The Spawn & The Angler

Getting bit by the fly fishing bug usually results in a drastic change in lifestyle. You're out on the water all the time, soaking up any and all opportunities to practice this new pursuit you've been blessed to find. This is all fine and good... unless you come down with a case of fly fishing fever in the middle of winter. Don't despair. You can fish year-round. But beyond that, there are some things that you can do to bide your time in a productive manner. I share six things a new angler can do if fly fishing piques their interest in the cold weather months. (And pouting and shopping are not included.) Lastly, my usual caveat whenever I talk about topics like this: Fly fishing is a 12-month activity. And you're still a fly fisher if you don't fish 12 months out of the year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I discuss  what, in my humble opinion, everyone should take advantage of when attending a fly fishing event. I also get a little critical of those who are critical themselves of events like this. Whether you attend the big name shows or local events at the VFW, there are some real benefits to spending half a day indoors. While the largest events usually take place in the first quarter of the year, recent seasons have seen various activities spread across the entire calendar. Hear my three recommendations and my two defenses, then Google when and where you can get inside - to get outside - in the near future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Understanding the spawning season is important for the fly fisher. Not only is it wise to comprehend the width and breadth of the seasonal and life cycles of trout, but being a good steward of the resource is unmistakably tied to respecting natural reproduction. Today is a quick run through some of the basics of the spawning seasons of trout here in the US. I cover when they are, what to look for, and how you can still fish during the spawn (if legal... and if you do so ethically). With so many imperiled and recovering rivers out there, all fly fishers should be well acquainted with the spawning behaviors of trout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Time. Money. Frustration. And the things on the table in front of you look more like debris from the lint trap than anything that a fish might eat. I've been there. Early in my fly fishing, I had some missteps and fruitless moments. Somewhere along the line I got into a groove. And while I'm no expert or display-tier tier (yes: not tyer), I am much happier now. And this breeds confidence and  competence. Today I'm sharing the four things I'd do if I had to start fly tying from scratch today. If you're getting into it, perhaps this will give you a potential roadmap. If you are an accomplished tier, this might provide some food for thought as you encourage others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patience is a virtue. And while we should strive to be virtuous for many more important reasons, it pays off when trying to catch trout, too. Today I work through three ways in which fishing smarter will almost always trump fishing harder. And, to be fair, there is nothing wrong with fishing intensely while fishing intelligently. But there is a priority. And at the end of the day, there is something to be said for figuring out the problem presented in any particular fly fishing situation before you start casting. Patience is the key to see a little more and do a little more before you toss out your fly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Flannels, pumpkin spice, and... slowly swung streamers? Just like the changing colors of the leaves, there are some inevitable alterations we make every fall in our fly fishing. Dropping temperatures and shorter days cause cold-blooded creatures to act differently. If we want to see them in our nets, we need to respond accordingly. Today I share three changes I make in my fly fishing as the season transitions from late summer to early fall. I touch on presentation, approach, and equipment modifications that have been helpful and productive over the years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You might not fancy yourself a teacher. But if you're going to be a "fly fishing guy" there is a good chance you're going to need to pass along some essential knowledge to a friend, coworker, or brother-in-law. And casting is about as capital-E essential as there is in fly fishing. Today I walk you through what I focus on in my first 45 minutes of any fly casting lesson. The basics are basic, but we all to often fly past them in order to get on the water or into a hula hoop. Hopefully my process will be helpful to you as you prepare to help someone else get out on the water with a fly rod in hand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So you want to buy and fish with an old fly rod. Not a collector's item or a rare antique: just a regular, old old fly rod. Great. I'm a fan. And this week, I've been writing and talking about that very thing. After putting together an article and video about fly fishing with old rods on small streams, I figured I'd keep a good thing going and explain a few things about the enterprise. In particular, in this episode I discuss finding a fishable rod and pairing it with the right modern fly line. There is much more to it, of course... but that will get you out on the water at least. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"But why?" This can be a very obnoxious question. Or, it could be a very revealing question. Do you know why we do what we do when we fly fish? One of this week's questions was posed to me by a student in a casting class that I am teaching. Innocently, he asked why we  reel with our non-dominant hand. So I explained it to him. And I'll explain it to you... along with two other viewer, listener, and reader pieces of feedback. This includes one that could be considered an accusation! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So you're getting skunked.  All that expensive gear, all that planning, and all that podcast information you consumed... and for what! You're failing fly fishing. Not so fast. Sure, catching up on yardwork or taking a nap is all fine and good. But it isn't over until it is over. Today I share three ways to approach what you're doing to see if you can pull the nose up before a crash landing. There are some days that just don't go your way (I recently had such a day). But with a little patience and conscientiousness, we'll try to get you closer to a fish. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices