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!
-
Yellowstone RunnersChester Allen has fished the migration run of the rainbow and brown trout from Montana’s Hebgen Lake into Yellowstone National Park’s Madison River during the fall for many years. Join us and learn about where to fish, what flies to use, and how to find the best water for very large trout!
Finding TroutTom, has worked in many capacities at Orvis from retail clerk to lead enthusiast and what’s always been true no matter what his position is that he’s a teacher. Tom has shared more about fly fishing than probably any other person in the sport. We are fortunate to have him again on the show to talk about finding trout. Join us on this show to learn about where to find trout in runs,. pocket water, riffles, and places you never thought to look.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How did you start out on your fly fishing journey?
- How do trout feed?
- How far will a brown trout move in a typical day?
- What are the prime currents to fish?
- What cast do you use to avoid drag?
- What temperatures are optimal for feeding trout?
- How do you approach a new stream?
- When is the best time to fish riffles?
- What are the prime holding areas in runs?
- What type of hydro cusion to trout prefer?
- Where do fish hold in a pool or flat water?
- What is the best way to fish pocket water?
- When trout are not rising what tactics do you use to find fish?
- What matters most fly size, color or presentation?
Pike On The FlyBarry Reynolds knowledge of pike and musky is amazing. Listen in to this podcast as Barry covers your questions on fly fishing for pike and musky covering habitat, gear, flies and tactics - get ready for some explosive answers.
Steelhead of the Dean RiverApril Vokey, a professional guide and fly fishing instructor, has been pursuing the elusive steelhead most of her life. The Dean River in British Columbia is world renowned for having some of the strongest fish in the world. Listen in to hear how April fishes this great river for one of the most challenging fish the steelhead.
Trout TipsLandon Mayer, a veteran instructor and professional guide, will help you analyze your past mistakes and learn how to adapt to a wide range of fishing conditions. He uses unorthodox solutions for common fly fishing problems but they are all designed to help you catch more fish. Join us and Landon will help you sharpen your skills.
Fly Fishing IcelandGunnar Petersen's company has over thirty years of experience hosting and guiding fly fishers in Iceland. Trout, Salmon and Arctic Char can be caught there in some of the most scenic places in the world. Fly fishing in Iceland is different than most countries so listen in and find out all you need to know about fishing this unique fishery.
Tangling with TarponThose that have fished for the Tarpon say it's addicting. So if you dare join Tad Burke a professional guide in the Florida Keys and learn his secrets about hooking up with a Tarpon and staying hooked.
What Fly for What Bug?Peter Stitcher is an aquatic biologist who knows what flies work best to imitate the stage of insects in their lifecycle. Are you ever confused about what file to use when? Join us to learn about the lifecycles of the most common insects we encounter on rivers and lakes and how to pick the perfect fly for the job.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What are the three categories you use to describe flies?
- What is more important size, color or shape?
- Why are flies like the Red Dart and Blowtorch so effective?
- How do you organize your fly boxes?
- What is a life cycle and why is it important to understand?
- What are the life cycles for mayflies, caddisflies, midges and stoneflies?
- What stages of the life cycles are the most productive for fishing?
- What flies work best to imitate the different stages?
- What places do you look to see what insects are active?
- How would you imitate daphnia?
- Is fly selection just as important as drift depth and presentation?
Stripers on the Massachusetts CoastCapt Dave Bitters guides us for striped bass on the Massachusetts coast. Learn the secrets of how to hook up with one of the most exciting East coast sport fish.
Sight Fishing for Trout RevisitedSeeing trout is a learned skill and Landon Mayer has perfected it. Ed Engle thinks Landon maybe part osprey but I’m sure he’s got some heron in him too, either way, he can see fish and can teach you how to as well. Listen to this podcast and learn how to see more fish on your next trip.
Next Episode in the Works: Stay with Us!Hello, listeners! We wanted to give you a quick update: while we're still finalizing our next guest for the show, rest assured that we're working hard to bring you another exciting, insightful and of course fishy episode. Stay tuned for more details, and in the meantime, feel free to check out our past episodes or drop us a line with any topics you'd like to hear more about. Thanks for your continued support and patience!
Cicada MadnessDave Zielinski has been tracking down annual and periodical cicada emergences in an effort to figure out their mystery and the fish that hunt and devour them for the past 20 years. If you'd like to zero in on one of these epic emergences, tune in and learn from Dave about the timing, fishing techniques, and patterns that you'll need to crack the code.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What makes cicada emergences so significant for fly fishers?
- What does a cicada look like?
- How many different species are there?
- What is the life cycle of cicadas?
- What is the difference between periodical and annual cicadas?
- How often do the periodical emergences occur?
- How long does an emergence last?
- When is the best time of day to fish during a cicada emergence?
- What signs are there that an cicada emergence is happening?
- What are the differences between the 13 and 17 year cicadas?
- What color combinations are best for cicada fly imitations?
- Do you have a favorite fly size and pattern?
- What presentation methods work best when fishing with cicadas?
- Is there an online source that tracks cicada emergences?
Women Who FishSteve Kantner's book Fifty Women Who Fish is a collection of interviews with women who love to fish. Women are the fastest growing demographic in fly fishing and understanding their interest and joy of fishing is important to the industry. Join us on this podcast and learn why many of these women have made fly fishing an important part of their personal and professional life.
If you'd like to purchase Fifty Women Who Fish go to www.whywomenfish.com (not available on Amazon or Barnes & Noble).
Behemoths of the Great LakesJoe is well known for catching big, big brown trout. He's guided many fly fishers over the years to the Lake Ontario and Lake Erie tributaries to catch these awesome fish. What many don't know is that during the fall spawning run of brown's you can also fly fish for king salmon and steelhead. Join Joe on this podcast and find out his secrets about fly fishing for these coveted trophies.
Tigerfish in TanzaniaJeff Currier loves adventure fly fishing and is back at it again chasing tigerfish in Tanzania. Listen in to learn about fishing for this exotic species.
Learn more about fly fishing and listen to our podcasts by these top experts...
Copyright © 2026 Ask About Fly Fishing | As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases through links from this website.
