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 437 shows in our Archive!
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?
More about Alex Ross...
Listen to the Show...
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...
Register for our free drawing.
Add event to your calendar
More about Robert Streeter...
Miss a Show? - Browse our Show Archive!
Over 437 Shows for you to listen to!
-
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).
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?
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 Art and IllustrationDave Whitlock has been creating fly fishing fine art paintings and illustrating his books and articles for most of his life. Listen in to find out how Dave got started, how he creates and how he sells his artwork.
Skeena River - Steelhead DreamsGill Mckean has been guiding on the world-famous Skeena River for more than 25 years. He’s guided a client to massive steelhead estimated at 34 pounds and has personally landed many in the 30-pound range. Join us to learn from Gill about this incredible fishery and of course how to land that steelhead of a lifetime.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What is the best time of year to fish for steelhead?
- Are there other streams and rivers to fish in the area?
- What species are available besides steelhead?
- What style of flies do you prefer?
- Is the spey rod the most commonly used rod on the Skeena?
- What type of line do you use and what types of tips do you use?
- What's the difference between Skagit and Scandi heads?
- What is the most productive depth for getting strikes?
- What triggers the fish to strike?
- What is the secret to hooking up with a trophy steelhead?
Fish FoodRalph Cutter literally wrote the book on fish food. To write Fish Food he donned his snorkeling gear and studied species underwater. Listen in to learn what Ralph has discovered about the food trout eat and why - it's sure to make you a better fly fisher.
Snook On The HookChico Fernandez has fly fished for over 40 years and has broken several world records, most notably, the largest redfish taken with a fly rod, at 42 pounds, 5 ounces (I.G.F.A. record on 12 pound test tippet). He was also one of the first to land a white marlin on a fly rod. His real passion; however, is snook. Listen to this podcast to find out Chico's secrets on fly fishing for these incredible game fish.
Pyramid Lake CutthroatsDenis Isbister travels the world in search of fish but Pyramid Lake is on his home turf. Join us on this show where Denis will talk about how to get the trophy Lahontan cutthroat trout on the fly, which call Pyramid Lake their home.
Fly Fishing For Bluefish On The Eastern SeaboardJohn McMurray specializes in guiding and fishing Jamaica Bay's 10,000 acres of salt marsh flats just minutes away from New York City. Listen to this podcast to learn the secrets of fishing for bluefish in Jamaica Bay and other Eastern seaboard locations.
Fly Line Design and ApplicationJim Teeny, originator of the integrated sinking fly line, is always on the cutting edge of fly line design. Learn the differences between the lines and how to use them best to catch more fish.
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 the Upper Columbia RiverSteven calls the Upper Columbia River his home waters where rainbow trout are known to reach 25 pounds. He’s been guiding there for many years and has found that many of the trout love to eat soft-hackle & hairwing wetflies, swung and dangled. Join us to learn about this incredible fishery and Steven’s unique approaches to fishing it.
Making the Right Connection Between Natural Insects and Artificial FliesRick Hafele, a retired aquatic biologist, has studied and fished freshwater streams and rivers for over 40 years. He’s an expert on connecting the dots between the natural world of insects and the artificial world of flies. Listen in to learn how to recognize hatches, pick the right flies and be more successful on your favorite trout stream or river.
Alabama's Best Fly FishingAlabama is quickly becoming one of the most exciting and diverse fly fishing destinations in North America—and Matt Lewis is here to prove it. Join us as we uncover more than 50 hidden gems across the state, from Appalachian streams teeming with redeye bass to coastal marshes alive with trophy redfish. Whether you're chasing bass, bream, or saltwater giants, Alabama has it all. Don’t miss this eye-opening journey through one of fly fishing’s best-kept secrets!
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What inspired you to write Alabama’s Best Fly Fishing and showcase this state as a fly fishing destination?
- Many anglers overlook Alabama—why do you think it’s a hidden gem in the fly fishing world?
- Why is Alabama called "America's Amazon"?
- How would you describe the diversity of Alabama’s fisheries compared to other states in the South or across the country?
- Can you walk us through the typical bonefish diet and how it may vary by location?
- What makes the redeye bass so unique and special for fly anglers?
- What type of water do you find these fish?
- What are the best strategies and fly patterns for targeting redeye bass in Alabama streams?
- What other bass species are popular to target?
- Alabama is known for trophy striped bass—what are your go-to methods and flies for targeting them?
- What other species of fish are available to fly fish for?
- If you could only choose one place to fish which location would go to?
- What makes Alabama’s Gulf Coast marshes and estuaries special for fly anglers?
- What species are there to target in the marshes and estuaries?
Loch-Style Fly FishingDevin Olsen takes us on a nice slow ride across a lake to teach us about loch-style fly fishing. This technique has been used by fly fishers in the United Kingdom for decades but there's no reason not to use it anywhere else in the world. Join us to learn how to hook up with some nice trout using this super effective stillwater method.
Learn more about fly fishing and listen to our podcasts by these top experts...
Supporting Member Of...
Sponsored by: Ugly Bug Fly Shop — Olympic Peninsula Skagit Tactics — Lees Ferry Anglers
Enrico Puglisi Flies
Copyright © 2026 Ask About Fly Fishing | As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases through links from this website.
