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Nymphing Strategies for Trinity River Steelhead: Flow, Depth, and Control
Alex Ross
Fly Fisher, Guide
Steelhead on the Trinity River aren’t accidental fish—and neither are the anglers who consistently find them. In this episode, professional guide Alex Ross breaks down the nuts and bolts of deep nymphing for Trinity River steelhead from a drift boat. We dive into reading flow-driven water, boat positioning, rigging for depth and control, fly selection by conditions, and the subtle adjustments that turn “good water” into hooked fish. If you want a practical, guide-tested approach to putting winter steelhead in the net on one of California’s most iconic rivers, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- For anglers who haven’t fished it, how would you describe the Trinity River compared to other West Coast steelhead rivers?
- How do dam releases and changing flows affect where steelhead hold?
- How do fish position differently in low flows versus high flows?
- What types of water on the Trinity consistently produce with deep nymphing?
- Are the techniques you use river specific, or do they work other places?
- How do you determine your starting depth?
- Do you prefer fixed indicators or adjustable systems from a drift boat—and why?
- What’s your philosophy on split shot vs. weighted flies?
- What are your go-to fly patterns for Trinity steelhead nymphing?
- What rod, reel, line, leader and tippet setup do you recommend?
- How can you tell if your weight is riding properly?
- How critical is boat control in deep nymphing success?
- What visual clues tell you a run will hold steelhead?
- what is the etiquette on back rowing and re-drifting a run?
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The DIY Fly Fishing Road Trip: From Tents to Airstreams
Robert Streeter
Fly Fisher, Fly Tyer, Author
What does it take to turn a simple camping trip into an unforgettable fly fishing adventure? Robert Streeter shares lessons from years on the road—from tent camping in remote waters to traveling in an Airstream in search of the next great fishery. Learn how to discover prime destinations, plan your trips, and create DIY fly fishing experiences that fit your lifestyle. Whether it’s a weekend getaway or an Alaska expedition, this conversation will inspire you to hit the road and find your own adventure.Ask Robert Streeter your most important questions on a DIY fly fishing road trip...
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Fly Fishing for Big, Huge, Monster Trophy TroutPassion and love for the sport of fly fishing is what motivates Landon. His success in catching trophy trout is fueled by an addiction of pursuing large trout with small flies and lightweight fly fishing equipment. Listen to Landon's secrets on sight fishing for huge trophy trout.
Fly Fishing Micronesia - A Fly Fishing AdventureTrapper Rudd is always going to somewhere exotic in search of new places to fly fish. Putting together a trip to a place like Micronesia is no easy task and the results are always unknown. Join us to find out how a trip like this comes together from the initial concept to hooking up with new exotic species like Indo-Pacific tarpon, permit, bonefish and giant trevally.
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.
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.
Bugs, Bugs and More BugsRobert Younghanz, a.k.a The Bug Guy, is an internationally known Aquatic Entomologist, Fly Fishing Guide and Instructor. Entomology plays a big part in being a successful fly fisher. Robert breaks down the different classes of insects that fly fishers are familiar with and helps you to identify and understand their life cycle. The more you know about how these bugs live and procreate the more fish you'll be bringing to the net.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What is the life cycle of a mayfly?
- Why is the life cycle of and insect important to fly fishers?
- Do you need to have flies that imitate each stage of the life cycle?
- What are the most important orders of insects for fly fishers?
- What is the largest order of insects?
- What is the life cycle of a caddis?
- What is the difference between complete metamorphosis and incomplete metamorphosis ?
- What insects are most common in lakes?
- Where is the best place to seine a river for bugs?
- What is the best way to learn about insects for fishing?
- How do you organize your fly boxes?
- Do you have different fly boxes for different seasons?
- When nothing else is working what fly would you use?
Designing and Building a Great Fly RodJeff Blood a lifelong fly fisher talks about what it takes to design and build a commercial fly rod. He'll dispell the myths and sweep away the smoke and mirrors of advertising to get down to what really makes a fly rod great.
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.
Fly Fishing Streams for Smallmouth BassHarry Murray has been fly fishing, guiding and teaching others about smallmouth bass most of his life. You'll find his practical approach to finding and hooking up with these exciting fish an enlightening experience. Listen in and learn his secrets.
Bahamas BonefishOliver White has fished all over the world for many exotic species but his home turf in the Bahamas is still where he is most comfortable. The flats of the Bahamas have always been known for outstanding bonefishing and Oliver knows it well. Join us to learn the ins and outs of fly fishing the Bahamas for bonefish.
Bowfin, Gar, Pike, Trout & More: Cracking the Code on Lake Champlain’s Fly Fishing GiantsLake Champlain may be one of the most diverse fly-fishing waters in North America, and it remains largely underexplored by fly anglers. Professional angler Drew Price breaks down how to target the lake’s incredible mix of species—from explosive bowfin and prehistoric longnose gar to northern pike, bass, carp, freshwater drum, and even salmonids. Drew shares practical strategies on seasonal movement, sight-fishing tactics, fly selection, and reading complex habitat across this massive fishery. If you’re ready to go beyond trout and discover a truly wild, multi-species fly-fishing experience, join us and open your eyes to what Lake Champlain really offers.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- Lake Champlain has a long and complex history—can you give us a brief overview of how the lake formed and how glacial forces shaped what we see today?
- What are the major geographic regions or “zones” of Lake Champlain, and how does fishing change as you move between them?
- Lake Champlain experiences strong seasonal changes—ice cover, spring runoff, summer stratification. How do these seasonal cycles impact fish distribution and angling strategy?
- What are the top species that fly fishers are interested in fishing for?
- What are the best seasons and water temperatures for fly fishing smallmouth bass on Lake Champlain?
- Which shallow habitats—bays, weed beds, marshes—produce the most consistent largemouth action?
- Where do pike stage during spring, summer, and fall, and how shallow do they really get?
- Is carp fishing on Champlain primarily a wading game, a boat game, or both?
- Where do bowfin typically hold in Lake Champlain, and what habitats should fly anglers focus on?
- When are gar most visible and accessible to fly anglers on Lake Champlain?
- Are drum a target species or more of an opportunistic catch while carp fishing?
- What fly patterns best match the forage base for landlocked salmon in the lake?
- Given all the species available to a fly fisher what are your recommendations on planning a trip to Lake Champlain?
- If an angler wants to target multiple species what would you suggest?
Fly Fishing for LeadershipWe know good leadership when we see it. Just as we know a good fly angler we meet on the river. It's not their age or equipment, or the flies stuck on their wader patch. It's the way they behave towards the river, the fish, the environment, their dog, and their fellow anglers. Can we learn fundamental leadership principles through fly fishing? Listen in and learn from Christian Bacasa how leadership and fly fishing can work together to help you in your pursuits.
Drifting the Green: Expert Tips for Fly Fishing Utah’s Legendary RiverThe Green River in Utah is called by some the most beautiful trout river in the United States. Its steep canyon walls and crystal-clear water make for an incredible fly fishing experience. Matt Lucas, owner and professional guide of Western Rivers Flyfisher Guides, will take us down the Green and give us his expert tips on fishing this legendary river.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What is the history of the Flaming Gorge Dam?
- Is the Green River an all-season fishery?
- What weight rods do you recommend?
- How accessible is the river for DIY anglers without a boat?
- Where does Section A start and end?
- What are the fish counts for the A and B sections?
- What hatches are prevalent on the river?
- How is Section B different from Section A?
- When do the mormon crickets and cicadas migrate?
- What makes the Green River an excellent dry fly fishery?
- Does Section C have larger trout?
- What changes do you make when the fish are hesitant to bit?
- How would you arrange a multi-day float trip?
- How do the dam releases change the fishing?
- Is the river managed properly now and what does the future look like?
- What are the guides and outfitters doing to preserve this fishery?
Fly GearGary Borger discusses the how, when, where and why to develop the ideal equipment selection strategy for your fly fishing. Whether it be rod action, flexion profile, reel characteristics or leader construction Gary has an opinion based on a lifetime of experience, listen in and hear what he has to say.
Federation of Fly Fishers - An In-Depth LookPeter Van Gytenbeek and Ron Cordes have been on the board of directors for the Federation of Fly Fishers since 2003. Their passion and enthusiasm for the FFF is hard to match. Van and Ron answer questions about the FFF, their role in the fly fishing world and their goals and ambitions as an organization. Whether you're a member or not listen to this podcast to find out what this fine organization is doing for you.
Effective Nymphing Techniques for Streams and RiversEric Pettine starting fly fishing long before strike indicators entered the scene and developed his nymphing techniques based upon close attention to the habits of trout. Eric shares his secrets and details his shallow, medium depth and deep water techniques including leader, tippet, weight and fly selection.
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