The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast

This week I interview Devin Olsen, who you may know about from competitive fly fishing, but we’re not going to talk about competition. Devin walks us through what to look for when you first approach a stream and how to come up with a strategy for a day of fishing. His new book Tactical Fly Fishing is now available but we get a sneak peak on what you’ll learn from his book. In the Fly Box this week, we talk about: Moving kids from a spinning rod to a switch rod How to deal with muddy and bloody feathers from a duck-hunting friend How to display fly rods in your house If my jig hooks bend when I get stuck in a snag, should I just bend them back and re-use them? If a 5-weight is considered an all-around rod in graphite, is it the same for fiberglass rods? What is the difference between hen necks and hen capes? A great suggestion for carrying a landing net on a plane Do catastrophic floods ruin trout fishing and the insect life? What length and line size do you recommend for both smallmouth bass and steelhead? Can I catch catfish with a fly rod? How should I organize my bonefish fly boxes? Which grain weight in the Depth Charge lines is best for surf fishing?

This week I have an interview [starts at 39:52] that was recorded pre-Covid with Peter Bring, long-time Montana guide for Blackfoot River outfitters in Missoula.  I always learn new things form every guide I fish with, but I thought Peter had some especially helpful tips on fishing with indicators and dry droppers.  Being on the water every day and expected to produce fish in any condition, guides develop efficient, fun, and easy ways to catch fish and have polished their techniques through thousands of hours of helping other anglers become successful.   In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions Has anyone ever caught two fish at once on a two-fly rig? Can I use dog hair to tie flies? I want to chase redfish, pike, steelhead, Pacific salmon, and muskie.  Will an 8-weight rod handle all those species? Can I use the 10-foot sinking Salmon poly leader for trout?  Can I cast it on a 6-weight? What can I tie with hen saddle patches? What switch rod would you recommend for striped bass fishing in the surf? What is the weight relationship between non-toxic wire and lead wire? I live in Switzerland.  What should I expect regarding European fly hatches? I keep losing big trout when they run downstream.  Do you have any suggestions on how I can land more of them? A great tip on joining Trout Unlimited's Citizen Science Initiative Can I use a popper/dropper rig for bass?

[Interview starts at 38:46] This week I have the pleasure of interviewing one of my very favorite non-fiction writers, Mark Kurlansky.  Author of such award-winning books as Cod, Salt, Paper, 1968, and A Continent of Islands, Mark is a tireless journalist who digs into the very essence of anything he does.  His new book, Salmon, is his first book that involves sport fishing as well as the natural and economic history of both Atlantic and Pacific salmon. (And he has a book on fly fishing coming out next April).   In the Fly Box this week, we have the following tips and questions: Should I use a cauterizing pen to clean material out of the eyes of my flies? A host of solid tips for the novice Spey caster from a listener What makes a good skater fly, and how do you fish them? Why don't more people use the drop-shot method when fishing nymphs? How do you attach a dropper to a Euro rig with passing the bottom fly through the loop? How can I fish a Euro rig in really tiny streams? Is my 8-weight rod too light for pike fishing? Where should I fish in relation to a tailrace below a dam, and is a Spey rod a good idea? Why did I see a big smallmouth slowly cruising up a small creek? What is the best way to break off a fly when you are snagged? How can I fish plunge pools in a small stream? Does using a UV light when curing epoxy harm your eyes?

[Interview starts at 27:44] This week I have the pleasure of interviewing perhaps the nicest human being on the planet, Tim Linehan of Linehan Outfitters in Libby, Montana.  I think you'll get a sense of what kind of person he is by listening in.  We talk about how the recent pandemic has affected fishing guides and lodges, but on a more fun note, Tim describes his fishery in northern Montana--the only place in Montana where you can catch a true native rainbow trout (rainbows on famous rivers like the Madison, Bighorn, Missouri, and Gallatin were originally stocked).   In the fly box this week, we have these tips and questions: An easy way to make crab eyes Why don't people use a piece of yarn in between blood knots as a strike indicator? Will a 3-weight switch rod handle streamers for smallmouths? What can I do to protect flies and tying materials? Can I use springbok hair in place of deer hair? Can I fish tungsten nymphs on a sinking line effectively? When do I set the hook when sight-nymphing for trout? How do you re-sharpen fly-tying scissors? If I test my dry flies in water and they tip over on their sides, should I still use them? Some further information on how chemical sharpening of hooks works

[Interview starts at 37:13] This week I interview Sam Sifton, former Cooking Editor, now Assistant Managing Editor of The New York Times, and an avid fly-rod striped bass angler.  It's quite a rambling discussion, from striper fishing on Long Island to the current state of striper populations to the writing of Peter Matthiessen.  Along the way, of course we get some fish cooking advice but only for bluefish.  Learn why Sam and I don't eat striped bass (and it's more than just about catch-and-release for the sake of the population).   In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions: Do you have any tips for fishing a very large river? How long do hooks stay sharp, and can I re-sharpen chemically sharpened hooks? Why don't you develop biodegradable hooks? Why am I having problems catching spring trout in Alaska? I was recently fishing a delayed harvest section and caught some smaller, beautifully colored trout.  Do you think they were wild? Why am I developing pains in my wrist when casting my 8-weight? Should I concentrate on getting really good at catching just one species, or should I try for all the species that are available in my area? In a boundary layer between dirty and clean water, where will I find the trout? In your TV show, you recommended a full sinking or depth charge line for bass in deep water.  Can I use a sinking poly leader on my floating line as well? I am having trouble tying off the hackle at the base of the post on my parachute flies like the Klinkhammer.  Can you suggest some tips? Can I get a fly rod that will be good for both steelhead and musky?

[Interview starts at 38:00]   This week I interview Mark Melnyk, host and producer of The New Fly Fisher TV show and the co-producer of The Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing Season 2.  We tell some stories about what it's like filming a show and share some nasty tricks we played on cameramen over the past year.  The Orvis show premieres this week on World Fishing Network, but shows will also premiere for the next 13 weeks every Sunday on The Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing You Tube Channel.  Season 2 will also appear on PBS and on Amazon Prime later in the year, once we have all the shows completed.   In the Fly Box this week, we have a couple good tips from listeners (actually adding information to topics previously discussed on podcasts) including more detail on polarized lenses and why tilting your head helps, and also some additional information on keeping your muscles and joints in shape when fishing.   We also have these questions: Should I wait to buy a first fly rod now, or should I  wait until I can go to an Orvis FF101 class once the stores re-open? What suggestions do you have to help me tie on those size 20 and smaller flies? I need up to 8 false casts to cast 60 feet.  What am I doing wrong? I enjoyed watching you tie a Clouser Minnow.  How should I fish this fly for smallmouth bass in a river? Why is it not OK to trim hackle on dry flies? What data would you add to a streamside journal? Do you think personal hygiene affects the sense of smell of trout? Once I start traveling again I want to try some saltwater species.  Which ones should I target on my trip?

[Interview starts at 36:56] Sooner or later, if you fish a lot you WILL develop issues with your elbows or shoulders.  And it's not just us old geezers who suffer from these--I often meet much younger anglers with the same problems.  Anita Coulton is both a fishing guide for Crosscurrent Guide Service and a physical therapist, so she is intimately familiar with the issues we face, how to help prevent them, and how to fix them when they occur.  If you have ever had these problems, or if you just want to know how to keep your upper body in shape for fishing I think you'll benefit from the podcast.   In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions and tips:   How do I slim down my fly selection for small-stream fishing? What is the best way to fish crayfish patterns? A question about trout feeding times in relation to season and sunlight I want to catch trout but have only been bass fishing.  What fly line should I get? Should I get a 6-weight or 7-weight rod for smallmouth bass? I fish a really snaggy river.  Should I tie all of my favorite nymphs on jig hooks? Is a 9-foot or 10-foot rod better in the wind? Should I get a Helios 3D or 3F or a Superfine glass rod for all-around fishing in Alberta?  I want to get a 4-weight What is the best all-around color for sunglass lenses? A tip on retrieving lost flies with your magnetic net holder When looking at a fly recipe, how do you know what order to tie in materials? Why wouldn't my spin reel fit on my fly rod, and is it a good idea to put a spin reel on a fly rod?

Interview starts at 32:13 We’ve done a bit with trout Spey on the podcast, but never one specifically on flies for trout Spey.  Luckily, Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions, who produces the best fly tying videos, has become a trout Spey addict and in the podcast he talks about tactics and tying special patterns for Trout Spey. In the Fly Box this week, we have the following tips and questions: When king salmon move into a pool, do they push the resident trout around? During high water, do trout swim around a lot? A great tip on tilting your head for better glare reduction with polarized lenses Are long-shank hooks a good or bad idea for pike fishing? Why aren’t there more white trout flies? Why is it tough to catch trout in the Northeast during the winter? What advantages does a 10-foot 8-weight H3 rod offer over a 9-footer? I have heard that a heavier rod helps you land bigger fish.  Won’t a lighter rod offer better tippet protection? Is there one line that will work for both Lake Texacoma and Gulf Coast salt water? Is UV resin toxic?  Does it have a strong smell?

Check out Tom's upcoming episode on pre-spawn bass.

Join George Daniel, an Orvis ambassador and expert in Euro nymphing, as he dives into the nuances of fly fishing. He discusses the pros and cons of using monofilament versus specialized fly lines for nymphing. George emphasizes the need for younger anglers, sharing insights on their impact on the sport's future. The conversation also covers effective strategies for carp fishing and mastering hook-setting techniques, ensuring listeners are equipped for success on their fishing adventures.