This week, the main event is a fascinating podcast with Tom Bie, editor and publisher (and founder) of The Drake Magazine, an unconventional, edgy fly-fishing publication that addresses the new, media-related fly fishing culture. Tom talks about his favorite fish, the steelhead, and about his passion for swinging flies, East vs. West, hatchery vs. wild steelhead, using Spey rods, and lots on the philosophy of the best swing speed for steelhead. We also touch on steelhead flies, and the future of fly fishing in general. It’s a great interview and a little more cerebral than we usually get on the podcast.
Also, in this week’s Fly Box, we circle back to fly-tying materials to get a little more clarity on thread sizes and types of elk hair. I answer questions on fighting big trout in confined quarters; what to do if a big trout sulks; the difference between a creek, brook, and river; the characteristics of spring creeks, tailwaters, chalk streams, and freestone streams; sight-fishing to trout in shallow water without indicators; and just why a Zebra Midge with a pink body sometimes out-fishes one with the standard black-and-white body.
If you don’t see the “Play” button above, click here to listen.
Cerebral is good! Can’t wait to take the show to the gym tomorrow.
Tom, great show this week. The interview with Tom Bie was really interested and I think some of the best conversations you’ve had on the podcast.
As a new member to the fly fishing community and a younger member I really appreciate the discussion about the new generation entering the community, the benefits they’ve brought with them. I think being typecast is something that is frequently on my mind whenever I’m at a stream and I try to be a good ambassador for my generation.
A thought for another episode. I think it would be great to interview someone who has spearheaded a conservation program for their local stream. A smaller less famous watershed, but someones beloved home water. As a new member to a TU chapter I think it would be great to hear about the process and challenges they went through to accomplish the project and how to get one started.
Again, great job Tom, love the podcast.
Mike
New York
Tom, from a retired film and video producer, I want to second Mr. Bie’s comments about young people applying their visual and writing production skills to fly fishing – it is fun to see. I do have a question. I fish some private water in the Ozarks, it consists of a 3-mile stretch of spring creek with stocked Rainbows. Nice natural habitat – a fun place to fish and close to home. I’m wondering what is the life cycle of these catch and release fish? The spring keeps water temperature under 70-degrees for the entire length of the posted water. Do these fish stay close to where they are released, or do the end up down stream in the nets of the meat fishers?
Bob Wanzel, St. Louis
Bob, rainbows tend to wander more than other species of trout, but I think it depends on their genes and even on their individual personalities. But I would expect many of them to move downstream.
In regards to the angler who lives in Milwaukee who is looking for redemption when the inland trout season closes, the Milwaukee River is a great anadromous fishery that wishes well until the freeze. He should hook some 30″ Browns & Steelhead to get over it.