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?