Advice From The Guides

Back in the early 1990s, I was a self-taught fly fisher. I really wanted to learn as much about fly fishing as possible and read whatever I could find. Unfortunately, nothing in the literature addressed some of the most basic elements of getting started, and I think the same is often true today. It's hard to learn about the practical elements of fishing when you have a hard time just getting your gear put together!

There is any number of mishaps that can happen to any of us at any time. While accidents will happen, creating habits that diminish their possibility is the best way to avoid them altogether. 

I've often said that most of the biggest aggravations in fly fishing don't have much to do with either the fish or that actual fishing.

They're usually peripheral issues that keep us from fishing and enjoying our time on the water. Perhaps the most common I've seen in my guiding career is how to keep your fly rod rigged up when you're between fishing spots. In fact, I know this is such a valuable tip because I hear at least weekly how this simple little thing makes life easier for people we...

Whenever you go fishing somewhere there is always an ideal size leader based upon the size of the water and the size flies you'll be fishing. On our home waters in the Smokies we prefer 7'6" leaders that taper to 4X or 5X because of short casts and bushy dry flies. When we fish on our large, local tailwater rivers we fish leaders that are 9' long and taper to 5X or 6X depending on whether we're fishing #16 beachhead nymphs and Sulphur dry flies (5X) or smaller Zebra midges in #18 or #20 (6X)....

In our previous post, we discussed how trout are cold-blooded and how they react to changes in water temperature. This is important as it determines how active trout are and which habitats they'll prefer. Now that we have a better understanding of when trout feed with regard to temperature, let's focus on warmer water temperatures. This is more critical to trout than cold water and tends to overlap more with anglers' fishing habits. More fly fishers are likely to be out fishing in the summer...

Water temperature is one of the most important considerations when you set out to find active trout.

Cold, clean water is among a trout's most critical needs, and once you understand how trout react to the temperature you'll have a better idea of the best times to go to the river and the best types of water to target. Some anglers are fanatical about water temperature. They will carry a thermometer at all times and keep a journal of entries to compare temperature, fish activity, and even...

Runs are among the most common types of trout water you'll find anywhere you go. 

We've fished numerous locations across North America and where ever we go you can be sure that most sections of river composed of pocket water receive light fishing pressure. close to has been the case from swift headwaters of the Penobscot River in Maine, to the tumbling streams of North Carolina, to the canyon waters of Montana and Idaho. There are probably some good reasons why fly fishers avoid this rough and tumble water, but there are even more reasons why they should give it more...

Riffles are among the most productive types of water in trout rivers and streams.

When we think back on so many of the places we've trout fished across North America, the places that are the most consistent for finding feeding fish are riffles.

The upper Madison River is a world-famous trout fishery sometimes referred to as "the 50-mile riffle". Very few rivers have so much productive water throughout their entire length.

A riffle is a relatively shallow stretch of water with current flowing...