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Matching Eastern Hatches
Henry Ramsay
Fly Fisher, Fly Tier, Writer
Mayflies to caddisflies, knowing how to match the hatch can make or break your day on the water. Henry Ramsay, author of Matching Major Eastern Hatches will dive deep into the life cycles of key insects, the flies that best imitate them, and the strategies you need to fool more trout. Whether you’re new to entomology or a seasoned angler looking to refine your approach, this episode will help you unlock the secrets to more productive days on the stream.Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- Henry, what inspired you to write Matching Major Eastern Hatches and how does it differ from other hatch-matching books?
- For someone new to Eastern waters, how important is it to understand insect life cycles compared to simply having the “right” fly?
- What do you consider the six most important insect groups anglers need to master in the East?
- What role does observation—both streamside and in-hand—play in accurately identifying a hatch?
- Do you think that more emphasis should be placed on fly fishermen being able to identify nymph and pupa stages of mayflies and caddis flies?
- When matching a hatch do you prefer a fly that is a direct match or more of a general look fly?
- Mayflies are the poster child of hatch-matching—what are the major Eastern species anglers should know?
- How can you tell when trout are feeding on emergers?
- Regarding multiple flies, what conditions determine the setup you use?
- How important are mayfly spinner falls to the trout angler?
- Caddisflies often confuse anglers compared to mayflies—what key differences should we focus on?
- How do you fish caddis emergences differently from mayflies in terms of presentation?
- Stoneflies are often overlooked in the East compared to the West—how important are they in Eastern streams?
- What common mistakes do anglers make when trying to fish a stonefly hatch?
- Midges can be intimidating because of their size—how critical are they to Eastern fly fishers?
- How do you adjust your fly selection when conditions are tough and trout ignore traditional hatch patterns?
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Fly Fishing Is More Than Euro Nymphing
Aaron Jasper
Fly Fisher/Guide/Fly Tier
Euro nymphing may dominate the rivers, but it’s only part of the story. Join Aaron Jasper as he reveals why being a versatile angler makes fly fishing more rewarding—and more productive. From lessons learned over 44 years on the water, to the balance between numbers and trophy fish, to his top five insights from 2025, Aaron shares wisdom that will help you catch more fish and deepen your love of the sport.Ask Aaron Jasper your most important questions on enjoyable and effective fly fishing...
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California Corbina on the Fly
Al Quattrocchi has been fly fishing for corbina on the southern shores of California for many years. He's obsessed with the fish and the challenge to catch them. Some say it's one of the hardest fish to catch on the fly, even harder than permit. Join us and learn about this incredible fish and how to hook up with them on the fly.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How were you first introduced to corbina?
- What are the history, characteristics, and size?
- Where are corbina found?
- When is the best time of year to target them?
- What type of habitat do corbina prefer?
- What is their behavior like?
- What do corbina eat?
- What signs do you look for to find them?
- What weight fly rod do you use?
- Do you use floating, intermediate or sinking lines?
- What flies work best for corbina?
- Do you do more sight fishing or blind casting?
- What is the best way to present your fly?
- What are some of the mistakes fly fishers make when casting to corbina?
- What's the best way to land and handle a corbina?
Carp In The CityDave Maynard fishes for carp where ever he can find them and many times it's under freeway viaducts or with a backdrop of skyscrapers rather than mountains. Join us to learn how to catch these hard to catch fish.
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.
Fly Fishing Taos & Santa FeTalyor 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?
Fly Fishing the San Juan RiverJohn Tavenner a professional guide on the San Juan River in New Mexico knows every inch of this trophy producing tailwater. Listen in while he tells his secrets of fly fishing for big trout with little bugs.
Trout, Salmon and CharTom Boyd has traveled the world studying trout, salmon and char. He's tagged them, done DNA analysis, studied their habitat and range as well as individual characteristics. In his recent book Trout Salmon and Char he presents new findings, behavior patterns and proven tactics to catch more fish. Join us and pick Tom's brain about this new data he's collected so you can better understand these fish and catch more of them.
Matching Warmwater Baitfish: Patterns and Techniques for Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Muskie, and Other PredatorsMaster guide Kevin Feenstra reveals his proven techniques for targeting bass, musky, pike, and carp using baitfish patterns the fish love. Drawing from over two decades of guiding experience on Michigan's mighty Muskegon River, Kevin shares his expert strategies for reading water and presenting flies to these hard-hitting fish.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- You recently published Matching Warmwater Baitfish. What inspired you to write it and how did it come about?
- What makes baitfish patterns so effective for targeting predatory fish like smallmouth and largemouth bass, muskie, and others?
- How important is fly size when imitating baitfish for different predators?
- What are the key differences in how smallmouth and largemouth bass hunt baitfish?
- What are your go-to baitfish patterns for smallmouth bass, and how do they differ from those for largemouth?
- What are some effective retrieves when fishing baitfish patterns for bass?
- What makes muskie such a challenging species to catch on the fly?
- Can you explain the "figure eight" technique and when to use it when targeting muskie?
- What is your goto pattern for musky?
- What is your favorite throwback fly to convert muskie that follow but won't eat?
- What are some effective techniques for fishing baitfish flies in heavy cover or structure?
- How do water clarity and light conditions affect baitfish fly selection?
- Is there a searching baitfish pattern that you prefer to use when fishing new water?
- What are some key materials for tying realistic and effective baitfish imitations?
- What advice do you have for anglers looking to improve their success with baitfish imitations?
Streamer StrategiesRich Strolis a professional guide who's spent many years on the Farmington and Housatonic rivers shares his secrets about fly fishing with streamers. Rich had developed streamer tactics that many consider unconventional but they work! Listen in to hear him talk about what he's learned.
Poppers, Sliders & DiversSteve Schweitzer dives deep in tying and fishing some of the most exciting flies to fish for topwater. Listen in to learn his secrets on designing and fishing poppers, sliders and divers.
Federation of Fly Fishers 2006 ConclaveThe 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.
Cruising for CarpPaul Rose was sight fishing for tailing carp before it was “hip”. He's tackled all the challenges associated with these freshwater bonefish and considers these explorations with his clients the basis for their saltwater training school. Listen in to learn about fly fishing for carp - something you can do almost anywhere in the world.
Top Saltwater FliesDrew Chicone is one of the top saltwater fly tiers today. His innovative patterns and variations on old favorites catch fish and that's what it's all about. In his recent three volume set of fly tying books, Top Saltwater Flies, Drew provides his top patterns for bonefish, permit and tarpon. Join us to learn how Drew comes up with his designs and his specific techniques in tying flies that catch fish in the salt.
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.
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.
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?
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