angler told me I was on the water too early.  Why?
• All the hoppers I see have green, brown, or black wings.  So why do we put white wings on many of our hopper patterns?

•  I have been looking for brown trout redds on my favorite wild trout stream but have not seen any.  When and where do they spawn?
• Does it make sense to look at my dry flies from underneath, getting the same view as the fish?  I have discovered a way of projecting my flies on the ceiling to look at them.
• My fly line lands OK, but my leader and fly curl off to one side and don't go where I want them to.  What am I doing wrong?
• Why do trout in my river prefer Golden Stonefly nymphs over the bigger Salmonfly patterns?
• How do I know where to place studs on my Orvis felt-soled wading boots?
• I fish dry droppers on small streams, but in really shallow streams my nymph keeps snagging on the bottom.  Do you still fish dry /dropper on very shallow streams?
• What is a good foreign language to learn if you travel to fish internationally?
• Do trout in cold tailwaters migrate closer to the dam in summer?
• I fish a trout stream where the channel was recently put back into an old stream bed.  How long will it take for insects and crayfish to repopulate this area?
• I kept missing strikes on a weedless Sneaky Pete.  Do you think it was the weed guard, or was it just bluegills pecking at my fly?
• How do people get their car to the take-out when fishing from a raft?

• What could I tie with size 16 and 18 Keel Hooks?
• When working the same pool, should the nymph or streamer angler cover the pool first?
• Where should you park when you see a stretch of unposted land?
• A listener relates a fun story of his first carp on the fly
• What would make me choose the more expensive textured Pro fly line over the Smooth version?
• What is your rod, leader, and fly setup when fishing a small stream?
• Is there a difference between a dubbing loop and the split thread technique?
• Do Recons and Clearwaters go through the same process of improvements that Helios rods do?
• I saw a lot of bugs but no trout rising.  Do you think they were overwhelmed by too much food?
• If trout in the East don't eat adult stoneflies much, why does the Chubby Chernobyl work so well?
• I find sunglasses in the evening a hindrance.  What should I do to protect my eyes after the sun goes down?

• Can I fit my fly boxes, lunch, and a raincoat in the standard Orvis Sling Bag?
• A tip from a listener on how college fly-fishing clubs can get involved with the Trout Unlimited Five Rivers program
• A tip for taking notes on your phone to remind you of podcast questions
• A tip for using desiccant packages in your fly boxes
• Should I tether myself to my 7-year-old daughter when we are wading together?
• A tip from a listener on "urban blue lining".
• If I fall in, what steps should I take to dry out my gear?
• What would be a recommendation for a basic surf fishing outfit for the East Coast, Florida, the Caribbean, and Central America?
• How can I manage the fly line around my feet when it gets stuck on obstructions in the river?
• Why don't they make longer fiberglass rods?
• If I am catching more whitefish than trout, should I move?
• What is the best way to fish nymphs without an indicator?
• Is dry fly fishing on a lake better in calm or riffled water?
• A hot tip from a regular listener on a great fly pattern

• Any tips on finding places to fly fish close to home?
• A tip from a listener on how to get studs in wading boots to mount properly
• What about kapok dubbing and wing burners?  What are your thoughts on using them?
• How can I fish a small mountain stream when it gets murky?
• Should I wear my wading jacket inside or outside of my waders?
• How should I read the water in rivers for bass?
• Is there an advantage to shorter rods when fishing for bass in rivers?
• I caught two rainbows that looked exactly the same.  Could it have been the same fish?
• Do graphite rods get slower over time?
• What advice do you have for getting a fly rod for a 5-year-old?
• How do fish get rid of flies when you break them off?
• I fished a river and all I caught was creek chubs.  Is that a good or bad sign, and is it worth going back to that river?
• I have problems when I cast bigger flies.  What should I do to practice with big flies?
• Are prescription progressive polarized glasses worth the extra cost?

• How should I retrieve Woolly Buggers for bass and panfish?
• My knots to my flies are always slipping.  What am I doing wrong?
• Do you have any tips on fishing larger rivers?
• Any reason, when fishing a popper/drop[per rig for bass, that I can't tie my popper on a separate dropper instead of tying to the bend of the popper hook?
• If daytime water temperatures are around 70 but night time temperatures when I fish are 65 degrees, do you think it's safe to fish for trout?
• Why don't fly anglers use braided line for tippet—it's very supple.
• Do you take fly tying materials with you on a fishing trip?  How do you decide whether to take them or not?
• We saw huge schools of striped bass on a flat but they would not take any fly we presented to them.  Do you have any tips?
• How do you recommend I clean my polarized sunglasses, and what to you recommend to keep them from fogging up?
• What kind of mayfly spinner patterns should I carry in the Northeast?
• What is the best way to keep trout hooked when fishing downstream with wet flies?
• I am young but I still have trouble seeing small dry flies on the water.  What tips do you have for seeing them? 

This episode was originally posted on March 10, 2022.

Josh Nugent of Out Fly Fishing in Calgary has been doing a series of “Seven Deadly Sins” podcasts with me over the past couple of years and this one is chock full of great advice [38:38]. Josh is a very preceptive angler and thinks deeply about how flies behave in the water and how trout react to them, and in the interview we go off on a number of tangents—all interesting and all about nymph fishing—and all of them with great advice on how to make your indicator nymphing game more fun and productive. 

In the Fly Box this week, we have some great tips and questions from listeners, including:

A terrific tip on why tying tube flies is a great way to get kids started

What kind of other storage systems does Tom use around his roll-top desk?

Where can I learn more about fly fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass?

What do you suggest for preventing cutoffs by chain pickerel?

Can I use sitka or axis deer, antelope, or goat hair for fly tying?

A great tip on replacing wing cases on smaller nymphs with a drop of UV cure resin

Should I use my leader straightener?

Can I do longline French/Spanish nymphing with a two-handed rod?

How can I locate pinhole leaks ion my waders?

How do older series of rods compare to the modern ones? What is better about the more recent models?

I know your higher-end rods are made in Vermont, but where do the components come from?

Why do Americans shoot and kill birds?

What is a good two-line rotation for streamer fishing in Michigan?

I kept my fiberglass rod in a hot car and now I notice it has a kink in it. Could the hot car have been the reason?

• If I am fishing for smallmouth in a river that also hosts trout and the water temperature is 68 degrees, what should I do?
• How can I cast to smallmouth in a river where I have almost no back-cast room?
• In lakes with multiple species, when fishing from shore should I expect to find different types of fish at different times?
• I have difficulty setting the hook on trout with a "trout set" and do better with a strip set.  Why is the 'trout set" recommended for trout?
• Do you have any tips on fly fishing for walleye?
• Why do some nymphs call for a partridge collar and other nymphs use a CDC collar?  Is there any difference?
• A listener relates that the Ralph Cutter podcast on wading safety literally saved his life.
• Are all the new Helios models four times as accurate, or just the 905?
• Are there any dry flies tied with cork these days?
•  How can I get my fly into a deep pool directly below a waterfall?
• What do you know about the old PM-10 and T-3 Orvis rods?
• Is a double or triple surgeon's loop better than a perfection loop in lighter tippets?
• Does hook shank shape affect hooking qualities?
• How can I swing wet flies in small streams?
• A great tip from a listener on wearing wool socks underneath neo socks when wet wading to avoid sand between your toes.
• Is a George Harvey leader the same as a braided leader?

• What percentage of the time do you use a dry dropper or double dry rig?
• What weight fly rod is best for panfish?  And what flies should I use?
• How do we ensure our fly fishing traditions are passed on to the younger generation?
• How can I make my dry dropper rig drift tight to the opposite bank?
• Is fly fishing for carp popular in Europe?
• How do I organize and carry my wide assortment of trout flies?  How does Tom do it?
• How can I fish for panfish and largemouth bass in an old gravel pit that drops off steeply?
• A great tip from a listener about how to tie a more durable egg pattern
• I was fishing a double dry rig for fish rising to small mayflies and my imitation was perfect but I didn't fool as many fish as I should have.  What should I have done differently?
• I have trouble threading my tippet onto a small dry fly.  Can I tie the tippet to the bend of the hook instead?

• Why can't I get braided leaders any more?
• Can I just put a long level tippet on a braided leader?
• My brook trout stream does not seem to have any fish larger than five inches.  Do you think there are any bigger ones in there?
• I was fishing a sulfur hatch and it started raining and the fish turned off completely.  Why do you think this happened?
• How can I eliminate wind knots when fishing a dropper rig?
• My girlfriend has trouble stripping in fish.  Do you have any tips for improving her coordination?
• What are the pros and cons of furled leaders?
• My floating line starts to sink after fishing for a while.  Can I apply gel flotant to it?
• A listener reminds us that for many balance problems while fishing the best place for help is to find a licensed physical therapist
• My fly line broke eight feet from the tip.  Can I still use it?
• How many leaders should I carry in my leader wallet?
• A listener reminds us that too often when wading we worry about dropping our rod or phone in the water at the expense of safety.
• An expert on UV cure adhesives gives advice on using the right wavelength of light and the correct amount of time and distance to use the light.
• If you have a 9-foot 5-weight and a 10-footer in the Helios models, what reason is there to have a 9-foot, 5-inch model?
• How can I avoid putting a set into my bamboo fly rod?
• How can I catch brook trout in high water?

• Does fly line color matter?
• Why don't my subtle baitfish patterns work in Patagonia?
• Can I use my big brown trout streamers for Atlantic salmon since they are related to brown trout?
• How deep do you insert studs when adding them to felt-soled waders?
• How do I get my streamers deeper when fishing for sea-run brook trout in rivers where weighted flies and sinking lines are not allowed?
• Is it acceptable if I troll from a kayak for striped bass, and what rod should I use?
• A listener writes in to tell us that the orange goo found in some rivers is a natural phenomenon
• What do I use for a practice streamer when casting on my lawn?
• Does the noise from my wading shoes and wading staff scare trout?
• Do trout live in streams with mucky bottoms?
• Any other casting methods besides the roll cast I can use on smaller streams?
• I fished over some rising trout with my nymph rig and didn't catch them.  Should I have switched to a dry fly?
• How should I rig for pike?
• What are the pros and cons of using an 8 ½ foot rod vs. a 9-foot rod in Colorado tailwaters?
• When do you put down your rod and take photos?
• How can I get the cement off my hooks when I want to re-use the hooks from beat-up Clouser Minnows?

• Can you explain the difference between fast, medium, and slow fly rods?
• I noticed a bright orange sludge-like material on the bottom of my stream.  Should I stay away from this one?
• Do you think kayaks spook trout more than belly boats?
• After a rod, reel, and line, what piece of gear should I consider next?
• When tying to fill a fly box, should I tie one of each pattern or 4 or 5 of the same one?
• Is there a disadvantage of using a perfection loop instead of a non-slip mono loop when tying on a streamer?
• If I see a heron in a pool in a small stream, should I move on and avoid that pool?
• Would it work to have a leader with a very long butt section, a short transition section, and a very long tippet?
• Why do trout eat or reject an imitation of a midge pupa in a lake?
• Do you think a 5-weight outfit is a good rod for taking to Alaska?
• Why don't my marabou flies stay fluffy once they have been used?
• A listener tip for tying a dropper to the bend of a hook.

•  I tip for taming your line and leader when you don't use a hook keeper
• How far do I hold my UV lamp form the fly when curing UV epoxy?
• What do I do on my local lake when the Power Bait crowd out-fishes me?
• How do I catch catfish on a fly rod?
• Do you fish different caddis pupa patterns for cased vs. uncased caddis?
• How do different holes in a river change throughout the season?
• Should I fish dry flies and nymphs in a lake different from the way I fish them in streams?
• Do weed guards on flies actually work in thick vegetation?
• If we see mayflies about size 12 hatching in our lake, should we use a size 12 nymph or one smaller?
• What is the difference between flow, thin, and thick UV resins and when should I use each one?
• My size 20 grizzly hackle keeps breaking.  Do you have any tips for keeping tension and not breaking the stems?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a complete outfit vs. separate components?
• A tip from a listener on whether to use your wading staff upstream or downstream of your position.
• I want to start tying flies.  What pattern would you recommend I start with?  
• What are your favorite bass and bluegill flies?

• Why do I keep getting strikes on nymphs while stripping them upstream like a streamer?
• Is the throat of a pool a common place to find trout feeding?
• At what temperature does a brown trout start to actively feed?
• When I see a pod of rising trout, why can I only fool one fish even though the other ones continue to feed?
• How do older Orvis bamboo fly rods compare to contemporary models?
• I found eggs in holdover brown trout in the spring.  Were these fish that never found a mate?
• I have trouble with rabbit's foot hair coming loose on my flies.  How do I secure it better?
• If you only had one line for striped bass from shore, what line would you choose?
• How much time before the incoming or outgoing tide should I fish for striped bass?
• Can you explain exactly what a shock tippet is?
• What is your "last fly" during the evening hatch when it gets tough to see?
• Do polarized sunglasses lose their effectiveness over time?
• A listener gives a tip for an easier way to tie a surgeon's knot
• A listener gives a caution about fishing below sewage treatment plants after a major flood event
• My 70-denier thread keeps breaking.  What could be the problem?
• What feathers from a chicken are useful in fly tying?
• I fish a 6-weight rod and want a different rod for smaller streams.  What should I pick?
• I always use a wading staff.  Is the metal tip on the staff an alarm clock for trout, and have you ever put on a rubber tip to prevent this?

• A listener suggests when a self-inflating PFD may be a good option
• Two listeners weigh in on how to access scientific articles on fisheries science with paying a fee for access
• A listener offers a great suggestion on how to easily attach a dropper to the bend of a hook.
• Should I be concerned about fishing below a sewage treatment outlet?
• A listener tells a great tale of his momentous catch on one of the new Helios rods
• Should I be concerned about angling for fish when they are on their spawning run?
• With the new Helios rods, do you still prefer the F version for trout and the D version for salt water?
• If I dispose of the shiners I catch will it help the local trout population?
• What do you think of using an indicator with a big nymph or crayfish fly for early season smallmouth?
• Can you explain the difference between a shooting head and a sink-tip line?
• A listener gives some expert advice on the choice of insect repellents
• I am having trouble with short roll casts.  Do you think it's my casting technique?
• Is it helpful to pre-treat dry flies right after you tie them?
• If I fish an indicator and split shot and a nymph, should I use a double taper or weight-forward line?

Ralph Cutter [36:53] is an extremely perceptive, pragmatic angler with a lifetime of experience in white water, both fishing and in watercraft and water rescues.  He feels that what we’ve been taught to do if we fall in wearing waders is all wrong, and he has a number of tips for getting to shore safely that most of us don’t know about.  He also recommends a second wader belt for wading in very tricky waters.  He’s proven this through countless experiments on the water.  If you spend any time at all wading in rivers, you must listen to this podcast—or you can read an article in Fly Fisherman magazine he wrote a number of years ago through this link: How to Wade Safely and Get Out of Dangerous Situations - Fly Fisherman

In the Fly Box this week, we have questions that range from the very basic to more advanced, and tips from listeners as well, including:

• Why do my CDC dry flies sink like a rock?
• I am not feeling strikes when I am nymph fishing.  Are there improvements I can make to feel more fish?
• Would a longer rod help more in nymph fishing?
• Why aren’t knotless leaders marked with a small segment of color so that the butt, tippet, and transition sections are clearly demarcated?
• A listener clarifies the issue of whether northern strain brook trout were ever stocked in the southern Appalachians
• If I want to fish pools that are 8-10 feet deep with a Euro rig, do I need an 8-10-foot tippet?
• What do I do if I am fishing a dropper rig and my upper dropper tippet breaks off or gets too short?  Do I need to tie another surgeon’s knot?
• If I am fishing straight upstream, do I need to mend my line?
• If my hook bends after removing it from a snag and I bend it back into place, will that weaken the hook?
• I have trouble tying a dropper onto the bend of a hook.  I lose tension and pressure before cinching the knot down.  Do you have any tips to help this?
• The water temperature was in the 40s and there was a mayfly hatch, but I only caught fish on nymphs and nothing was rising.  Why did this happen?
• Does choosing a fly rod really depend mostly on the size flies you’re throwing?  When I fish a small bass fly, I don’t want to try to land a bass on my 3-weight.

The use of the natural toxin rotenone to remove invasive, non-native species of trout to protect native species is a controversial topic. Does it really work? What does the poison do to the insect, mammal, and bird populations? Ted Williams [52:36], a proponent of these tactics in selected waters, discusses where reclaiming populations has been successful and also places where it would not make sense. Ted is one of the foremost environmental writers of our time and is never afraid to stick his neck out, so you may agree with what he says or you may not, but you’ll learn some important biology in the process.

In the Fly Box this week, we have a host of interesting questions and some great tips from listeners, including:

• A plug for Trout Unlimited’s “Trout in the Classroom” projects
• What is your favorite rod for small streams, what size flies do you use, and where do I find the biggest trout in small streams?
• Can I use nymphs in small streams?  They have not worked for me.
• How do you test water temperature?  Do you need to suspend the thermometer deep in the water?
• How can I catch walleye on my fly rod?
• At what water temperature should I fish for bass?
• How long do you stick with one fly before changing it, and what do you look for in new water?
• Have you found any difference between painted and unpainted flies on streamers?
• I want to do some writing about fly fishing.  How do you handle criticism when you do this?
• What is the best practice for tipping guides?
• Do you recommend studs for rubber-soled waders, and how often can you remove them and then put them back?
• On cloudy days I can’t see as much with my polarized glasses?  What should I do?
• How long does it take for trout to get back into their normal positions after a flood?
• Should you present streamers differently in the early season than you would later in the spring?
• The dry fly on my dry/dropper rig keeps twisting.  What can I do to avoid this?
• How do you get your fly to fish in deep water running along the bottom?
• I keep breaking my tippet where it connects to my tippet ring even though I am using a lighter tippet to my flies.  What can I do?

This week, my guest is guide BJ Gerhart [33:50], a longtime veteran guide at Three Rivers Ranch in Idaho and one of the savviest anglers I know.  He shares his tips for getting around the common problems of early season trout fishing, mainly cold water and high flows.

In the Fly Box this week, we have some helpful tips from listeners, and some interesting questions for Tom, including:

• If adult trout can’t see UV light, as you said in last week’s podcast, what should I do with all the UV and flashy materials I have in my fly-tying collection?
• What kind of standard trout flies are closest to the kebari flies used in tenkara fishing?
• When fishing a dry dropper, all the trout took my dry fly yet when I removed the nymph I stopped getting strikes.  What caused this?
• Why are beads on nymphs usually gold?
• Why is my casting worse when I use beadhead flies?
• What are the main differences between the 9-foot and the 8-foot, 5-inch Helios rods for a 10-weight line?
• Why is fly fishing for salmon in Great Lakes streams not as popular as steelhead fishing?
• When choosing a fly line for a two-handed rod, should I add the grain weight of the sinking head to the grain weight of the Skagit head?
• A great tip for wading safety with a buddy
• A listener raves about the Orvis rod repair team
• Do you think I should stop trout fishing at 60 degrees just to be safe?
• Are there public resources I can use to find out if a river might be too high to fish?
• A listener gives a tip for adding a long mono rig easily without the need to tie a clinch knot to the permanent loop in a fly line.

• When water is low and the sun is bright, what tactics do you recommend for Great Lakes steelhead?
• Four great fly-tying tips from a tier in the UK
• I am looking at the 10-foot Helios rods.  For all-around fishing, should I get the 3-weight F model or the 4-weight D model?
• A guide from the mid-Atlantic shares tips on targeting snakeheads
• A young fly tier asks for advice on a moderately priced vise for tying bass flies
• Why do my 9-foot 6X knotless leaders keep breaking?
• A new fly fisher from Ohio recounts a wonderful experience he had on the river
• A listener provides some great tips on rooftop rod carriers
• A listener asks for suggestions for a book on the history of trout in North America

My guest this week is Brandon Hoffner [35:55], executive director of the Henry’s Fork Foundation, and the topic is the diverse habitat and trout-fishing opportunities of this world-famous river that has influenced so many anglers, techniques, and fly patterns over the years.  Like all trout rivers today, the Henry’s Fork also has its share of environmental issues and we’ll explore how the Henry’s Fork Foundation works to maintain this magical fishery.

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

• What is the advantage of a 9 ½-foot rod over a 9-footer or 10-footer?
• A great tip from a listener on how to remove salt water from flies you have fished
• When would you use a Tenkara rod over a traditional Western rod?  And do you have a favorite Tenkara rod?
• Does Tom Rosenbauer actually tie the flies in the Orvis Tom Rosenbauer fly selection?
• What is the history of the famous Orvis Far & Fine graphite rod, and what line would you put on it?
• For small creeks, is it better to use a 2-weight or a 3-weight line?
• What can I substitute for goose biots on the tail of a stonefly nymph?
• Can you explain the pros and cons of polyleaders vs. sink-tip fly lines?
• What are the best fly lines on the new Helios 7 ½-foot 3-weight rod and the new 8-foot, 5-inch 7-weight rod?
• A listener talks about how he uses the new Orvis wading staff as a hiking staff as well.
• Will the heat inside a car in summer hurt my Orvis raincoat?
• A call from Captains for Clean Water with some great news from the Everglades

The Montana Supreme Court recently reversed a decision that would have blocked a copper mine on the headwaters of the Smith River.  Where we thought we had a win in preventing a mine in the wrong place, we now may have to live with that mine.  David Brooks [33:02] on Montana TU tells us how, at the very least, TU and other organizations convinced the mine to put in a number of mitigation solutions that were not in their original plan.  Trout Unlimited has one more hail Mary on this issue, which you can learn about in the podcast.  This is a tough subject to listen to, but we learn that we can never give up on environmental issues, even when it looks like we've won. 

(To sign a petition in support of Trout Unlimited's position preventing the mine from expanding onto public land, click here https://montanatu.org/protect-the-smith-sign-the-mineral-withdrawal-petition/

• What is a tailing loop in fly casting?
• To practice casting for a saltwater trip, should I just use yarn or should I use a hookless fly similar to the size I will be casting?
• What is the purpose of a wing on a wet fly?
• Does the loop at the end of a fly line cause energy loss?
• How can I photograph striped bass beneath a bridge?
• Can I keep fly rods in my cartop quiver in hot weather?
• A great tip from a listener about using white poster board on the surface of an old rolltop desk.
• Another tip from a listener on using inexpensive drill gauges to size hunks of deer hair and beads.
• Would a one-piece rod be better than a four-piece rod?
• How do I keep debris from drifting downstream when fishing the top of a riffle?
• What is a good all-around fly line for bonefish and redfish?
• I had a fishless day and then a guy with a spin rod caught a trout right in front of me.  Should I have switched to a streamer earlier?

• What model of an older Orvis rod do you still fish?
• Do you have any tips from casting a Spey rod from the beach?
• The head on a fly I tied unraveled.  Was it because I used Superglue and half hitches?
• A tip from a listener on a product that will sharpen fly-tying scissors.
• What conditions are best for fishing a bamboo rod?
• Can I underline a fiberglass rod?
• Can I cut the taper off an old WF5F line to make a lighter line for small streams?
• How can I get my fly-tying thread to jump backward so I can tie in tricky materials?
• What kind of setup do I need for catching snakeheads on a fly rod?
• Why do smaller streams produce smaller trout and bigger rivers bigger fish?
• What kind of PFD should I get for wearing under a fishing vest?
• Why can't I find good brown and grizzly dry-fly hackle in size 12?
• What do I need to do to switch between conventional nymphing and Euro nymphing?
• Do most communities have fly-fishing clubs and how do I find them?
• If I am going from a small stream to a lake, should I lengthen my butt section or lengthen my tippet?

• Do I need to set the hook in a different manner with a glass fly rod?
• Is there something about the new Helios rods that is not covered on the web site and catalog copy?
• Is there a place where I can still pick up a Helios 3 rod?
• I am going to Cozumel and will be wade fishing from the beach.  What should I know in advance?
• A listener gives some great tips on fly fishing for trout in Missouri

• A great tip from a listener—don't try to fish while you are wading.
• Can I put an 8-weight line on my 7-weight Pflueger Medalist reel?
• A funny story from a listener on another way to break a fly rod
• As I get older my eyesight and finger dexterity are not what they used to be.  Is there an easier knot for attaching flies to my tippet?
• Why don't more people fish for chubs, and why are they considered a trash fish?
• Do you have any recommended cicada patterns?
• A listener who is also a toxicologist warns that not all fly-tying materials are harmless and gives tips on how to avoid undue exposure to them.
• I have trouble tying tails on size 18 and smaller flies.  Do you have any tips?

• Why do I have trouble Euro nymphing in slow pools when I have such good luck in faster water?
• I catch steelhead from Lake Ontario tributaries during the colder months but I don't catch trout there during the summer.  Why?
• I am having trouble casting a Euro rig.  What tips can you give me?
• How can I wean myself off my spinning rod when it's so much more successful that my fly rod?
• What are your thoughts on the Non-Slip Mono Loop for dry flies?
• Have you ever tired the Australian Braid Knot as a replacement for the Bimini Twist?
• Which is more important in choosing a line size—the size of the fish or the size of the fly?
• Can trout spill over a dam into streams below?
• Can you give me some tips on catching cutthroat trout?
• How can I tell if there are trout in a small stream?
• I am 17 and can't afford a hackle cape.  Is there any way to save money on a cape,  and what color would you recommend I start with?
• Is it so bad if I want to keep a few wild trout to eat?  Why the big emphasis on catch and release?
• What is that protrusion on the opposite side of the spool from a reel handle?  It can't be a counterweight.
• If I have a medium-fast 5-weight rod, will a 6-weight line make it more of a medium action?
• I lost 30-40 fish in the tail of a pool swinging flies.  What was I doing wrong?
• How do you select deer hair for Comparadun wings?