Many trout anglers view their reels primarily as line-storage devices, only occasionally testing the drag, and seeing the backing even less often. Given how rarely a fish might push your reel to the breaking point, it may be tempting to downplay . . .
Read MoreFly Fishing
The Orvis Fly-Fishing Blog celebrates a rich angling heritage stretching beyond a century, with timely articles, tips, photos, videos, podcasts, and the latest fly-fishing news. We keep you informed about the things you want to know, from improving your casting technique to the art and science of tying flies.
Videos: Cheech’s Top 5 Streamers
Here’s a great video in which Cheech or Fly Fish Food in Utah features some of his favorite streamer patterns. As you will see, most of these streamers have been around for quite a while, and they vary in size from somewhat large to pretty small. . . .
Read MoreWednesday Wake-Up Call: 09.27.23
Welcome to the latest installment of the Wednesday Wake-Up Call, a roundup of the most pressing conservation issues important to anglers. Working with our friends at Trout Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, the Theodore Roosevelt . . .
Read MorePro Tips: 3 Tips to Catch More Pike
Pike are the top predator in many river systems across the country, meaning they can afford to be picky about meals. Targeting pike on a fly rod can therefore be challenging–or even downright maddening depending on the day–but the difficulty . . .
Read MoreVideo: How to Tie the Meat Whistle
Famed Colorado tier John Barr is most famous for his Copper John, but many streamers lovers are also fans of the streamer/jig hybrid known as the Meat Whistle. Barr originally designed the pattern for bass fishing–sort of a fly-fishing take on the . . .
Read MoreClassic Podcast: Tom and Tim’s Annual Fly-Tying Spectacular
This week’s podcast is my annual bull session with Tim Flagler of Tightline Productions. Instead of us picking a topic, we decided to ask listeners for questions. We both field questions about: . . .
Read MoreTuesday Tips: Top 4 Dry Flies for Fall
The shorter days and crisper nights of fall turn the thoughts of many fly fishers to hunting trophy trout with streamers, but that doesn’t mean you should put away the 4-weight rod, floating. . .
Read MoreHow to Best Imitate Isonychia Nymphs
To simplify their identification, mayfly nymphs have been divided into four groups–burrowers, crawlers, clingers, and swimmers–and the name of each group offers some insight into the. . .
Read MoreVideo Pro Tips: How to Make a Double Spey Cast with a Single- or Two-Handed Rod
Here’s a quick-and-dirty fly-casting video featuring Pete Kutzer of the Orvis Fly Fishing Schools. Previously, Pete demonstrated the Circle Spey cast, which is useful when the current is going from right to left (for a right-handed caster), so your rod is . . .
Read MoreVideo: Orvis Rod Repair is a Giant Leap Forward
Until fairly recently, breaking your Orvis fly rod could be a real hassle. You’d have to take it to your nearest dealer for shipping or box it up yourself and send it to our rod shop in Manchester, Vermont. Once it arrived, it went into the queue for repairs, and . . .
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