Backcast: 16 Things I Wish I Knew About Trout Spey Before I Started, with Shawn Combs
This episode was originally published on October 11th, 2019. In today's podcast my guest is Shawn Combs, head of Orvis Rod & Tackle product development and Orvis rod and reel designer. The topic is "16 Things I Wish I Knew About Trout Spey Before I Started". If you have been thinking about trying to swing wet flies or small streamers for trout with a two-handed rod, also known as "Micro Spey", this will be a valuable lesson for you. These are light two-handed rods, in line sizes 3 and 4, designed for covering larger waters. It's especially effective in the fall, when trout are getting aggressive as the move into winter and brown and brook trout are migrating to their spawning grounds. It's a fun and for many of us a new way to fish for trout. In the Fly Box this week, here are some of the questions and suggestions from listeners: -I know there are large trout in my river. What kind of water do I look for and what else should I keep in mind when targeting these larger fish? -I have been setting the hook on smallmouth bass by sweeping my rod parallel to the water. Can you take a moment or two to discuss the pros and cons of various rod angles when setting the hook? -How can I tell if my waders are leaking or if I am just sweating inside them? -My wife and I had over 40 fish rise to our dry flies and only hooked a couple. Any idea what was going on or how to land these fish? -What, to you, is the essence of Atlantic salmon fishing? -A tip from a listener on how to target flathead catfish on a fly -If I take my nine weight switch rod to Florida, what line size should I use on it for fishing from the surf? -A suggestion from a listener on another thing to be careful of regarding river etiquette. -What is the best way to get unstuck when you hook your fly on an object? -Do you have any recommendations on fishing crayfish patterns for smallmouth bass? -When there is thick aquatic weed on a river, what do you suggest for nymphing techniques? -Why am I suddenly beginning to hit my rod on my back cast? -A suggestion from a listener on the benefits of multi-focal contact lenses.
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1:13:10
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1:13:10
Backcast: Top-Secret Steelhead Tips, with Stefan Woodruff
This podcast was originally published on December 28th, 2016. In this podcast Stefan Woodruff, Orvis-endorsed guide with Ellensburg Anglers in Washington State, reveals (some of) his secrets to catching steelhead, plus an overview of ths steelhead opportunities in his state. Trout anglers will also enjoy his tips on fishing the Yakima River, tips that should work anywhere. In The Fly Box we range from tying gel-spun backing to fly line, how to fish with a friend and really fish together, what to do if you get snagged on a small stream, hooking fish on fiberglass rods, identifying jumping fish, what materials to save for fly tying from hunting trips, how to avoid drag when fishing to fish in a slow pocket on the other side of fast current. I also decline to give marital advice to one listener.
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1:27:17
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1:27:17
The 50-Year History of Orvis Graphite Fly Rods, with Tom Rosenbauer
This week my guest is—me [34:55]. I asked Reid Bryant of the Orvis Wingshooting Podcast to interview me because I have worked at Orvis for 49 of those 50 years and lived through the various stages of Orvis rods, plus I just spent the past two months writing a history of the Orvis graphite rods. You'll learn about some interesting things that went on during those times that have never before been published. Some of them are quite surprising. In the Fly Box this week, I answer these questions and more: What hatch makes large brown trout leap fully out of the water? Is there a hook sizing standard for fly-tying hooks? How can I hide the final whip finish on my bead head nymphs? What characteristics make for a good prospecting dry fly? What do you recommend for a fly-tying light? Can I use heaver hooks on my small nymphs? My lighter hooks keep getting straightened by large trout. Is there a database for fly fishing locations around the world? I travel a lot and like to fish various places. What rod should I travel with if I have no idea what I will fish for? What flies should I carry that will work anywhere in the world? What type of fly line should I put on older fiberglass and bamboo rods?
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1:28:22
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1:28:22
All About Knotless Leaders and Line/Leader Connections, with Josh Jenkins
My guest this week is Josh Jenkins [43:59] of Scientific Anglers and originally I wanted to interview him just on knotless leaders—their design, how they are made, and how to modify them. But we soon took an interesting sidetrack into line/leader connections and also a new product he's discovered for fixing cracks in fly line coating so you don't have to buy a new line if your current line is damaged. I get many questions on both leaders and fly lines so I think this one will be interesting to everyone. In the Fly Box this week, one listener chides me for being reluctant to share my opinion on questions, plus these questions (where I do share my opinion!) Is there a single weight rod I can take to Belize to fish for bonefish, permit, and tarpon? What were your personal experiences with the old Power Matrix rod, and which one in the current Orvis lineup is most similar? I inherited some 1980s-era fly lines in new condition. Are they still good, and how do the tapers compare to modern lines? Can you explain the terms "skating a fly" and "swinging a fly" and explain briefly how to do them? Is there any schedule for your tie-offs with Tim Flagler and Cheech? I love my Ultralight Waders but I worry they won't last as long as other waders. What is the proper way to store fly lines for an extended time period? I am a steelheader that wants to fish for trout. Can you skate flies for trout? And when fishing streamers should I swing them or strip them? What is the origin of the term "gin clear" Why can't I find a fast-sinking clear line?
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1:38:30
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1:38:30
The Mysterious Mary Orvis Marbury, with Historian Steve Woit
Mary Orvis Marbury, daughter of Orvis founder Charles Orvis, is an important figure in the history of American fly fishing. She was the first person to catalog and standardize American fly patterns, but she led a sad and mysterious life. Historian Steve Woit [37:50] has written and expansive and spectacular book about Mary and the artifacts that helped her catalog flies and has also uncovered some little-known aspects of her life. If you are interested in how our fly-fishing traditions have developed you'll want to listen to my interview with Steve. Coming back to the present we have some great questions in the Fly Box that may help you on your endless fly-fishing learning experience: Can trout see tiny midges at night? Should I grease my leader? Will Mucilin hurt my bamboo rods? What should I do when a fish is hooked deep? What should I do if I inadvertently "high-hole" another angler? A great tip from a listener on how to travel through the woods with a nymph on a dropper. Is there a rule of thumb on how long to make a leader loop? Are there orthotics that can be used in wading boots? A tip from a listener on a great way to apply desiccant powder to dry flies. A tip from a listener on how to fly fish without stressing the fish. Why do other fish chase a hooked fish? I though snowshoe rabbit's foot would make my flies float higher. Why do you use it and how do you fish these flies? What is the best way to put a fly rod into a rod sock?
The Orvis Fly Fishing Guide Podcast provides weekly tips from acclaimed fly fishing author and lifelong fly fishing enthusiast, Tom Rosenbauer. Get the most from your time on the water!
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