The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast

This episode was originally published on August 6th, 2021.
This week my guest is Colby Trow [38:08] of Mossy Creek Fly Fishing, one of the best smallmouth bass anglers I know. Colby talks about successful techniques in catching these critters in late summer, when they can be harder to catch than earlier in the season. The good news is that it's one of the best times to catch them on a surface fly like a popper or hair bug, which is always the most fun.
In the Fly Box this week, we have the following questions and tips from listeners:
A listener who makes the point that it's quicker to land trout on light tippets with a Euro rod.
Can I fish carp flies with an indicator? 
Are treble hooks more harmful than single point barbless hooks?
What do I do when trout take my hopper patterns deep? Should I leave the fly in them?
I have trouble catching smallmouths in clear water. Any suggestions?
Where do you store your leader between fishing trips? A tip from Sam, fishing manager at Orvis Houston, on catching redfish in dirty water.
What are the advantages and disadvantages in using a pedestal vise as opposed to a C-clamp?
How do I choose which size hair stacker to use? 
How can I fish size 18-22 nymphs in four feet of fast water?
A suggestion for using 7 1/2-foot leaders in small streams in the Driftless Region.
 Can I put a 7-weight sinking line on my 5-weight rod?
If I am catching trout in small mountain streams where the water is cold enough, do I need to worry about them moving downstream into warmer temperatures after I release them?
How many phone calls and questions do you get per week?
When I switch from Euro nymphing to my regular trout rod, I keep breaking off fish. Is this normal?

My guest this week is Peter Jenkins [28:08], owner of the Saltwater Edge in Rhode Island and chairman of the American Saltwater Guides Association. Peter is a lifelong striper addict and has also followed the plight of the striped bass and the many management plans that try to preserve this valuable resource. He talks about the history of striped bass populations, why they are in decline right now, and what can be done to get back to the "glory days" of the late 1990s.
In the Fly Box this week, I try to answer the following questions:
What are tipping guidelines for a fishing guide in Italy?
Are big articulated streamers mostly for targeting trophy fish?
I had three fish completely swallow my dry fly. Do you have any insights on why they do that sometimes?
Is it wise to sometimes start with a small fly rather than a large one?
If I only have a leader and tippet on the water, should I still mend? Is it OK to have drag if only the leader and tippet are on the water?
I am going to Patagonia this year. Should I bring my own gear? They recommend 6 and 7-weight rods and I only have a 4-weight and 5-weight.  Should I ask if I can tie my own knots?
What flies do you recommend for bigmouth and smallmouth buffalo?
My stream has lots of weed on the bottom, and my nymphs and streamers keep getting coated with weed. How can I fix this?

My guest this week is Orvis casting guru and fishing buddy Pete Kutzer [39:31], who makes a case for using trout Spey techniques not just for spring and fall streamer fishing but all summer long, swinging wet flies and soft hackles. Pete gets into exactly the right rod, line, leader, and tippet he uses, the fly patterns he prefers, and the techniques he uses for presenting the flies. He also gives us some great tips for two-handed casting in general—tough to do on a podcast, but they are helpful nonetheless.
In the Fly Box this week we have some great questions and tips from listeners, including:
When fishing foam dry flies on a dry dropper rig, my leader keeps twisting. How can I prevent this?
What essential gear should I take when fishing from my raft?
I keep spooking carp with my heavily weighted flies but I need them to get down. How can I fix this?
A listener tells us about a very clever method he uses for drop-shotting with nymphs that allows him to change weights easily.
I saw dozens of trout stacked up in the middle of a run feeding in bright sunlight. Why were they there?
I am trying to fish a short, deep plunge pool where the trout are in four feet of water.  How can I get my flies down to them?
My rooster hackle keeps twisting. What can I do to prevent this?

With warm and lower water levels in many western rivers, there's no need to sit out those hoot owl regulations. Some of the reservoirs in the Rocky Mountains offer the same spectacular scenery as trout rivers, fewer people, and challenging fish that might get you into your backing. Orvis-Endorsed Guide of the Year Dustin White [36:42] shares his passion for carp fishing in Montana and gives us some solid tips for finding and catching them.
In the Fly Box this week we have the following interesting questions and more:
My cast keeps wrapping around my rod when doing the double haul. How can I fix this?
What is the best way to approach a fly-fishing "personality" on the water?
What should I do if I see someone violating fishing regulations?
Is it ever appropriate to clear brush on a path to the river?
What is the best way to evaluate a fly-fishing guide?
Suggestions on a rod for fishing for sea bass.
How should I approach a large pool with numerous fish rising. Should I work my way upstream or go to the biggest fish at the head of the pack?
How can I find good redfish marshes using Google Earth?
A listener suggests another instance of poor angling ethics—walking in front of an angler on the banks of a river. 
A recommendation for a good rod for fishing for smaller bass.

This episode was originally published on March 3rd, 2025.
Crayfish are prey that most gamefish can't resist. They're high in calories, abundant, and relatively easy for bass, trout, and many other gamefish to capture. Yet most of us don't know much about their life cycle and behavior (myself included). Guide Jake Villwock [47:02] has spent his life studying these critters, which gives him important insight on the right fly patterns, but even more important how and when to fish them. You'll learn a lot on this podcast.
 
In the Fly Box this week, there are lots of good questions and I hope my answers will help you in your fly-fishing journey. They include:
I can't seem to get my fly deep enough in bass lakes with my floating line.  Should I get a sinking line for my 8-weight and fish surface flies with my 5-weight?
A listener asks for help from listeners in ways to lessen the pain of losing his beloved fishing dog
I fished a river that has always been full of trout and didn't see a thing. What happened to the fish?
Should I apply my dubbing with clockwise or counterclockwise twists?
Can I tie my dropper onto the tag end of my improved clinch knot?
What are your thoughts and comments on how long a trout stays spooked?
Why do you prefer a sling pack and where do you put your net?
Do resident brook trout in a river get pushed around by migrating steelhead? Do they still feed?
I didn't catch any fish in high, cold water. What should I have done?
What do you think about tying a loop in the end of my tippet and attaching flies with a girth hitch?
Why don't people use landing nets for striped bass?
I saw an anti-reverse fly reel on EBay. What do you think of them?