The Orvis Fly-fishing Guide Podcast

This week, continuing our series of podcasts on winter fly fishing for trout, I interview George Daniel, author and guide. George is also an Orvis ambassador and field tester, and teaches fly fishing at Penn State. As you'll discover, there are many similarities with winter fishing in other parts of the country, along with some flies and techniques a bit more appropriate for the Northeast. In the Fly Box this week, we have some great tips and questions, including: Do you use touch dubbing, split thread dubbing, and composite loop dubbing techniques? I'm looking for a fly line to fish streamers for bass, trout, and panfish. Which line should I get? What leaders do I need for my Clearwater Trout Spey setup, for both Skagit and Scandi lines? What's your technique for catching largemouth bass, and what are your favorite flies? Why can't I get my dubbing noodle to behave? Which intermediate line should I get for fishing streamers and indicators in four to eight feet of water? A great tip on a method for wetting ma

This week my guest is artist Bob White [36:41], a beloved painter of fly-fishing and bird hunting scenes. Bob has illustrated John Gierach's magazine pieces for years and also illustrated the current version of The Orvis Fly-Fishing Guide. Bob talks about making a career in the fly-fishing world, how he balances his painting life with his fishing life, tips for budding wildlife artists, and how his art affects his fly tying. In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions and tips from listeners: How do I encourage guiding operations to hire more female guides and people of color? I just bought a fly rod and am having trouble casting a 1/16 oz. spoon on it. What am I doing wrong in my casting? Should I go to a heavier lure? Since I will never cast 90 feet with my light fly rod, can I cut off some of the fly line to get more backing on my reel? People say there are no hatches on the streams I fish. So why am I catching trout on nymphs all the time? What part of my line should I stretch? If I am using

My guest this week is Rachel Leinweber [39:38], general manager of The Angler's Covey fly shop in Colorado Springs. One in a series of podcasts about winter fly-fishing tips, Rachael has some great ones for us, and it's been interesting to see how each guide we've talked to has a slightly different take on effective winter tactics. In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions and tips: Is there an easier way to balance a fly rod than buying a heavier reel? How can I get my parents to approve of my fly-fishing passion? When fishing large streams, and making casts too long for a roll cast, how do you get your fly out without catching trees and bushes? Do ducks and muskrats and beavers spook trout? Will the techniques I have learned on my local tailwaters in Utah translate to freestone (non-tailwater) rivers in Wyoming? Can I use BigEye dry flies as sliding indicators on a dry-dropper rig? How can I tell a wild from a hatchery fish? Why did trout take my indicator and ignore my nymphs? A tip t

This week, we're continuing our series on winter fly fishing for trout.  I interview Antonio Rodrigues [42:50] manager of Front Range Anglers in Boulder, Colorado, and he has a different take on winter fly fishing, and some different methods.  I've found it fascinating to see how each guest approaches this differently and hope you pick up some tips as well. In the Fly Box this week, we have these questions and tips from listeners: What do you use for a fly box when surf fishing? I have not had good luck with guide trips and want to know what you recommend so I get a better trip next time. Are fly rods built on continuous blanks and then cut into sections, or is each section made separately?  And are sections interchangeable from one rod to another? What is the purpose of adding flash to nymph patterns? A tip on using special flies for casting practice. What do I do about fishing places where lots of swimmers have been? Are wire bite guards worth it?Can I tie a 3X tippet to a 3mm tippet ring? Are all Orvis le

This week, it was my great pleasure to interview Nick Lyons, who I consider to be the godfather of modern fly-fishing books. Nick has edited and published books by some of our most famous fly anglers--Lee and Joan Wulff, Lefty Kreh, Dave Whitlock, and Swisher and Richards. He was also my first editor and I have so much to thank him for. Nick tells stories of the early days of fly-fishing books--his successes and failures and his journey through the past half-century of fly fishing. In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions, including: When fishing an in-line dropper, I have problems with the dropper slipping off my upper hook. How can I fix this? I want to fish flies for sauger along the bottom. What type of fly should I use? My hunter friend has offered me some duck and goose feathers. What feathers should I ask him to keep? Any tips on catching stocked trout in a pond? What line would you recommend for trolling from a float tube? Why is trout fishing more productive in Montana than in North Car

Continuing our exploration of winter trout fishing techniques, this week my guest is angler and photographer Timbre Pringle [40:08]. You have likely seen photos of Timbre or ones taken by her and her husband Darcy in Orvis catalogs and ads, as well as many of the fly-fishing magazines. She doesn't exactly fish in the far north as she fishes in Alberta, in southern Canada, but for most Americans any place in Canada seems like the far north. Timbre gives her tips for fishing her local river, the Bow, in the winter, but she offers tips that will work during the winter in any trout stream. In the Fly Box this week, listeners share the following questions, comments, and tips: I have been taken to task for telling people to never trust anglers who tell them to "never" or "always" do something, yet I tell people to always check their knots. A tip for carrying two rods in one case. Will a textured Orvis Pro Fly Line give me more distance? Where do you start making changes when things just aren't working? How do you e

I've begun a series on winter trout fishing podcasts with various experts around the country. I think it will be interesting to see how their approaches compare, what flies and leaders they use, and how they keep their hands and feet warm. This week's guest is Tim Johnson [38:41], who you probably know more as an artist on Instagram or on the Orvis Artist Collab series of H3 rods. Tim is also a longtime guide and experienced angler and has spent many winter days on his home waters in Utah. He's also one of the best storytellers I know so I think you'll enjoy the interview. In the Fly Box this week, we have a great collection of questions and tips from listeners: How much difference is there between a 9-foot and 10-foot 8-weight rod, and which would be best for both steelhead and bass fishing form shore? Some people say always strip in a trout and others say always get a fish on the reel. Which method is correct? A tip on using a bicycle tire patch for fixing waders. How much damage will I do to a nymph hook i

This week, my guest is Sav Sankaran [47:28], fishing manager at the Orvis store in Asheville.  The subject is Late Fall and Winter trout fishing in the Southeast, and although Sav talks about his rivers specifically, there are many good tips for winter fishing anywhere in the world.  You may have enjoyed Sav's bluegrass music on a recent Orvis Facebook Live event, and he's also the subject of an Orvis story on his special family holiday gatherings https://www.orvis.com/dinner-music.   This podcast is just the beginning of a series I plan on doing on winter fishing throughout North America.  With travel still restricted this winter, many of us will need to find fishing close to home, or at least within driving distance.  We hope to make those outings more fun and enjoyable by giving you tips to make your time on the water a bit more successful.   In the Fly Box this week, we'll explore some great tips and questions from listeners, including: Should I get a 10-foot 6-weight or 7-weight for steelhead fishing

This week my guest is the great guide and fly tier Blane Chocklett [39:45]. We talk about his development of innovative fly patterns like the Gummy Minnow and Game Changer, but also about his philosophy of imitating baitfish and how to choose the right streamer depending on conditions. I know you streamer, musky, and saltwater junkies will learn a lot in this one. In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions and tips from listeners: How do I know what color combinations to use on my flies? Can I put a 225-grain sinking line on my 7-weight fiberglass rod? I have an 8 1/2 foot Clearwater 4 weight. What rod should I add to my arsenal for bass fishing? How can I catch those difficult carp on my local lake in Norway? What should I do with all the extra flies I tie? How do you know when a nymph should be tied on a curved hook? A great tip for organizing materials for single patterns by putting all of the materials in a tray. Trout are supposed to be in deep, slow pools in cold weather but I see them in

Many fly fishers have dreaded the thought of visiting their favorite trout streams after wildfires devasted many areas over the past few years.  As threatening as they are to human lives and property, wildfires are not all that bad for trout stream ecosystems, as you'll discover after listening to this week's podcast.  Becky Flitcroft [interview at 39:03], a fisheries biologist with the US Forest Service and an expert on disturbances to trout streams, presents some surprising results in the wake of fires.  Not only are they not horribly destructive, they are actually beneficial in many cases.  Should you visit a trout stream that was in a burned area next year?  What will the future look like?  Although every stream is different, Becky tells us what to expect over the coming years. In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions and tips: I have trouble seeing my dry flies on small streams.  What patterns do you recommend, and how can I spot them better? Do you think it's necessary to replace nylon

[This week's podcast is in two sections. This sections contains the interview with Brittany. The listener-questions section, or the Fly Box, is in part one.] This week, I have a very special guest for my interview--Brittany Howard, the frontwoman for the wildly popular band Alabama Shakes, who also has a new (2019) album out, "Jaime", a solo effort that explores a wide range of musical styles. Brittany has performed with Sir Paul McCartney and at the Obama White House, and her albums with the Alabama Shakes have won four Grammy Awards. Her first love is music, but her second love is fishing, and she is a passionate fly fisher. Unlike some celebrities who have taken up fly fishing because it's a "thing", Brittany has the soul of an angler and has been fishing all her life. She ties her own flies, modifies her kayak for fly fishing, and when she is on tour she always prioritizes sneaking away to do some fishing. She's the real deal and a great storyteller, and I know you'll enjoy her tales of fishing on the roa

[This week's podcast is in two sections. This is the listener-questions section, or the Fly Box. The interview with Brittany Howard is in part two.] This week, I have a very special guest for my interview--Brittany Howard, the frontwoman for the wildly popular band Alabama Shakes, who also has a new (2019) album out, "Jaime", a solo effort that explores a wide range of musical styles. Brittany has performed with Sir Paul McCartney and at the Obama White House, and her albums with the Alabama Shakes have won four Grammy Awards. Her first love is music, but her second love is fishing, and she is a passionate fly fisher. Unlike some celebrities who have taken up fly fishing because it's a "thing", Brittany has the soul of an angler and has been fishing all her life. She ties her own flies, modifies her kayak for fly fishing, and when she is on tour she always prioritizes sneaking away to do some fishing. She's the real deal and a great storyteller, and I know you'll enjoy her tales of fishing on the road and her

In this week's podcast, I interview Jess Westbrook, co-founder of The Mayfly Project. This organization, a winner of an Orvis Breaking Barriers award, brings the joys of fly fishing to foster kids through individual, one-on-one mentorship throughout the country. For obvious reasons their programs have been put on hold for this year (I was looking forward to being a mentor myself last spring), but the organization moves forward, making plans for a time when we can comfortably get together in person. Jess has some heartwarming stories to tell of past successes that will make you smile and feel good about the fly-fishing community. In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions and I hope my answers are helpful to you. They include: I recently got a new fly reel and when it's filled with line it's too tight. What can I do to solve this? A story from a listener on catching a channel catfish on a fly tied for swinging for trout--a Montana Intruder that he tied during one of our Monday live fly-tying sessio

This week I interview Greg Vincent of Grand Bahama Island and co-owner of H2O Bonefishing [40:13]. Greg shares his tips for what distinguishes a great bonefisher from someone who just goes fishing for bonefish and permit. There's a big difference. Greg is the only person I know who has gotten a Super Grand Slam (bonefish, permit, tarpon, and snook) in just four casts. He also tells a great story and I am sure you'll thrill to his tales of chasing these fish on the flats. In the Fly Box this week, we have these questions and tips: I have a random assortment of grouse feathers from a hunter friend. What patterns can I tie with them? If there are only a few good holes in an area, how long should you fish a spot before letting another angler try their luck? I am a new fly fisher and have been fishing just with a tenkara rod and doing OK on panfish but not trout. What is a mistake that new fly fishers often make that prevents them from catching fish? I want to fish the Charles River in Boston and Long Island f

This week I have a chat with Jonny King [41:00], one of the most creative and innovative fly tiers I know.  Patterns like the Kinky Muddler and Splitsville dry flies come from his creative mind.  I am always interested in where the idea for new patterns come from, how they are developed, and how they get evaluated.  Join me as we ramble and discuss his creative process. In the Fly Box this week, we have these questions and tips: Where can I get a copy of your book on Small Stream fly fishing? Can I leave my fishing gear in a very hot or very cold car?  How can I fish the shoreline of a lake without getting caught in trees, and how far do I need to cast?  Why do I keep breaking fish off on a strike?  How can I include a shock absorber into my outfit? I have an old bamboo rod in good shape. Is it OK to fish with it, and how can I find out what line size it takes? What do you recommend for wading boots if I do a lot of hiking? I can cast OK with nymphs but I can't get my dry flies to lay out with a roll cast. 

This week, my interview is with Kip Veith [38:55], Orvis-endorsed guide and author of The Orvis Guide to Musky on the Fly, which has just been released.  Fresh from lots of research and in the middle of his season, Kip has some great tips for those of you who want to chase this giant freshwater predator--and fall is known as the best time to chase them with a fly rod. In the Fly Box this week, we have lots of interesting questions and some great tips from listeners, including: I have some flies I tied that I don't like and want to salvage the hooks to use again.  What's the best way to do this? With big pike flies, I have trouble getting the fly moving on the first few false casts.  How can I do this easier? My floating line is sinking.  What can I do to make it float, and if I can't make it better can I use the line for streamer fishing? My yarn indicators won't float.  What am I doing wrong? How do you do the Joe Humphreys Bow-and-Arrow Cast?How do I use a BIgEye dry fly as a sliding dropper? I lubricate m

The issue of freshwater flow through the Everglades is an issue that Orvis has worked on for a number of years as one of our major conservation projects, and we've worked with some strong partners on the ground, like the Everglades Foundation, Captains for Clean Water, Now or Neverglades, and Bullsugar/Friends of the Everglades.  This week we have a double feature on this national treasure.  The first part of the podcast is with scientist Steve Davis of the Everglades Foundation [41:05], who discusses the recent progress and environmental conditions in the Everglades, in times of poor freshwater flow and healthy flows.  The second part of the podcast is with Orvis-endorsed guide Jason Sullivan [1:28:17], who spends nearly every day in the Everglades and depends on its health for his livelihood.  And yes, don't worry we talk fishing and what it's like fly fishing in the everglades--for tarpon, snook, redfish, and even tailing tripletail! And in the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions to answer, inc

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 u

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

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 Cl