The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast

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?

I don't like to use the word etiquette as that implies rules and we should be able to fish however we want as long as it's legal. But there are traditions and guidelines for conduct on trout rivers that ensures that everyone has a good day on the water without infringing on the rights of others. And they do sometimes differ depending on whether you are floating or wading, and even form one river to the next depending on how crowded they are. Todd Tanner [34:22] offers a very thoughtful and interesting approach to this subject with lots of anecdotes on what he has seen on the many trout rivers he's fished in his lifetime. Do boomboxes and dogs belong on trout rivers? Listen to what Todd has to say on those topics.
In the Fly Box this week we have these questions and more:
What do you think about the AI in relation to fly fishing?
Does the Orvis Wading Staff really self deploy?
How do I fish high, clear water? What do the trout do under this condition?
How do I know when I am fishing deep enough for salmon and steelhead?
My graphite ferrule does not seat all the way. Is this OK?
Which sinking line is best for bass fishing?
Brass is 7% heavier than stainless steel. Why don't we use more brass for our nymphs given the scarcity of tungsten?
A listener makes the case for the Helios D rods for trout fishing
What do you think about the Hovering Leech pattern? Will this technique work in rivers?
Do trout release stress hormones when we play them?
Do chubs and trout feed in different places in trout streams?

The Northeast has some of the finest small-stream brook trout fishing in the world. A hike in the Green Mountains of Vermont, White Mountains of New Hampshire, Adirondack Mountains in New York, or the mountains of western Maine can get you to unspoiled brook trout waters with minimal to no fishing pressure. And these are wild, native fish and one of the most colorful fish in freshwater. Nick Yardley [35:18] is an experienced hiker and climber, and loves brook trout fishing as much as he loves Atlantic salmon and steelhead. He's got some great tips on getting there and what tackle and flies to use.
In the Fly Box this week, we have these questions and more:
Tips on why the Orvis landing net is so great.
Will we be seeing stainless steel beads to replace the expensive tungsten ones? Or is this fake news?
Controversy: A listener suggests that if we don't have more "Fly Fishing Only" trout streams, the future of fly fishing is at stake (and Tom disagrees).
Bass follow my fly but don't commit. What should I do?
A listener asks for advice on whether to get a 3 or 4-weight rod for Colorado.
I have trouble casting big Clouser Minnows and Meat Whistles. I think my leader is at fault. Can you help me correct this?
I have a friend that does weird things on the river. What would you do?
I have an intermediate line for bass fishing. I have had conflicting information on whether it will be useful or not. What do you think?
Can I fish for winter flounder with a fly rod?