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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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Project Healing WatersSteve is the Program Lead in Colorado Springs, Colorado for Project Healing Waters. Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of disabled active military service personnel and veterans through fly fishing and fly tying education and outings. Steve's program has been rated the top program in the country. Listen in to learn all about Project Healing Waters, how it started, how it works, how it helps and how you can help.
Siberian Taimen The Legend Of Russia's RiversRene Limeres has spent hundreds of hours guiding and fishing for the legendary taimen in Russia. Learn from Rene about this unusual fish and what it takes to hook and land fish that can get up to 200 pounds.
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?
Hatch StrategiesTom Rosenbauer has been with Orvis for over 30 years and has shared his knowledge across many topics. One of the most studied yet intimidating aspects of fly fishing for trout is an understanding of insect hatches. Tom will enlighten us on entomology and also how to approach trout, how to find where they feed, and how to present the fly so it is accepted as natural food without hesitation. Join us and learn some new techniques to catch more fish.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What do you need to know to be successful when fishing a hatch?
- What is the best way to seine the water?
- What if you don't get any insects in your seine?
- What’s the best way to find fish feeding on a hatch?
- How do you identify the insect that is hatching?
- How to you fish the different stages of a hatch?
- What do you do if you have multiple hatches at the same time?
- How important is it to match the hatch with your patterns?
- Do you prefer to fish a single fly or use a dry dropper setup?
- Do you find that smaller fish are the ones rising first at the beginning of a hatch?
- How do you target the bigger fish in hatches?
- How does the change in climate vary the color of hatching flies?
- What has been the most challenging hatch to match & have reasonable consistent success?
Secrets of ChironomidsBrian Chan’s knowledge and understanding of Chironomids in stillwaters is unmatched. Join us to learn about how these insects live and how we as fly fishers can become better fly fishers by understanding their life cycle.
The DIY Fly Fishing Road Trip: From Tents to AirstreamsWhat 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.
Wild Rivers of Northern New MexicoDoc Thompson, a professional guide for 15 years, has been taking fly fishers to where the fish are in the wild rivers of northern New Mexico including the Rio Grande, Cimmaron and the Rio Castilla. Listen in to learn about these unique fisheries and how to fish them.
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.
Reading WatersGary Borger explains the characteristics of moving water examining the three types of lies and how to identify and fish them from small streams to massive rivers. He also takes the mystery out of reading lakes and ocean flats.
Fly Fishing with Terrestrials in the RockiesRichard Pilatzke loves bugs especailly those that drop out of sky, trees or weeds. Listen in and learn the best way to fish terrestrials in the Rocky Mountain region.
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.
Carp on the Fly - Southern California StyleMatt Austin and Kory Van Tassel professional guides out of La Jolla, California take us on a search for carp in the lakes and streams of southern California. Join us to find out how to catch carp California style.
Fly Fishing Southern BelizeCharles Leslie started guiding in Belize when he was 19 years old. He learned to fly fish from Lefty Kreh and over the past 50 years he's become a master of casting and fly presentation to permit, tarpon, bonefish and snook. Join us to learn Charlie's approach to fishing which is based on the tides, weather, migratory patterns and other conditions that ensure you have the best opportunity to land the fish of a lifetime. Learn more by visiting Charlie Leslie Fly Fishing.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What are the differences in fishing Southern versus Northern Belize?
- What are the best times of year to fish Southern Belize?
- Do you need to be a good caster to fish for permit, bonefish, tarpon and snook?
- What's the secret to casting in the wind?
- Where are the best places to fish for bonefish?
- How do you present your flies to bonefish?
- Where are the best places to fish for snook?
- What are the best flies for snook?
- Where do you find migrating tarpon?
- What is the best way to fish gummy minnows for tarpon?
- When fishing for permit do you wade the flats or fish from the boat?
- What should you consider when presenting your fly to a permit?
- What's the secret to getting a good hook set with a permit?
Fly Fishing for RedfishChico Fernandez shares a lifetime of experiences fly fishing for redfish. He'll cover all the essentials including rods, reels, rigs, casting techniques and flies. Join us and learn how to hook up with a redfish.
Fly Fishing BelizeJim Klug, photographer, guide and travel coordinator, takes us on a tour of Belize from the northern waters of Ambergris Caye, to the pristine waters of Turneffe Atoll, all the way south to Hopkins, Placencia and Puta Gorda. Join us to explore Belize!
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