Fly Fishing Podcasts - General

Description: Tom is out this week, so we asked resident author Paul Fersen to read from a recent piece he wrote for American Angler magazine on fishing for bass off Cape Cod.

Description: As Tom was sitting down to tape this episode we got an email from a listener that made us all smile regarding his daughter's first fly. Tom reads it in this episode and tt was good timing as Tom lays out the basics of what you need to get into fly tying as a great addition to your fly fishing experience... but don't get into it thinking you're going to save money on flies! Good lighting, a comfortable seat, reading glasses and this podcast episode are a great start to a rewarding, lifelong hobby.

Description: Tom covers a lot of material in this podcast. In the "Fly Box" section, he compares and contrasts vests vs chest packs vs waist packs vs sling packs, he covers how best to keep your flies floating (and reveals his secret) and then answers a question about realistic vs impressionistic flies. The main topic of this podcast, though is what easterners can expect when taking a fishing trip west and what westerners can expect when making a trip east. What are the differences? How can you best prepare?

Description: In this episode, Tom is joined by Peter Kutzer of the Orvis Fly Fishing School to revisit a subject that we have covered in the past, but is still requested: common casting mistakes. We've all made them, in this podcast learn how to identify and fix them.

Description: Montana fly-fishing guide, Simon Perkins is back home in Vermont for Christmas and joins Tom for a podcast on lessons learned the hard way. It's the mistakes that make us wise, if we learn from them. Learn from Tom and Simon's mistakes so you dont have to make them yourself!

Description: You folks have requested some more advanced topics and Tom comes through with a long, detailed podcast on fishing emergers.

Description: It's cold out there... get the most out of it with these tips from Tom. One of you will be the MILLIONTH download of this podcast. Thank you so much for your loyalty. We're having a good time and we're glad you are, too. Leave comments on our blog at www.orvisnews.com/flyfishing/winter2011.aspx Leave us a voicemail at 802-362-8800 with a suggestion for the show or drop us a line at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Description: We're giving Tom a day off and have asked resident author Paul Fersen to read a story he wrote about for Gray's Journal called Full Circle.

Description: Tom takes another great podcast suggestion from our voicemail line and turns it in to our longest episode yet at just over an hour. It's packed with 15 tips for fishing the evening hatch. Have a suggestion or a comment? Drop us a line at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., LIKE us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/orvisflyfishing or call us at 802-362-8800.

Description: In this week's podcast, 12 tips for Fishing Spring Runoff, I give a number of valid excuses for getting skunked during spring runoff, and what you can do if faced with high, cold, muddy water. In the Fly Box section, I talk about fly rod design, fishing pressured waters, and the reality of fly-fishing magazine articles and TV shows. Plus a great tip for threading flies from a listener who left a message on our Podcast Message Line at 802 362 8800.

Description: Welcome to our first installment of "Ask a Fly-Fishing Instructor," starring our own Peter Kutzer. A couple weeks ago, we asked you to post some questions about your biggest casting problems. Reader "Phil" wrote, "Any tips you can give on casting heavily weighted flies would be appreciated," and "Dave R." asked a much more specific version of the same question: When practicing with my 9wt with a piece of yarn tied to my leader (9' tied with 54" 40#, 18" 30# and 18" 15# tippet. All Maxima Ultra Green) I can cast consistently to 50' and beyond. But when I tie on a weighted fly ( clouser size 1 hook with small eyes) my line and leader seem to pile up and I have problems getting past 40'. So, cameraman Eric Weisledder and I met Peter at the casting ponds beside the Orvis Retail Store in Manchester, Vermont, so he could offer some tips on casting a heavy fly in the wind. Aside from being an excellent caster and teacher, Peter turns out to be a natural in front of the camera. And check out the way he nonchalantly switches hands to demonstrate the oval cast.

Description: With many trout rivers into serious runoff this month, and more to come as western snows melt, listeners have been asking for an early season stillwater podcast. This week I was lucky enough to interview Phil Rowley, one of the most knowledgeable stillwater anglers in the world and co-host of "The New Fly Fisher" TV show on World Fishing Network. I know I learned a lot in the show and I am sure you will as well. As an added bonus, there are some extra video tips from Phil, courtesy of "The New Fly Fisher".

Description: In this week's podcast, the main event is The Dawn Patrol, on the pleasures, perils, and advantages of getting up as early as a turkey hunter to get some of the best fly fishing of the season. We'll discuss dawn fishing for trout, tarpon, stripers, bonefish, permit, and steelhead. In this weeks' fly box we'll explore small stream trout rods, a couple tips for fighting fish, and how to fish alongside your buddies.

Description: This week I give a brief and sorta rambling overview of fly-fishing history, which is difficult to do in a short podcast so I've included the names of a couple good books on the subject. In this week's fly box, we have two casting tips, a word about "lining" fish, a short discussion of what to do when faced with crowded trout streams, and help when trying to detect a strike when nymph fishing. Lots of little bits and pieces!

Description: This week we answer a listener's question about a day in the life of an experienced fly fisher--but more how to prepare for a day than what he or she would actually do once on the water, which can vary greatly from day to day or on different kinds of waters. In this week's fly box, we talk about what color is most visible on attractor fly wings (you will be as surprised as I was!), how to pick the right reel seat, and what color to choose on attractor flies. Plus Phil Monahan updates us on the latest juicy bits from the Orvis blog.