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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?
More about Alex Ross...
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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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Fly Fishing for Striped BassRich Murphy has been fly fishing for striped bass for more than 25 years and knows the northeast coast of the US like his backyard. Find out all of Rich’s secrets of catching and landing these exciting saltwater trophies.
Nymphing Strategies for Trinity River Steelhead: Flow, Depth, and ControlSteelhead 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?
A Systematic Approach to NymphingDuane Redford developed a systematic approach to nymphing so that as a guide he could hook his clients up with fish even in the most harsh and competitive environments. Learn his step-by-step methods for getting the most out of nymphing.
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.
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 for Sea-Run Cutthroat TroutChester Allen has been fly fishing for sea-run cutthroat trout for over 15 years. Listen in to hear his secrets and strategies for chasing these beautiful and aggressive feeding cutts, including in-depth information on how to figure the tides, find the best beaches, and how to rig for success.
Fly Fishing the Colorado River at Lee's FerryWendy Gunn, a professoinal guide on the Colorado River, introduces you to fly fishing Lee's Ferry. This tailwater, just below Glenn Canyon Dam and at the start of the Grand Canyon, is one of the most beautiful places on earth to fish. Learn Wendy's secrets to catching the trophy trout that make this place their home.
Casting, Mending, and Presentation for Difficult Angling SituationsThe challenge of fly fishing can increase dramatically when conditions become difficult. Whether it be due to weather, water, cover, hatches, distance, or a combination of those factors, when the angling gets tough, it pays to have a few tricks up your sleeve. Learn from Jason about ways to make difficult angling situations easier and more productive.
Top Pennsylvania Fly Fishing DestinationsRick Nyles started guiding in 1999 and has since grown his guide service to eight guides in Pennsylvania. His knowledge of Pennsylvania fisheries is deep and wide. Join us to talk about a few of the top Pennsylvania fisheries you want to add to your bucket list.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What books can you recommend that detail Pennsylvania waters?
- I'm coming to fish in Pennsylvania for the first time where should I go to maximize my trip?
- Where and when should I go to hit the Green Drake hatch?
- How do the state laws affect public access to the rivers and creeks?
- I want to swing wet flies to increase my fish numbers; where should I go to do this?
- What rivers or streams are the best for smallmouth bass fishing?
- What are the prime waters in the State College area?
- What's Penns Creek known for most?
- What are the top flies that you recommend for fishing Pennsylvania waters?
- What river would you fish in the Johnstone area?
- How do you get away from the crowds?
- What are the top rivers and creeks in Eastern Pennsylvania?
- What species of trout is Pennsylvania known most for?
- What are your tips for fishing the Lehigh River?
The Driftless Area of WisconsinGeri Meyer has been guiding the Driftless Area since 2006. She was fascinated by the 13,000 miles of Driftless trout creeks many of which flow through over 5 million acres of public land in Wisconsin. The last ice age left the Driftless Area with fractured limestone and sandstone. Water percolates through this rock into the ground and is filtered, cooled, and given an excellent PH level. The water then comes out as springs and seeps and gives us the incredible and abundant trout fishing there. Listen in to discover the secrets of this one of kind fishery.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- Where is the Driftless Area?
- Why is it called the Driftless Area?
- What are most of the streams like?
- What species are the primary targets?
- Are the fish wild or stocked?
- What are the major hatches?
- What dry fly hatch is exciting to fish?
- What sections of Grey Reef are the most productive?
- What flies work best on these spring creeks?
- What strategies do you use to fish these streams?
- Is stealth important in your approach to these fish?
- Do you do more dry fly fishing or nymphing?
- What towns are the favored places to stay when fishing the Driftless Area?
Fly Fishing the Truckee RiverMikey Wier has been guiding in the Lake Tahoe area for over 15 years and calls the Truckee River his home water. The Truckee River is a tailwater that flows from Lake Tahoe for 120 miles ending at Pyramid Lake, NV. Although this river is technically a tailwater, at times it flows like a freestone stream and at others it will fish like a Spring Creek. Listen in to learn Mikey’s secrets about fishing this challenging water.
Tying & Fishing Small FliesEd Engle specializes in tying and fishing small flies. Imitating small insects takes extra care and presenting those tiny flies, detecting the strikes and how to best play a trout on a small fly are all part of fishing small flies. Join us to learn Ed's secrets to accomplishing this.
After Dark Predators: Fly Fishing with Mouse Patterns for Trophy Brown TroutWhen the sun goes down, big brown trout come out to hunt—and few flies trigger more violent takes than a well-fished mouse. In this episode, Michigan guide Tommy Lynch breaks down the art and science of fly fishing with mouse patterns. We cover mouse fly design, rods and lines, presentation tactics, reading water at night, and how to safely fish after dark. If you want to target your biggest trout on purpose, this episode delivers the playbook.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What is it about mouse patterns that triggers such aggressive strikes from big brown trout at night?
- Are trout actually keying on real mice, or is it more about sound, silhouette, and disturbance?
- What time of year do you find mouse fishing to be most productive?
- Why do anglers target nighttime browns with mouse patterns, when subsurface steamers can be really effective at night and have much higher hook-up percentages?
- Are there particular geographic locations where nighttime mouse pattern fishing is most productive?
- What features do you look for in a great mouse fly—materials, buoyancy, tail, legs?
- Do you prefer foam, deer hair, or hybrid mouse patterns, and why?
- How does color matter at night—dark vs. light vs. natural tones?
- What’s your go-to retrieve when fishing a mouse pattern after dark?
- Do you prefer skating, waking, or subtle twitching—and when does each shine?
- What are the most common presentation mistakes anglers make with mouse flies?
- How do you “map” a piece of water during the day to fish it effectively at night?
- What rod, line, and leader setup do you recommend specifically for mouse fishing?
- What safety considerations should anglers think about before fishing at night?
Rivers of Northern CaliforniaAnthony Carruesco, a professional guide in northern California, guides on the Lower and Upper Sacramento, the Klamath, Pit and McCloud rivers. These beautiful waters produce rainbows, browns and pacific steelhead. Whether you float or wade, want to fish nymphs, dries or streamers, you'll be right at home. Listen in and learn all about these rivers and how to hook up with what some people consider California's gold.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- When is the best time of year to fish northern California rivers?
- What rivers are the best for wade fishing?
- What is the difference between fishing the Upper and Lower Sacramento River?
- How do you rig up to nymph deep rivers?
- What suspension device was developed to fish these rivers?
- What river is considered the premier trout fishery in California?
- What river has the best stonefly hatches?
- What river has the best steelhead fishing?
- Where do you fish for rainbows and char?
- What are the most prolific hatches on these rivers?
Lesser Known Fly Fishing Venues in South ParkMichele White, a professional guide in Lake George, Colorado, has extensively explored, fished and documented the tributaries of the South Platte River in South Park. South Park is home to Lake George, the Tarryall River, Lost Creek, Tomahawk, Badger Basin and the headwaters of the South Platte River. Listen in to this podcast if you're looking for fishing locations that are less pressured than the South Platte River but still in easy reach of the Denver metro area.
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