The Battenkill is an iconic and often frustrating trout stream.  It's a gorgeous river with a healthy population of wild trout but it has had its ups and downs over the years.  Doug Lyons [49:48] is a lifetime Battenkill expert and knows the river perhaps better than anyone, and his new book Fly Fishing Guide to the Battenkill unravels many secrets of this special river—perhaps more than many of us locals are comfortable with!  Doug and I had fun sharing our theories and thoughts about the river.

 

In the Fly Box this week, I have some especially interesting questions  from listeners, including:

• I have been experimenting with streams on a floating line with a short leader with no success.  What am I doing wrong, and what do you suggest?
• Is there a way to tell the various subspecies of cutthroat trout apart?
• What are the pros and cons of smooth vs. textured lines?
• Why are reel prices so expensive these days?  Aren't they just used to store line?
• How can I tell what line size a bamboo rod takes?  I bought an old rod that has no markings on it.
• Why don't more fly shops sell nymphs with matte beads?
• Will I save money by tying my own flies?
• How can I identify the various mayflies and caddisflies I have in southern Michigan?
• Why do I get tippet curls just ahead of my fly when I tie it on?  I have tried a couple knots and they still seem to do it.
• Will a Spey rod with a larger line size cast farther than a lighter one like a 6-weight?
• A reminder from a listener about the perils to wildlife of using lead weights in fishing.
• Will it hurt to store my fly line on the reel in the off-season?
• What tools do you personally use in fly tying and which are the most important?
• If I am making my own leaders should I use blood knots or surgeon's knots to connect the sections?
• Does it matter which way your fly is oriented when fishing?

This week, my guest is long-time Orvis-endorsed guide George Hunker [49:26], who has won two awards (guide of the year and the coveted lifetime achievement award) for his excellence in creating wonderful experiences for his customers.  George has a lifetime of experience in fishing alpine lakes in the Wind River range in Wyoming, and his tips will be valuable to anyone who fishes these wilderness gems for trout.

 

In the Fly Box this week, we have a varied assortment of questions about tackle, fly tying, and techniques, including:

• Am I missing out by just fishing close to home and not putting more exotic trips on the calendar?
• How can I stop my streamer tails from wrapping around the bend of the hook?
• Can I use a heavy switch rod for fishing in the surf in North Carolina and also for king salmon in Michigan?
• Can I tie large nymphs or streamers on some old Mustad salmon hooks?  How about saltwater flies?
• I want to get an 8-weight rod.  Should I get a Recon or Clearwater?
• How do you fish scuds in lakes?
• What is the best way to fish a short, narrow, deep, and fast pool in high water?
• Why can't I catch many trout on dry flies in small Missouri wild trout streams?
• Why do some 6-weight rods have fighting butts?  Do I need one to fish for trout in Virginia?
• What fly line do you recommend for striped bass in the Chesapeake region?
• How can I keep the eyes from coming off my deer hair bass bugs?
• Why not use a small perfection loop instead of a tippet ring?
• Why would you not fish a dropshot rig with nymphs all the time?
• How can I explore other parts of a favorite trout stream?  What should I look for?

Northern pike are a fascinating and explosive fish to catch on a fly rod.  There is not much that beats a big northern smashing a streamer close to the surface or eating a popper.  Josh Nugent [47:05] is a very experienced pike angler and has a host of tips on tackle, leaders, flies, retrieves, and how to find pike all year long.  This episode should really be called Everything You Need to Know about Fly Fishing for Pike, but Josh loves those Seven Deadly titles so I'm going with it.

 

In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions, both basic and more advanced, including:

• What rod and reel do I need for chasing king salmon in Great Lakes rivers?
• Are posts on parachute flies for us or for the fish?  Do they imitate wings on a mayfly or are they just a strike indicator for us?
• How do I keep my line from tangling in a canoe?
• I have trouble seeing small ants and beetles on the water.  What can I do to help see them better?
• A listener offers another reason why we love trout fishing so much.
• What is the best strategy for fishing in the rain?
• What do you do when dry-dropper fishing in small streams with varying depth?  Do you constantly adjust the length of your dropper?
• Why do I see only one brook trout in a series of pools in tiny streams?  And do brook trout populations fluctuate from year to year?
• What detrimental effect would ammonia have on breathable waders?  If it is not recommended, what should I use to wash my waders?
• Is there a store-bought solution for leaders longer than 12 feet long?  And do you have any tips on getting them to straighten?
• Why are tarpon guides so obsessed with tying their own leaders?
• How much does time of day matter when trout fishing?