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There was a point where I tied flies religiously. Four or five nights a week, week after week, year after year, I spun out enough flies to almost make the whole thing cost-effective. The problem was that after I filled my boxes with the go-to patterns, I’d browse YouTube and Instagram for new ideas. At one point, I think I had a dozen different types of mayfly emergers in my…

In the most recent episode of the Orvis podcast, Tom Rosenbauer sat down with Mike Tayloe to talk about preparing for medical emergencies when out fly fishing. Tayloe is an EMT, fishing guide, and wilderness medicine trainer, so he has a wealth of experience to draw from. In addition to his experience, Tayloe also trained Orvis-endorsed guides and lodges. He’s got a firm grasp not only on the content, but…

Photo: Courtesy Dom Swentosky/Troutbitten Streamer fishing is something I enjoy immensely, but I’m also guilty of not getting as much out of it as I could. I find myself settling into predictable rhythms, retrieves, and going back to my tried-and-true patterns. So, when I read this recent piece from Dom Swentosky over at Troutbitten, I was reminded of how much I leave on the table while streamer fishing. If I took the…

Photo: Spend A Day Touring, LLC/Flickr The Big Hole River, in southwest Montana, has been at the forefront of conservation efforts for the past few years due to its rapidly-declining trout population. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (MFWP), scientists from Montana State University, and concerned guides and outfitters have worked together to study the Big Hole and offer potential solutions for this storied fishery. MFWP has just released the results…

One of my least favorite things is getting into my truck while still wet from the river. Whether it’s my waders or wet-wading pants, I know some “river gunk” ends up worked into the seat fabric, and it certainly doesn’t help my truck smell nice. I’ve added seat covers to other trucks, but they were always the on-sale items at AutoZone or O’Reilly’s. They were usually made from a cheap…

Anytime we talk about “the best,” we’re wading into subjective territory. That’s why I hesitate to ever call a fly rod, or waders, or any other gear I review, “the best.” They might be the best for me, but my experience isn’t all-encompassing. So, it’s interesting that Jasper Taback, over at Sports Illustrated, decided to pick the five best fly fishing books all anglers should read. I agree with most of the list, but…

This week’s Tying Tuesday features yet another Sparkle Dun, but this one is a “Neversink” edition, which I think could come in handy. You’ll also learn to tie a new nymph from Slovakia, and get a primer on fly tying thread. The Sparkle Dun is probably my favorite fly, ever. This thing flat-out produces when trout are at their pickiest during mayfly hatches. It’s also a great all-season pattern whenever…

Most fly anglers are familiar with how healing fly fishing can be. From Project Healing Waters to Casting for Recovery, there is no shortage of groups using fly fishing to help those in need. In 2025, Idaho Department of Health & Welfare (IDHW) will be using fly fishing to aid children in extended foster care, according to a February 6 press release. These youngsters will receive a free fishing license,…

If you had to rely on one fly rod in a survival situation, which would you pick? That’s a broad question, because it obviously depends on where you’re trying to survive. An island in the Caribbean? The Amazon? An alpine environment? Each situation would ask something else of your fly rod, especially if you depended on it the bring in the majority of your food. Paul Diprima, writing for the Rome…

George Daniel (right) with his lifelong mentor, Joe Humphreys. (Photo courtesy George Daniel) Over the past couple of decades, Pennsylvania angler George Daniel has built a remarkable life in fly fishing–as a guide, a member of Fly Fishing Team USA, an author and speaker, and as the latest instructor in charge of Penn State’s legendary fly-fishing program. Writing on Onward State, an independent Penn State news site, CJ Doebler profiles…

Photo: Alaska Region, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service/Flickr Bycatch—when one species of fish is caught by boats fishing for another species—is often cited as a contributing factor to salmon declines, especially in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska. The trawling fleets that fish for pollock in the Bering Sea are allowed a certain number of fish per year as acceptable bycatch; for example, if too many king salmon show…

Nautilus Reels has announced the release of their new GTS 5/6 reels. This new size joins the previously-announced GTS reels in Nautilus’ much-loved lineup. Nautilus introduced several advancements when releasing the GTS reels, including “effortless left-hand to right-hand conversion” and an expanded drag adjustment range. The GTS series replaces the NV-G series of reels. “We are thrilled to share the second iteration of the 4-inch diameter GTS reel — the…

Photo: Courtesy of Redington. Redington, makers of budget-friendly fly rods, have just announced the release of their newest rod series, the EDC (“Everyday Carry”). “Our top-of-the-line, multi-application fly rod, the EDC prioritizes versatility above all else, ensuring it’s not just a tool, but an extension of you and your angling skills,” Redington writes on their website. Of course, this wouldn’t be a new rod release without the introduction of a…

RIO, the Idaho Falls-based fly-line manufacturer, has announced the expansion of their Gold series of fly lines. “RIO Gold fly lines first took flight in 2008,” RIO writes. “Hundreds of thousands of casts across endless miles of water later, the Gold Standard of multipurpose fly lines transformed the game by giving anglers the ability to transcend boundaries.” RIO’s Gold fly-line collection now contains three distinct line classes—XP, Max, and Classic…

I host a weekly podcast, and in one of the most recent episodes, I talked about five of my most memorable fish. Those catches had a few things in common, but the most prominent thread that connected them was when I caught them. Four of the five ended up in my net in the dead of winter. That’s not a coincidence. Rivers drop significantly during winter, which forces the fish into…

This week’s Tying Tuesday focuses on two smaller mayfly patterns (although one can be tied in larger sizes) and ends with a great how-to video about using wire in your flies. I know it’s still January, but it feels good to be tying mayflies and dreaming of the first hatches, even if they don’t start for another few months. Our first fly this week is a personal favorite of mine….

Photo: Dom Swentosky How often do you head to the same spot on your favorite river, and bypass all the water before or after it? I’m as guilty of this as anyone (probably more so). Once I’ve found a section that I enjoy, I tend to fish it to death, and ignore a lot of the less-obvious water within that portion of the river. I ignore the marginal water, or…

Photo: Courtesy of Sage Fly Fishing If you thought Sage would take it easy on rod releases after their R8 Core, you were wrong. The famed rod company just announced their newest stick, built with the same Revolution 8 technology, dubbed the Classic R8. Sage built the Classic R8 to deliver a moderate-action experience with the latest in materials. “The New Classic R8 rods inspire this measured pace while fishing,…

The Edison, New Jersey, edition of the Fly Fishing Show opens on Jan. 24, and features a record $100,000 in door prizes. The event takes place at the New Jersey Convention & Conference Center, and starts at 9 a.m. from the 24-26. Admission is $20 for one day, $35 for two days, and $45 for three days. Attending the show gives you a chance to be among the first to…

Photo: Courtesy of Simms Simms Fishing has launched their Spring 2025 lineup of new gear, including news waders and boots. “We’re thrilled to introduce innovative solutions throughout our Spring 2025 collection,” says Ben Christensen, Head of Simms. “Spring fishing brings its own set of challenges: unpredictable weather, shifting conditions, and the need for versatile gear that performs in both full sun and torrential downpours. This collection showcases our unwavering commitment to…