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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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Over 437 Shows for you to listen to!
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Effective Stillwater Fly FishingMichael Gorman, a professional guide of more than 30 years helps us make the most of every stillwater fishing outing - even those ego-bruising days when the fish seem to reject everything. Join us to learn Michaels strategies, techniques and secrets.
Drift Boats & River DoriesRoger Fletcher, an educator, historian and drift boat aficionado has a passion for drift boats and river dories. Learn about their history, design, construction and use. Thinking about building a boat? You won't want to miss this show.
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.
Cracked: The Ugly Truth About DamsSteven Hawley, an environmental journalist, has revealed the ugly truth about dams. The estimated 800,000 dams in the world can’t be blamed for destroying the Earth’s entire biological inheritance, but they play an outsized role in that destruction. What started as an arguably good government project has drifted oceans away from that original virtuous intent. Join us to learn about the effect dams have had on our planet and what the future of dams can be in our warming world.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- You recently published "Cracked: The Future of Dams in a Hot, Chaotic World." What inspired you to write the book?
- How do you see the role of dams evolving in the context of global climate change?
- What are some innovative alternatives to dams for water management and power generation?
- Can you share a story from the book that particularly moved or motivated you?
- Detractors to dam removal cite the financial and environmental benefits of dams. Can you provide a counterpoint to these arguments?
- How do you propose we balance the human need for water and power with the ecological necessity to maintain free-flowing rivers?
- How do indigenous and local communities fit into the narrative around dams and their impact?
- Can you talk about a specific dam removal project that you cover in the book and its outcomes?
- Can you discuss specific examples where dam removal has led to noticeable improvements in fishing quality or fish biodiversity?
- In some cases, a dam removal would destroy fisheries as we know them. What are your thoughts on those situations?
- What are the most common misconceptions about dams?
- Is it possible to remove a dam like the Glen Canyon Dam?
- Are dams still being built in the United States?
- How do you see the dialogue around dams changing in the next decade?
Ruby River GraylingDonna McDonald a professional guide and native of Montana has been actively involved with the reintroduction of grayling into the Ruby River. Join us and learn about this great fishery and fish.
The Feather ThiefKirk Johnson is the author of the true-crime adventure “The Feather Thief”. Intrigued by the theft of hundreds of rare bird specimens from the Tring museum in England, Kirk journeys into the underground world of fanatical fly tiers and plume peddlers looking for the truth behind why the theft took place and what happened to all the birds that were stolen. Join us and hear the story that has drawn so many readers to this great book.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How did the heist go down?
- Who was Alfred Russel Wallace and what did he have to do with the heist?
- How did Edwin Rist get involved tying classic salmon flies?
- What was the value of the stolen birds?
- How were the stolen birds and feathers sold?
- Were the buyers of the stolen goods complicit?
- Did Rist have an accomplice?
- Was the heist planned?
- How did the judge rule when Rist when to court?
- Did Rist show any remorse about what he had done?
- Were the stolen birds ever recovered?
Top Ten Smallmouth Bass Flies and How to Fish ThemBrad Miller has fished smallmouth for over thirty years on some of the most hallowed waters in the Midwest and Canada. If you want to catch more smallmouth listen in as Brad goes through the top ten flies that have been written about, tested and voted upon by guides, experts and everyday anglers. He'll tell you what they are and how to fish them.
Fly Fishing for Mahseer in IndiaJeff Currier explores India's rivers for the exotic Mahseer. It's a huge fish that is seldom caught on the fly but Jeff was determined to do so and did. Learn from Jeff the process he uses to figure what makes a fish tick.
Tying Euro NymphsTim Cammisa of "Trout and Feather" has been a YouTube creator of fly tying and fishing videos for over seven years. If you haven't watched his video tutorials, you should. Euro nymphing has been very popular and has produced some incredibly effective flies. Join us to learn the ins and outs of tying euro nymphing flies and how to fish them.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- Euro nymphing has been floating around for quite a while now, what happened to Czech nymphing, Spanish nymphing and French nymphing? Where is Euro nymphing today?
- Euro nymphing rods have evolved over the past 15 years. What does one look for in a Euro nymphing rod today?
- Is it possible to use ‘standard’ fly rods to Euro nymph?
- How is the line for Euro nymphing different than what we use for other nymphing we do?
- What role does a reel play in the Euro nymphing setup?
- There seems to be a lot of variation in leaders and tippets. What options are there and what do the pros use?
- What are some casting techniques that you’ve learned that work well?
- What is a Euro nymph?
- Why are Euro nymphs so effective?
- What are the characteristics of Euro nymphs?
- What is the average size hook you like to use?
- Are Euro nymphs always tied on jigs hooks?
- Do you ever add extra weight or only use the bead?
- Do you think the number of tailing CDL fibers is important on a fly?
- Do you find there is a common theme with body material and tails?
- What is the future of Fly Design in regards to euro nymphing?
500 Trout StreamsWhat happens when a man who’s fly fished for over fifty years, who’s graduated with a university degree in English, who’s published 19 print-and-paper books on fly-fishing topics with three publishers, decides to spend three years writing his first book of essays about his beloved sport? Can you imagine? Join us to learn how Skip came to write his latest book 500 Trout Streams and hear a few of his favorite stories.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What was the first writing you got published?
- Do you make notes about your fishing trips to use later in your writing?
- Do you have a writing routine, if so what is it?
- What prompted the writing of 500 Trout Streams?
- What kind of research do you do and how long do you spend researching?
- Is there still a market for long-form print pieces?
- Did you really fish 500 trout streams?
- What is your favorite book on fly fishing by another writer?
- What authors do you look to for their writing skills and style?
- Will you be writing more essays in the future?
Montana Without the CrowdsAaron Jaspers, loves to fish but doesn't love the crowds. He's been exploring some fisheries that are off the beaten track in Montana where you can catch nice sized fish easily and avoid the crowds. Join us to learn more about some great places to fish.
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?
Ira Gruber's Atlantic Salmon FliesIra W. Gruber is known for the Atlantic salmon fishing techniques and 38 flies he developed over a lifetime of fishing on the Miramichi River in New Brunswick. Join us to hear from his grandson Ira D. Gruber the story of Ira's life as an angler and the stories about a few of his most famous flies.
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.
A Passion for BonefishGet ready to explore the shimmering world of bonefish with Ian Davis, author of A Passion for Bonefish. Ian shares insights from how to read a flat and choose the perfect fly to unlocking the secrets of tides, moon phases, and guide teamwork. Whether you’re dreaming of stalking the flats or planning your next saltwater trip, this show will fuel your obsession for one of fly fishing’s most electrifying and elusive species.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What features of a bonefish’s anatomy make it such a challenging and thrilling fish to pursue on the fly?
- How do their sensory systems—especially eyesight—impact how we approach them as anglers?
- What types of flats and ecosystems do bonefish thrive in across different regions like the Bahamas or Belize?
- Can you walk us through the typical bonefish diet and how it may vary by location?
- What are some of the most consistently productive bonefish flies you've seen or used in different countries?
- Have any fly patterns surprised you in their effectiveness or versatility across different locations?
- How do wind conditions affect both casting and fish behavior on the flats?
- Are there any general rules anglers can follow to understand tidal movement and its impact?
- What makes the guide–angler relationship crucial in bonefishing success?
- What visual cues help an angler read the flats for likely bonefish hotspots?
- What behaviors should you look for when trying to distinguish feeding bonefish from cruising ones?
- What does a perfect bonefish fly presentation look like?
- Can you explain why strip-setting is so critical—and how it differs from trout setting?
- What’s the best way to land a bonefish safely for both the angler and the fish?
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