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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?
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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...
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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.
South Florida's Fishing ParadiseJim, the founder of Sweet Waters Adventure, has fished worldwide but finds South Florida one of his favorites. His fishing adventures from Sanibel to the tarpon capital of the world—Boca Grande—to rivers like the Manatee River and the Little Manatee in Manatee County, the Myakka River in Sarasota County, and the Peace River, which teemed with fish. Join us to talk with Jim about fishing these diverse fisheries and fishing with a colorful cast of characters like Fat Wally, Dick Clevenger, and Frank the Net.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What inspired you to write your book South Florida's Fishing Paradise?
- What are some of the differences between the East and West coasts?
- How did you get started fly fishing in Florida?
- What was your first experience catching a fish on the fly?
- Who was Dick Clevenger and how did he shape your fishing?
- What was Boca Grande like back in the 70s?
- Who was Frank the Net?
- What makes Charolette Harbor such an interesting fishery?
- Where should one go to fish South Flordia water without a guide?
- Why have East Coast tarpon become so difficult to catch?
- Where can one find the best fishing in Florida now?
- If you were to move to Florida what would be the best place for fishing?
- Why have Florida fisheries deteriorated?
- What can be done to improve the fisheries in Florida?
Great Lakes Winter Steelhead - Chasing Chrome in the ColdRick Kustich is just getting started when icy winds sweep across the Great Lakes and most anglers pack it in, Rick shares his proven strategies for finding and catching winter steelhead in freezing conditions. Discover how these powerful fish adapt to the cold, what flies trigger their strikes, and the best techniques for slow, deep presentations when water temps drop near freezing. Whether you’re a die-hard steelheader or dreaming of your first chrome in the snow, Rick’s insights will help you turn winter’s chill into your hottest season yet.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
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- What makes winter steelheaders such a unique and dedicated breed of anglers?
- How do Great Lakes winter steelhead differ biologically and behaviorally from their Pacific-coast ancestors?
- Why do you think winter steelhead have adapted so well to the Great Lakes since their introduction in the late 1800s?
- Can you explain how water temperature and metabolism affect a winter steelhead’s movement and feeding behavior?
- How do weather patterns—especially snow, rain, and barometric changes—impact the bite?
- What are your go-to rod and line setups for both swinging and nymphing winter steelhead?
- How do you balance the need for depth and control when choosing sink tips or leaders?
- What types of holding water are most productive for winter steelhead—boulder pockets, gravel runs, or tailouts?
- How important is timing in a winter day—should you be fishing the warmest part of the afternoon?
- How do subtle water temperature changes, even a degree or two, alter fish activity and feeding?
- When you’re selecting flies, what patterns give you the best chance—Intruders, Sculpins, Eggs, or something else?
- How has the two-handed or “Spey” revolution changed the way anglers target winter steelhead in the Great Lakes?
- How effective is Euro-nymphing for Great Lakes steelhead, and what are its pros and cons in winter conditions?
- What method if any do you use to deter ice on your fly rods guides when fishing cold weather?
- Winter steelheading often means long hours with few bites. How do you keep your mental focus and motivation high?
Fly Fishing Glacier National ParkRuss Schnieder has worked as a fishing, hiking and rafting guide in Glacier for more than 25 years. He will be sharing his intimate knowledge of this fly fisher’s paradise. Join us to learn about the park and how to enjoy all it offers to fly fishers.
Topwater to Bottom: Cracking the Code on Smallmouth BassSmallmouth bass aren’t just aggressive they’re strategic. Jake Villwock breaks down how to consistently catch more fish by targeting all three feeding zones: topwater, mid-column, and bottom. He reveals how modern fly design—from foam bugs to articulated baitfish and lifelike crayfish has transformed the game. Whether you’re chasing explosive surface eats or dialing in subsurface tactics, you’ll learn how to fish smarter, adapt faster, and unlock the full potential of smallmouth on the fly.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What first drew you to smallmouth bass on the fly, and what keeps you obsessed with them today?
- What are good weights of fly lines and leaders for both topwater and wet fly fishing for smallmouth?
- What size leader do you use?
- What are the biggest mistakes anglers make when fishing surface flies for bass?
- For anglers new to bass on the fly, what are the top three surface flies they should always carry?
- Your book mentions how modern topwater flies have evolved from bulky deer hair bugs to more refined foam and articulated patterns. What drove that evolution?
- What about a dropper off a popper suspended 18”-24”. What depth of water would that be successful
- What conditions create the perfect topwater smallmouth bite?
- How important is observation when determining what bass are feeding on at the surface—mayflies, frogs, damsels, baitfish, cicadas, and so on?
- What are your favorite retrieves for poppers, sliders, and waking flies?
- Moving into the mid-column zone, can you explain what a “swim fly” really is and why this style has become so effective?
- When fishing mid-column flies, how do you decide between floating, sink-tip, and intermediate lines?
- Crayfish patterns are a major focus in your book. What makes crayfish such an essential forage for bass?
- Do you use a lot of crayfish patterns, and what about sculpin patterns?
- Looking ahead, where do you think smallmouth fly design and tactics are headed over the next decade?
Fly Fishing the Deschutes RiverScott Richmond is an award-winning author of nine books on Oregon fly fishing. He’ll give us the guide’s tour of the Deschutes River and prepare you for an outstanding fly fishing adventure.
Lake Nassar's Nile PerchJeff Currier has just returned from Egypt and his second adventure in search of the exotic Nile Perch. Join Jeff to learn about what it takes to figure out a fish that is seldom caught on a fly.
Streamer StrategiesRich Strolis a professional guide who's spent many years on the Farmington and Housatonic rivers shares his secrets about fly fishing with streamers. Rich had developed streamer tactics that many consider unconventional but they work! Listen in to hear him talk about what he's learned.
Smallmouth Bass Top To BottomJake Villwock is a professional guide working in Pennsylvania. He hooks up his clients everyday with big smallmouth bass. Listen in and learn about the flies he uses, how he ties them and how he uses them to catch trophy smallies.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- Do smallmouth prefer living in pods or are they a solitary fish?
- Do smallmouth hold in similar lies as trout?
- What is a good weight rod, line, leader and tippet for smallmouth?
- Why do you use swivels in your terminal tackle setup?
- If you could only have one surface fly and one streamer for smallies what would they be?
- What are the trigger colors for smallmouth flies?
- Do you use weed guards on your flies?
- What topwater flies do you use besides poppers?
- What color combinations work best for streamers?
- What crayfish patterns do you like?
- What color is a must have on your crayfish patterns?/li>
- How do you fish crayfish patterns on the bottom?
- When an how do you fish crayfish patterns mid-column?
- Do bigger flies attract larger fish?
Fly Fishing for Alaska's Arctic GraylingPudge Kleinkauf has been fly fishing for arctic grayling for thirty years. As a professional guide she understands these fish and knows what it takes to find and hook up with the trophies. Listen in to hear her secrets to catching these beautiful fish.
Moving From Rookie to Novice to ProPudge Kleinkauf, as a professional guide in Alaska, has answered hundreds of questions throughout her career helping rookies move on up the ladder. Join us and get your questions answered that will help you move from rookie to novice to pro.
TerrestrialsRick Takahashi considers terrestrials one of the world's most effective patterns. It's a broad category of food from land-dwelling insects to mice and they are in almost every stream and lake around the world. Listen in to learn about tying and fishing terrestrials that will work no matter where you fish.
Fly Fishing Yellowstone's BackcountryBruce Staples has unmatched fly fishing knowledge of the greater Yellowstone backcountry. He’s explored its rivers and lakes for over five decades and shares his knowledge with us on this show. Want to get away from the crowds? Join us and find out where and how to fish Yellowstone’s backcountry.
Monster MuskiesKip Vieth, a professional guide in Minnesota and winner of the 2017 Orvis Guide of the Year, loves fly fishing for Muskies. Muskies are finicky, to say the least. Known as the fish of ten thousand casts you can bet you'll have to work for yours. Kip will help us all learn more about Muskies including where they live, what they eat, what triggers them to bite, how to rig your terminal tackle for success, presentation strategies, and of course how to close the deal. Join us to learn Kip's secrets to success!
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- Are muskies really the fish of 10,000 casts?
- What are the strength and weaknesses of fly fishing versus conventional fishing?
- What makes a rod a good muskie fly rod?
- What type of line do you use and what is your terminal tackle setup?
- What are the advantages of articulated flies?
- Do you need high flies for muskies?
- How do the primary lies change for muskies from summer to fall?
- If you get a follow but no bite what changes do you make?
- Do the moon phases affect the musky bite?
- Is sight fishing an effective method for muskies?
- When is the best time of day to target muskies?
Bonefish in HawaiiRob Provost was one of the very first to introduce locals and the business/vacation traveler alike to the pursuit of Hawaiian bonefish on the fly. Listen in to learn about fly fishing for bonefish and how it differs from other places in the world.
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