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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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Common Sense Fly FishingEric Sroup is a professional guide and he's determined to make his fly fishing clients successful on every trip. Listen in as Eric shares the same information he shares with his clients everyday on how to catch more trout - practical common sense techniques.
Kayak Fly FishingBen Duchesney will share the secrets to fly fishing from kayaks from choosing the right boat and gear to paddle strokes, casting and line management. Whether you paddle warmwater, coldwater or saltwater you're bound to learn some strategies and tactics you can use on your next outing.
Brook Trout: Conservation & FishingBob Mallard is an authority on brook trout and contributes to many of the conservation efforts that are in place today. Brook trout are native to the Eastern United States and were an important gamefish for early anglers. Listen to this podcast to hear about the history, conservation efforts, fly fishing techniques and where to find brook trout today.
Casting HomewardJoin us for an engaging episode with Steve Ramirez, author of Casting Homeward. Dive into America's legendary landscapes—from New England's songbird-filled woods to Yellowstone's wild valleys and Bristol Bay's bear-populated rivers. Steve explores the magic of iconic places that restore our souls and inspire awe. Tune in for a philosophical journey through the wild heart of America and discover stories that connect us to nature's timeless beauty.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- You just published Casting Homeward the fourth book in your casting series. Can you describe the Casting Series?
- What inspired you go on this multi-year fly fishing quest of discovery?
- What do you hope readers will get out of your books?
- What authors and works have influenced your writing?
- When and where did you start flyfishing?
- What is your favorite place to flyfish and what would be the target species?
- What is Casting Homeward about?
- What was your experience fishing in Alaska?
- What species of fish impressed you the most and why?
- Did fishing in Alaska change how you think and feel about the natural world?
- What did you discover in Montana and what were your experiences?
- You spent some time in The Catskills, considered the birthplace of American Fly Fishing. What were your thoughts while fishing there?
- You started your book with Texas and ended with Texas. What makes Texas special to you?
Fly Fishing the Inland OceansJerry Darkes takes us on a tour of the Great Lakes including both warmwater and cold water fisheries. Learn about the best places to go for steelhead, northern pike, lake trout, smallmouth bass, trout and salmon.
The Henry's Fork: A Half Century of Fly FishingDoug Gibson, a professional guide in Idaho, has been guiding for over 40 years on the Henry's Fork. After over 4,000 trips under his belt, he knows this river better than most. The fish in the Henry's Fork are some of the toughest trout on the planet to catch but Doug knows the strategies and tactics to get them hooked up. Join us on this podcast and hear Doug’s expert advice on fly fishing the Henry's Fork.
Fly Fishing for Trophy Trout in Georgia's Noontootla CreekKent Klewein is well known in Georgia for being the top guide for putting clients on trophy rainbow and brown trout on Noontootla Creek and its tributaries. Learn how to hook up with these trophies southern style on this show.
Tying NymphsCharlie Craven is a top-selling signature fly designer for Umpqua Feather Merchants. He's also a great teacher so if you want to learn a bunch of great fly tying techniques join us for an in-depth study of tying nymphs.
What Fly for What Bug?Peter Stitcher is an aquatic biologist who knows what flies work best to imitate the stage of insects in their lifecycle. Are you ever confused about what file to use when? Join us to learn about the lifecycles of the most common insects we encounter on rivers and lakes and how to pick the perfect fly for the job.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What are the three categories you use to describe flies?
- What is more important size, color or shape?
- Why are flies like the Red Dart and Blowtorch so effective?
- How do you organize your fly boxes?
- What is a life cycle and why is it important to understand?
- What are the life cycles for mayflies, caddisflies, midges and stoneflies?
- What stages of the life cycles are the most productive for fishing?
- What flies work best to imitate the different stages?
- What places do you look to see what insects are active?
- How would you imitate daphnia?
- Is fly selection just as important as drift depth and presentation?
Wet Fly Techniques for Big TroutDavy Wotton has caught a lot of big trout in the past 30 years and wet fly fishing in the traditional style is one of the biggest reasons for his success. Listen and find out about Davy's techniques and how to master them.
The Most Common Nymph Fishing MistakesRick Hafele has made many nymphing mistakes over the years and also watched others do the same. Sometimes knowing what not to do can make the difference as well. Join us to sort it all out and clean up your nymphing.
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?
Kayak Fly Fishing in Baja MexicoGary Bulla is an expert on fly fishing salt water from Point Conception to the Sea of Cortez. He has landed over 130 species on the fly. Listen in to learn Gary's strategies and techniques for fly fishing from a kayak in Baja, Mexico.
Topwater to Bottom: Cracking the Code on Smallmouth BassSmallmouth bass aren’t just aggressive they’re strategic. Jake Villwock breaks down how to consistently catch more fish by targeting all three feeding zones: topwater, mid-column, and bottom. He reveals how modern fly design—from foam bugs to articulated baitfish and lifelike crayfish has transformed the game. Whether you’re chasing explosive surface eats or dialing in subsurface tactics, you’ll learn how to fish smarter, adapt faster, and unlock the full potential of smallmouth on the fly.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What first drew you to smallmouth bass on the fly, and what keeps you obsessed with them today?
- What are good weights of fly lines and leaders for both topwater and wet fly fishing for smallmouth?
- What size leader do you use?
- What are the biggest mistakes anglers make when fishing surface flies for bass?
- For anglers new to bass on the fly, what are the top three surface flies they should always carry?
- Your book mentions how modern topwater flies have evolved from bulky deer hair bugs to more refined foam and articulated patterns. What drove that evolution?
- What about a dropper off a popper suspended 18”-24”. What depth of water would that be successful
- What conditions create the perfect topwater smallmouth bite?
- How important is observation when determining what bass are feeding on at the surface—mayflies, frogs, damsels, baitfish, cicadas, and so on?
- What are your favorite retrieves for poppers, sliders, and waking flies?
- Moving into the mid-column zone, can you explain what a “swim fly” really is and why this style has become so effective?
- When fishing mid-column flies, how do you decide between floating, sink-tip, and intermediate lines?
- Crayfish patterns are a major focus in your book. What makes crayfish such an essential forage for bass?
- Do you use a lot of crayfish patterns, and what about sculpin patterns?
- Looking ahead, where do you think smallmouth fly design and tactics are headed over the next decade?
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