

Troutbitten
Domenick Swentosky
Life on the water. Troutbitten is a deep dive into fly fishing for wild trout in wild places. Author and guide, Domenick Swentosky, shares stories, tips, tactics and conversations with friends about fly fishing through the woods and water. Explore more. Fish hard. And discover fly fishing at Troutbitten.com — an extensive resource with 1500+ articles about trout, friends, family and the river.
Episodes
Mentioned books

8 snips
Aug 4, 2024 • 1h
Dry Fly Skills #2 --Drag Free Drifts and Animation
The drag free drift -- a high percentage of the time, that’s what catches trout on top. So aiming for perfection on a dead drift sets the baseline. And if you get those great drifts, but they won’t eat it, try some animation. Think slight, small and subtle for those movements to the fly, and you just might fool some trout that are keyed in on motion.Everything works sometimes. So we’re ready to try anything. But we spend the most time with tactics that produce with the highest rate of return. That’s just common sense.Whatever fly you're fishing, whatever bait, lure or fly you’re presenting across the spectrum of fishing, it pays to watch the food form you’re trying to imitate. In this case, watch how a mayfly rides on the water. Set up and watch rising trout for a while, and see if they’re eating caddis that are dapping and skittering, or if they’re eating something unseen, perhaps just under the surface. Also, get close to the water and see how a carpenter ant or a hopper behaves once it’s made the mistake and found itself on the water. How do these bugs move, and how do the trout respond? Imitate that with your fly.My friend, Matt Grobe, joins me for this second episode in our dry fly skills series.ResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | Category | Dry Fly FishingREAD: Troutbitten | That's Not a Dead DriftVIDEO: Troutbitten | Real Dead Drifts -- Up Top and UnderneathREAD: Troutbitten | Dry Fly Fishing on the Mono RigVisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten Facebook Thank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:SkwalaandOrvisThanks to TroutRoutes:Use the code TROUTBITTEN for 20% off your membership athttps://maps.troutroutes.com Thanks to SkwalaUse the code, TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order athttps://skwalafishing.com/

Jul 28, 2024 • 59min
Dry Fly Skills #1 -- When and Why
Matt Grobe, a dry fly fishing expert and enthusiast, joins the conversation to delve into the world of top-water fishing. He discusses the excitement of visually engaging with rising trout, and why dry flies hold a unique place in the heart of anglers. The duo covers essential timing and conditions for dry fly success, debunks common misconceptions, and emphasizes mastering these skills for a richer fishing experience. Personal anecdotes from Patagonia add thrilling context, making it clear that embracing this technique leads to unforgettable moments on the water.

27 snips
Jun 21, 2024 • 1h 18min
Prospecting for Trout
This podcast discusses the art of prospecting for trout, covering water to find feeding fish and adjusting tactics. They explore the strategy of quickly identifying fish behavior, adapting tactics, and using river knowledge. The speakers talk about the benefits of presenting the fly effectively, achieving a perfect drift, and selecting the right fishing spots. They also touch on the importance of accurate drifts, testing different areas, and analyzing data for successful fishing experiences.

Jun 16, 2024 • 1h 26min
The Airing of Grievances -- Three
The podcast discusses humorous and serious complaints in the fly-fishing industry, including social media frustrations and conservation issues. It explores grievances among friends, project delays, angler etiquette, commercialization in fishing, health misinformation online, and advocacy for preserving genuine fishing experiences.

Jun 9, 2024 • 1h 15min
Set the Hook! All About Different Hooksets
Explore the various techniques of setting the hook while fly fishing for trout, including differences between dry flies, wets, streamers, and nymphs. Delve into the nuances of hook setting distance, speed, and direction, while also discussing the impact of brown trout on native brook trout populations in Pennsylvania. Learn about adjusting hooksets for different prey types and mastering hook set techniques for successful fishing experiences.

Jun 2, 2024 • 16min
The Further You Walk, the More You Leave Behind (a Story)
Here's a story about the solitude that so many of us seek on the water — how the full experience of planning for a trip, driving before dawn, walking in and exploring a river valley provides a respite from our daily life. It’s a chance for a clear mind and for renewed energy. "The Further You Walk, the More You Leave Behind" is about what we recover when we commit to full days and long distances, and how even after we return, we are changed.In this episode I also share information about the New Trail Troutibtten beer and the release event on June 29th.I also announce the next Troutbitten Live Stream event on YouTube, which is Wednesday, June 5th at 8:00 pm, EST. Our guest is Tom Rosenbauer. Our topic is stocking and club water.I also ask for emails to the Pennsylvania Fish Commission supporting their efforts to stop stocking over wild trout. Here is the information for that:ResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | Be a Voice for Wild Trout -- Your Most Effective Conservation Measure is Also the Easiest** Send the Pennsylvania Fish Commission a simple email of support for eliminating stocking on wild trout waters. **ADDRESSRA-pfbcregulations@pa.govREAD: Troutbitten | The Further You Walk, The More You Leave BehindVisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten FacebookThanks to TroutRoutes:Use the code TROUTBITTEN for 20% off your membership athttps://maps.troutroutes.com Thanks to SkwalaUse the code, TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order athttps://skwalafishing.com/

May 26, 2024 • 1h 7min
The Troubles With Club Fishing
Exploring the challenges of club fishing, the impact on public water, and the ethical dilemma of stocking over wild trout. The podcast advocates for preserving wild trout populations and moving away from hatchery trout systems. They discuss the importance of educating anglers and promoting responsible fishing practices.

5 snips
May 18, 2024 • 1h 18min
How Woodsmanship Catches Fish
The podcast discusses the intangible quality of skilled anglers, emphasizing woodsmanship, outdoor skills, and river knowledge. It explores the importance of comfort zones, discomfort, and experience in fishing. The speakers highlight the connection between woodsmanship and successful fishing, urging anglers to embrace environmental understanding and adaptability.

10 snips
May 12, 2024 • 1h 14min
Boat Fishing -- How Everything Changes When Floating a River
Discover the unique experiences of fishing from a boat, from camaraderie and teamwork to the convenience of having a grill on board. Explore the dynamics and challenges of boat fishing, highlighting the crucial aspects of accuracy and teamwork. Learn about new fishing opportunities with innovative accessories revolutionizing trout angling experiences.

22 snips
May 5, 2024 • 1h 13min
What's the Deal With Emergers?
Discover the art of fishing with emergers in fly fishing, from surface to underwater tactics. Unravel the mysteries of trout feeding habits and enjoy exploring new trout fishing opportunities. Learn about the effectiveness of emergers during hatches and delve into various angling techniques in different scenarios.


