Fly Fishing Experts Tell Their Secrets LIVE!

Brian Chan, a professional fisheries biologist, has spent most of his life studying the insect life of trout lakes. Brian will share the secrets of what happens in that underwater world and how it will help you to catch more fish.

Ralph 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.

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?

New York City area is one of the most densely populated areas in the country. However, if one were to take a map, a pencil compass and make a 90 mile circle around New York City there are hundreds of high quality fly fishing streams within this area. Join us as we take a tour of some great fisheries in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania all within a short drive of the 'Big Apple'.

Tom Dempsey is obsessed with fly fishing and has chased fish in 40 different countries. He still gets a thrill out of sight fishing for redfish in his home waters of Alabama and has become an expert at it. Join us and learn how Tom approaches, hooks up, and lands these exciting fish.

Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:

• How did you get started fly fishing for redfish?
• What makes fly fishing for redfish unique compared to other types of fishing?
• What are the best locations for redifsh?
• Where are the largest redfish found?
• What are the best times of year to fish for redfish?
• What are the ideal habitats?
• How do tides affect fishing?
• What weight rod and what type of line do you recommend?
• What are your "go-to" redfish fly patterns?
• What does a typical day of sight casting for redfish look like?
• How do you read the water in different environments?
• What is the best type of presentation to use for redfish?
• How much should you lead a fish?
• What are some common mistakes fly fishers make?

The 2006 Conclave of the Federation of Fly Fishers was held July 27-29 in Bozeman, Montana. Over 100 educational opportunities were presented including classroom presentations, on-stream sessions, and dryland casting instruction. Special live on-the-spot interviews were recorded at the main Conclave venue. Hear what is being accomplished by Project Healing Waters and Family Tyes. Find out how an active club like the Boise Valley Fly Fishers supports FFF. Hear Federation President Peter Van Gytenbeek's summary of the Conclave events.

Trey Combs has been fly fishing, guiding and writing about steelhead for more than 50 years. He's an expert on this fish and has now written his fourth book on steelhead. Join us to learn about the history of steelhead fishing and all that he has learned about fishing for this extraordinary and challenging fish.

Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:

• What inspired you to write your book Flies for Atlantic Salmon & Steelhead?
• What is your prediction for the health of steelhead runs?
• What is the cause of the devastation of steelhead runs on the Thompson River?
• What was the first steelhead fly?
• What do you consider to be the most versatile fly rod for steelhead?
• What is your recommended terminal tackle setup?
• What is your favorite steelhead fly to use in British Columbia?
• What is your favorite fly for low water?
• What caused you to start using more black flies?
• What is the most effective way to present your flies?
• How does your presentation change from spring  to fall
• Why do you like to keep your fly broadside in the current?
• How do you use The Muddler for steelhead?
• What changes do you make to The Muddler so that it performs better?

Kirk Webb has been a professional guide in the Aspen and Glenwood Springs area since 2002. The lower Colorado River just below Glenwood Springs offers not only trout fishing but carp as well. Listen in an learn about this unique fishery and how to fish it.

Scott Carver, Co-Founder and CEO of onWater, will be introducing us to their state-of-the-art software that locates river access points, boat ramps, camping, parking, and know the distance between them. Plus current river flows and weather, everything you need including stream access laws and public land overlays which help you plan where to fish and eliminate the worry that you may be on private property. There's even more so join us and learn how this application can help make your fishing more enjoyable and keep you out of trouble.

Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:

• What is the onWater app?
• What is your mission?
• Does the onWater app work when there is no cell service?
• Can you download river maps?
• Can you find information on rivers, streams and lakes?
• How is the information kept up to date?
• Can you find put-ins, takeouts and campgrounds?
• Does it show private property boundaries?
• Is the river flow data real-time?
• Can you record your personal favorite places?
• How does it handle fishing reports?
• Can it be used on both desktop computers and phones?
• What are the goals for onWater in the coming years?

Matt McCannel, a professional guide, introduces us to the tailwaters of the Uncompahgre River (Paco). On the western slope of the Colorado Rockies, this tailwater yields incredible trophy browns and rainbow. Browns exceeding the 20-pound mark lurk in the shadows of boulders and stumps. Join us as Matt guides us down the river and shares his secrets to catching these monster fish.

Questions asked and answered during the interview:

• What's the best time of year to catch the trophy browns and rainbows?
• How do you find the trophy fish?
• What type of water do they inhabit?
• Do they attack streamers?
• What do they eat?
• What are the top three fly patterns that attract the big fish?
• Does Euro nymphing work for these fish?
• How accurate does your presentation have to be to get good takes?

Check out this video: Matt McCannel Sight Fishing Paco's Trophy Trout

Bryan Whiting, a high school teacher in Colorado, had dreamed of fishing in Alaska with his boys. Actually going, however, just seemed beyond the possible. How do I make the time? Where do I specifically go? When do I go? What do I ask when deciding between lodges, camps or guides? How do I make sure I don't get ripped off? What equipment do I need? Bryan will share his experience in getting the answers to these questions and many more on this show.

Rick Wallace is a well-traveled Australian fly fisher who lived and fished the island of Hokkaido, Japan extensively for four years. Unknown to many fly fishers taimen, rainbow trout, char and salmon are all prime targets on the island of Hokkaido. Taimen can get as large as one meter! Listen in to learn more about this fishery and find out where, when and how to fish this northernmost island in Japan.

Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:

• What fly fishing opportunities are there on the island?
• Where is the best place to stay on Hokkaido?
• What is the best time of year to fish on the island?
• Is the taimen found on Hokkaido similar to those in Mongolia?
• What is the best way to fish for taimen?
• What flies do you use for taimen?
• Where do you fish for rainbows and char?
• When is the best time to fish for salmon?

To hire local Japanese guides for fishing on Hokkaido visit Trout & King.

Randy Ratliff's home waters are in Eastern Tennessee and he's fished these waters most of his life. An Orvis endorsed professional guide Randy knows what it takes to get smallmouth bass on the fly. Listen in and learn Randy's secrets for hooking up with the smallies with a big bite.

Brian 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.

Talyor Streit has been fishing and guiding for more than 50 years. His knowledge of the northern New Mexico waters is tough to beat. Join us to talk about fishing the Rio Grande, Red River, Costilla Creek, and others. Learn about the new rulings by the supreme court on water access in New Mexico and also on how the recent fires have affected fishing.

Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:

• Have the recent fires in New Mexico affected the prime fishing areas?
• How did the recent New Mexico Supreme Court decision affect water access rights?
• How has fishing changed in New Mexico since you first came to the area?
• What's the best time of year for dry fly action?
• What segments of the Rio Grande fish best?
• Can you fish the Rio Grande gorge?
• Is New Mexico a good winter fishery?
• What segments of the Red River do you prefer to fish?
• Is there good public access to the rivers in New Mexico?
• What's the current situation with the Costilla Creek restoration project?
• Is Costilla Creek open for fishing?
• What stream flows should you look for to fish Costilla Creek?
• Is the Rio Chama still a good river to fish?