The Orvis Fly-fishing Guide Podcast

Champions of clean water and an intact ecosystem have a lot to celebrate with our recent victory in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska. But this ruling only protects a relatively small part of Bristol Bay, which is a huge body of water. Nelli Williams [33:34] from Trout Unlimited Alaska, a veteran of this battle, gives us her perspective on what has been protected, what remains to be protected, and what we should all be vigilant about in this magnificent watershed. It's a feel-good story but a reminder that we need to keep our eyes and ears open in the future. In the Fly Box this week, we have some interesting questions—and some phone calls that seemed to have come out of the woodwork! How do I narrow my efforts in fly tying so I don't end up with 10 fly boxes? A great tip from a listener on another way to separate stuck rod sections What do people mean by a "technical" trout stream? A bunch of great tips for fly fishing from a canoe from two different listeners A tip from a listener on using deer hair instead

This week begins a month of habitat/conservation podcasts as a celebration of Earth Month. We start the series off with Steve Davis [43:25], Chief Science Officer for the Everglades Foundation, and instead of talking about the boring aspects of Everglades Restoration like funding and politics we're delving deep into the science of how the water will be stored and cleaned, which plants aid in the cleanup, and how this process will aid in more fresh water to Florida Bay and the Everglades, and less polluted fresh water to estuaries on both coasts of Florida. We'll also talk about immediate benefits, but also how it will take seven years to completely fill the reservoir. And yes, we will talk about fly fishing topics this month in the Fly Box. This week we have some great tips and questions, including: I have a 5-weight, 6-weight, and 10-weight rod for fishing in the Mississippi. I may be catching fish up to 20 pounds. Do you think an 8-weight will handle them? Three great tips from a listener on fishing from a

I did a podcast a few weeks ago that was billed as a canoe and kayak podcast but my guest and I spent a lot of time on Kayaks and not much on canoes. Some of you took me to task and asked for more information on fly fishing from canoes, so I asked retired president and CEO of Orvis, Perk Perkins [49:06], to share his tips with us. Perk fishes from a canoe more than anyone else I know, and has been using these craft all his life. He gives us some great tips on making fly fishing from a canoe more fun and productive.  In the fly box this week, we have some fascinating questions from listeners, including: Should l I use a double taper or weight forward line on my small stream rod? If you fish barbless dry flies with a dry/dropper rig, won't the knot slip off the hook? What can I do to lessen my shoulder involvement in casting? I have severe arthritis in my right shoulder. Should I learn to cast left-handed? Do tippet rings make tying on a dropper less fussy? Won't the fish see a tippet ring? What is your opinion

This week, my guest is Dom Swentosky of the Troutbitten blog [33:16], podcast, and guide service. If you have not seen his stuff it's definitely one of the most informative and thoughtful fly-fishing blogs out there. Dom devotes a lot of his blog to the mono rig, which is sorta like Euro-nymphing in that it uses a long leader and no fly line, but it's more of a method for everyday anglers than pure Euro nymphing, which is based on competitive rules that prohibit things like split shot. Dom goes through why it is such an effective method, how he builds his leaders, and how he presents his flies this way. It's just one more thing to try if you're interested in new ways of using a fly rod.  In the Fly Box this week, we have some helpful tips from listeners and an assortment of questions from rigging to watercraft to fly tying, including: If I am using a drop-shot rig with a single nymph, can I just tie the weight on a long tag from the clinch knot I use to tie on my fly? What is your opinion of traditional Catsk

This week, we delve into the confusing world of inflatable watercraft. There are so many styles to choose from, including SUPs, kayaks, and rafts. Which are best for fly fishing? What are some tips on how to fish from one? How do you handle anchoring and paddling while being ready to make a cast? Regardless of which type you choose, they are lightweight and packable (except for the larger rafts) and they'll get you into places where drift boats and motorboats can't go. Mike Dolmage is a fly fishing fanatic and is in charge of marketing fishing craft for NRS so his knowledge will help you make an informed decision and give you some tips on fishing from your inflatable. In the Fly Box this week, I try to answer some easy and difficult questions. Some of the questions include: Would you recommend a Power Taper or Bank Shot fly line for fishing for largemouth bass form shore? How can I catch striped bass on the Hudson River? I have a 6- and an 8-weight rod and I want to streamer fish in Montana. Do I need a 7-wei

Learn how to decide between a canoe and a kayak, what kind to get, and how to maneuver and cast using these hard-sided watercraft (next week I'll be doing a podcast on inflatables). Ryan Lilly [47:30]  is a fly fisher and Old Town's expert on fishing from these craft, and has many great suggestions for how to make the most out of your canoe or kayak experience. In the Fly Box this week, we have some interesting questions that I'm sure will be of interest to many of you, as well as some thoughtful tips from other listeners, including: What do bead-head nymphs imitate? Aren't flies tied without beads more natural in the water? Isn't it more natural to use a nymph without any added weight? How do you fish wet flies? Do you use a single one or more than one? And do you ever use weighted wet flies? I recently saw a bunch of large carp in a pond in Florida. Why didn't I see any smaller ones? I had trouble getting a good drift against the slow water on the far bank of a river. Every time I tried to mend my line the

Back in 2008 when I first began this podcast I had two dreams—that I would have my two literary heros, John McPhee and Thomas McGuane as guests (they are both passionate fly fishers). I was lucky enough to record a podcast with John in August of 2021 and this week's podcast is with Tom McGuane [44:36], author of 20 highly regarded novels, screenplays, collections of short stories, and what is in my opinion the finest book of fly-fishing essays ever written, The Longest Silence. Most people who interview Tom want to talk about his crazy days in Key West in the 1970s, , fishing for tarpon with Jim Harrison, Guy de la Valdene, Jimmy Buffet, and other notable characters. However, in the podcast we talk about what he is doing now—his fascination with small-stream trout fishing, why he would rather wade than fish from a boat, his opinion on guides who yell at their clients, and how to grow old gracefully and still continue to fish with a fly rod. It was a real honor to chat with him and I know you'll enjoy this ver

This week, we go into great detail about the life cycle of caddisflies and the various species found in the eastern United States. Tom Ames [33:05], author of the book Caddisflies is my guest and although we go into great detail on the various types of caddisflies, don't let it overwhelm you, as imitating these insects is merely a matter of observing what stage of their life cycle is present and what the trout are eating. It's not something you can predict in advance—you need to arrive at the river and then figure out the puzzle by your powers of observation. But this podcast does get geeky so be prepared! Our Fly Box questions this week are much more basic, a good counterbalance to our discussion of caddisflies. Questions and tips include: I want to go beyond my typical attractor patterns and match some hatches. What basic flies do you recommend? A great tip from a listener on fixing rough fingertips for fly tying Tom's thoughts on the Murdich Minnow fly What three lines should I get for fishing lakes? Why d

This week is my guest Seth Berger [1:00:18], Fly Fishing Travel Specialist with Orvis Adventures. In his job, Seth visits Orvis-endorsed operations around the world and always packs his fishing gear, so he's a great resource for advising us how to travel with rods, waders, and flies—how to pack them, what to carry on, and pitfalls you should avoid. Seth also talks about what to pack, and items that are often forgotten or ignored by traveling anglers. Anyone who gets on a plane, whether it's a short hop or an international flight, will benefit from his knowledge. In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions and comment that run the gamut of the fly-fishing experience, including: A listener who recommends the mono rig method, which is different from the standard Euro nymphing setup. And tries to tell me 20lb. mono casts just as easily as fly line (I'm not buying it) Why not put a tippet ring on the end of a poly leader? I've used straight monofilament for a leader for bass and bream. Why do I need a t

Capt. Pete Scafaru [32:53] is a new Orvis-endorsed guide in New Orleans (he's not new at guiding, just new to the Orvis program), and he shares his vast experience on what to expect at different times of the season, how to present the fly, and how to target redfish in shallow water. Regardless of where you fish for redfish, his tips will be valuable. In the Fly Box, we have some questions and tips that I think will be of interest to all fly fishers, including: What tips or tricks do you have for an older angler who has problems threading small flies? A tip from a listener about how he attaches a dropper nymph to his tippet with a clinch knot so he can change either fly without re-tying both flies. A tip from a listener on how to estimate measurements using parts of your arms and fingers. Why does Orvis not sell a 7-weight Superfine Glass fly rod? Do you ever use indicators when fishing nymphs on small mountain brook trout streams? Can I fish soft hackles during the winter? Why are people so nasty when I post

This week, my guest is Joshua Simmons [44:00], who with his brother Caleb hosts the podcast "Dads on the Fly". (It's not just for dads, it's for moms and families as well, but they just both happen to be dads and brothers who wanted to give back to the world of fly fishing.) In their podcast they explore the ways families can get together through fly fishing, and have talked to many people across the country about this subject, so Joshua has a lot to share from his conversations and research. If you have always wanted to bring your family together in fly fishing, you'll pick up some great suggestions. In the Fly Box this week, we have an eclectic mix of suggestions and questions, including: Why do I have trouble mixing my dubbing in an old coffee grinder? It comes out like rope. I  have trouble tying with a hackle cape with thick stems. What can I do? I have trouble hooking steelhead. What am I doing wrong? A comment from a listener on the growing movement that helps fish and game departments protect all aqua

This week, since we have not had any hard-core fishing podcasts in awhile, I thought I would give you all some tips on winter fly fishing with Chip Swanson [40:09] of Breckenridge Outfitters in Colorado. Chip won the Orvis-Endorsed Freshwater Guide of the Year in 2019 for good reason. He's fun, patient, superbly knowledgeable, and a terrific teacher. He also does a lot of fishing and guiding throughout the winter, no matter what the weather. He has some great tips on staying warm, techniques to use, and what conditions are best for winter fly fishing. In the Fly Box this week, we have some especially helpful tips from listeners as well as some questions that will be helpful to many fly fishers, including: Is using a scented fly for sturgeon not fly fishing? And do you have any tips for catching these giants on a fly rod? I am having trouble casting a double nymph rig plus split shot and an indicator. What casting advice do you have? When is water too cold to try a dry dropper rig? Some good advice from a list

This week, my guest is Tom Kiernan [38:50], President and CEO of American Rivers, an organization Orvis supports and endorses highly for the world-class work they do to protect our rivers. I wanted to explore the ins and outs of the Clean Water Act, one of the most important pieces of legislation of the 20th century. I think it's important that anyone who enjoys time on the water understands just what it has done for us, and what it can do in the future. In the Fly Box this week, as usual we have some thought-provoking questions, including: What kind of personal watercraft do you recommend for lakes and slow-moving rivers? Is the abdomen of a natural insect the only important thing to imitate? What do you prefer when fishing, a rain jacket or a wading jacket? If I can't use weighted flies because of regulations, how can I sink my nymph? What's the difference between a nail knot and a loop-to-loop connection? Is there a time when one is better than another? How do I keep the bodies on my big foam flies from tw

This week my guest is award-winning investigative journalist Robert O'Harrow [44:45], who has been with the Washington Post for over 30 years. Last fall he wrote an extensive article on the threats to mayfly populations worldwide and is continuing to research this issue, so I thought it would be interesting to share his findings. Bob is also a lifelong fly fisher who admits he didn't know a lot about the plight of mayflies in the past, so he gives us a great perspective. In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions and phone calls, including: What is a good net for wade fishing when pursuing multiple species? I recently caught a bunch of large trout in a river but no small ones. Where do the small ones go? Can a "working fly box" apply to non-competition anglers as well? What does Tim Flagler use to cut his thread on his videos? I am a beginning fly fisher and the trout in the larger rivers in my area are difficult to catch. Should I first concentrate on small streams, ponds, or reservoirs? What is

This week, my guest is Orvis product developer Jesse Haller [43:48], who besides being responsible for products like nets, wading shoes, and fishing packs and vests spent many years as a fishing guide. Jesse discusses how to pick the right net, some cool tips and carrying a net, how to plan your netting before you get a fish close to you, how to get the fish in the net with a minimum of fuss—and some great tips on releasing the fish you've caught. In the Fly Box this week, we have some fascinating questions and some helpful tips from listeners, including: Do you think it's a good idea to blacken your tippet close to the fly with a sharpie? What conditions decide whether you should fish a large or a small streamer for bass? A listener has a conundrum about booking a guide who used to work for another outfitter. Some great tips from a listener about safety when bluelining in the Smokies. What advice do you have for fishing out of a canoe? I have trouble finding trout in larger rivers, coming from a small stream

Ian Rutter [43:06] is a long-time guide in the Smokies and one of our top field testers. He specializes in small mountain creeks (as well as their local tailwaters) and because I have had numerous requests for a podcast on "Blue-lining" I wanted to get him on to get the views from someone who does this in the heart of wild mountain brook trout country. For those of you who don't know the term, blue-lining refers to looking for new small trout water on a map and then exploring it to see what it holds. It's part hiking, part fioshing, and part discovery. In the Fly Box this week, we have lots of tackle questions, some good tips from listeners, and some other technique related questions. I was gifted a Helios 3 906F. What reel do you recommend for it? I have a 7 ½ foot rod for panfish, a 4-weight for trout, and an 8-weight for steelhead and stripers. I want to fish streamers, redfish, and corbina. Should I get a 6-weight for that? I have a Recon 10 foot 4-weight and a Blackout 11 foot 3-weight for Euro nymphing.

My guest this week, Sarah Baker [35:40] is a woman who has a job most of us would envy—she studies and manages the populations of wild, native brook trout in the mountains of northern Georgia. Learn more about these southernmost populations of brook trout, their life history, and where you can find them (no spot burning, just some general areas to investigate for yourself). In the Fly Box this week, some great questions that range the spectrum of fly fishing, such as: A listener is confused by recommendations for sinking lines for an Alaska trip Can I tie flies smaller than size 18 with the regular jaws in my tying vise?  Do I need to purchase midge jaws? Someone told me not to use water-based head cement on size 20 and smaller flies. Why? If I know I have a reasonable fly and good drifts, does it make sense to spend more than a half-dozen casts in one spot? I am a newbie and other than the typical questions about what fly to use, what other questions should I ask in a fly shop that will be helpful? If I want

Can you really catch giant cutthroat trout in the desert? Are they truly a native species? And do they really fish with ladders? You'll find out in my interview with Orvis-endorsed guide Mike Anderson [45:23], who guides for the Reno Fly Shop. In the Fly Box this week, we have some wonderful comments and thought-provoking questions, including: I can keep the knots in my rubber legs on hopper patterns. How do you do it? What common fly-tying materials can I get from animals I have harvested, what parts should I use, and how to you prepare and store them? What is the advantage of going from 140 denier tying thread to 70 denier and when and why should I use it? A listener explains why he welcomes new people to the sport. I just got an intermediate line for fishing in lakes. Will it be useful in streams? I have an old rod with a loose ferrule. Is there any way of fixing it? Is my 9 ½ foot 6-weight rod too light to throw big articulated flies for bull trout? I know trout lie in seams in a river. Will steelhead be

Bill Sisson [27:29] is the founding editor of Angler's Journal magazine and his recently published book, Seasons of the Striper, is an elegant pictorial love letter to striped bass fishing. Bill has seen many changes in the striped bass fishery over the years, and his family goes back for generations of striped bass anglers — both sport and commercial fishing. He tells some great stories of past striped bass escapades, which I know you'll enjoy listening to. In the Fly Box this week, we have some solid questions and some informative information from listeners, including: On a recent podcast a listener described a method of pre-tying nymphs on a dropper with a perfection loop, but I can't figure out how to attach them to my dry fly with a loop-loop connection. How do you accomplish this? A listener gives us some great background on the history of public stream access in the United States. A listener warns of of an alarming trend of beaver misinformation Why do I keep losing trout on my barbless flies? Am I put

I get a lot of questions about midges and their life cycle, so I thought I would invite a professional entomologist to give us an overview of these insects and how to imitate them. Rick Hafele [3816] has not only been an entomologist all his working life, he's also a superb angler and fly-fishing author and perhaps one of the best authorities on aquatic entomology we have. Learn about what color midges to imitate, which part of their life cycle is most important to trout, and how to effectively fish these imitations. In The Fly Box this week, we have some thought-provoking questions and some terrific suggestions from listeners, including: I have used both rubber and felt soles and I still have problems wading. I am in good shape and have good balance. What wading shoes do you suggest? I witnessed a huge hatch of insects but only caught largemouth bass. Is there a depth and current speed where fishing a dry fly is futile? What type of poly leader would you suggest for my 5-weight rod? How long should my leader