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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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Magnificent Roosterfish: Unlocking the Secrets of El GalloThey’re fast, powerful, and one of the toughest fish to fool on a fly—roosterfish, or El Gallo. Join us as legendary angler Tom Boyd shares his decades-long pursuit of these magnificent predators in Costa Rica. From world-record catches to breakthrough tactics, Tom reveals what makes roosters so elusive, how to spot and hook them, and why landing one is considered the pinnacle of saltwater fly fishing. Don’t miss this chance to learn the secrets of chasing one of the ocean’s most extraordinary game fish!
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What makes roosterfish one of the most challenging saltwater fish to catch on a fly?
- How do their unique auditory and visual senses make them so difficult to fool?
- Can you explain the role of the dorsal comb and how roosterfish use it to hunt or herd baitfish?
- How does the behavior of roosters differ between calmer waters like Baja beaches and the rougher open Pacific waters of Costa Rica?
- Tell us about your very first encounter with a roosterfish on the Costa Rica/Nicaragua border—what did you see and how did it change your fishing path?
- Walk us through your 1998 catch in Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo—the first large roosterfish taken on fly under IGFA rules. What made it possible that day?
- How did that world-record catch open doors for you, including your work with Crocodile Bay in Costa Rica?
- What role does structure—like reefs, points, or guano-covered cliffs—play in locating roosters?
- What do you look for in bird activity when scanning a beach for signs of roosterfish?
- What’s your preferred rod, reel, and line setup for roosterfish in Costa Rica?
- Tell us about the development of Boyd’s Wounded Baitfish fly. What made it so effective?
- How closely do you try to “match the hatch” when choosing fly colors and sizes for Costa Rica?
- What retrieves have you found most effective—steady strips, erratic jerks, or wounded-baitfish movements?
- What are your tips for setting the hook properly on roosterfish, given their tendency to spit flies?
- How do you recommend fighting a rooster—rod angles, pressure, and handling jumps?
- Roosterfish are listed as “data deficient” by the IUCN. What past and current research have you done that will help us to understand roosterfish better in Costa Rica and other parts of the world.
Tailwaters of the Uncompahgre RiverMatt 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
Midge SecretsRick Takahashi considers midges the most important year-round foods source for trout and they are in almost every stream and lake around the world. Listen in to learn about tying and fishing midges that will work no matter where live.
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.
Babine - World-Renowned Steelhead and Trout RiverThe Babine River in Britsh Columbia has long been known as one of the finest steelhead and trout rivers in the world. Pierce Clegg owned and operated the Babine Norlakes Trout Lodge for 30 years. His knowledge of the river is unmatched. Listen to this podcast to find out how the river used to be, how it is now and how it might be in the future. Is it still one of those fisheries you should have on your bucket list? Tune in and find out.
Cracked: The Ugly Truth About DamsSteven Hawley, an environmental journalist, has revealed the ugly truth about dams. The estimated 800,000 dams in the world can’t be blamed for destroying the Earth’s entire biological inheritance, but they play an outsized role in that destruction. What started as an arguably good government project has drifted oceans away from that original virtuous intent. Join us to learn about the effect dams have had on our planet and what the future of dams can be in our warming world.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- You recently published "Cracked: The Future of Dams in a Hot, Chaotic World." What inspired you to write the book?
- How do you see the role of dams evolving in the context of global climate change?
- What are some innovative alternatives to dams for water management and power generation?
- Can you share a story from the book that particularly moved or motivated you?
- Detractors to dam removal cite the financial and environmental benefits of dams. Can you provide a counterpoint to these arguments?
- How do you propose we balance the human need for water and power with the ecological necessity to maintain free-flowing rivers?
- How do indigenous and local communities fit into the narrative around dams and their impact?
- Can you talk about a specific dam removal project that you cover in the book and its outcomes?
- Can you discuss specific examples where dam removal has led to noticeable improvements in fishing quality or fish biodiversity?
- In some cases, a dam removal would destroy fisheries as we know them. What are your thoughts on those situations?
- What are the most common misconceptions about dams?
- Is it possible to remove a dam like the Glen Canyon Dam?
- Are dams still being built in the United States?
- How do you see the dialogue around dams changing in the next decade?
Mammoth Lakes Fly FishingChris Leonard has been guiding and teaching fly fishing in the Mammoth Lakes, California area since 2005. Mammoth Lakes is well known for its ski area but it also hosts some great fisheries. Hot Creek, the Owens River, the San Joaquin River, Rock Creek, Rush Creek and Crowley Lake are some of Chris's favorites. Listen in and learn about these eastern Sierra fisheries and how to best fish these waters.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- When is the best time of year to fish the Mammoth Lakes rivers, creeks and lakes?
- What is the difference between fishing the Upper and Lower Owens River?
- What river has Golden Trout in it?
- What makes Hot Creek so special?
- Is Tenkara a good system to use on these fisheries?
- What river is known for its hopper fishing?
- What river can you get a grand slam on?
- What's the best way to find fish in Crowley Lake?
- Can you fish Crowley Lake from a float tube?
- What flies work best on these waters?
Midge PresentationDavy Wotton, a master of fly fishing streams, will help refine your small fly presentation skills. Listen in to learn about the gear, leader, tippets, approach, casts and all the critical factors to be successful with midges.
Tying Guide Flies and Other FavoritesColorado professional guide Landon Mayer is well known in the Rockies for putting his clients on to incredible trophy trout. Landon shares tying steps and fishing and rigging tips for several of his signature guide flies for trout and bass. These nymphs, dry flies, and streamers have proven to be effective around the world. Join us and get the lowdown on why these flies work and how you can use them to catch more fish. GoFundMe page for Landon: https://gofund.me/b29b467e
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How did you get started fly fishing?
- What are the elements of a guide fly?
- What size flies do you typically tie and fish?
- Do you prefer to tie flies for a specific location or general flies that can be used at multiple places?
- In a typical day of fishing, how many different fly patterns do you fish?
- What inspired you to create the Tube Midge?
- Why is the Tube Midge an important fly to have in your box?
- What makes the Trident Tube Midge different from other stillwater midge patterns?
- How do you rig for the Trident Tube Midge, and how do you fish it?
- What was the reason you created Mayer's Mini Leech?
- What colors do you type Mayer's Mini Leech in?
- What makes the Mini Leech Jig Damsel different from other stillwater damsel patterns?
- What are the key elements of the Mini Leech Jig Damsel?
- How did you come up with the Tails Up Trico, and why is it such a deadly pattern?
- What is your most tied fly, and is it the most effective fly in the varied waters and conditions we face in fly fishing?
- Which fly you designed surprised you the most on how successful it was and how popular it became? ...and why?
Sheepshead On The Fly In Southwest FloridaCaptain Codty Pierce, a professional fly fishing guide, grew up on the southwest coast of Florida and knows the waters there better than most. His target in the winter when the waters cool are sheepshead also known as convict fish because of their vivid stripes. Sheepshead have developed a reputation that rivals permit, they are hard to catch on a fly but are super exciting because you are sight fishing to tailing fish on shallow oyster beds and can see the take. Join us to learn Codty's techniques for hooking up with these challenging fish.
Questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What is the average size of a sheepshead?
- Where do you find sheepshead?
- What type of water do they inhabit?
- What's the best time of year to catch the larger sheepshead?
- What do they eat?
- What fly patterns work best?
- How should you present your flies to get good takes?
Fly Fishing for Atlantic SalmonPaul Marriner shares his 25+ years of experience fly fishing for Atlantic Salmon. Learn his secrets about tactics, flies, casting and playing this classic trophy fish.
Bristol Bay’s Sockeye Salmon and Rainbow TroutBill Horn has had a fifty-year connection with Alaska. Each year 60 million or more wild salmon run up the rivers of Bristol Bay and of course, rainbow trout are right there with them. Bill will share his knowledge of the natural history, culture, and management of this fishery along with fishing strategies, fly choices, and trip planning. Listen in to learn more about this outstanding and one-of-a-kind fishery.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What inspired you to write Crimson Wave?
- Why is Bristol Bay so important?
- What does Bristol Bay represent?
- Who are the people that live in Bristol Bay?
- Why are sockeye salmon important to commercial fishing?
- Are the sockeye salmon a sustainable species?
- Why are sockeye hard to catch on a fly?
- Why don't sockeye have the respect that other salmon have?
- What is the lifecycle of sockeye?
- Is it better to fish for sockeye nearest the sea before they begin to change color?
- What weight rod do you use for sockeye?
- Why are sockeye important to rainbows?
- What fly fishing techniques or presentations do you use for rainbows?
- What is the status of the controversial Pebble Mine project?
Fly Fishing the Boundary WatersJim Blauch has guided the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota for the past 20 years. If you want solitude and crazy smallmouth bass fly fishing listen in and Jim will spill the beans on this great destination.
Saltwater Fly Design TechniquesBob Popovics is well known among salt water fly tiers to say the least and his designs are not only innovative but effective. The process of fly creation is a living, organic one and not a mechanical one for Bob, he doesn’t tie so much as he creates. If you’re looking for some tips on tying some great salt water patterns join us as we try to unravel Bob’s brain and get to the bottom of great fly creation.
Pyramid Lake CutthroatsDenis Isbister travels the world in search of fish but Pyramid Lake is on his home turf. Join us on this show where Denis will talk about how to get the trophy Lahontan cutthroat trout on the fly, which call Pyramid Lake their home.
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