The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast

This episode was originally published on October 28th, 2024.
I get regular questions from people about getting a job in the fly-fishing industry, both in the podcast mailbox and in person at shows and store visits. It's a tough question and I don't have all the answers so I called upon my buddy Kirk Deeter [35:04], who as founding publisher of Angling Trade magazine and currently editor of Trout magazine, along with many other jobs in the industry, is the consummate fly-fishing insider. He talks about the joys and the pitfalls of looking for a job in this tiny niche. I think he has some great tips to share, whether you are a young kid looking for a first job or a seasoned veteran of another industry looking for a more rewarding career.
 
In the Fly Box this week, we have some helpful tips, including:
How should I treat CDC feathers I got from a friend who hunts waterfowl?
A listener asks why people who write into the Fly Box don't just go out and try the things they are asking about.
A spooky Halloween story from a listener
How do I avoid a size 12 dry fly twisting on a 6X tippet?
What is the best Orvis rod for hopper fishing on western rivers?
Can I keep my fly rods set up all season?  Do I need to wax the ferrules?
How can I do a better job of hooking trout on a downstream cast?
Am I missing something by not using tapered leaders when fishing for bass and panfish?
If a 6X leader makes a size 12 fly twist, why don't we just use 1X and 2X leaders on all of our flies, down to a size 24?
How can I get a single nymph down into deep, fast water without using split shot?
Would a longer rod help keep my Clouser Minnows from hitting the rocks behind me on my back cast?
I have a 5-weight rod and want to fish for bass, carp, and suckers.  Should I get a 6-weight or a 7-weight rod?

In this week's podcast, my guest John Arway [31:42] discusses the impact of stocking hatchery fish over wild trout populations, exploring scientific research, historical context, and management strategies to promote wild trout conservation. John was both a fish biologist and director of the PA Fish and Boat Commission so he has seen the issue from all angles.
In the Fly Box this week, we have an assortment of interesting questions, including:
What do you do with discarded pieces of tippet material?
What do you do with your rod when changing flies?
Is an intermediate line a good fly line for streamer fishing in Colorado?
How can I practice the roll cast without water?
Can I substitute another material for calf tail on my Crazy Charlie flies?
Are really short rods, around four feet long, any good? They used to be popular.
My black pheasant tail is so fragile, it's unusable for tying flies. Is that common? My other dyed pheasant tails are fine.
When hunting big brown trout in the fall, when would you choose a nymph and when would you choose a streamer?
I have a furled leader with no visible way to attach a tippet. What should I do?
Can I use my bonefish flies for carp?

In this week's podcast, Captain Roger Gendron [28:45] shares expert tips on fishing Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf Coast, covering seasonal patterns, target species like tarpon, redfish, and snook, and effective fly fishing techniques for each. Discover how to adapt your approach to different conditions and maximize your success in this prime fishing area.
In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions, including:
The hooks on my size 24 Trico patterns keeping bending. Can I tie these flies on stronger hooks with heavier wire?
I fished mouse flies and the fish went crazy over them but I couldn't keep them hooked. What am I doing wrong?
What do you suggest for a first fly rod to catch bass, carp, and panfish?
How would you approach finding trout on a remote river?
If we are just catching shad and suckers but not trout, are we fishing in the wrong places or not using the right flies?
In a small stream, how far upstream should I go to prevent "high holing" someone else?
I love small stream fishing and want to get a 7 ½ foot Superfine rod. Do you recommend the fiberglass or graphite version?
I lost a lot of big fish using size 22 nymphs. Do you have any advice on keeping them on the hook?
Does it matter if the wing cases on my jig nymphs are on the upper side or lower side of the fly?
I could see a bunch of fish in clear water and could not get them to take any kind of fly. What would you do in this situation?

This episode was originally published on October 15th, 2023.
Hal Herring [50:31] has been reporting on conservation issues in the American West for over 30 years for Field & Stream magazine as well as other publications.  In this week's podcast, he explores the many complexities of trying to keep enough water in our rivers for both agriculture and trout populations, which has become an increasingly difficult juggling act.  Hal also gently berates today's hunters and anglers about educating themselves on the science and the politics behind these issues.  It's not enough to just complain about the lack of water—it's important to understand the issue before you can have a credible  opinion.
 
In the Fly Box this week, we have some great tips and questions, including:
Do bamboo and fiberglass rods load differently than graphite rods?
When you have a very limited time on a river, do you have a fishing method that gives you the most bang for your buck?
Is there an alternative to the "chuck and duck" method for fishing for salmon and steelhead on Michigan rivers?
If you are buying older fly tying material, what should you look for to make sure it has not been degraded?
How would you adjust your fly selection for smallmouth bass throughout the season?
Is rising or falling water better on a fluctuating tailwater?
Can I use my 10-foot, 8-weight rod in the surf?  
If my Mop flies have fallen apart, can I easily add a new piece of mop material to the hook and bead?  I am not a fly tier.
Are two three-turn whip finishes better than a single 6-turn whip finish?  
A tip that textured lines in a long day of stripping flies can cut into your fingers
Is the San Juan Shuffle ethical?
Is a fast action 5-weight rod actually a 6-weight?
I have been lipping bass for many years.  Why do you say it's bad for the fish?

Chris Burkard [32:00], renowned action photographer, joins us to share his journey and insights into the world of fly fishing and extreme sports. His unique perspective on connecting with nature through photography and fishing offers a refreshing take on outdoor adventure.  And along the way he offers some great tips on bikepacking with a fly rod.
 
In the Fly Box this week, we have these questions and more:
I keep spooking the bigger trout in a small southern brook trout stream.  What can I do to avoid spooking them?

Is an 8-weight Encounter rod enough to handle Pacific salmon in Michigan?  And how heavy a tippet should I use?

I lost my biggest trout the other day after a long battle.  What advice do you have for landing bigger fish?

How can I get the eyes on my big predator flies from coming off after a few casts?

What do you carry in your "eventuality kit" when taking trips?

I saw sea trout jumping outside my office in Stockholm, but I couldn't catch them.  What do you think they were doing?

My buddies and I caught a bunch of fish on an experimental soft hackle that looked like nothing in nature.  I thought you were always supposed to match the hatch.