With many trout rivers into serious runoff this month, and more to come as western snows melt, listeners have been asking for an early season stillwater podcast. This week I was lucky enough to interview Phil Rowley, one of the most knowledgeable stillwater anglers in the world and co-host of “The New Fly Fisher” TV show on World Fishing Network. I know I learned a lot in the show and I am sure you will as well. As an added bonus, there are some extra video tips form Phil, courtesy of “The New Fly Fisher”.
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Friday Film Festival 04.22.11
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Welcome to another edition of the OrvisNews.com Friday Film Festival, in which we scour the Internets for the best fly-fishing footage available. This week’s films have a salty slant, including more blown shots and breakoffs than you can shake a stick at. Trout guys get looks at some great freshwater action from Wales to Alaska. Enjoy!
Read MoreIn the Loop 04.21.11
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Another new online magazine has hit the digital newsstand. Southern Culture on the Fly aims to be all things to anglers south of the Mason-Dixon and east of the Mississippi. The first taste of what’s to come is a “half issue” that starts off with a taxonomy of American fly-fishing cultures, from the tweed-clad Yankees to the “stoner” steelheaders to the checked-tablecloth-obsessed Rocky Mountain trout bums. But fear not, Southern anglers don’t get off the hook in this rant. There’s some good stuff inside, so check it out.
Read MoreTrout Bum of the Week: David Meador
David Meador has been fly fishing since 1978, getting started back in his home state of Virginia. But like most die-hard trout bums, he could not resist the pull of the West and the lure of the fly-fishing life. As a guide at PRO Outfitters in Helena, Montana, he gets to fish some of the most fabled rivers of Big Sky Country: the Missouri, the Blackfoot, and the Smith.
Read MoreGetting Furry
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One of my favorite Paul Schullery articles about fly-fishing history is about anglers catching things other than fish. The most common “collateral catches” are, of course, bats and birds, and Izaak Walton described how Italian anglers used to catch martins and swallows for meat. But Schullery’s column goes on to describe a hilarious story in which Rudyard Kipling accidentally hooked a cow.
Read MoreThe Shucked Up Emerger
Shucked Up Emerger from Richard Strolis on Vimeo.
Back in February, we featured a Blue-winged Olive Thorax pattern from Connecticut-based guide Rich Strolis, and here’s a great emerger pattern to go with it. Blue-winged olives are among the most important insects in early spring out West, often hatching on overcast days or even during snow squalls. In the video, Rich says the fly is so effective he’s even a little hesitant to share his recipe, but I guess he can’t help himself…which helps us.
Read MoreMurph Training XI: Murph’s Getting Steady
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A couple of weeks ago I talked about Murph and putting his steadiness to sit and heel together on a single blind retrieve. Over the course of the last few days, I’ve been continually working Murph on his steadiness in every possible situation, but I want him to begin to understand what he’s here for. As I said before, at this point I don’t want to give him a bunch of retrieves for two reasons. One, his teeth are changing over, and two, I don’t want to get him hyped up on retrieving like I did with Pickett.
Read MoreTuesday Tip: Which One Fly Rod Should I Bring?
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If you only want to bring one rod on your upcoming trip to the Rocky Mountains the first thing to consider is what time of year you’ll be traveling.
During the early season in the Rockies, water conditions and weather can vary greatly from day to day, so versatility is most important when you’re considering rod weight. For this reason alone, a relatively stiff 6-weight is your best bet and will cover all bases and handle most techniques from deep-water nymphing with weight and indicators to streamers or early season dry-fly fishing. And it’s not. . .
Read MoreIn the Loop 04.18.11
Finding new waters to fish is a lifelong quest for most fly fishermen, who dream of secluded, “secret” spots where they can escape the crowds and find eager, unpressured trout. One way to strike out on your own is by “bluelining,” or poring over maps to find small streams off the beaten path. On Midcurrent.com, my friend Brandt Oswald–a Livingston, Montana-based guide…
Read MoreFormer President Clinton Visits Orvis Store at Ocean Reef Club
Former President Clinton visits the Orvis store at Ocean Reef Club
Last week, the folks at the Orvis store at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, FL had a surprise visitor when former President Clinton stopped in for some shopping.
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