The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast

Tom Rosenbauer, The Orvis Company
  • 4.8 (1.9K)
  • Wilderness
  • Updated Weekly

The Orvis Fly Fishing Guide Podcast provides weekly tips from acclaimed fly fishing author and lifelong fly fishing enthusiast, Tom Rosenbauer. Get the most from your time on the water!

  1. 1d ago

    Fishing the Gulf Coast, with Captain Roger Gendron

    In this week's podcast, Captain Roger Gendron [28:45] shares expert tips on fishing Charlotte Harbor and the Gulf Coast, covering seasonal patterns, target species like tarpon, redfish, and snook, and effective fly fishing techniques for each. Discover how to adapt your approach to different conditions and maximize your success in this prime fishing area. In the Fly Box this week, we have some great questions, including: The hooks on my size 24 Trico patterns keeping bending. Can I tie these flies on stronger hooks with heavier wire? I fished mouse flies and the fish went crazy over them but I couldn't keep them hooked. What am I doing wrong? What do you suggest for a first fly rod to catch bass, carp, and panfish? How would you approach finding trout on a remote river? If we are just catching shad and suckers but not trout, are we fishing in the wrong places or not using the right flies? In a small stream, how far upstream should I go to prevent "high holing" someone else? I love small stream fishing and want to get a 7 ½ foot Superfine rod. Do you recommend the fiberglass or graphite version? I lost a lot of big fish using size 22 nymphs. Do you have any advice on keeping them on the hook? Does it matter if the wing cases on my jig nymphs are on the upper side or lower side of the fly? I could see a bunch of fish in clear water and could not get them to take any kind of fly. What would you do in this situation?

  2. Sep 28

    Back Cast: Managing Instream Flows, with Hal Herring

    This episode was originally published on October 15th, 2023. Hal Herring [50:31] has been reporting on conservation issues in the American West for over 30 years for Field & Stream magazine as well as other publications.  In this week's podcast, he explores the many complexities of trying to keep enough water in our rivers for both agriculture and trout populations, which has become an increasingly difficult juggling act.  Hal also gently berates today's hunters and anglers about educating themselves on the science and the politics behind these issues.  It's not enough to just complain about the lack of water—it's important to understand the issue before you can have a credible  opinion.   In the Fly Box this week, we have some great tips and questions, including: Do bamboo and fiberglass rods load differently than graphite rods? When you have a very limited time on a river, do you have a fishing method that gives you the most bang for your buck? Is there an alternative to the "chuck and duck" method for fishing for salmon and steelhead on Michigan rivers? If you are buying older fly tying material, what should you look for to make sure it has not been degraded? How would you adjust your fly selection for smallmouth bass throughout the season? Is rising or falling water better on a fluctuating tailwater? Can I use my 10-foot, 8-weight rod in the surf?   If my Mop flies have fallen apart, can I easily add a new piece of mop material to the hook and bead?  I am not a fly tier. Are two three-turn whip finishes better than a single 6-turn whip finish?   A tip that textured lines in a long day of stripping flies can cut into your fingers Is the San Juan Shuffle ethical? Is a fast action 5-weight rod actually a 6-weight? I have been lipping bass for many years.  Why do you say it's bad for the fish?

  3. Sep 21

    Bikepacking, extreme sports, and fly fishing with Chris Burkard

    Chris Burkard [32:00], renowned action photographer, joins us to share his journey and insights into the world of fly fishing and extreme sports. His unique perspective on connecting with nature through photography and fishing offers a refreshing take on outdoor adventure.  And along the way he offers some great tips on bikepacking with a fly rod.   In the Fly Box this week, we have these questions and more: I keep spooking the bigger trout in a small southern brook trout stream.  What can I do to avoid spooking them? Is an 8-weight Encounter rod enough to handle Pacific salmon in Michigan?  And how heavy a tippet should I use? I lost my biggest trout the other day after a long battle.  What advice do you have for landing bigger fish? How can I get the eyes on my big predator flies from coming off after a few casts? What do you carry in your "eventuality kit" when taking trips? I saw sea trout jumping outside my office in Stockholm, but I couldn't catch them.  What do you think they were doing? My buddies and I caught a bunch of fish on an experimental soft hackle that looked like nothing in nature.  I thought you were always supposed to match the hatch.

    Bikepacking, extreme sports, and fly fishing with Chris Burkard

  4. Sep 13

    The Hidden World of Fish Biology, with Shawn Good

    In this episode, fisheries biologist Shawn Good [24:00] shares insights into the diverse and rewarding world of fish biology, including how fish populations are sampled, the impact of environmental factors, and the importance of habitat conservation. In this episode, Shawn discusses stream habitat connectivity, culvert design, fish migration, and the success of Lake Champlain's lake trout restoration program. He emphasizes the importance of habitat management and collaboration among agencies to protect aquatic ecosystems.   In the Fly Box this week, we have some interesting questions, tips, and suggestions, including: Why you should always stop into local fly shops when traveling Can I overline my rod by more than two line sizes? A tip from a listener on how to get custom colors on tying materials My fly rod section twists out of alignment constantly.  How do I fix this? I have been catching shiners on my fly rod, but what flies should I use for catching some medium-sized bass? How do you know when to tie on a new piece of tippet? Do half size tippets make a difference?

    The Hidden World of Fish Biology, with Shawn Good

  5. Sep 6

    How you can Help to Keep Roadless Areas, with TU's Chris Wood

    Roadless Areas are some of the most important coldwater refuges for trout and salmon, and also prime spawning areas. Yet they are under threat because the Forst Service has proposed to eliminate them. Learn how you can quickly and easily voice your opinion and it WILL matter. And you need to do it in the next couple weeks. Chris Wood [43:52] is always a great guest and you'll learn more than just about this issue. For instance, you'll learn the difference between a Roadless Area and Wilderness Area and what you can and can't do on each type of public land. In the Fly Box this week, we have some questions and controversies, including:  Why do I get knots along my whole leader and how can I eliminate them? I found a bunch of big brook trout at the mouth of a cold tributary and caught one of them. Was this ethical? I want to restrict myself to Adams, Pheasant Tails, and Woolly Buggers for a season. What do you think of this idea? A listener actually enjoys foul-hooking trout because they fight better. He thinks we all need to chill out about foul-hooking fish. What do you think of this? My creek gets super low and I can't get a cast over the fish. What can I do, and do you think a tightline technique would be better? I live in Washington State and have a 10-foot 8-weight rod for salmon and steelhead. Are there any other places I can use this rod in my area? The bass jumped all over a Senko Worm but I can't catch them on flies. Are there any bass flies that will work as well?  What should I expect on my first float trip? How can I identify good water for swinging wet flies

    How you can Help to Keep Roadless Areas, with TU's Chris Wood

  6. Aug 31

    The Wrong Fly in the Right Place, with Tim Flagler

    Many flies cross boundaries and you shouldn't hesitate to experiment with flies designed for other species. Tarpon flies will catch striped bass, smallmouths, and trout. Squirmy Worms and Mop flies work for bass, carp, and even bonefish. Steelhead, shad, and carp take bonefish flies. The list goes on, and Tim [35:08] and Tom relate stories where the "wrong" fly has often saved the day. It's a fun discussion. In the Fly Box, my plea for phone calls has produced some great ones as well as the usual e-mails. Some of the questions and tips include: Is there any reason I can't cut the hook off a jig head and use that for drop shotting? A tip from a listener on a way to make guides in foreign countries very happy. Any pros or cons to fly lines made from PVC as opposed to other materials? Will a 5-weight rod work for light saltwater fishing? How do you fish for carp in a lake with no visibility? A comment on fishing etiquette. Why do the catfish in my river jump clear of the water? Which hook should I cut off my articulated streamers? A great tip from a listener on tying blood knots.

  7. Aug 24

    New Ideas From George Daniel That May Shock You

    My guest this week is Orvis ambassador George Daniel [31:48], who is also a guide, an author, and teaches the Fly Fishing class at Penn State. George is always questioning fly-fishing tactics, and he has some new ideas that surprisingly contradict what he has written in the past. You'll learn about his new leader design, why he typically fishes only a single nymph, why he doesn't use tippet rings any more, and why he uses a loop knot for large dry flies. And much more, including some interesting new fly patterns. In the Fly Box this week, we have these questions and tips: With the increase in tungsten prices, will sinking lines be more expensive in the future? What do I need for a basic setup to begin steelhead fishing? A tip from a listener on a killer fly for catching bullhead A warning from a listener on his experience with flesh eating bacteria that he encountered on a fishing trip. A tip from a listener on using a bass bug taper for fishing large dry flies in the wind. In a tailwater that fluctuates daily, how do large changes in flow affect the trout and the insects? Why do I miss most of my hook sets when fishing dry flies?

  8. Aug 17

    What to Expect in Patagonia, with Eduardo Barrueto

    What is the trout fishing like in Patagonia? Is it worth the time and expense? Is it truly the trip of a lifetime? And what should you expect on a trip to this magical place? Will you catch the biggest trout of your life? Is it really uncrowded? My guest this week is long-time lodge owner and guide Eduardo Barrueto [42:05] of Magic Waters in Chile, and he gives a great overview of what to expect on your first trout-fishing trip to Patagonia. In the Fly Box this week, we have some particularly interesting questions that I think will be of interest to many of you, including: How can I read the water, and what is the best depth for finding trout in a river? Should I use tippet rings for bonefish? I have trouble with my knots when making fluorocarbon leaders for bass. What do you suggest? Should I be setting the hook more often when indicator nymphing? Is it true that New England fly fishers work a stream more rapidly? How long should I stay in one spot? How do I keep my foam bodies on dry flies from wrapping around the hook shank? I have high grass along the banks of my favorite stream. Would I be better with a Tenkara rod or a Euro rod? Is there really a difference between the various natural furs for fly tying? Can I substitute? Is it possible to build a fly rod with an interchangeable section that transforms a 9-foot rod to a 10-footer? What are the pros and cons of using a rope fly for gar?

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About

The Orvis Fly Fishing Guide Podcast provides weekly tips from acclaimed fly fishing author and lifelong fly fishing enthusiast, Tom Rosenbauer. Get the most from your time on the water!

Information

  • Creator
    Tom Rosenbauer, The Orvis Company
  • Years Active
    2008 - 2026
  • Episodes
    200
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Orvis Company
  • Show Website
    The Orvis Fly-Fishing Podcast

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