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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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Randy Wayne White Tells All (maybe)Randy Wayne White is a New York Times bestselling author of forty-five novels. Randy was a light tackle fishing guide at Tarpon Bay Marina, Sanibel Island for 13-years, did more than 3,000 charters, and draws heavily on those experiences for his novels about marine biologist Doc Ford and his quirky pals at Dinkin's Bay. His series of novels about fishing guide Hannah Smith has also received critical acclaim. Join us to learn about Randy's writing career, how he started, where he gets ideas, what motivates him and of course they'll be a few humorous stories about his travels in the fishing world.
Fly Fishing The Panama Canal & Pacific Coast RiversRich Cahill, a professional guide, naturalist, and expedition leader, has pioneered fly fishing the Panama Canal Gatun Lake for peacock bass and snook, as well as Pacific coast tarpon on the Bayano River. This unique fishery is one of a kind and is changing and evolving as we speak. Join us to learn about this incredible place to fish and the conservation efforts Rich has been working on to conserve and preserve Pacific coast tarpon.
Learn about how the Panama Canal works here.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How did you get started in ecotourism?
- When did you start offering guided fishing?
- How does the Panama Canal work?
- How does Gatun Lake interact with the Panama Canal?
- What fish do you target in Gatun Lake?
- How do you fish the lake?
- Can you fish for tarpon, peacock bass and snook on Gatun Lake on the same day?
- Do you sight fish or blind cast?
- Where is the Bayano River?
- What is the best way to fish for tarpon on the Bayano River?
- What flies do you use for tarpon?
- Where do you go to fish for bonefish and permit?
- How do you fish for bonefish and permit?
- What's the best way to experience the San Blas islands?
Redfish On The FlyJohn Kumiski has fished for redfish for over 20 years and has guided them for the past 10 years. John has researched redfish in great detail and shares his secrets on catching the big ones.
Famous Fly FishersNorm Zeigler interviewed twenty-one famous people who fly fish and has published his interviews in his latest book Famous Fly Fishers. These people are famous for what they have done in their careers and not for their contributions to fly fishing. Politicians, businessmen, bankers, musicians, astronauts, scientists and artists are just a few of the professions these fly fishers represent. Listen in while Norm tells us their stories of why they fish and what this great sport means to them. Whose stories will he tell? You'll have to join us to find out.
Fly Fishing, Writing and StoriesJohn Gierach has been writing about fly fishing for most of his life. He is the author of twenty-one books including Trout Bum, Sex, Death and Flyfishing, Standing in a River Waving a Stick and A Fly Rod of Your Own. Join us for a chat with John about his writing, inspiration and of course fly fishing.
Sight Fishing for TroutLandon Mayer has perfected the art of sight fishing for trout. His strategies and techniques have worked time after time landing him and his clients many trophy trout. Listen in and learn about the method he uses.
Making the Right Connection Between Natural Insects and Artificial FliesRick Hafele, a retired aquatic biologist, has studied and fished freshwater streams and rivers for over 40 years. He’s an expert on connecting the dots between the natural world of insects and the artificial world of flies. Listen in to learn how to recognize hatches, pick the right flies and be more successful on your favorite trout stream or river.
Fly Fishing Southern BelizeCharles Leslie started guiding in Belize when he was 19 years old. He learned to fly fish from Lefty Kreh and over the past 50 years he's become a master of casting and fly presentation to permit, tarpon, bonefish and snook. Join us to learn Charlie's approach to fishing which is based on the tides, weather, migratory patterns and other conditions that ensure you have the best opportunity to land the fish of a lifetime. Learn more by visiting Charlie Leslie Fly Fishing.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What are the differences in fishing Southern versus Northern Belize?
- What are the best times of year to fish Southern Belize?
- Do you need to be a good caster to fish for permit, bonefish, tarpon and snook?
- What's the secret to casting in the wind?
- Where are the best places to fish for bonefish?
- How do you present your flies to bonefish?
- Where are the best places to fish for snook?
- What are the best flies for snook?
- Where do you find migrating tarpon?
- What is the best way to fish gummy minnows for tarpon?
- When fishing for permit do you wade the flats or fish from the boat?
- What should you consider when presenting your fly to a permit?
- What's the secret to getting a good hook set with a permit?
Pacific Coast Flies & Fly FishingThe Pacific Coast offers fly fishers a wealth of angling opportunities from Alaska to the tip of Baja California. Scott Sadil's recent book Pacific Coast Flies & Fly Fishing covers many of the proven flies to use for trout, salmon, steelhead, and both inshore and bluewater species and how to fish them. Join us to learn about some of these popular fly patterns, their use, and a bit of history about how they came to be.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How did your latest book Pacific Coast Flies & Fly Fishing come about?
- Do you primarily "match the hatch"?
- Do you fish with whatever works?
- What makes "Bird's BWO Emerger" work?
- Why does the "Vanilla Bugger" attract fish?
- What does "My Favorite Terrestrial" imitate?
- How did the "Green Butt Muddler" come about?
- Does the "Miracle Fly" really work miracles on steelhead?
- How can you be more productive fishing the surf?
- When do you decide to use the "Bullador" in the salt?
- Where do you use "Squid Me" to get the best results?
- Is the "Trilobite" a good fly for surf perch?
Photography - How to Capture What You SeeCarol's photographs and paintings have not only appeared in most of her husband Skip's 21 fly-fishing and -tying books, but also on the covers and interior pages of such magazines and books as Grey's Sporting Journal, Fly Fisherman, Yale Angler's Journal, American Angler, Fly Fishing & Tying Journal, and America's Favorite Flies. Join us and learn how to take better photographs of the beautiful places you fish, your fishing buddies, fish and of course yourself.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What don't my photos turn out the way I see them?
- What do you recommend for pocket-sized, waterproof, point and shoot camera?
- Can you take good photos with your phone?
- What do you do to protect your camera from water?
- Do you use polarizing or warming filters?
- How to keep from stressing out the fish?
- How can you get a good photo of your fish when you are alone?
- What makes a compelling photograph?
- What time of day makes for the best photographs?
- What is the rule of thirds and how can it make my photos better?
- How can I improve the photos I'm taking?
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.
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.
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.
Tactics for Bass, Panfish, Pike & Other Warmwater SpeciesTim Jacobs is a guide and FFI Certified Casting Instructor who fishes both the warm waters of the midwest and the cold waters of the Rocky Mountains. Tim will be sharing tactics including rigs, techniques and fly patterns that you can use to catch more bass. panfish, pike, and other warmwater species. Join us and learn Tim's secrets to warmwater fly fishing.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- Where do you do most of your warmwater fishing?
- What does a fly fisher need to know about lakes to be productive?
- Is it more productive to fly fishing from a boat?
- How do you dissect an unknown lake?
- What types of rods and lines do you need for warmwater fly fishing?
- Where should you look for largemouth bass?
- What is your primary method for finding fish?
- What types of flies do you use for largemouth bass?
- When fishing rivers for smallmouth bass, how do you work the water?
- What's your go-to fly for smallmouth bass?
- Where do the pike hold in the water column?
- How do you rig up your leader and shock tippet for pike?
- What are your favorite types of flies for pike?
- Where is the best place to find pike?
Matching Eastern HatchesMayflies 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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