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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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Next Episode in the Works: Stay with Us!
Hello, listeners! We wanted to give you a quick update: while we're still finalizing our next guest for the show, rest assured that we're working hard to bring you another exciting and insightful episode. Stay tuned for more details, and in the meantime, feel free to check out our past episodes or drop us a line with any topics you'd like to hear more about. Thanks for your continued support and patience!
Nymphing The New WayJonathan White has fishing all over the world and has found the new methods of European nymphing to be one of the most effect fly fishing methods used. In this show Jonathan will dig deep into the French leader method and will talk about sight nymphing, short and long range indicator nymphing, dry fly presentations and fishing for grayling, carp and steelhead.
Fly Fishing Spring CreeksMike Lawson was born and raised in southeastern Idaho and has fished the Henry's Fork, a classic spring creek, his whole life. Mike worked on his book, "Spring Creeks", for over 12 years producing a comprehensive work about fishing spring creeks and tailwaters. You'll enjoy hearing Mike share his knowledge about fishing spring creeks and tailwaters on this podcast.
Building Bamboo Fly RodsRay Gould has been building bamboo fly rods since 1958. Join us to hear this master rod builder talk about the machines and tools necessary, selecting cane, creating precise tapers, step-by-step construction, finishing steps, and many more tips on building bamboo rods.
Largemouth Bass and BugsSkip Morris shares his secrets of finding and catching big largemouth bass as well as tips on tying bass bugs and flies.
Fly Fishing the Yellowstone RiverCraig Mathews has fished the Yellowstone River for over 30 years. Join us to hear Craig tell about the best strategies and tactics to use on this renowned river.
The Perfect CastGary Borger is a master caster and well-known on the Fly Fishing Show circuit for his simple explanations and fly-casting demonstrations. Gary presents casting development and skill acquisition, from rod grips to highly detailed descriptions of the three core methods of fly casting. He also details the essential Acceleration, Loop Formation, and Energy Transfer (A.L.E.) plus much, much more. Listen in and I know your casting will improve.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What is a Perfect Cast?
- What are the two cardinal rules of fly casting?
- What are some effective ways to practice casting?
- What rod grips are most commonly used?
- What stances should you use when casting?
- What is A.L.E?
- When doing a forward cast, do you break your wrist at the end of your cast?
- How do you control your loop?
- What should your line managing hand be doing when you are casting?
- What is the best way to cast a weighted nymph rig?
- How much line should you have out when casting?
- What is the best way to pick up line out of the water?
- What is the best way to mend your line?
- Why do you need to be able to cast more than 40 feet?
Backpack Fly FishingDan Steere has moved towards a simpler easier to manage method of fly fishing. Let's face it you can't take all your gear on a backpacking trip and still have room for your food and tent. If you want to catch a wide variety of fish with simple, minimalist equipment that can fit into a daypack or backpack you'll want to listen to Dan's ideas and methods. Join us to see how you can get back to a simpler approach to fly fishing and enjoy it.
DIY Fly Fishing VacationsRod Hamilton has been helping fly fishers find the best do it yourself locations for many years. He's traveled the world looking for locations that have local fishing experts that can be called upon for help, accurate fishing reports, vacation rental properties and other points of interest you may want to explore. Many times it's not easy to find these locations but Rod has made it happen. Join us and help me pick Rods brain on how to make a do it yourself fishing vacation a memorable one.
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?
High Stick NymphingKelly Galloup, a professional guide in Montana, talks about high stick nymphing and reading the water. Join us to learn techniques that will fine tune your nymphing presentations and hook you up with more fish.
New Mexico's Trout WatersSpencer Seim has been guiding in northern New Mexico since 1995 and calls the Cimarron River, Rio Grande, Costilla Creek, and Ute Creek his home waters. Listen in to hear where and when to come to this picture perfect area and find out how to best fish these mountain waters.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What are the top three most scenic and productive trout streams in northern New Mexico?
- What is the best time of year to fish northern New Mexico?
- Where can you catch the native Rio Grande Cutthroat trout?
- What is Rio Costilla Creek best known for?
- What is the special hatch that occurs on the Cimmarron River?
- What river has an incredible trico hatch?
- What river is known for its awesome dry fly fishing?
- What is Spencer's connection to the book "The Feather Thief"?
Cutthroat on the Upper Snake RiverPaul Bruun has fly fished and guided on the Upper Snake River for over 35 years. His understanding of his home waters and the native cutthroat trout are second to none. Listen in to learn about fly fishing this incredible water for an incredible fish.
Casting Forward, Onward, and SeawardSteve Ramirez is a fly fisher, writer, educator, master naturalist, philosopher, and outdoor adventurer. He's traveled four continents writing about fishing, landscapes, human cultures, and the natural world. He's written for many of the major periodicals and is publishing his latest book Casting Seaward. This book is the third in a book series that started with Casting Forward and was followed by Casting Onward. Join us and hear Steve's thoughts on fly fishing, conservation, restoration, and his hopes for the future of planet earth.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- When did you start writing?
- What effect do your previous careers have on your writing today?
- What do you use fly fishing as the basis for your stories?
- What are your books about and what effect do you hope they'll have on your readers?
- Does writing energize you or exhaust you?
- Do you make notes during a trip and then write about it later?
- How do you think your writing will help the natural world?
- Where and when do you write?
- In all your travels what was the most challenging species, you fished for?
- Of all the places you've traveled and fished, what is the most memorable?
- What can we do as fly fishers to help combat global warming?
- As humans are we working to conserve, preserve, or destroy our natural world?
- Do you think the world would be better off without humans?
- Do you think we can reverse the current trends that adversely affect our environment?
Colorado's Roaring Fork RiverTim Heng has fished the Roaring Fork River in Colorado for 30 years. Learn all about fly fishing the Roaring Fork and the secrets of hooking up with the lunkers that call it home..
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