The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast

I get frequent questions on targeting introduced Pacific salmon in the Great Lakes region, so I invited an expert [interview starts at 33:13] to give us guidance on where and when to fish for them, tackle to use, and recommended flies. Trent Jackson, fishing manager of Orvis Grand Rapids, is a lifelong Michigan resident and has been fishing for Great Lakes salmon and steelhead his entire life. He gives us a great overview of this fishery, and is a great example of the rich talent we offer in our retail stores. In the Fly Box this week, we have a number of perceptive questions and suggestions from listeners, including: Why do I have trouble hooking trout with a 10-foot, 3-weight rod when using unweighted flies? Can I use the Hydros Salmon/Steelhead line for tightline fishing with a 20-foot leader? If I have both smallmouth and stocked trout in my river this fall, how can I fish for both of them? A listener takes me to task for killing fish for the table by "bashing them in the head with a rock", and gives us the preferred way to kill fish for the table, using a Japanese method called ikejime. If I have a limited budget, should I spend more money on my waders or wading shoes? Why did brook trout inhale my streamer one day and only chase it the next? Once a running fish is on the reel, should I take my fingers off the line? When you talk about a 9-foot leader, is the tippet included in that length? And should I tie a new tippet directly to my leader without modification?

This week I interview Dr. Aaron Adams [@38:29], chief scientist at Bonefish Tarpon Trust, and he explains some of the science behind proper fish handling techniques.  Although we talk primarily about bonefish and tarpon, I learned some surprising facts about the question:  "If a fish is hooked deeply, is it better to try to remove the hook or just cut the tippet?"  I'm not going to tell you the answer.  You'll need to listen to the podcast. In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions and tips from listeners: Can you suggest  few trout flies that are reliable and relevant year-round? Why do I have trouble hooking trout in small mountain streams? What is the proper way to set the drag on a reel before you begin fishing? How much tension is added to your tippet when you have the whole fly line out on a running fish?Why doesn't anyone talk about frogs and toads as trout prey? Why does my Improved Clinch Knot keep failing? Are neat flies more effective than scruffy ones? A suggestion from a listener about using the "wrong" color thread to tie a better fly. Where should I spend most of my budget when assembling a fly-tying setup? A suggestion from a listener about using a bobbin threader to tie a nail knot.

Stripping Streamers in the Fall, with Butch Wicks  With all the hype around trout Spey and swinging streamers, let's not lose sight of plain old streamer stripping, which is a faster-paced way of fishing streamers and often results in explosive strikes.  Montana/Washington guide Butch Wicks of Healing Waters Lodge in Twin Bridges, Montana gives us some hot tips on stripping streamers in the Fall. The interview starts at 28:00. In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions and comments: I am teaching a friend how to fish nymphs.  Should I start him on dry dropper and indicator fishing or Euro nymphing? Will my Trout Poly Leaders work OK for swinging flies for Lake Erie steelhead, or do I also need to get Spey Polyleaders? Why could I not catch fish during a heavy Green Drake spinner fall?I had to cut my fly line.  Is there any way to repair it without a bulky connection? What should I keep in mind when tying some steelhead patterns to use on Pacific salmon? A clarification to the podcast on the Clean Water Act from a retired EPA wetland scientist. What to do if you see someone on the water with very poor fish-handling techniques.Is trout spawning temperature of day length dependent, and  what behavioral clues should I look for? I saw what I thought were carp feeding on the surface.  Do carp feed on top, and if so what do they eat? How do you set the hook when using a two-handed strip for striped bass? When should I use a weighted vs. unweighted fly for striped bass in San Franciso Bay, and what fly line should I use?

This week I interview Monte Burke [@44:46], author of the recently released book Lords of the Fly.  It's a chronicle of the history of tarpon fishing with a fly rod, and especially the magical period in the late 20th century where huge tarpon and the best fly anglers in the world converged on a little town on the Florida coast.  This is truthfully one of the most interesting fly-fishing books I have ever read.  Even if you have no interest in tarpon fishing, the story of the personalities, conflicts, and obsession involved in trying to catch a world record tarpon on a fly is one of the most compelling stories in fly-fishing history. Monte talks about his research and the process involved in writing the book.  It's a tale of egos and gangsters and heartbreak. In the Fly Box this week, we have lots of interesting questions and tips, including: How does a new beaver dam affect a trout stream? What is the difference between a 2-weight and a 3-weight Euro nymphing rod? How should one approach a larger river with heavy fishing pressure? How do you suggest handling a fish that has been foul-hooked? If you were to spend two weeks in quarantine in a hotel room, what six fly patterns would you tie? An example of great fishing close to home What do you know about fly fishing for ladyfish? I am taking my father fishing and he does not have much experience.  Should I hire a guide or just get him an outfit and take him wade fishing? What are the main differences between Eastern and Western fly fishing? What effect will the wildfires have on trout streams? Can I use UV epoxy to finish the wraps on a rod I am making?Can I dye my own fly tying materials?

This week, we chat with Bob Irvin [Interview starts at 42:00], president of American Rivers, an organization that does solid work protecting the aquatic resources we all love.  Bob and I talk about the Clean Water Act and the Clean Water Rule--what these laws have done for us in the past, how they are currently managed, and threats to their effectiveness.  It's not as much fun as talking about trout or steelhead, but it's important stuff to all of us. In the Fly Box this week, listeners offered the following tips and questions: What kind of water is best for Euronymphing?  Can you do it in really slow water for panfish?The booties on my waders are too tight for two pairs of socks.  How can I keep my feet warm winter steelheading? I have some streams in my neighborhood that people say used to hold brook trout.  How can I find out if they still live there? A suggestion that keeping the index finger on the top of your rod grip helps with sensitivity. What is the best fly line to use when trying to cast the entire line? Can I Spey cast for smallmouth bass? My dad really outfished me using a Rapala.  I tried all kinds of streamers but no luck.  Is there a fly that is as good as a Rapala? When I wade waist-deep I have trouble with my casting.  What can I do to fix this? How can you reconcile our obsession with drag-free drifts and the effectiveness of a swung wet fly? I have a bunch of old fly lines.  How can I tell what they are, and how can I mark them? If you have a local stream that you fish often, how long should you rest it between fishing trips? I am fishing for smallmouth and shoal bass during the day in weedy, rocky water.  What's the best technique to use? A tip from a listener on a great indicator you can make yourself. Can you clarify the confusion behind the term "dropper"?

This week I interview biologist Nicole Watson [interview at 46:56], who has a fascinating job. She is working on developing strains of arctic grayling that will hopefully be able to repopulate some of Michigan's rivers. It's not widely known that prior to the arrival of Europeans to rivers such as the Au Sable and Manistee, the dominant salmonid in rivers in that entire area was not the brook trout, but a unique strain of arctic grayling. Learn about how the population was decimated, what is being done to restore them, and how soon we'll be able to fish for wild grayling in Michigan. Here are some links to websites mentioned in the podcast MI Grayling Initiative website: https://www.migrayling.org/ Iron Fish Distillery- whiskeys to support research: https://ironfishdistillery.com/arcticgrayling/ Iron Fish Arctic Grayling Research Fund (to donate to research directly): https://manisteefoundation.org/component/funds/view/3933 In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions and tips from listeners: My 5-weight works fine with nymphs and dries but I have trouble throwing streamers. Is my rod too light for fishing Woolly Buggers? How do you evaluate a new fly pattern for your own fishing? And what are the factors that make you keep the pattern in your fly box instead of cycling it out? I have trouble keeping dubbing on the thread when I wrap it on a hook. Are there tips I can use? Is it a good idea to start with a tippet ring on a brand new leader, and where do you place it? Is it wrong to hold the index finger on top of a rod grip when casting? Should I be able to throw a size 8 popper with my 5-weight rod? What is the most humane way to kill a fish? How can I "turn up the volume" of my bass flies for use in high, dirty water? I want to try to catch a 12-inch brook trout in a small stream, but I want to go barbless. What would you suggest for landing my trophy? I have a 7-weight Recon rod and want to fish heavier streamers. What fly line do you recommend? What is the best way to remove a small hook from a trout? What is the best way to travel with fly-tying materials?

This week, I interview Captain Joe Mattioli [43:31]i on a place I have always wanted to fish--New York Harbor.  Despite having chased striped bass and bluefish with a fly rod for over 40 years, I have never had the pleasure of fishing New York Harbor and I have always wanted to.  So join me as I interview Captain Joe and hear stories of this world-class fishery beneath the Statue of Liberty and off Coney Island. In the Fly Box this week, we have lots of great questions, including: I have issues with knots in my leader, especially with streamers and other heavy flies.  How do I fix this? I have a 9 ft 5-weight Recon and a starter fly reel I bought a few years ago.  Should I buy a new reel to go with my rod? When fishing for bass, if I use a heavier line like a bank shot on my 6-weight rod, how should I adjust my casting style? Are there any trade-offs? I use a double Uni Knot to join tippet, but I can't tie a Blood Knot to save my life.  What are the relative strengths of these two knots? I just upgraded my fly-tying vise.  What other tools should I upgrade if I want to improve my tying? My tippet keeps breaking when using sink-tip lines.  What can I do to prevent this? Would you recommend a Recon 2-weight or 3-weight for fishing small streams plus bluegill fishing with my kids? How many flies do you lose in a day of small stream fishing? Where would you go to catch a trophy brook trout? What should I do with my dry fly when fishing still water?  Should I move it or let it sit? What can we do to reduce the trauma to fish when we play them?

This week I interview Orvis-endorsed guide Jay Aylward [51:05], a largemough bass fanatic on the fly rod, about how to find and catch them.  And not just any largemouth, but trophy bass.  Or at least trophies on a fly rod... In the Fly Box this week, I get some great tips from listeners and also some interesting questions, including: Fly pattern suggestions for a road trip across Colorado What are your top 10 trout flies I should tie? How does water fluctuation below a dam affect trout behavior? I can't catch trout on anything but worm flies and woollies in my local river.  Why can't I catch them on standard nymphs? How do I sort through the creek chubs to catch the nice brook trout below them? Can I cut my poly leader back to make it shorter? What line do I need to put on my 10-foot 8-weight single handed rod if I want to try some two-handed casts? Why did a fly shop put a 6-foot leader on my outfit when I bought it? A listener offers more suggestions on why you should tie your own leaders.A nother suggestion on how to record small streams you fish--the Basemap app. What is an affordable, dependable Orvis rod? Why can't I catch the carp in my local pond?  Do you have any suggestions?

[Interview @ 38:40] There are few things more fun in fly fishing than catching bluegills with a popper or nymph.  For the most part, once you find them it's easy and un-challenging fishing.  But if you want to up your game and chase trophy bluegills, the kind that will put a big bend in a 3-weight rod, you need special techniques.  This week Orvis-endorsed guide Kip Vieth shares his passion for big bluegills, and his special techniques for catching them--even in summer heat. In the Fly Box this week, we answer the following questions from listeners: I had a big brown trout chase my fly right after a big tumble of branches rolled down the river on top of him.  Is this common? What can I do with some grouse feathers I obtained? Does a 7 1/2-foot knotless leader have the same level tippet length as a 9- or 12-footer, or is the tippet length proportional? I started tying my own leaders but had a blood knot break.  Should I go back to knotless leaders? Would it be a good idea to tie smaller streamers with a shank and a trailing stinger as opposed to using a longer-shank hook? I have heard that long-shank hooks don't hold fish as well. What are some good rules for keeping your distance on crowded trout streams? I always hook my fly onto one of my guides but recently I had a guide break when I was pulling the rod apart.  Is that a bad practice and am I weakening the guides by doing this? When someone says they are fishing a 9-foot or 12-foot leader, does that length include the tippet? I had a Davey Knot break on heavy tippet.  Is the Davey Knot weaker in heavier materials? How do I keep the fly line from pulling my leader back inside the guides when making short casts?

This week we continue our exploration of small streams with Brian Slusser in California [@37:47] and Brown Hobson of North Carolina [@1:24:38]. Both are experienced guides and love small stream fishing. Even if you don't fish these regions, you'll find plenty of great tips and fly suggestions for your own region. In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions and also some great additional information from listeners, including: I have a small bass pond in my neighborhood. What would you suggest regarding patterns and techniques? I have a bunch of old flies from the 1940s. How can I tell if they are still good? Is there a comparable approach to Euro nymphing when fishing for steelhead? Some great information from a listener on the confusion around greenback cutthroat restoration in Colorado. Why aren't all hooks barbless? Do you have any tips on tying with calf body hair? What are some good crab patterns for fishing for striped bass in New England? Can you suggest some tips on tying in biot tails for nymphs like the Copper John? Should I always be fishing my nymphs dead drift or should I try imparting some movement to them? A listener calls in with some great tips for finding small stream trout in Colorado