The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast

This week my guest is guide and lodge owner Wade Fellin [45:48] of Big Hole River Lodge. Wade is on the vanguard of trout health in Montana, particularly in the Big Hole Valley, and they have been seeing trout die at the time of year when water temperatures and flows are optimum, which is concerning. Wade shares with us how they are obtaining samples of trout to send to a lab, and some possible reasons for this problem, and what might be done to address the issue. He also makes it clear that trout fishing in Montana is still awesome and that people should not cancel a trip or not plan a trip. Fishing is still great but we need to perhaps take even more care in releasing fish—and in deciding how many fish to catch in any given day.  In the Fly Box this week, there are some great questions, tips, and comments from listeners, including: A listener shares with us how he analyzed a problem with his casting and solved the problem.  Are we over-using UV cure resins in our fly tying? I can't afford new waders and have leaks in my old ones. Should I try to buy a pair of used waders? When fishing dry flies in lakes, should I twitch the fly or just let it sit? When aren't all nymph patterns tied on jig hooks? Why am I missing so many small trout in a local stream? With the severe flooding in Vermont, how will that affect my fishing when the water drops? A listener wants to give a shout-out to two generous anglers who gifted him and his wife with a box of flies while they were on their honeymoon on the Henry's Fork. Good tips on the benefits of a long-handled net Why am I missing hook sets on my fiberglass rod? How can I involve my family more in my fly fishing? Do you have any tips for coiling line so that it does not tangle when I shoot line? I am moving from DC to Dallas and I know there is no trout fishing around. Are there any fly-fishing opportunities near Dallas?

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?

Scott Sadil [41:39], author and Fly Fishing Editor of Gray’s Sporting Journal, is a pioneer in fishing the surf in Baja, and in his many years of experience he’s learned a ton of valuable tips. Even if you never plan on fishing Baja, you’ll find his advice helpful for finding fish along a wide beach, choosing which flies and tackle to use, and learning new techniques for moving the fly.   In the Fly Box this week, we have some fascinating questions from listeners, including: I am having trouble casting a size 6 fly with lead eyes on my 5 weight. What can I do to correct this? I am struggling with my distance casting. Any tips for helping with this, and for fishing large tailwaters? When I hook panfish and bass along a shoreline, they always head for shore yet carp always swim to deep water. Why? My Royal Wulffs don't float properly when I drop them in a glass of water. What can I do to help? What kind of flies and colors do you suggest for fishing the surf in Costa Rica? How should I dispose of old waders that leak? Is there one rod I can use for surf fishing, largemouth bass, and streamers for trout? If you float a river in a canoe of kayak by yourself, how do you get back upstream at the end of the day?  Should I use a 7-weight or 8-weight rod for throwing big streamers for trout? How should I fish freshwater rivers that are tidal for bass and pike? And how do I get wire onto the end of my leader for the pike? Why do people use a Bimini Twist? I would think it just pushes the weak spot in a leader further back.  Is bug spray harmful to fish? If I am hiking into high alpine lakes, should I hike in my wading shoes?

Warning—this week's podcast with biologist Michael Miller [36:28] is not exactly uplifting, in fact it's downright depressing. I feel that neonic pesticides are the main reason we have seen dramatic declines of insects on our trout streams and may be even more of a threat to invertebrate populations than climate change. But it is a problem we can remedy more easily than climate change because it's mostly a problem in the United States (Canada and the EU have either banned or greatly restricted their use). I hope this podcast makes all of you take action and raise your voices to get the EPA to ban these dangerous chemicals. On a happier note, we have some wonderful questions in the Fly Box this week, including: It's great to hear that Tom gets skunked as often as the rest of us. Why did I see mayflies when I was a mile from the nearest stream? Do bright fly lines spook fish? Why were fish slashing at my streamer without me hooking them? I am having problems casting a 15-foot leader Where should I take my sons fishing in the Bozeman/Livingston area if I can't afford a guide?  If I hook a fish deep in its throat, should I try to get the fly out or cut the tippet? Can I get closer to fish in a riffle? What are Tom's top 5 trout flies? I am losing a lot of fish on my 10-foot 3-weight rod. What should I do differently? Where do big trout tend to live in a river?  If I am catching just small fish will there be any big fish around? I can't get my floating line to float well, even after cleaning it. What can I do?

Learn how to fish emergers with Pat Dorsey's favorite fly patterns and insightful tips. From casting with non-dominant hands to managing trout populations and untangling lines, this podcast covers it all. Dive into climate change concerns, Euro rod recommendations, and the art of mastering fishing emergers. Explore the complexities of midge sizes, caddisflies, and successful emergent fishing tactics. Discover versatile fly patterns and tips from Colorado fly tyers, while enjoying mutual admiration among industry peers.

This week my guest is Joshua Caldwell [32:30], director of the new movie (premiering in theaters today) "Mending the Line", about a combat veteran with PTSD who works his way back into society with the help of a fly fishing curmudgeon. The movie stars Sinqua Walls, Perry Mattfeld, and Brian Cox as the old curmudgeon (of course). It's a story that could easily fall into cliche but I found it to be heartwarming and compelling, and the casting is excellent. Joshua talks about the trials and tribulations of making the movie in a short time frame, challenged by tough weather. It's a fascinating peak behind the curtains of an independent film. In the Fly Box this week we have the following questions and helpful tips: What is your opinion of an approved IGFA leader for tarpon as opposed to using straight 60- or 80-pound leader? I am having trouble with the partridge hackle on size 20 soft hackle wets. Can you help? How much time should I spend in each little pocket when bluelining? I have a Recon Saltwater 7 and I want to get a 7-weight freshwater version. How much difference is there between the two? Will a black bottom on my boat spook fish in shallow water? A great letter from a fly fisher in Switzerland detailing how to negotiate the tricky fishing regulations in his country Can I use a tippet ring with different tippet sizes, even ones that are quite different in diameter? Do stocked trout move as much as a mile, or do they stay close to where they are stocked?

The better your casting, the more and fun you'll have and the more relaxed you'll be on the water. Pete Kutzer [46:13] is one of the finest casting instructors in the world, and not only that he's one of the finest anglers you meet, which means he teaches casting as a means to have more enjoyable fishing so he's pragmatic and flexible. He practices casting himself almost every day, and he gives us hints on how to practice at home no matter what kind of fishing you end up doing. You'll be glad you did—and so will your guide if you hire one. I n the Fly Box this week, we have some interesting questions and helpful tips from listeners, including: I need a rod for bass fishing as well as throwing streamers for trout. I only have light trout rods. Which rod should I choose? What is a competition hook and how does it differ from a regular hook? A good tip on how to make matte beads from shiny gold ones without painting or markers I know you should not go more than .002" difference when knotting on a tippet. Can I get away from bigger differences in heavy butt material? I have been fly fishing for 35 years and am looking for a more advanced course. Where should I go? Do you know anything about fishing in Switzerland? How can I target carp in dirty water? I am going Atlantic salmon fishing in Norway. Can I use a single-handed rod even though most people use two-handers? A tip from a listener on always mashing down the barbs of hooks when fishing with kids. My line gets twisted when I fish with a dry/dropper arrangement. Is there any way to lessen this? My tungsten beads crack when I hit my back cast on rocks behind me. Are there beads that are more durable than tungsten? How can I fish the tails of pools in small streams without getting drag? I can't get redfish running a surf line to eat my flies. Any suggestions?

Jacks are an under-rated gamefish and under-utilized resource. They take a fly aggressively, fight harder than most other saltwater gamefish, and are common in most warmer saltwater ecosystems. Yet most anglers, and most guides, pass them up on the way to chasing the glamor species like bonefish, permit, or tarpon. They're missing a lot of fun. RA Beattie [34:28] is a talented film maker who regularly has films in the International Fly Fishing Film Festival (IF4) (International Fly Fishing Film Festival® - IF4™ (flyfilmfest.com) and his spectacular film, produced by RA and Jako Lucas, called "Jacks", is currently on tour with the festival. He talks about making fly-fishing films, and also his love of fishing for jacks. In the Fly Box this week, we have some fun questions and helpful tips from listeners, including: Where can I learn Spey casting in preparation for a trip I'm taking? I saw some large brown trout chasing shiners in the shallows. What fly pattern and tactics should I use? I keep missing strikes on a balanced leech under an indicator. What am I doing wrong? Great suggestions from a listener on how to train a dog to be a good streamside companion. Why am I having problems with short casts on my 9-foot 5-weight rod? Driving in Alberta, I see a lot of nice-looking rivers along the road. How can I tell if they have fish in them? What other patterns should I try those cool wing cases made from saddle hackles I see on the Tom Rosenbauer's Deep Caddis Pupa? A great tip from a listener on a special material for organizing your fly-tying bench. Where can I find flies with black beads? A tip from a listener on how to keep cool while fishing during the summer in the deep South. Why do I catch big wild rainbows in one pool and only smaller ones in the next pool downstream? Any suggestions for setting the hook on brook trout in a very tight stream

Our climate is changing, and regardless of whether you think it's human caused or natural it is changing. If you don't believe that you need to get outside more. John Gierach [58:00], thoughtful guy that he is, wanted to talk about this subject and how he deals with changes that have happened in his lifetime, and what we can all do to deal with climate change and still enjoy fly fishing, because as he says "we still gotta live" and to some of us fly fishing is life. I n the Fly Box this week we have lots of questions, many of them quite basic but still fun to answer because you can always give them a new twist. What is the best rig to catch trout with worms? (I hope he meant worm flies and not real worms) What can I do to keep my Depth Charge line from tangling? I am moving to Texas and want one rod for inland bass and one for inshore saltwater. Is there one outfit that can do this? Am I better off buying one high-end rod or several lower priced rods if I fish in a variety of trout situations? Can you overline bamboo and fiberglass fly rods? I have a dog that likes to chase rocks and sticks. Any tips on how to train a dog to be a good fishing companion?  Is there any way to tell a trout rise from a chub rise? I am confused by fly line numbers and hook numbers. Can you explain them? What do fish deep in a lake take my Pat's Rubber Legs fished quickly? What do the fish think it is?  How do you fish your Rabbit's Foot Emerger patterns? What do I do with my rod when tying on a new fly or landing a fish? Is there a better knot than a clinch knot for tying on size 18 to 22 flies? My welded loop has cuts in it. What can I do to fix that? What kind of dry/dropper arrangement do you use when there is nothing visibly hatching? A good tip from a listener on walking the banks of your favorite rivers in low water to get a sense for the bottom structure. Can you tell the difference between a male and female trout by looking at the anal fin?

A few weeks ago we did a podcast on eastern caddis hatches and I promised to get an expert on western hatches. ME Sorci [43:40] is a student of entomology, a guide, fly fisher, and manager of Orvis Jackson Hole. You can tell by her enthusiasm in the podcast that she thinks caddisflies are fascinating, and she gives us some great tips on when, where, and how to fish these prolific hatches. I learned a lot on this podcast and you will, too. In the Fly Box this week we have some interesting and unusual questions as well as tips from listeners, including: How do I fish short, fast, deep plunge pools with streamers and what line should I use? What tips do you have for fighting a big fish when it runs downstream? Should I fish a 12-foot leader when bluelining? Can an old cork handle on an Orvis bamboo fly rod be repaired? What line should I put on my 10-foot, 3-weight rod for fishing dry flies? Why don't we use other feathers from peacocks besides the eyed tails? Where can I find something that shows me pictures of saltwater prey so I can imitate them? Should I change tactics when fishing at sunrise and sunset? So I don't transfer invasive species how can I tell good algae from bad algae?  Is it possible to put too much hackle on a dry fly?  Why do we use dubbed bodies on dry flies? Why causes a dry fly to not sit properly on the water?  I put small glass beads on my dry flies so I don't crowd the head. Do you think this is a good idea?  Where would Tom like to live (for fishing reasons) if he didn't live in Vermont?