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?