The Orvis Fly Fishing Podcast with Tom Rosenbauer

Thu, 30 April 2020

Talking Salmon (and other fish) with Mark Kurlansky

[Interview starts at 38:46]

This week I have the pleasure of interviewing one of my very favorite non-fiction writers, Mark Kurlansky. Author of such award-winning books as Cod, Salt, Paper, 1968, and A Continent of Islands, Mark is a tireless journalist who digs into the very essence of anything he does. His new book, Salmon, is his first book that involves sport fishing as well as the natural and economic history of both Atlantic and Pacific salmon. (And he has a book on fly fishing coming out next April).

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

Should I use a cauterizing pen to clean material out of the eyes of my flies?
A host of solid tips for the novice Spey caster from a listener
What makes a good skater fly, and how do you fish them?
Why don't more people use the drop-shot method when fishing nymphs?
How do you attach a dropper to a Euro rig with passing the bottom fly through the loop?
How can I fish a Euro rig in really tiny streams?
Is my 8-weight rod too light for pike fishing?
Where should I fish in relation to a tailrace below a dam, and is a Spey rod a good idea?
Why did I see a big smallmouth slowly cruising up a small creek?
What is the best way to break off a fly when you are snagged?
How can I fish plunge pools in a small stream?
Does using a UV light when curing epoxy harm your eyes?

Direct download: Talking_salmon_and_other_fish_with_Mark_Kurlansky.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:18am EST

Sat, 25 April 2020

Northern Montana Trout Fishing, with Tim Linehan

[Interview starts at 27:44]
This week I have the pleasure of interviewing perhaps the nicest human being on the planet, Tim Linehan of Linehan Outfitters in Libby, Montana. I think you'll get a sense of what kind of person he is by listening in. We talk about how the recent pandemic has affected fishing guides and lodges, but on a more fun note, Tim describes his fishery in northern Montana--the only place in Montana where you can catch a true native rainbow trout (rainbows on famous rivers like the Madison, Bighorn, Missouri, and Gallatin were originally stocked).

In the fly box this week, we have these tips and questions:

An easy way to make crab eyes
Why don't people use a piece of yarn in between blood knots as a strike indicator?
Will a 3-weight switch rod handle streamers for smallmouths?
What can I do to protect flies and tying materials?
Can I use springbok hair in place of deer hair?
Can I fish tungsten nymphs on a sinking line effectively?
When do I set the hook when sight-nymphing for trout?
How do you re-sharpen fly-tying scissors?
If I test my dry flies in water and they tip over on their sides, should I still use them?
Some further information on how chemical sharpening of hooks works

Direct download: Northern_Montana_Trout_Fishing_with_Tim_Linehan.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:46pm EST

Fri, 10 April 2020

Fishing for Stripers off Long Island, with Sam Sifton

[Interview starts at 37:13]

This week I interview Sam Sifton, former Cooking Editor, now Assistant Managing Editor of The New York Times, and an avid fly-rod striped bass angler. It's quite a rambling discussion, from striper fishing on Long Island to the current state of striper populations to the writing of Peter Matthiessen. Along the way, of course we get some fish cooking advice but only for bluefish. Learn why Sam and I don't eat striped bass (and it's more than just about catch-and-release for the sake of the population).

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

Do you have any tips for fishing a very large river?
How long do hooks stay sharp, and can I re-sharpen chemically sharpened hooks?
Why don't you develop biodegradable hooks?
Why am I having problems catching spring trout in Alaska?
I was recently fishing a delayed harvest section and caught some smaller, beautifully colored trout. Do you think they were wild?
Why am I developing pains in my wrist when casting my 8-weight?
Should I concentrate on getting really good at catching just one species, or should I try for all the species that are available in my area?
In a boundary layer between dirty and clean water, where will I find the trout?
In your TV show, you recommended a full sinking or depth charge line for bass in deep water. Can I use a sinking poly leader on my floating line as well?
I am having trouble tying off the hackle at the base of the post on my parachute flies like the Klinkhammer. Can you suggest some tips?
Can I get a fly rod that will be good for both steelhead and musky?

Direct download: Fishing_for_Stripers_off_Long_Island_with_Sam_Sifton.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:39pm EST

Thu, 2 April 2020

Behind the Scenes with Tom and Crew

[Interview starts at 38:00]

This week I interview Mark Melnyk, host and producer of The New Fly Fisher TV show and the co-producer of The Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing Season 2. We tell some stories about what it's like filming a show and share some nasty tricks we played on cameramen over the past year. The Orvis show premieres this week on World Fishing Network, but shows will also premiere for the next 13 weeks every Sunday on The Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing You Tube Channel. Season 2 will also appear on PBS and on Amazon Prime later in the year, once we have all the shows completed.

In the Fly Box this week, we have a couple good tips from listeners (actually adding information to topics previously discussed on podcasts) including more detail on polarized lenses and why tilting your head helps, and also some additional information on keeping your muscles and joints in shape when fishing.

We also have these questions:

Should I wait to buy a first fly rod now, or should I wait until I can go to an Orvis FF101 class once the stores re-open?
What suggestions do you have to help me tie on those size 20 and smaller flies?
I need up to 8 false casts to cast 60 feet. What am I doing wrong?
I enjoyed watching you tie a Clouser Minnow. How should I fish this fly for smallmouth bass in a river?
Why is it not OK to trim hackle on dry flies?
What data would you add to a streamside journal?
Do you think personal hygiene affects the sense of smell of trout?
Once I start traveling again I want to try some saltwater species. Which ones should I target on my trip?

Direct download: Behind_the_Scenes_with_Tom_and_Crew.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:01am EST