Fly Fishing Podcasts - General

Description: On this week's podcast, after a week on Cape Cod I'm prepared to tackle the subjetc of fly vs. spin, something I was reluctant to discuss before because I just have not used a spin rod much since I was a teenager. But we'll talk about the relative advantages of both methods of fishing, and when a diehard fly fisher might want a spin rod handy. In the short Fly Box topics this week, we further our discussion on releasing fish unharmed, where to position your rod when playing a fish, DT vs. WF lines, getting the fly line wrapped around the reel seat, and a few other goodies.

Description: This week we explore a topic that has not been requested by a listener but is something that struck me over the past few weeks of fishing over some difficult trout. It's the concept of keeping your fly line away from fish, and it's an important issue in nearly every kind of shallow water fishing--from bonefish and tarpon and striped bass to trout and carp. I include 10 tips to help you keep from "lining" fish.

Description: This week we're exploring the wide open world of warm water fly fishing, and not just for bass. We talk about landlocked stripers and gar and bowfin and northern redhorse--and especially shad and carp. Basically, it's about finding the fish and experimenting with retrieves--tackle and flies are the least of your worries. Most of us have some sort of warm water close to home, so it's like that old Stephen Stills song, "if you can't be with the one you love, honey, love the one you're with". In the fly box, we answer phone calls about how to measure the length of a fly cast, how long lines, leaders and backing last, keeping fish for the table and when to fly and when to spin.

Description: A great show this week! I had the chance to sit down and talk with Simon Perkins, the newest addition here at Orvis Rod & Tackle about the Fly Fishing Film Tour as well as his own short film, Sipping Dries. We ran the trailer in the podcast feed a few weeks ago. As the main event, I interview my friend Dave Brown of Dave Brown Outfitters on fishing taiwaters, as it seems you guys can't get enough of this topic! In addition, I take a few questions from the podcast listener line. We moved the podcast studio, again. As a result we have had some tech issues with the sound which kept us "off the air" last week. I think it's all worked out. Thanks for sticking with us!

Description: In this week's podcast I interview Captain Jim Barr from Rhode Island and we talk about the effects of barometric pressure changes and moon phases on fly fishing, both in Jim's arena of striped bass fishing and also on various freshwater species. If you're looking for easy answers you'll be disappointed, but I think you'll enjoy hearing us talk about the empirical observations we've made over the years. In the Fly Box section this week we discuss methods of weighting flies with non-toxic materials, why you catch bigger fish on worms than you do on flies, and an explanation of the term "turning over" a fly and what you can do to make sure your fly turns over.

Description: Well, be careful what you wish for. Last week I whined that we weren't getting enough response from you on Fly Box questions, so in the past week we've been inundated! I thought I would try to answer the best 20 questions we got over the past week, both e-mails and phone calles. We received suggestions from Sweden and Los Ageles and Connecticut and South Dakota and everything in between last week. In our 20 questions podcast we'll explore overlining a fly rod, fishing giant warmwater rivers, how to store a leader between fishing trips, fishing without indicators, and whether to play a fish from the reel or by stripping--and lots of other goodies!

Description: Our own Simon Perkins has a film in this year's Fly Fishing Film Tour. We are going to have him on the show to discuss his film "Sipping Dry" in the coming weeks. In the meantime, check out the trailer. From the website at www.flyfilmtour.com: There are plenty of addictions to get hooked on in the world of fly fishing. One of the most consuming is the obsession with the dry fly, which explains why anglers travel the globe in search of epic hatches and large trout rising on the surface. "Sipping Dry" takes you to a place many refer to as the "dry fly capital of the world"--the upper Missouri River near Craig, Montana. The film introduces a handful of characters who have altered their lives to revolve around this fishery and attempts to convey their infatuation with sipping trout, insane hatches, and the river they consider to be the ultimate in the world of dry fly fishing.

Description: In this week's podcast we first talk about nets and bluegills. I'm not getting many nice short, concise, specific questions for the Fly Box section so I haven't had many to answer lately. Please send your nagging questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call me at 802-362-8800 and leave a message letting me know what you'd like to hear about. And in the main part of the podcast, Should I Stay or Should I Go? (what do you want to bet James will have some music to go along with that?) we talk about when to move and when to stay put, on everything from trout streamers, nymphs, and dries, to Atlantic salmon, bonefish, and steelhead.

Description: This week in the Fly Box we first talk about what to expect when fishing for king salmon in Alaska, the half hitch vs. the whip finish in fly tying, and etiquette on salmon rivers. Then, in the main event, we explore the fascinating world of what some people call "junk" flies--worms, eggs, and scuds. These flies are fished like nymphs and are just as much a "match the hatch" situation as elegant mayfly nymphs (at least in my opinion).

Description: In this week's fly box we talk about hook styles, casting on snow, and fly-fishing jargon. Then on to the main podcast, which is on the perenially popular subject of leaders: When to change tippets, how to modify your leader, the differences between the various types, fluoro vs. nylon, saltwater leaders described, and much more. It's a topic that is mystifying to many people and we hope we both intrigue and educate you this week.

Description: A brief video from the Roaring Branch.

Description: This is a special edition of the Orvis Fly Fishing Guide Podcast. Not only is it a video episode, we have special guest Paul Fersen, author of Great Fishing Lodges of North America to talk about what makes a great fishing lodge. You can purchase Paul's book online at www.orvis.com/greatfishinglodges

Description: In the podcast this week, I go on a minor rant about the ethics of crowding on today's trout streams, and pretty much tell you if you don't like the crowds, take a hike (literally). I do give some suggestions on how to handle crowded situations if you have no other choice, but there is almost always another choice. And in the main part of the podcast, I share with you some fall fishing secrets. We have touched on this subject before, but since the last time I have received some more tips from all of you that I really shoudl share. I also announce a very special contest for the best suggestion for next week's podcast. The prize is an autographed copy of my new book, The Orvis Guide to The Essential American Flies, which is a large format book with spectacular color photos.

Description: The main part of the podcast this week is 10 Tips on Fishing Caddis hatches, some tips I’ve learned over the years for successfully (sometimes!) fishing caddis hatches. Caddisflies are one of the most abundant aquatic insects in trout streams, and the fishing can range from incredibly easy to downright frustrating. But trout almost always love to eat them so we need to pay attention. Also in this podcast we talk about bedraggled flies, tailwater insects, and one of my favorite subjects, using roadkills for fly tying.

Description: This week I have a special guest, Brian O'Keefe, who owns the fantastic electronic magazine called Catch Magazine, along with his business partner Todd Moen. Brian has been in the fly fishing business as long as I have, and he's one of the best fly-fishing photographers out there. He's traveled all over the world to photograph some of the most exotic fly fishing locations, as well as plenty of cool places closer to home. We ramble a bit about the old days, but the podcast is mainly about tips for the novice fly-fishing photographer. This podcast is longer than usual so I left out the usual Fly Box section, which will return next week. Lots of good questions these days so I have a good list of topics to cover!