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Imposters - The Flies We Fish And The Fish They Catch
Skip Morris
Fly Fisher/Fly Tier/Author
Skip and Carol Ann Morris are well known in the fly fishing world and they have stories to tell... Their latest book Imposters takes us on a trip of colorful fly fishing experiences blending stories, insights, history and instruction all based on those imposters at the end of our lines. Join us on what will be a fun as well as enlightening episode as they share those experiences with us.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How did the idea come about for you book Imposters and how did you decide to work together on it?
- The title of the book is Imposters. At the most basic level, what are we really asking a fish to believe when we put an artificial fly in front of it?
- Could you provide some insight into how flies which appear to represent nothing in nature seem to catch fish like crazy?
- Fly tiers can become obsessed with making a fly look exactly like the insect they're imitating. How much does anatomical accuracy really matter to the fish?
- The two of you checked the dimensions of your fly drawings with a draftsman's divider so the tails, wings, hackles, thoraxes, and other components would have correct proportions. Why was that level of accuracy important to you, and how difficult is it to draw a fly accurately enough that a fly tier could actually learn from the illustration?
- Do you find that when drawing a fly it forces you to notice details about its proportions, materials, or construction that even the person tying it might overlook?
- In "The Promise, the Beaver, and the Branch," an apparently insignificant piece of water turns out to be much better than you expected. What can that experience teach us about learning to read water without prejudging it?
- Your chapter-opening illustrations don't simply show flies; they often combine the fly with fish, insects, anglers, wildlife, or scenes from the essay. For example, the opening illustration for "The Promise, the Beaver, and the Branch" brings together the trout, beaver, insect, branch, and fly. How do you decide which elements of Skip's story should become the visual story?
- Carol Anne because you're illustrating something Skip knows intimately as both a tier and fisherman, what is the collaboration like? Does Skip ever look over your shoulder and say, "That hackle is too long," or do you have artistic veto power?
- I am a new fly tyer, what pattern is a good start for me for an imposter pattern?
- The Guest Box includes everything from chironomid pupae to Booby Flies and your Predator. Is it more useful for an angler to organize a fly box around specific insects or around how and where the flies will be fished?
- Carol Ann you've spent a lot of time fishing with Skip as well as illustrating his books. Has being an artist changed the way you observe things when you're on the water—the insects, fish, light, vegetation, or other details that the rest of us might walk right past?
- How should an angler change the fly and presentation when trout appear to be taking insects trapped in or just below the surface film?
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Fly Fishing the Legendary North Umpqua for Steelhead
Joe Howell
Fly Fisher, Fly Tier, Guide, Author
The North Umpqua is legendary among steelhead fly fishers—but success on this demanding river takes more than simply showing up with a fly rod. Former guide and author Joe W. Howell shares what you need to know to fish the North Umpqua with confidence. Discover how to read its distinctive water, choose productive flies and techniques, approach steelhead effectively, and adapt to changing river conditions. Along the way, Joe draws on years of experience to help you better understand—and appreciate—one of America’s most storied steelhead rivers.Ask Joe Howell your most important questions on fly fishing the North Umpqua for steelhead...
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Fly Fishing, Writing and Stories
John 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.
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?
SelectivityMatt Supinski a professional guide has fished for fussy trout, salmon and steelhead and knows how to approach and get them interested no matter what. Join us as Matt shares his secrets about fly fishing for selective fish.
Olympic National Forest SteelheadLael, a professional guide in Washington, lives and breathes steelhead fishing in the Olympic National Forest. A steelhead catch is something that will change you as a person during and for sure after the fight, whether you win or lose the first battle. Join us to learn Lael’s secrets to success for steelhead!
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What makes the Olympic National Forest so special?
- What differences are there between wild and hatchery steelhead?
- What is the best time of year to fish for steelhead?
- What are the differences between the types of rivers in the area?
- What are the differences between fishing with a single-handed rod and spey rod?
- What type of line do you use and what types of tips do you use?
- What are the ideal types of flies and what makes them stand out to the fish?
- What method works best for steelhead nymphing or swing flies?
- How is the take different between nymphs and streamers that you swing?
- What do you recommend for clothing when fishing in the winter?
- Do the moon phases and weather affect the steelhead bite?
- What is the health and status of Olympic National Forest steelhead?
Permit on the Fly in Yucatan's Ascension BayDick Cameron has experienced over 800 permit landed and countless hundreds more hooked or near hooked either personally or through the accounts of his friends, clients and guides. To understand permit you need to be in the thick of them and Dick certainly is. Listen in to hear Dicks tips, tricks and secrets to getting hooked up with a permit.
Fly Fishing the Finger Lakes Region of New YorkMike Hogue, a professional fly tier and fly shop owner, has fished the Finger Lakes region of New York for over 25 years. The lakes, unique unto themselves in beauty, offer salmon, rainbow trout and lake trout all available on the fly. Listen in as Mike takes us on a tour of this unusual fishing destination and shares his secrets to success in fishing in this area.
- What finger lakes are the most important for fly fishing?
- Do you fish both the lakes, streams and tributaries?
- What species of fish can be targeted with a fly?
- What lake should you fish if you want to catch a Lake Trout on the fly?
- Are there migratory rainbow runs on all the lakes?
- What time of year do each of the migratory runs happen?
- Which lake has the famous Brown Drake hatch?
- What type of boat is the best to use on the lakes?
- What type and size of flies work best for the salmon?
Madison River: Upper, Lower and in the ParkKelly Galloup lives and runs his shop and lodge just minutes from the Madison River. He's guided on the river for over 17 years and knows the river intimately. Whether you want to fish the upper, the lower or the section in Yellowstone Park he'll be able to guide you to success. Listen to this podcast and discover what it takes to be successful on this famous river.
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.
Silver Creek – The Legend and Its FutureMatthew Miller is the director of science communications for The Nature Conservancy and has fished Silver Creek countless times. Silver Creek is well known for testing the skills of many an accomplished fly fisher so Matt’s tips for fishing it will be invaluable. Join us and learn about fishing this legendary fishery and what changes are taking place that may affect the future of this spring creek.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What was your first experience with Silver Creek?
- What makes it special for you?
- Can you give us a tour of Silver Creek?
- What species do you target?
- What's the best time of year to fish?
- Are there trophy fish to be caught in the creek?
- What is the best way to fish the creek?
- What hatches are common in this water?
- How important is it to match the hatch?
- Are the fish there really as picky as some people describe?
- The fishery is known for its dry fly fishing. Is nymphing also effective?
- What is the Nature Conservancy's history with Silver Creek?
- What does the future look like for Silver Creek?
How to Get a Grand Slam in the SaltRick Hartman a professional guide on the Texas coast who specializes in redfish. Listen in to Rick's secrets on hooking up with the big ones.
Carp On The FlyFly fishing for carp is one of the hottest fishing challenges around; they're big, smart and are found almost everywhere. Join Brad Befus on this podcast as he exposes the secrets of fly fishing for carp and learn the strategies and techniques of catching these challenging fish.
The onWater App - New Technology for Fly FishersScott Carver, Co-Founder and CEO of onWater, will be introducing us to their state-of-the-art software that locates river access points, boat ramps, camping, parking, and know the distance between them. Plus current river flows and weather, everything you need including stream access laws and public land overlays which help you plan where to fish and eliminate the worry that you may be on private property. There's even more so join us and learn how this application can help make your fishing more enjoyable and keep you out of trouble.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What is the onWater app?
- What is your mission?
- Does the onWater app work when there is no cell service?
- Can you download river maps?
- Can you find information on rivers, streams and lakes?
- How is the information kept up to date?
- Can you find put-ins, takeouts and campgrounds?
- Does it show private property boundaries?
- Is the river flow data real-time?
- Can you record your personal favorite places?
- How does it handle fishing reports?
- Can it be used on both desktop computers and phones?
- What are the goals for onWater in the coming years?
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.
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
Tangling with TarponThose that have fished for the Tarpon say it's addicting. So if you dare join Tad Burke a professional guide in the Florida Keys and learn his secrets about hooking up with a Tarpon and staying hooked.
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