The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast

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 November 3rd, 2022. My guest this week is Alex Waller [41:36] from New Zealand. You've likely seen his great videos on Orvisnews.com or on You Tube, in his channel Trippin on Trout. Alex shares his techniques for fishing nymphs in late fall and winter with us, and his techniques are a bit different than what most of us use, so you make pick up some tips for your own trout fishing wherever you live. And because he often fishes for migratory rainbows coming out of giant Lake Taupo, his techniques will play well with Great Lakes "steelhead". In the Fly Box this week, we have a host of interesting questions, including: What is the most buoyant natural material for dry flies? Does adding UV resin to dry flies affect their buoyancy? What is the best way to carry and store tube flies? Is there a universal rule for what size nymph you can use on a dry dropper? How do I keep my hook gap clear of materials so I don't miss strikes? What should I do when a big fish shakes its head when fighting? If black is the most visible color for flies, why do some anglers prefer black hooks when fish are spooky? If black is most visible in murky water, why do some people recommend bright flies under these conditions? I am stuck in the rolling plains of the Midwest, four hours from a trout stream. Can I still go fly fishing? A local river is highly pressured with very clear water, so everyone uses tiny midges. Would a bigger fly work sometimes? What is the best upgrade I can make to my Clearwater outfit, without spending hundreds of dollars? Do you ever swing wet flies in small streams? If so what leader do you use? When do you use a strike indicator instead of a dry dropper? And what kind do you use? I have a floating line for striped bass fishing and have done well with it. What other line would you recommend? What do you suggest if I want to try night fishing for striped bass?

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.

Confused about which floating trout line to pick when you need a new one? I'm not surprised as today there is a dizzying array of options and nearly everyone is confused. If you understand what the various options offer the decision is much easier, so I asked product developer Jesse Haller [41:00] to help all of us make this important choice. We talk about what you get in the more expensive lines that you don't get in the price-point lines. We discuss tapers, whether your fly line should be a standard weight or a half- or quarter- or full-size heavy, smooth vs. textured, clear vs. opaque, fly line colors, and other options.  And take heart, we also give you the best option for an all-purpose floating trout line.   In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions and tips from listeners: 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.

I've had requests in the past for a podcast about chasing coastal cutthroats, so this week my guest is author, "retired" guide, and all-around thoughtful angler Dylan Tomine [33:12]. He tells us where to find them, what kinds of tides and conditions are best, and what flies and techniques work well for these fish that are close to many cities in the Northwest.   In the Fly Box this week, we have these questions and more: 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?