5 Must-Know Tips for Landing Trophy Brown Trout
If there’s one thing I love, it’s swapping fish stories with anglers who live and breathe the sport. This time, we caught up with Pakito, a seasoned fly fisher from northern Spain who’s spent decades chasing big, selective brown trout. From his early days learning the ropes with dry flies to mastering European nymphing, Pakito has dialed in a system that consistently puts trophy fish in the net. He shared his top tips, his go-to strategies, and a few hard-earned lessons for anyone looking to hook into the brown trout of a lifetime.
Streamer Fishing Simplified: Fly Fishing for Beginners
Streamer fishing can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. You can grab your 9-foot 6-weight and a trusty woolly bugger, stroll out to the river, and catch fish. That’s one way to do it. Or you could get all fancy with a sink-tip line, your 1,000 $ spey rod, and all the latest streamers. But here’s the deal: I going to simplify streamer fishing down to something that even a newbie can handle. No need to get overwhelmed—let’s just catch some fish.
Where to Find Trout in Cold Weather: A Winter Fly Fishing Guide
Winter fly fishing can be a grind, but it’s also an awesome time to land some trophy trout, and definitely wanna my favorite times a year to do some wade fishing. When the temperatures drop, you’ll need a bit more patience, but if you know where to look, you can find some great fish. Here’s my guide for finding trout in the winter months from my experience as a fly fishing guide here in Colorado for the last 20 years.
How to Tie Micro Dry Flies: Choosing the Right Materials for Strength & Durability
If you’ve ever tried tying micro dries, you know the struggle—keeping them lightweight without falling apart after a few casts. So, we caught up with Quinn, a master of the craft, to get the lowdown on the secret sauce for durability. Turns out, it’s all about the thread. Not just any thread, but the new wave of “super threads” that let you crank down materials without the bulk. Whether you're trying to whip up an invincible dry fly or just want your ties to last more than a fish or two, Quinn’s got the goods.
How Low-Tech Restoration is Reviving the Colorado River: A Nature-Based Solution
The National Forest Foundation (NFF) is leading the charge in restoring the vital Colorado River through innovative low-tech, nature-based restoration methods. Their efforts are headed by a team of passionate environmental stewards dedicated to improving forest and watershed health, with a special focus on reconnecting streams to their historical floodplains. Supported by the Walton Family Foundation, NFF is pushing forward with techniques like Zuni bowls, Zeedyk structures, and beaver dam analogs, all aimed at letting nature restore itself. These projects are crucial in ensuring the river’s health and sustaining the vital lifeline for millions across the West.
Mastering the Drift: 5 Pro Tips for Catching Trout from a Boat
I caught up with Isaiah, a Colorado-based fly fishing guide who traded cleats for waders after a college football injury led him down the rabbit hole of fly fishing. What started as a way to stay connected to the outdoors turned into a full-blown career chasing trout from a drift boat. Now, he's gearing up for his next adventure—guiding in Louisiana’s saltwater. We talked about his journey, his best tips for fishing from a boat, and why he’ll always be a streamer junkie at heart.
3 Expert Tips for Landing Trophy Brown Trout in Utah
We caught up with Finn on a quick break between his guide trips, and let me tell ya—this kid lives and breathes fly fishing. From spending his childhood getting dropped off at the river to landing a 30-inch brown at just 16, Finn’s got more on-the-water experience than most anglers twice his age. We talked about the best tactics for chasing big browns, and the magic of Utah’s diverse fisheries.
Fly Fishing Leader 101: Setting Up for Success
When it comes to setting up a fly fishing leader, keeping things simple is the way to go. A leader connects your fly line to your fly, and while there are endless setups out there, you don’t need to overcomplicate it.
5 Must-Have Steelhead Flies for Winter Runs: Tips from Ebi Fisher
I recently had the chance to sit down with Ebi Fisher, a passionate angler who’s built his journey from the waters of Iran to the rivers of British Columbia. His steelhead obsession is the real deal, and we talked about everything from the highs and lows of fishing for these elusive beasts to his goals for the future. Ebi shared some solid tips and a few stories that got me pumped just listening. Grab your rod, tie on your flies, and check out the wisdom this steelhead expert has to offer.
How Reducing Lake Okeechobee Discharges Can Help Fight Red Tide in Southwest Florida
A recent study highlights the connection between Lake Okeechobee discharges and the duration of red tide blooms in southwest Florida. Learn how reducing nutrient-heavy runoff can protect marine life, improve water quality, and support the local economy.
3 Tips for Tying Jigged Nymphs Like a Pro | With @fishingwithkayla
We caught up with Kayla to talk about her journey into fly fishing and fly tying—a path that started with a college entomology class and a chance encounter with a seasoned angler named Richard. She shares how she navigates the fly fishing world, her top tips for tying jigged nymphs, and what tying means to her in the waters of New Jersey.
How to Target Golden Dorado: Tips from the Jungle Angler
We recently had the chance to catch up with Marcelo, the visionary behind Untamed Angling, and we got into the heart of his wild journey—both as a passionate fly fisherman and the mastermind behind one of the most sought-after fishing destinations in the Amazon. We dove into what makes chasing Golden Dorado so unique, what drives his love for the jungle waters, and how he built a sustainable fly fishing model in some of the most remote parts of Bolivia and Brazil.
5 Must-Know Tips for Fishing Runs Like a Pro
Runs might not have the flashy riffles or calm pools that scream “trout,” but they’re where the magic happens. These deeper, uniform sections of the river are home to hungry fish—if you know where to look. In this guide, we’re diving into how to fish runs effectively, uncovering the tricks that will put you on the trout in these seemingly bland spots
Chasing Light and Fish: How Drift Line Media Captures the Best of Fly Fishing
We caught up with Sean Malecki the creator behind Drift Line Media to talk fishing, filming, and the journey from conventional bass angling to full-time fly fishing content creation. From the struggle of landing that first trout to chasing light for the perfect shot, we dug into what drives his passion. He shares the highs, the challenges, and what’s next—including a road trip out west that’s set to be his biggest project yet.
5 Tips for Tying Better CDC Flies
We caught up with Lindsay Simpson, a seasoned fly tier with decades of experience, to talk about one of the most versatile materials in fly tying—CDC. From boosting buoyancy to adding lifelike movement, Lindsay shares his best tips for using CDC effectively, when to skip it, and why it’s a must-have for emerger patterns. If you’ve ever struggled with CDC or want to up your fly-tying game, this one’s for you.
Eel River Revival: New Agreement Restores Salmon & Steelhead Habitat
The Eel River is getting a much-needed revival! After over a century of water battles that left its legendary salmon and steelhead runs struggling, a new agreement is paving the way for recovery. With PG&E removing the Potter Valley Project’s dams, fish will finally regain access to prime spawning grounds.
Chasing Ghosts: The Grind and Glory of Musky on the Fly
We caught up with Jon Hardman to talk about one of the craziest catches of his life—a near 49-inch beast from the waters of West Virginia. From the moment he set the hook to the celebration that followed, he walks us through how it all went down. We also got into his go-to musky setup, what keeps him going through the grind, and what’s next on his fly fishing bucket list.
Top 10 Fly Fishing Destinations in the American West
The American West is a prime location for fly fishing enthusiasts, offering some of the best waters to chase trout, salmon, and steelhead. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting into the sport, these 10 fly fishing destinations in the West should be on your radar. Get ready to cast your line in these epic spots that offer stunning scenery and thrilling fish catches.
The Indiana Flybrary Project: Merging Art, Fishing, and Conservation
We recently caught up with Jeff, the driving force behind the Indiana Flybrary Project. What started as a passion for fly fishing and woodworking has evolved into a community-driven effort to inspire more people to explore the sport. In this interview, Jeff shares how the Flybrary Project blends local artistry, conservation, and accessibility to help others discover the joys of fly fishing while supporting local craftsmen.
3 Pro Tips for Tying Leech Patterns That Move Like the Real Thing
If there’s one thing I respect, it’s someone who chases their passion with both feet in the water. We caught up with Erik Clymore, a full-time fly tyer who swapped the 9-to-5 grind for a vise, some thread, and a whole lot of creativity. From shop tying to Etsy sales, Erik’s built a career on crafting bombproof flies that fish hard and last. He’s got strong opinions on fly design, durability, and why less is usually more when it comes to materials.