Covering fish from Trout to Tarpon, from tying flies to casting them - you'll find it all right here on Ask About Fly Fishing - the best fly fishing podcast for learning more about fly fishing.
Want to Catch More Fish? Just listen to any of our in-depth podcasts - we have over 443 shows in our Archive!
Imposters - The Flies We Fish And The Fish They Catch
Skip Morris
Fly Fisher/Fly Tier/Author
Skip and Carol Ann Morris are well known in the fly fishing world and they have stories to tell... Their latest book Imposters takes us on a trip of colorful fly fishing experiences blending stories, insights, history and instruction all based on those imposters at the end of our lines. Join us on what will be a fun as well as enlightening episode as they share those experiences with us.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How did the idea come about for you book Imposters and how did you decide to work together on it?
- The title of the book is Imposters. At the most basic level, what are we really asking a fish to believe when we put an artificial fly in front of it?
- Could you provide some insight into how flies which appear to represent nothing in nature seem to catch fish like crazy?
- Fly tiers can become obsessed with making a fly look exactly like the insect they're imitating. How much does anatomical accuracy really matter to the fish?
- The two of you checked the dimensions of your fly drawings with a draftsman's divider so the tails, wings, hackles, thoraxes, and other components would have correct proportions. Why was that level of accuracy important to you, and how difficult is it to draw a fly accurately enough that a fly tier could actually learn from the illustration?
- Do you find that when drawing a fly it forces you to notice details about its proportions, materials, or construction that even the person tying it might overlook?
- In "The Promise, the Beaver, and the Branch," an apparently insignificant piece of water turns out to be much better than you expected. What can that experience teach us about learning to read water without prejudging it?
- Your chapter-opening illustrations don't simply show flies; they often combine the fly with fish, insects, anglers, wildlife, or scenes from the essay. For example, the opening illustration for "The Promise, the Beaver, and the Branch" brings together the trout, beaver, insect, branch, and fly. How do you decide which elements of Skip's story should become the visual story?
- Carol Anne because you're illustrating something Skip knows intimately as both a tier and fisherman, what is the collaboration like? Does Skip ever look over your shoulder and say, "That hackle is too long," or do you have artistic veto power?
- I am a new fly tyer, what pattern is a good start for me for an imposter pattern?
- The Guest Box includes everything from chironomid pupae to Booby Flies and your Predator. Is it more useful for an angler to organize a fly box around specific insects or around how and where the flies will be fished?
- Carol Ann you've spent a lot of time fishing with Skip as well as illustrating his books. Has being an artist changed the way you observe things when you're on the water—the insects, fish, light, vegetation, or other details that the rest of us might walk right past?
- How should an angler change the fly and presentation when trout appear to be taking insects trapped in or just below the surface film?
More about Skip Morris...
Listen to the Show...
Fly Fishing the Legendary North Umpqua for Steelhead
Joe Howell
Fly Fisher, Fly Tier, Guide, Author
The North Umpqua is legendary among steelhead fly fishers—but success on this demanding river takes more than simply showing up with a fly rod. Former guide and author Joe W. Howell shares what you need to know to fish the North Umpqua with confidence. Discover how to read its distinctive water, choose productive flies and techniques, approach steelhead effectively, and adapt to changing river conditions. Along the way, Joe draws on years of experience to help you better understand—and appreciate—one of America’s most storied steelhead rivers.Ask Joe Howell your most important questions on fly fishing the North Umpqua for steelhead...
Register for our free drawing.
Add event to your calendar
More about Joe Howell...
Miss a Show? - Browse our Show Archive!
Over 443 Shows for you to listen to!
- Selectivity
Matt Supinski a professional guide has fished for fussy trout, salmon and steelhead and knows how to approach and get them interested no matter what. Join us as Matt shares his secrets about fly fishing for selective fish.
- Spring Creek Seduction
Matt Supinski is the master of selectivity and even wrote a book on it so who else to lead us on a journey to understand how to fish spring creeks. Spring creeks will not only seduce you but test your skills at the highest level. Join us to learn Matt’s secrets to spring creeks.
- Fly Tying Made Clear and Simple
Skip Morris is a full-time fly fishing author and speaker who has published 22 books and over 350 magazine articles on fly fishing and fly tying. Skip makes fly tying so simple anyone can do it. If you’re interested in fly tying but haven’t given it a try yet listen in and Skip will provide all the information you need to get started and to be successful.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How did you get started tying flies?
- Is it more expensive to tie your own flies than to buy them?
- What tools do I absolutely need to get started tying flies?
- What should I look for in a good vise?
- What are the important features of a good bobbin?
- What are the basic materials needed to get started?
- What is the difference between the different brands of hooks?
- What is your go-to thread material?
- What sizes of thread should I get to begin with?
- What do the different grades of capes mean?
- Do you weight your flies or use other methods to get deeper?
- Do you think adding purple to a dry fly marks it fish better?
- What tips do you have for tying very small flies?
- Salt Water's Greatest Gamefish
Tom Boyd has fished the salt for more than 50 years and has done exhaustive research on saltwater fish behavior, spawning, migration patterns and baitfish. Listen in to hear Tom talk about some of the greatest gamefish and how to catch them on a fly.
- Tenkara - The Traditional Japanese Method of Fly Fishing
Daniel Galhardo founded Tenkara USA in 2009 and has brought the traditional Japanese method of fly-fishing where only a rod, line and fly are used to the US. Tenkara is about fly-fishing simplicity and mountain-stream effectiveness. Eleven to fourteen foot long rods allow anglers to fish mountain streams in a way that is nearly impossible with western fly gear. Listen to learn about the history, philosophy and of course the strategies and techniques of using the Tenkara system.
- Angling the World
Roy Tanami is a leading international outdoor photographer who has traveled the world in search of fish to catch on the fly and beautiful photographs to capture the experiences. He's been to Kamchatka, Brazil, New Zealand, Mongolia and many more wild places. As a traveling fly angler, he's experienced the good, the challenging and the wonderful things you encounter while traveling and fishing. Join us to hear about Roy's travels, experiences and how he's able to capture the world and fly fishing in his stunning photographs.
- Fly Fishing the Upper Delaware River
Paul Weamer has spent over decade fishing the Upper Delaware River watershed where the trout are large, wild, and highly selective. Be sure to listen in to find out about this great fishery and the special techniques used to hook up with the trophies.
- Golden Trout of the High Sierra
Ralph Cutter spent his nine month honeymoon hiking through the Sierra with his new wife Lisa going through nearly every pass and fishing many of the waters. The Sierra range is the home of the golden trout, California's state fish, but it's not easy to fish for them. Listen in to hear Ralph tell his secrets about fly fishing the Sierra for the golden trout.
- Steelhead on the Fly
Dec was a professional steehead guide for 14 years, now he fly fishes just for fun. Listen in to hear Dec's secrets to hooking up with the steelhead of your dreams.
- Carp On The Fly
Fly fishing for carp is one of the hottest fishing challenges around; they're big, smart and are found almost everywhere. Join Brad Befus on this podcast as he exposes the secrets of fly fishing for carp and learn the strategies and techniques of catching these challenging fish.
- Fly Fishing Montana's Missouri River
Trapper Badovinac guided professionally on the Missouri River for nine years and authored a book titled ‘Fly Fishing Montana’s Missouri River’. Listen in to learn all you need to know about fly fishing one of America’s great rivers.
- The State of the Char
Tom Boyd not only fly fishes he researches, takes DNA samples, tags and learns everything he can about the fish he targets. Join us to learn what he's learned about the char including arctic char, dolly varden, brook trout and bull trout both anadromous and landlocked fish.
- The River of Monsters
Chip Drozenski, has fished many of the great rivers in Argentina but one of his favorites is the Limay River better know as the River of Monsters. Join us to discover the secrets of this river where the average migratory browns and rainbows are 26 to 30 inches and trophies are 36 to 40 inches. These monsters can weigh 10 to 20 pounds and be caught in water less than 3 feet deep. This is one show you don't want to miss!
- The Most Common Nymph Fishing Mistakes
Rick Hafele has made many nymphing mistakes over the years and also watched others do the same. Sometimes knowing what not to do can make the difference as well. Join us to sort it all out and clean up your nymphing.
- Fly Fishing Small Streams
Tom Rosenbauer has mastered the strategies and techniques necessary to be productive on small streams. Listen in to learn his secrets.
Learn more about fly fishing and listen to our podcasts by these top experts...
