Untangled: Fly Fishing For Everyone | Ventures Fly Co. (Ventures Fly Co.)

In this episode, Spencer Durrant talks about a game-changing emerger pattern that all of us should have in our fly boxes - the soft hackle! In addition to that, you'll hear about: 

• Tips for flying with your fly fishing gear
• Using tippet rings
• When to clean and replace your fly line
• How to rig a dry dropper
• When to replace your leader
• Choosing a fly rod 

Submit a question for the podcast here. 

You can shop our leaders here! 

Our Fly Flinger and Reel combo can be found here. 

In this episode:

• We dive into the great debate between using monofilament and fluorocarbon tippets and leaders
• How to use strike indicators
• How much to tip guides
• How long to fish a pool before moving on

Links

Submit a question for the podcast: https://rebrand.ly/UT-Questionnaire   

How much to tip guides: https://www.hatchmag.com/articles/why-and-how-much-you-should-tip-your-fishing-guide/7714957 

Fluoro vs. Mono: https://www.epicflyrods.com/blogs/news/15472069-cutting-through-the-bullshit-the-mono-vs-fluoro-debate

If you want to progress from lucking into fish every now and then, to consistently catching fish, what are the most important things to focus on? What skills or techniques bring you the most bang for your buck? 

Well, if you're serious about unlocking your potential as an angler, then you'll pay attention to the three things Spencer Durrant discusses in this show. He'll give you an in-depth look at the skills that, if you work to master them now, will help you become a confident, self-sufficient angler. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Dry-dropper rigs
• How to combat losing fish during the fight
• Book recommendations for those looking to learn more about fly fishing and trout
• The exact gear Spencer takes with him during a day on the water 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

💥 Want to Level Up Your Fly Fishing Skills? Check out our FREE ➡️ YEAR-ROUND HATCH CHART

🐟 Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE

PICTURE - Micah's #LiveReelLife Moment - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Reading Water 101 - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Pocket Water 101 - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Riffles 101 - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Pools 101 - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Runs 101 - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Pick the Right Fly - CHECK IT OUT

We all dream of catching a fish that we'll never forget. You know the kind - a big one, or one that required a crazy cast, or maybe just one that surprised you. Often, these unforgettable fish are what keep us coming back to the river. But what exactly makes some fish stand out more than others? 

In this episode of Untangled, you'll hear five stories about fish that Spencer hasn't forgotten. From those five fish, Spencer put together a step-by-step guide to help you make your own unforgettable fishing memories. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Wader and boot recommendations
• How often you should change your flies
• The differences between 5 and 6wt rods 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the Right Fly eBook For FREE!  - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

Have you ever wondered how fly rods are built? Do you want to know what "rod action" means, and whether it matters to your experience on the water? And how much stress can you put a fly rod under before it breaks? Hank Haen and Adam Hutchison, of the R.L Winston Rod Co., join Spencer Durrant on this episode of Untangled to answer all those questions - and more!

Almost anything you could want to know about fly rods is answered in this podcast, including: 

• Why 5-weight rods are the ideal choice for most beginners
• How to understand rod action, and what it will do for you on the water
• Why 9-foot rods are so popular 

VIDEO - Fly Line 101 - https://youtu.be/9rGguDXasew

In this episode, Spencer Durrant gets reel. Get it? It's a pun...oh, alright, enough with the dad jokes. Seriously - Spencer dishes on all the criteria that you actually need in a trout reel, so that you can buy the right reel for your fishing situation. In addition to that, you'll learn about: 

• Some tips for beginning fly tiers, and why you should consider tying flies an investment
• The best fly rod for a young boy (hint: it's The Fly Flinger!) 
• What to do if you hook into two trout at once (yes, it can happen!) 
• Some tips for more effectively setting the hook on smaller trout

Submit a question for the show here! 

Links from the show

Beginner Fly Tying Masterclass episode on whether tying flies will save you money

Check out the Fly Flinger fly rod here!

Submit a question for the podcast and be entered to win a FREE Fly Tying MEGA Kit! https://rebrand.ly/UT-Questionnaire 

Fly Tying Mega Kit can be found here: https://venturesflyco.com/products/vfc-fly-tying-mega-kit 

In this episode, we cover:

• The importance of observing bugs on the water when casting to picky fish
• Magic flies don't exist
• The welded loops on fly lines, and the best fly line to leader connection out there
• How to see tiny dry flies when you're fishing 

Article series on picking the right fly: https://blog.venturesflyco.com/how-to-pick-the-right-fly/ 

Video for making your own welded loop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q6VCKI22vw

George Anderson's article on seeing small dry flies: https://www.flyfisherman.com/editorial/how-to-fish-small-dry-flies/462202 

In this episode, Spencer Durrant talks about a few tips to help you approach any new water with confidence. Other topics discussed include: 

• The right fishing net to use
• How to fish in rivers with low trout populations
• Tips for teaching yourself to fly fish

You can submit a question for the podcast here.

Watch and subscribe to the Beginner Fly Fishing Masterclass here. 

Check out the Ventures Fly Co. Blog here. 

Submit a question for the podcast: https://rebrand.ly/UT-Questionnaire 

Congrats to our Mega Kit winner Trent Nielsen, of Utah! 

In this episode, we discuss: 

• Rigging dry droppers
• When, or if, you should twitch your dry flies
• The merits of the whip finish vs the half hitch
• Some help with entomolgoy 

Link to the hatch chart: https://www.skyblueoutfitters.com/hatch-chart/

In this week's episode, you'll learn more than you ever thought possible about fly line! And we promise, it's NOT boring! In fact, knowing this info about fly lines will help you pick the best fly line for YOUR fishing situations. 

In addition, you'll learn about: 

• The best rod and reel combos for beginners
• Recommended flies for largemouth and smallmouth bass
• Tips for casting dry-dropper rigs
• How to handle fly line memory problems

You can enter the 1,000 Fly Giveaway HERE! 

Submit a question for the podcast here.

Shop our Starter Packs here.

Watch our Fly Fishing Masterclass video on Fly Casting here.

This episode of Untangled is one of the most important pieces of media ever produced for beginning fly anglers. It rivals the value of buffalo wings and Diet Coke. In this week's show, your host Spencer Durrant walks you through everything to know about catch-and-release. He shares science-based best practices for hooking, fighting, landing, and releasing trout, so that you're able to leave our fish and rivers in the best shape possible. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Tips for tying better knots
• A suggestion on a good beginner fly pattern to tie
• The flies that Spencer HATES tying
• How to fish "weird" rivers

QUESTIONS?! - Submit Them Here!

💥 Want to Level Up Your Fly Fishing Skills? Check out our beginner friendly e-Book all about ➡️  Picking the Right Fly

VIDEO - Hook & Fight Fish

VIDEO - Winter Fishing

VIDEO - Fly Tying Masterclass

PODCAST - Fly Reels 101

RESOURCE - Keep Fish Wet

Have you ever been told that you HAVE to get a perfect, drag-free drift if you want to catch fish on dry flies? What about the need to keep your rod tip sky-high when you're fighting a fish? Or that you'll catch big fish if you're using big flies? 

These may sound like they're rules, but there are actually NO RULES in fly fishing. There are only guidelines, and just a few at that. 

On this episode of Untangled, you'll learn about some of the "rules" in fly fishing, and WHY and WHEN you should break them. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Fishing for fish other than trout on a fly rod
• How sunscreen impacts trout, and what sunscreen you should use
• Some insight about spring creeks and freestone streams
• What to do when fish swallow your flies 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

RESOURCE - Scientific Paper about Sunscreen and Fish - CHECK IT OUT

PICTURE - Brian's Creek - CHECK IT OUT

In the first episode of Untangled: Fly Fishing for Everyone, host Spencer Durrant introduces the show. This is a show designed to help us all grow as fly anglers. We take questions from listeners, answer them, and share stories along the way. 

In this epsiode, we cover: 

• Casting big, heavy flies
• Casting heavy nymph rigs
• Getting flies down deep with split shot and polyleaders
• How to know when your nymphs are deep enough
• The flies you need to master as a beginning tier 

You can submit questions for future epsidoes here: https://rebrand.ly/UT-Questionnaire 

For the article about fly casting tips, click here: https://www.flyfisherman.com/editorial/how-to-fly-cast-weighted-fly-line/152074 

Submit a question for the podcast here: https://rebrand.ly/UT-Questionnaire 

In this episode, we cover: 

• Fly reels - everything to know about them! 
• How to keep your dry-dropper rigs from getting tangled 
• Matching a Euro reel to a Euro rod

Link to the Troutbitten article about fishing tandem rigs: https://troutbitten.com/2018/03/07/fly-fishing-strategies-tangle-free-tandem-rigs/ 

Trouts Fly Fishing article about picking a Euro reel: https://troutsflyfishing.com/a/info/blog/euro-nymphing-fly-rod-and-reel-set-up-good-better-best

Picking the right fly rod is like when your wife asks you if those pants make her look fat. How are you supposed to answer that question? 

Well, we can't help with that--but we CAN help with fly rods! There's a lot that goes into the world of fly rods, and understanding the language, terminology, and prices can be daunting. Spencer Durrant has reviewed fly rods for major fishing magazines for a decade, though, and he's dumping all his experience with rods into this episode of Untangled! 

You'll learn all about rod action, length, and weight, the differences between glass and graphite, why some rods are so expensive, and TONS more. This is a show you just can't afford to miss. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Advice for fishing panfish and bass on the fly
• How to fish midges during the winter
• How to get someone interested in fly fishing

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE

VIDEO - What is the Difference Between Leaders and Tippet? - CHECK IT OUT

PICTURE - Samuel S. #LiveReelLife Moment - CHECK IT OUT

Submit a question for the podcast here: https://rebrand.ly/UT-Questionnaire 

On this week's show, we discuss: 

• Where to find fish in lakes and ponds
• How to get small flies to the bottom of a pool
• The knots you need to know (there's only THREE!) 

Links: 

Locating Stillwater Trout by Ross Purnell: https://www.flyfisherman.com/editorial/locating-stillwater-trout/330290

Tips for Fishing Alpine Lakes: https://blog.venturesflyco.com/2022/08/18/tips-for-fishing-alpine-lakes/

How to Get Your Flies Deeper by Domenick Swentosky: https://troutbitten.com/2019/03/03/five-ways-to-get-your-fly-deeper/

The Knots you Need: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ghw_DsLmgU&ab_channel=TheOrvisCompany 

Have you ever struggled to explain to other people (friends, significant others, angry bosses) why you love fly fishing so much? Do you want to try and get a friend to fall in love with the sport, too? Well, you're in luck! This episode of Untangled features Spencer Durrant and Alex Stulce discussing why they love fly fishing, and why it's something everyone else should try. 

💥 Want to Level Up Your Fly Fishing Skills? Check out our beginner friendly e-Book all about ➡️ Pick the Right Fly e-Book

CHECK IT OUT - All the gear you need to start fly fishing! ➡️ VFC Starter Packs 

Length matters! Especially for fly rods. In this week's episode, you'll learn why fly rod length matters and why you want certain rod lengths for certain fishing situations. On top of all that, you'll learn: 

• All the different VFC resources available for you FOR FREE! 
• How to fish really deep holes 
• How to identify hook sizes and tips on organizing your fly box
• The best rods for small creek fishing

Enter the VFC Holidays Giveaway HERE! 

Submit a question for the podcast here.

Get the Pick the Right Fly eBook HERE!

Get our Pocket Nymphing Guide HERE!

Ep. 22 -- All About Fly Rods 

How to Roll Cast - VIDEO 

How to Cast a Fly Rod - VIDEO 

Winter Midges Story in Hatch Magazine

What the heck is a dry fly? And what are nymphs for? And what about streamers -  those are party decorations, right? So, why would anyone fish with that?

If you've found yourself asking these questions, you're not alone. The world of flies is confusing, especially for beginners. Luckily, you have a Diet Coke-swilling guide to help you understand all the different flies we use for fly fishing. On this episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant will walk you through everything to know about the different types of flies, including the instances when you might want to use them.

You'll also learn about: 

• The best cities to live in if you want to be near great trout fishing
• How to safely wade a river
• Some tips on mending 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

💥 Want to Level Up Your Fly Fishing Skills? Check out our FREE ➡️ RIGHT FLY E-BOOK

🐟 Join our Online Fly Fishing Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE 

PICTURE - Chris's Brook Trout #LiveReelLife -  CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - The ABCs of Fly Fishing Flies -  CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - How to Pick the Right Fly -  CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Nymph Rig Setup -  CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Dry Fly Rig Setup -  CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Streamer Rig Setup -  CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - How To Mend Fly Line -  CHECK IT OUT

Submit a question for the podcast here: https://rebrand.ly/UT-Questionnaire 

In this episode, we cover: 

• What to know about fishing egg patterns
• Is expensive fly line really worth it?
• How do I know if I'm fishing too deep? 

Links: 

Dos and Don'ts of Fishing the Spawn: https://blog.venturesflyco.com/2022/10/21/the-dos-and-donts-of-fishing-the-spawn/

Fly Line Taper Information: https://midcurrent.com/gear/the-best-fly-line-for-you/

https://www.scientificanglers.com/understanding-fly-line-tapers/ 

Do you wanna catch big trout? Do we even need to ask that question? 

We all love big fish, but sometimes, it feels like catching them involves more luck than it does skill. However, with the right foundation of knowledge, you can put yourself in situations where you have the best chance possible to net a trophy trout. 

You'll also learn about: 

• How long you can store fly line, leaders, and tippet before you should replace them
• How and why to choose the right nymphs for a nymph or dry-dropper rig
• Catching fish from water where you're getting skunked, but everyone else isn't 

We also have a WONDERFUL #LiveReelLife moment on the show today, so stay tuned to the end of the episode for that! 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

💥 Want to Level Up Your Fly Fishing Skills? Check out our FREE ➡️ RIGHT FLY E-BOOK  

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE 

PICTURE - Stephan's Trout #LiveReelLife -  CHECK IT OUT

PRODUCT - Tippet - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Water Types - CHECK IT OUT

Submit a question for the podcast:  https://rebrand.ly/UT-Questionnaire

In this episode, we tackle: 

• Fishing with trash flies, including tips for doing so successfully 
• Stripping baskets
• Magic flies
• Must-have patterns for trout fishing 

Links mentioned in the show: 

How to get a drag-free drift: https://www.flyfisherman.com/editorial/how-to-fish-flies-on-a-dead-drift/368122

Magic Flies: https://blog.venturesflyco.com/2022/09/28/the-truth-about-magic-flies/ 

Have you ever wanted to go fly fishing in some incredible place, but you're unsure if you'll ever be able to afford it? I mean, with how expensive eggs are, traveling to fish is just out of the question - right? 

Not necessarily. If you're willing to make a few compromises, you can have an AMAZING fly fishing trip for relatively cheap. In this episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant will walk you through the process he uses to plan fishing trips, including a half-dozen trips to Alaska while he was still either in college, or teaching high schoolo English. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Tying on a dry fly to act as an "indicator" in a two-dry rig
• Some tips for mending more effectively
• Spencer's process for applying floatant to dry flies
• Whether your dry-dropper rig needs to be two flies of the same species (a caddis dry and nymph, for example) 
• How to match your leader/tippet size to your flies 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

VIDEO - Fly Fishing in Alaska!  - WATCH HERE

GEAR - VFC Fly Collections - CHECK THEM OUT

VIDEO - How to Mend Fly Line - WATCH HERE

When you fish somewhere you've never been before, do you get nervous about being skunked? Is that even normal? I mean, a river's a river, right? How different can they be? 

Well, rivers are different from each other, and it's totally normal to be nervous about not catching from a river you've never visited before. On today's show, Spencer Durrant will take you through the four tips he uses to tackle water he's never fished before, and if you remember these tips, you can replace all your nervousness with confidence. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Tips for organizing your fly box
• Tips for fishing for grayling in Alaska
• Some advice on buying fly rods for fishing in Florida
• Some advice on what net you actually need for trout fishing

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

💥 Want to Level Up Your Fly Fishing Skills? Check out our FREE ➡️ YEAR-ROUND HATCH CHART

🐟 Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE 

PICTURE - Rylee's #LiveReelLife Moment -  CHECK IT OUT

If you've ever walked into a fly shop to get outfitted for fly fishing, you've probably felt like you were floating in the Pacific Ocean with NO LAND in sight! The amount of things you CAN buy is overwhelming! So, what do you actually need to get started? On this episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant walks you through a list of all the gear beginners need, and he explains WHY this is the gear you should start with. 

You'll also learn about: 

• When to use a dry dropper rig
• How to set the hook when fishing down stream
• When you should add movement to your flies
• Why you can't catch certain fish

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

💥 Want to Level Up Your Fly Fishing Skills? Check out our FREE ➡️ RIGHT FLY E-BOOK

🐟 Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE 

PICTURE - Jarek's #LiveReelLife Moment -  CHECK IT OUT

PODCAST - Best Fly Line - CHECK IT OUT

GEAR - VFC Starter Packs - CHECK IT OUT

GEAR - Fly Flinger Rod - CHECK IT OUT

RESOURCE - Gear Checklist - CHECK IT OUT

ARTICLE - Good Hook Sets - CHECK IT OUT

In this episode, fly fishing author and guide Spencer Durrant teaches you everything you need to know about fly fishing with emergers. You'll also hear about: 

• Rods and lines for saltwater fly fishing
• How to keep your flies from falling apart
• How to find big fish in small rivers
• How to pick the right dropper 

Submit a question for the show here.

You can read Spencer's story about finding big fish in small water here.

FREE eBook on Picking the Right Fly can be downloaded here.   

By listening to this episode, you'll become a fly tying genie! We'll remove ALL the pain associated with learning to tie flies, and you'll be whippin' out bugs in no time! Alright, that might be a bit hyperbolic - but it's always a blast when Spencer Durrant and Alex Stulce get together, and they bring a great bit of insight into this episode. You'll learn about how both Alex and Spencer got started tying flies, as well as some of their exclusive fly tying tips that can't be found anywhere else. This is a MUST-LISTEN for anyone interested in tying flies. 

Links From The Show

The Beginner Fly Tying Masterclass

We spend A TON of time talking about dry flies, nymphs, and streamers. But there's another type of fly out there that doesn't get enough love. This fly is supposedly the easiest to use, AND it's the favorite of some of the world's best anglers. 

I'm talking about wet flies, or soft hackles (they're the same thing). 

In this episode of Untangled, you'll learn what soft hackles are, what they imitate, why you'd want use them, and how to fish them. This is another trick you can add to your skillset to help you put more fish in the net!

You'll also learn about: 

• How to get good drifts across large, deep pools with multiple currents
• The differences between a 9' 4-weight and 9' 5-weight
• How to cast strike indicators
• The best strike indicators for mountain streams

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Rigs & Knots Guide - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

VIDEO - How to Swing Wet Flies - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Soft Hackle Fly Fishing - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - How to Make a Reach Cast - CHECK IT OUT

PICTURE - Isaiah's Brown Trout - CHECK IT OUT

In this episode, Spencer Durrant talks about three easy tips to help you hook into more big fish as you're fly fishing. In addition, you'll also learn about: 

• What gear you need to get started with fly fishing
• The ultimate bucket list fly fishing trip
• E-scouting for fishing

You can submit a question for the podcast here. 

View our Fly Fishing Masterclass here. 

You can shop our Starter Packs here. 

Read Dom Swentosky's article about hooking into big fish here. 

We had an AMAZING year here at Untangled. To celebrate, we're highlighting some of the best moments from the podcast from 2023. Spencer Durrant takes us back to some of the greatest bits of advice (and humor), including: 

• All about fishing with emergers (from Ep. 46)
• One of our 6 Insider Tips for Success (from Ep. 32)
• How to approach new water with confidence (from Ep. 35)
• Do trout really remember being caught? (from Ep. 25)
• A how-to guide on landing trout on a fly rod (from Ep. 20) 

Submit a question for the show here! 

What is it about fly fishing that keeps us coming back? Why is this sport so addicting? Is it the simple pleasure of watching fish eat dry flies, or the rush of hooking and landing a trophy trout? Tons of folks have tried to answer this question, and in a slight departure from the norm on this show, Spencer Durrant will dive into why he thinks fly fishing is so addicting. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Different options for attaching leader to your fly line
• Tips for fishing spring creeks in winter
• Tips on picking the right fly during winter
• How to properly fish nymphs in slow, deep water
• Some general advice on fishing with streamers 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Pick the Right Fly eBook - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE

Ben's #LiveReelLife Moment - PICTURE

Have you ever wanted to fly fish in Alaska? Okay, that's probably a dumb question. Alaska is an AMAZING place, and Spencer Durrant just got back from a week chasing salmon, trout, and grayling. He shares the story of that trip, along with some of the most important lessons he learned, that apply not just to fly fishing in Alaska, but chasing fish EVERYWHERE. This is an episode of Untangled you don't want to miss! 

💥 Want to Level Up Your Fly Fishing Skills? Check out our FREE ➡️ YEAR-ROUND HATCH CHART

🐟 Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE 

In this episode, Spencer discusses the one simple piece of tackle that fish - especially trout - just flat-out ignore. Learning about this can be key to becoming a better angler. In addition, Spencer talks about: 

• Fishing with multiple dry flies
• Building fly rods
• Tips for your next guided fishing trip 

You can submit a question for the show here. 

You can read the article about trout and how they see the hook here. 

In this week's episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant reveals a secret so incredible he had to smuggle it out of Area 52 (bet you didn't know THAT existed, did you?). 

Okay, it's not that secret -- it's a collection of the 12 flies that Spencer believes will catch 99% of all the trout you encounter. Make sure to listen and see if you agree with his list. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Tips for fishing lakes
• Some recommendations for folks who have a hard time seeing their small tippets and flies
• The best sunglasses for all-around fishing applications
• How to fish deep pools

Links From The Show

SUBMIT A QUESTION FOR THE SHOW!

VIDEO -  Untangled Ep. 45: How to Fly Fish on Lakes 

VIDEO - Untangled Ep. 15: Why You NEED Sunglasses

VIDEO - How to Fly Fish Pools

CHECK OUT ALL of Skwala's great products HERE. Use code UNTANGLED10 for 10% off your next order at Skwala!

This is a VERY SPECIAL EPISODE! More special than the perfect buffalo wings! Today, Spencer Durrant sits down with Kevin Sloane and Rich Hohne from Skwala Fishing, a technical apparel brand that's gained a reputation for outstanding quality, especially with their waders. Spencer interviews Kevin and Rich to learn all about waders, including: 

• Why do some waders cost so much money?
• What makes a pair of waders "good?"
• What features should you look for in a pair of waders?
• Why do waders fail? 
• Where are the most common failure points in a pair of waders?
• How do you properly store and clean waders?
• How do you know if your waders fit you correctly? 

What are the best trout rivers in America? You know, the rivers that every angler should visit before passing on to that great river in the sky. And for that matter, why do we hold some rivers in such high regard? On this week's episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant walks you through his own ranking of the country's best trout water. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Dry-dropper rigs 
• The science behind water temperature's impact on trout 
• Why fly anglers don't use barrel swivels 
• How to find fishing spots in brand-new areas 

💥 Want to Level Up Your Fly Fishing Skills? Check out our FREE ➡️ YEAR-ROUND HATCH CHART  

QUESTIONS TO THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

LIVE REEL LIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE 

ARTICLE - KEEP FISH WET - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - FINDING PLACES TO FLY FISH - CHECK IT OUT

In this episode, Spencer Durrant walks you through how to catch more fish with small flies (which EVERYONE needs in their fly box). You'll also learn about: 

• Float tubes 
• How to recognize emergers and duns
• Matching the hatch with streamers
• How to fish with other anglers

You can submit a question for the podcast here. 

Get the FREE VFC eBook on Picking the Right Fly here. 

Have you ever run into an angler who seems to ALWAYS know the EXACT RIGHT FLY to tie on, no matter where or when they're fishing? That might seem like a superpower, but really, it's a skill that just takes a bit of time - and effort - to develop. On today's episode, Spencer Durrant walks you through the 4 concepts you need to learn if you want to always pick the right fly for any fly fishing situation. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Tips for casting dry flies
• Does color actually matter when picking a fly pattern?
• When should you change flies? 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Submit a question for the podcast here!

HATCH CHART - Year-round Hatch Chart

VIDEO - How to Pick The Right Fly

PODCAST - How to Pick The Right Fly

EBOOK - Picking the Right Fly for Any Fishing Situation

Rainbow trout are known for their acrobatics, and for growing so big they look like more like a football than a fish. 

You can also catch rainbows in LITERALLY every state in America. 

But how often do you treat rainbows as just an afterthought? We're busy chasing browns, or cutthroat, or brookies, but rainbows don't always get the love they should. And that's a shame, since some of the BEST fish I've ever caught on a fly rod are rainbows! 

This week on Untangled, we're taking a deep dive into rainbow trout. You'll learn about their life cycle, their feeding habits, the flies they like - even the best places in a river to look for them! 

If you want to hook into a big ol' rainbow trout this year, you've gotta listen to this week's show! 

You'll also learn about: 

• How to find new places to go fly fishing, even if you're traveling to somewhere you've never been before 
• Some tips on finding new flies to tie, and materials to tie those flies with
• The value of looking for, and discovering, new places to fly fish, all on your own 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Rigs & Knots Guide - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

PODCAST - The Ultimate Guide to Brown Trout - LISTEN HERE

VIDEO - Find Your Own Fly Fishing Spot - CHECK IT OUT

Submit a question for the podcast here: https://rebrand.ly/UT-Questionnaire

In this episode, we cover: 

• Tips for effectively fishing small streams
• Bobbins - what size you should be using
• Why we don't place split shot right in front of a fly 

Links to helpful information from today's show: 

https://fightmasterflyfishing.com/index.php/2019/01/31/adjusting-weight-when-nymphing/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL7yLNSUadw

Riffles are the buffet line of the river. They're jam-packed with both food AND hungry fish, but a TON of anglers just skip this type of water. They think riffles are too shallow to hold fish. This week on Untangled, Spencer Durrant walks you through everything you need to know about riffles. You'll learn how to identify one, WHY fish and bugs hang out in them so much, and how to present your flies in a riffle. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Proper etiquette for fishing on different rivers
• How to put together an effective double-nymph rig
• The differences between stocked and wild trout

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

VIDEO - Finding Fish in Riffles - WATCH HERE

eBOOK - Finding Fish in Rivers - CHECK IT OUT

PODCAST - Complete Guide to Wet Flies - CHECK IT OUT

Submit a question: https://rebrand.ly/UT-Questionnaire 

In this episode, we cover: 

• The flies you need for lake fishing
• Making your own tapered leaders
• Tungsten beads on flies
• How to shoot line and add distance to your cast

A list of must-have flies from Drew Rodden: https://news.orvis.com/fly-fishing/tuesday-tip-top-10-flies-for-stillwater-trout

Building a tapered leader from Tim Flagler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmEBAXzYMD0 

Casting vidoes from Pete Kutzer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8idd4kgXY4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6irs1T1mjg

Submit a question to the podcast: https://rebrand.ly/UT-Questionnaire 

In this episode, we cover: 

• The one piece of gear you shouldn't skimp out on - you NEED to hear about this! 
• Fishing with poppers
• How to pick the right nymph for a dry dropper rig 

VFC Rod & Reel Combo: https://venturesflyco.com/rodandreelcombo

VFC Starter Packs: https://venturesflyco.com/starter-packs

In this episode, Spencer Durrant sits down with VFC Co-Founder Alex Stulce to talk about 6 lessons they wish all beginning anglers knew. They also talk about a huge announcement from VFC and a brand-new giveaway! Stay tuned to the episode to hear about the announcement and giveaway. 

Topics discussed in this episode; 

• The importance of presenting flies properly
• How to pick the right fly
• Getting the right depth with nymphs
• The role that pressure plays on how a river fishes
• How to properly catch and release fish
• How to find fish in rivers

You can submit a question for the podcast here. 

Do you like losing big fish? Of course not! No one does! On this week's episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant walks you through a 5-step checklist he's developed over YEARS of losing big fish. If you follow these steps, you'll avoid learning the hard way like Spencer, and start putting more nice fish in the net in no time! 

You'll also learn about: 

• How to assemble a dry-dropper rig with barbless hooks
• Why barbless hooks are the best option for every angler
• How to tell the difference between hooking into a fish and snagging bottom
• Some general tips on how to effectively fly fish lakes 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

SUBMIT A QUESTION FOR THE SHOW!

VIDEO - How to Fight Fish

VIDEO - Fly Fishing Rigs and Knots

VIDEO - How to Fly Fish Lakes

VIDEO - Why You Should Use Barbless Hooks

On this episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant introduces you to the softer, gentler side of trout - a side maybe you didn't even know existed. After this show, you won't just be catching trout from your local stream - you'll be shaking fins with your friends. You'll know the different personality quirks of each trout species, and how those quirks can help you put more of them in the net! 

You'll also learn about: 

• Different types of indicators and why we use them
• Tips for storing your fly fishing gear
• A bunch of information about old bamboo fly rods and lines 

Links From The Show

SUBMIT A QUESTION - Click Here!

VIDEO - How to Find Fish

RESOURCE - AFFTA Line Standards Chart

In this episode, Spencer Durrant dishes some tips to help you mend fly line like the pros. In addition to mending, Spencer discusses: 

• Matching the hatch
• The best knots for big fish
• How to rig up for nymphs
• Flies to use for pike
• Best wading boot soles

As always, you can submit a question for the podcast here. 

Chapters

6:32 - Nymph rigs

15:41 - Flies for pike

19:50 - Mending fly line

29:32 - Best wading boot soles

Have you ever been casting to a trout that's acting as cantankerous as a toddler who missed his nap? You've tried EVERYTHING, but nothing will get the fish to calm down, eat your fly, and spend a few minutes in your net. 

What do you do in that situation? Pack up and go home? Admit defeat - yet again - to an animal with the brain the size of a strawberry? 

Well, after this week's episode of Untangled, you'll have another trick to try. 

This episode shares ten fly patterns that most anglers overlook. When the chips are down and the fish refuse to cooperate, these are the flies you can turn to. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Sink-tip fly lines, and the best lines to use when fishing streamers in a river
• What to do when you're fishing a dry-dropper rig, but the fish aren't rising very much
• What flies are categorized as mayflies
• Some tips for fishing a dry-dropper rig effectively
• The differences between stocked and wild trout 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

VIDEO - How We Fly Fish with Nymphs - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Fly Selection Master Class: Mayflies 101 - CHECK IT OUT

PODCAST - Fly Fishing's Most Important Fly - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Fly Selection Master Class - CHECK IT OUT

In this episode, Spencer Durrant sits down with Alex Stulce to give listeners a framework for how to pick the right fly for any fishing situation, even if you don't know anything about bugs. 

Download our new eBook "Picking The Right Fly For ANY Fishing Situation" here. 

You can submit a question for the show here. 

On this week's episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant walks you through the intricacies and mysteries of one of fly fishing's most legendary hatches. You'll leave with all the wisdom and knowledge you need to catch boatloads of trout during this hatch, leaving your friends speechless at your mad skills, and your enemies absolutely gobsmacked that you've progressed so much in so short a time. 

As if that's not enough, you'll also learn about: 

• Tips for setting the hook when fishing with different kinds of fly rods
• How to pick the right fly during stormy weather
• A few tips on using tippet rings and managing your leaders
• Impostor syndrome - what it is, and why you shouldn't let it be a bother 

Links From The Show

Submit a question for the show here!

VIDEO - How to Straighten Your Leader 

VIDEO - The Right Fly Formula

In this episode, Spencer Durrant talks about some go-to tips for catching trout from lakes. In addition, you'll learn about: 

• Casting tips
• Using light at night to catch trout
• Wading staffs
• Tips for anglers switching from bass to trout fishing 

Submit a question for the podcast here. 

Read the Troutbitten article about wading staffs here. 

Is it enough to just know WHAT the best flies are? Or should you spend the time to understand WHY those flies are so effective? 

Well, if you want to become a great angler, then you need to understand WHY the best flies work so well. On today's episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant will walk you through what real-life insects the flies we use imitate, and a list of 15 flies you should never leave home without! 

You'll also learn about: 

• Adjustable dry-dropper rigs
• The best fly boxes for dry flies
• How to get your flies to sink quicker
• How often to change your flies if the fish aren't biting 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE

VIDEO - Fly Selection Masterclass - CHECK IT OUT

EBOOK - How to Pick the Right Fly - CHECK IT OUT

GEAR - VFC Waterproof Fly Box - CHECK IT OUT

Have you ever heard of "trash" or "junk" flies, and wondered what the heck they are? If a fly is considered "trash," should you even be using it?

Well, here's the thing: these so-called trash flies FLAT-OUT CATCH FISH! 

Seriously, these trash flies are some of the most effective patterns out there! And in this episode of Untangled, Spencer walks you through what trash flies imitation, why they're controversial, how to fish them, and why they deserve a spot in your fly box. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Tippet rings (FINALLY!) 
• The importance of fishing multiple types of water to improve your skills
• Spencer's process of selecting flies for a dry-dropper rig
• The reason we add tippet to leaders 
• Suggestions for a guide looking to outfit his boat for his first guide season 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

In this episode, host Spencer Durrant talks about whether fish can remember being caught, as well as the following topics: 

• Fishing for bass with dry flies
• What a sighter is, and why they're used
• Casting streamers
• General fly casting tips

You can submit a question for the show here. 

In this episode, former guide and fly fishing author Spencer Durrant walks you through some simple tips to help you master fly fishing on lakes. You'll also learn about: 

• Basic streamer tips
• How to know if you have enough weight when nymphing
• Identifying trout
• How to find quality flies
• Rigs for smallmouth bass
• How to properly store your gear 

Submit a question for the show here.

Learn more about fishing streamers in this show ---> Ep. 38 -- Fishing Streamers

View our fly assortments here. 

Read Dave Whitlock's story about fishing for smallmouth bass here.

Read the VFC article about fishing alpine lakes here. 

Read the story about Spencer's broken fly rod here.  

What do you do when the bugs are hatching, but no fish are rising to eat them? Or, what if the fish are rising, but they're refusing your flies? And how do you handle it when literally EVERYONE on the river is catching fish, and you're only catching the skunk? Do you go home empty-handed, like the commies after WWII? Of course not! You listen to this episode of Untangled, where Spencer Durrant and Alex Stulce walk you through common situations you'll run into on tough rivers, and help you troubleshoot your way through them. 

You'll learn all about how to handle moments when: 

• Bugs are hatching, but fish aren't rising
• Fish are rising, but ignoring your fly
• No bugs are hatching, and no fish are rising
• Fish are rising, but you don't know what they're eating
• Other anglers are catching fish and you're not. 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

💥 Want to Level Up Your Fly Fishing Skills? Check out our FREE ➡️ YEAR-ROUND HATCH CHART  

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE 

GRAPHIC - GENERAL BUG LIFECYCLE -  CHECK IT OUT

In this episode, Spencer Durrant walks you through the murky world of fly fishing next to tons of other anglers! The rules for crowded rivers are different than the etiquette you'd give on a small stream, and today, you'll learn three tips to make your experience on a crowded fishery that much better. In addition, Spencer also found two tips to help you catch more fish from these crowded fisheries. 

As if that wasn't enough, you'll also hear about: 

• Tips for streamer fishing in murky water
• Advice for buying waders
• Using tippet rings
• Over and underlining fly rods
• The best knot for attaching a fly to your leader 

Submit a question for the show here!

Links from the show

Episode 24 -- Basic River Etiquette

Pat Dorsey's blog post on river etiquette 

Blog post from Linehan Outfitters on fishing crowded rivers

All about the Mono Rig from Troutbitten

Episode 57 -- Waders Buying Guide

Beginner Masterclass Video on Knots

One of the biggest problems that holds beginner fly anglers back from really finding success is this: they overthink the sport. Fly fishing, at its essence, is a simple sport! And in this episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant will walk you through WHY it's so simple, and give you some tips to remind yourself of that when it feels like you don't know how to catch fish on a fly rod. 

In addition, you'll learn about: 

• The difference between fly rod actions
• How to properly store your rod, reel, and fly line
• Tips for applying dubbing to your flies
• Whether expensive fly rods are "worth it" 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

💥 Want to Level Up Your Fly Fishing Skills? Check out our FREE ➡️ YEAR-ROUND HATCH CHART 

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE 

PICTURE - Jeff's Trout #LiveReelLife -  CHECK IT OUT

PODCAST - Ep 66 Nymphing Tactics - CHECK IT OUT

PODCAST - Ep 70 Fly Rods Explained - CHECK IT OUT

In this episode, host Spencer Durrant discusses the most important skill that every angler needs to mater. In addition to that, Spencer talks about: 

• The best gear for beginners
• Bad fishing guides
• Polarized sunglasses
• Wings
• The best fly lines for tricky presentations
• When to level up your fly rod size 

You can submit a question for the show here. 

Enter to win a fly rod and reel here. 

You can find our Starter Pack here. 

You can find the link to the Orvis casting video here. 

Nymphing is by far the most effective way to catch fish on a fly rod. After all, 80% of a fish's diet is made up of nymphs! But how do you become FANTASTIC at nymphing? Once you have a good grasp of the bascis, what are the skills and techniques you should focus on to become confident with your nymphing? 

On this episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant will walk you through four advanced nymphing strategies to help you go from lucking into fish every now and then, to consistently catching tons of fish on nymphs. 

You'll also learn about: 

• The best fly rod for small stream fishing
• The colors trout see, and how they impact the flies those trout eat
• How to get started in fly fishing 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the Free Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE

PICTURE - Kent's #LiveReelLife Moment - CHECK IT OUT

PODCAST - Nymphing 101 (Episode 47) -  CHECK IT OUT

GEAR - VFC Fly Flinger Rod -  CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Beginner Fly Rod FAQs - CHECK IT OUT

ARTICLE - How Trout See - CHECK IT OUT

GEAR - VFC Starter Packs - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Beginner Fly Fishing Masterclass - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Fly Selection Masterclass - CHECK IT OUT

In this episode, Spencer Durrant breaks down what you NEED to know about booking a guided fly fishing trip. He explains how to get the best bang for your buck, and the mindset you need if you want to learn a TON from your guide. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Furled leaders
• The differences between nylon and fluorocarbon 
• Tips to avoid snagging up when fishing with 3 nymphs
• How to demagnetize your tying tools

Submit a question for the show here! 

Links from the show

Todd Tanner's story about guides in Hatch Magazine

Ep. 50 -- learn more about leader types here!

Ep. 47 -- Learn all about how we fly fish with nymphs!

In this episode, Spencer Durrant gets down and dirty with streamers by doling out some basic tips and tricks to help you master fishing these interesting flies. In addition, you'll learn about: 

• Tips for organizing your fly box
• The difference between leader and tippet
• How to target smallmouth bass on the fly rod
• When to use different rods for different situations 

You can submit a question for the show here. 

The story by Dave Whitlock about fishing for smallmouth bass can be found here. 

Our Beginner Fly Fishing Masterclass is here. 

The single most important skill you can develop is to present your flies in as lifelike and natural a way as possible. You could have the PERFECT fly, but it won't matter if you can't put that fly in front of a fish in a way that mimics the real thing. In today's episode, Spencer Durrant walks you through six tips that will help you perfect your presentation and immediately start putting more fish in the net. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Fly recommendations for bass and bluegill
• Loop-to-loop versus nail knot connections for fly line to leader
• How to meet new anglers to fish with
• How to work fish close to far 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

💥 Want to Level Up Your Fly Fishing Skills? Check out our FREE ➡️ YEAR-ROUND HATCH CHART

🐟 Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE 

VIDEO - Mending 101 - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Pick the Right Fly - CHECK IT OUT

PICTURE - Chris's #LiveReelLife Moment -  CHECK IT OUT

Imagine sitting down for a one-on-one chat with a fly fishing expert. How much would that improve your fly fishing abilities? Now, imagine if you had the opportunity to chat with over 600 experts! You'd be a fly fishing ninja! 

Well, Dave Stewart, of The Wet Fly Swing podcast, has conducted over 600 interviews with fly fishing experts on his show over the years. And on this week's episode of Untangled, he sits down with Spencer Durrant to talk about the five most important lessons he's learned from those hundreds of conversations. 

You can check out more from Dave Stewart here. 

If you've struggled with poor casting performance, bad accuracy, or simply feel like you're inadequate, we have the solution for you! No, it's not another pill -- it's this episode of Untangled! Spencer Durrant, former guide and current diet soda connoisseur walks you through five tips to improve your fly casting, even if you can't make it to the river. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Why your fly line sometimes slaps your rod during a cast
• Why fly rods break (and some potential fixes for them)
• Some tips for fishing during cold weather 

Submit a question for the show here! 

Links From The Show

Fly Casting Video from the Beginner Fly Fishing Masterclass

The Fly Flinger 9' 5-weight Fly Rod!

Winter Fly Fishing Podcast Episode 

Spring fly fishing is here! But how confident are you that you have the right flies for the job? If you don't have the right flies, you could be missing out on what I think is the BEST fly fishing you'll have all year. 

In this episode of Untangled, I'll walk you through the 14 must-have fly patterns I use every spring. You'll learn their names, the sizes and colors I recommend, and the real-life bugs these flies imitate. 

You'll also learn about: 

• The major differences between cheap and expensive reels, and why your best bet is a middle-of-the-road option
• When and if you should use flies that are larger than the naturals you see on the water
• Spencer's top three dream fly fishing trips 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the Right Fly eBook for FREE! - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

The early-season hatches you find during spring are some of the BIGGEST challenges you'll face in fly fishing. 

And after a winter where you've been cooped up and dreaming of fishing, the last thing you want is to get frustrated because these hatches are SO TOUGH to fish. 

This spring, you won't be the angler who can't figure out the fish. 

This week's episode of Untangled takes a deep dive into 8 of the essentially fly fishing skills that will COMPLETELY change how successful you are this spring. 

These skills are GAME-CHANGERS that will help you read the water better, make smarter fly choices, and present your flies more naturally. 

In this episode, you'll also learn about: 

• The importance of backing on a fly reel, and why every fly reel needs it
• How to keep your nymphs from constantly snagging the bottom of the river
• How to set the hook on dry flies 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the Year-Round Hatch Chart for FREE! - CHECK IT OUT

Get the Right Fly eBook for FREE! - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

If you don't rig your flies correctly, you won't catch fish. 

Alright, that's a bit dramatic - but it's not far off from the truth! The way your flies are rigged impacts your ability to present them in as realistic a way as possible. And since our goal is to fool fish into thinking our fake fly is the real thing, you can see how important it is to correctly rig your flies. In this episode, Spencer Durrant walks you through how he rigs his dries, nymphs, and streamers, sharing the exact steps he uses after 20 years of fly fishing, a few years of guiding, and teaching thousands of new anglers here at VFC. 

You'll also learn about: 

• How to correctly size tippet for multi-fly rigs
• The best flies to start with when you begin your day on the water
• Tips for casting in the wind
• How to tell what size and type certain flies are 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

DOWNLOAD - Rigs & Knots Pocket Guide - CHECK IT OUT

💥 Want to Level Up Your Fly Fishing Skills? Check out our FREE ➡️ RIGHT FLY E-BOOK

🐟 Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE 

VIDEO - Right Fly Formula - CHECK IT OUT

PODCAST - Fly Casting in the Wind - CHECK IT OUT

PICTURE - Britton's #LiveReelLife Moment -  CHECK IT OUT

In this episode, Spencer Durrant talks about: 

• River etiquette while fly fishing
• Slings vs vests
• Avoiding tangles with dry-dropper rigs
• Loose reels
• Fishing with guides

You can submit a question for the show HERE

Article | Rigging a Dry-Dropper

Submit a question for the show here: https://vfccontent.survey.fm/podcast-questions 

The Flysmith Vise - https://rebrand.ly/Aud-UT22-Vise

ARTICLE - Fly Rods - https://rebrand.ly/Aud-UT22-Fly-Rods

In this episode, Alex joins the show with Spencer to tackle everything you need to know about fly rods! Action, length, and weight are all discussed, as are use cases for each rod type. You're not gonna want to miss this!

In this week's episode, you'll learn all about the two basic rigs for fishing with dry flies. These are the rigs that you really need if you want to be successful with dry flies. You'll also learn about a bunch of other topics, including: 

• How to set the hook on dry fly takes
• Some tips for wading safely (so you don't take an unplanned swim)
• What nymph rigs you can fish without an indicator

You can submit a question for the show here.

Watch the video about dry fly rigs here. 

Read the blog series on how to find fish here.  

Get our FREE Guidebook on Matching the Hatch here. 

Your intrepid host Spencer Durrant is joined this week by Matthew Lourdeau, the fellow behind the Casting Across blog and podcast! The bulk of this show centers on the lessons Matthew has learned about fly fishing from teaching it to his four sons. Spencer chimes in with his bad puns and a few anecodtes about guiding, and you'll also hear talk about the most valuable lesson we, as adult anglers, can learn from kids. This is a show chock-full of good times that you don't want to miss. 

Submit a question for the show here!

Links from the Show

Check out Casting Across. It's a truly wonderful resource for all anglers. 

Beginners don't always have a guide, or even an experienced fishing buddy, to help them overcome the mistakes they make on the water. There's A LOT of trial and error that goes into learning to fly fish, especially if you're doing it on your own. Today's show breaks down four of the most common beginner fly fishing mistakes, and how to fix them, so you can quickly improve your skills and have a better chance at putting more fish in the net. 

You'll also learn about: 

• The best way to rig your nymphs to catch more fish
• How long your flies should drift in the river
• Catch-and-release tactics to take care of trout
• The basic fly fishing fundamental that will CHANGE your life 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

💥 Want to Level Up Your Fly Fishing Skills? Check out our FREE ➡️ RIGHT FLY E-BOOK

🐟 Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE 

VIDEO - Fly Fishing Crash Course - CHECK IT OUT

PICTURE - Micah's #LiveReelLife Moment -  CHECK IT OUT

Submit a question for the podcast here: https://rebrand.ly/UT-Questionnaire 

In this episode, we: 

• Introduce new products from VFC! Fly tying kits are launching April 9! 
• Discuss common questions for beginning fly tiers, including: 
  • Is it really cheaper to tie your own flies?
  • How easy is it to tie flies that fish actually eat?
  • Is tying flies fun? 

In this episode, Spencer Durrant talks about why he thinks fly fishing apps are bad for the industry in general, and what can be done to stop them. You'll also hear: 

• Recommendations on fly fishing literature
• Tips for rigging up a fly rod
• Tips for casting
• Matching your fly to the right tippet size

You can submit a question for the podcast here. 

Watch the video on setting up a fly rod here. 

Watch the video on casting here. 

What's the hardest thing about learning to fly fish? Is it the casting, learning how to pick the fight fly, or reading water? Or is it...well, everything? 

On this episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant and Alex Stulce walk you through the major paint points you'll encounter when fly fishing, and they offer some great tips to help you navigate these. You'll come out of this podcast full of the confidence you need to absolutely crush it on the water! 

Links From The Show

FREE EBOOK - Picking The Right Fly For Any Fishing Situation

GEAR - VFC Starter Packs

VIDEO - Finding Places to Fish

VIDEO SERIES - Beginner Fly Fishing Masterclass  

SUBMIT A QUESTION - Click Here

Are you tired of being outsmarted by fish? Does the thought of coming home empty-handed from yet another fly fishing trip fill you with dread and angst? Well, you're in the right place, because this week's episode of Untangled will help you solve one of fishing's most confounding problems -- how to catch picky fish! Spencer Durrant has five tips that he'll walk you through to help you turn those days of frustration into epic tales of success. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Tips for planning your own fishing trip
• How to control the drift of your nymph rig
• How to avoid spooking fish while wading
• The best way to attach your leader to your fly line

Links From The Show

VIDEO - Pick The Right Fly For EVERY Fishing Situation 

VIDEO - How To Have More Success With Dry Flies

PODCAST - Expert Nymphing Tactics Made Easy ft. Troutbitten

VIDEO - How to Fly Fish With Nymphs

VIDEO - How to Mend Fly Line

VIDEO - How to Spot And Stalk Trout

In this episode, fly fishing author and former guide Spencer Durrant goes through 13 tips that can help you immediately elevate your fly tying skills. These are the tips that Spencer wishes he'd had when he started tying flies. 

In addition, you'll learn about: 

• When to replace your fly line
• Spencer's favorite gear for wet wading
• Stripping baskets
• Line management
• Some tips on knots 

You can submit a question for the show here. 

You can watch our fly casting video here.

You can find our Beginner Fly Tying Masterclass here.

Are you dismayed by the sight of rivers that look like chocolate milk? Does high water strike sadness and fear into your heart? Well, after listening to this week's edition of Untangled, you'll have all the tools you need to fish during runoff! Spencer Durrant walks you through what he's learned about fishing high, muddy water, and how you can apply those lessons to your own fly fishing circumstances. 

You'll also learn about: 

• How to see your small dry flies when fishing during a hatch
• Some tips for taking pictures of the trout you catch
• Some advice on teaching other people to fish, and getting them the correct gear 

Links From The Show

SUBMIT A QUESTION FOR THE SHOW! 

VIDEO - Get A Fly Rod Un-Stuck

In this episode, Spencer Durrant talks about a killer tactic that can seriously improve your fly fishing skills. In addition, you'll learn about: 

• Picking a beginner rod and reel setup
• Some of the best fly fishing books (in Spencer's opinion)
• How to fly fish murky water
• How to use split shot effectively (Alex has a framework for you to use!) 
• How to get along with other anglers 

You can submit a question for the show here. 

Buy the Fly Flinger here. 

Watch Ep. 22 of Untangled, about picking fly rods, here.

Watch the video of Kelly Galloup fishing murky water here.  

In this week's episode, Spencer Durrant discusses a tried-and-true formula for handling rejection. No, not that kind! The kind when a trout refuses your fly! Spencer's Formula for Handling Rejection will help turn those moments of sadness and frustration into success. In addition to Spencer's 4 Keys for Avoiding Rejection, you'll learn about: 

• Whether you should cut the welded loop off the front of your fly line 
• How to understand what water levels (measured in cubic feet per second, or CFS) can tell you about how a river might be fishing at any given moment
• Some can't-miss techniques for feeling subtle bites (like all those Colorado trout like to do) 
• Two ways to find places to fish if you're new to fly fishing 

Click here to submit a question for Untangled.

Click here to watch the video from Orvis on micro drag.  

I know, winter is cold. You've gotta bundle up like the Stay Puft Marshmallow man, and on top of that, the fish aren't all that active, either! So, why do some people just LOVE winter fly fishing? Well, it has enough redeeming qualities to make it worth the effort. The solitude and peace are hard to beat, and you can get into some fantasitc fish, too. On this episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant walks you through everything you need to know about winter fly fishing: where the fish are, what flies to use, how to stay warm, how to deal with ice in your guides, and more! 

You'll also learn about: 

• The characteristics of wet flies
• Recommended rods for beginners
• Some advice on picking flies for creek fishing
• How to tell where fish are holding in the water column

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Pick the Right Fly e-Book - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE

Sean's #LiveReelLife Moment - PICTURE

VIDEO - Proven Winter Fly Fishing Tactics - CHECK IT OUT

GEAR - Fly Flinger Rod - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Beginner Fly Rod Buying Guide - CHECK IT OUT

GEAR - Fly Collections - CHECK THEM OUT

VIDEO - Fly Selection Masterclass - CHECK IT OUT

What fly fishing skills will ACTUALLY move the needle and make you a better angler? Well, if you asked 5 different anglers, you'd probably get 20 different answers! And trying to master 20 new skills in a single year sounds like too much for it to be of any use. 

On today's episode of Untangled, Spencer will share the 5 skills that have made the biggest difference in his own fishing. These are things he's still working on, and they're aspects of the sport that ALL of us can learn and improve on. 

You'll also learn about: 

• How to interpret CFS data
• How much wind is too much for fly fishing, and what it feels like
• Setting your drag for different fish fighting situations
• How to properly position your strike indicator 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the Pocket Rigs Guide - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

VIDEO - Fly Selection Masterclass - WATCH HERE

ARTICLE - A Gut Check on Accuracy - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - Positioning Your Strike Indicator - WATCH HERE

PICTURE - Jon's Apache Trout - CHECK IT OUT

To become a dry fly fishing ninja, you'll need to complete a pilgrimage to the River Test in England, fishing only downstream drifts, from the bank, while wearing tweed. 

OR - you could listen to this episode of Untangled and let Spencer Durrant teach you 5 lessons about dry fly fishing that he's learned from his years as an angler and guide. These tips will help you take your dry fly fishing skills from "okay" to "freakin' fantastic" faster than you can say Diet Coke. 

You'll also learn about: 

• The difference between DT and WF lines, and what line is best for slow rods
• Why a short rod might be better than a long rod
• Whether trout can pick up a human scent on our flies
• How to get creative when tying your own flies
• The importance of using the correct weight fly line on your fly rod 

Submit A Question For The Show Here!

If you're a beginner, you probably have TONS of questions about fly fishing! And while we try to answer a lot of those on Untangled, sometimes we miss a few. 

So on this show, Spencer Durrant and Alex Stulce sat down with two beginning fly anglers, to answer their questions and hopefully point them in the right direction. The beginners ask everything from how to adjust your reel to the best way to fish big rivers. 

If you're a beginner, one (and probably more) of your common questions will be answered in this episode. 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

💥 Want to Level Up Your Fly Fishing Skills? Check out our FREE ➡️ RIGHT FLY E-BOOK

🐟 Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE 

In this week's episode, Spencer Durrant preaches about the use of barbless hooks for fly fishing! Ok, he doesn't preach -- but Spencer does lay out the reasons he uses barbless hooks, and why he recommends other anglers should try them. In addition to that stirring sermon, you'll also hear about: 

• Tips for catching hatchery trout
• Whether you should limit your fly selection
• Tips on winter midge hatches
• The best flies for beginners to use

Submit a question for the show here! 

Links from the show

The blog post from Fulling Mill about barbless hooks

Pick the Right Fly Masterclass Episode

Our FREE Pick the Right Fly eBook

The story about winter fly fishing from Fly Fisherman Magazine

You want to become a better angler. You'd like to catch more fish, definitely catch bigger fish, and feel confident in any river you find yourself fishing. So, what skills should you focus on if you want to make that leap? 

Well, as I looked back on my own experiences, I found 7 skills that helped me quit feeling overwhelmed and outgunned. 

If you focus on these 7 skills, you'll avoid A LOT of the mistakes I made, and you'll be able to fish with confidence no matter where you are. 

You'll also learn about: 

• The differences between powder and gel floatant for dry fly fishing
• How to properly mend your fly line when fishing a dry-dropper rig
• When to untangle your line, or cut and re-tire your entire rig 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the Right Fly eBook for FREE! - CHECK IT OUT

Get the Finding Fish eBook for FREE!  - CHECK IT OUT

Get the Year-Round Hatch Chart for FREE! - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

VIDEO - Performing the Reach Cast - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - How to Mend Fly Line - CHECK IT OUT

In this episode, Spencer Durrant talks about how you can predict a trout's behavior if you correctly understand the impact seasons have on hatches and bug activity. In addition, Spencer talks about: 

• Tips for getting started with tying flies
• Euro nymphs vs regular nymphs
• Different rigs for trout feeding in different parts of the water column

Congrats to the winner of our Starter Pack Giveaway, Parker Caskey! 

Submit a question for the show here. 

Find the Fly Tying Mega Kit here.

Watch the Fly Tying Masterclass here. 

Watch the Beginner Fly Fishing Masterclass here. 

Listen to Episode 2 of Untangled, about Monofilament vs Fluorocarbon lines, here.

Read more about the biodegradability of monofilament and fluorocarbon here. 

In this episode, Spencer Durrant discusses how to find the hidden fishing spots that most other anglers ignore. In addition, you'll hear about: 

• Basic knots fly anglers need to know
• How to pick the right leader for your flies
• How to pick wading boots
• The merits of chest packs vs sling packs 

Fly Rod and Reel Giveaway | Click Here!

Ep. 5 | Weighted Flies

Blog post on fishing pocket water

Submit a question for the show here - Submit

ARTICLE - Teach Kids Fly Fishing - Teach Kids to Fly Fish | Hatch Mag 

In this episode, we discuss: 

• Wading boots
• The Grand Slam in Colorado
• When to take kids fly fishing
• How to add variety to your fly collection
• Catching kokanee salmon on a fly rod

In this special episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant is joined by Domenick Swentosky to talk about essential nymphing tactics that beginning anglers just can't afford to miss. Dom is the man behind Troutbitten, one of the best learning resources available to fly anglers. Dom is also a dad, a guide, and one of fly fishing's most thoughtful writers. The conversation between Spencer and Dom features in-depth discussion on basic nymphing princples, as well as advice on how to take your nymphing to the next level. 

If you enjoyed Dom's advice, please take the time to check out Troubitten, which you can do here. 

Small stream fly fishing is one of the sport's greatest experience, but tons of anglers overlook these hidden gems. Tiny rivers can present some tough challenges for anglers, but that's where today's episode of Untangled comes in! 

Spencer Durrant will walk you through EVERYTHING you need to know about fly fishing small streams, including how to rig up your flies, what flies to use, how to approach the water, and how to get the best presentation possible, so you come home with tons of memories. 

You'll also learn about: 

• The knots most guides use for fly fishing
• How to fish nymphs at different depths
• Some general tips on fishing with emergers 
• Why fly anglers generally don't use lifelike flies 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

💥 Want to Level Up Your Fly Fishing Skills? Check out our FREE ➡️ RIGHT FLY E-BOOK  

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

LIVE REEL LIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE 

GRAPHIC 1 - SMALL STREAM EAST - CHECK IT OUT

GRAPHIC 2 - SMALL STREAM WEST -CHECK IT OUT

GRAPHIC 3 - DRY DROPPER RIG - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - POCKET WATER & LOB CAST - CHECK IT OUT

VIDEO - TRILENE KNOT - CHECK IT OUT

ARTICLE - ORVIS ASK EXPERTS - CHECK IT OUT

What flies are go-to patterns for winter fly fishing? And how do you know which flies you should be fishing in winter, anyways? On today's episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant walks you through which aquatic insects are most active in the winter, the flies we use to mimic them, and a few tips for how to fish them. This list of the 12 best winter fly fishing flies will have you set to start catching trout and bass! 

You'll also learn about: 

• Why you need wading boots, and advice on buying them
• Why Crocs aren't ideal wading footwear
• How to size your strike indicator when fishing with nymphs
• Spencer's recommendation for pants to wear during winter fly fishing
• Why trout jump all the way out of the water to eat different bugs 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT

Get the FREE Right Fly eBook - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

VIDEO - Fly Selection Masterclass - CHECK IT OUT

PICTURE - AJ's #LiveReelLife Moment - CHECK IT OUT

Where a fish lives has a HUGE impact on how it behaves and what it eats. Now, this matters to anglers, because if you understand how fish behavior and bug activity changes from a freestone to a tailwater, you'll eliminate A TON of frustration that many beginners experience. On this episode, Spencer Durrant will walk you through the information you need to know about the three main types of rivers, and how this knowledge can directly lead to putting more fish in the net.

You'll also learn about: 

• Why to choose a parachute fly instead of a regular one
• How to sneak up on fish
• The 3 flies beginning fly tiers should start out with
• Tips for setting the hook on dry fly eats 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the FREE Rigs & Knots Guide - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE

VIDEO - Sneak Up on Fish - WATCH HERE

Submit a question for the podcast: https://rebrand.ly/UT-Questionnaire 

In this episode, we cover: 

• How to keep your leader from getting tangled when casting
• The top 5 flies from each member of the VFC crew
• How to fish eddies
• The best dry fly floatant 

The wonderful Orvis video on fishing eddies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEFrwk3TFrg&t=253s

Murray Fly Shop floatant test: https://www.murraysflyshop.com/pages/which-dry-fly-floatant-works-the-best-a-comparison-test

Submit a question and be entered to win a Fly Tying Mega Kit! Winner announced 5/3/23! https://rebrand.ly/UT-Questionnaire 

In this episode, we discuss: 

• How to land big fish on a fly rod
• Fly selection for wild vs stocked trout
• Dry-dropper rigs
• Fishing murky water

Email address to send pics of your fish to:  lifereellife@venturesflyco.com

The Flysmith Vise: https://venturesflyco.com/collections/vise/products/the-flysmith-vise?_atid=NDixM7mYrO104vyKsrECZ4RqtBkKA7

Article on rigging a dry-dropper rig: https://blog.venturesflyco.com/2022/05/19/setting-up-a-dry-dropper-rig/

You can learn a lot about fly fishing from reading books or watching videos, but they don't always tell the complete story. Often, the lessons that stick with us the most are the ones we learn when we have a tough day on the water, or when we finally figure out how to catch a certain fish that's been elusive all season. 

On this episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant and Alex Stulce talk about the fly fishing lessons they've learned that don't really show up in guidebooks, and how applying these lessons will turn you into a better angler. 

You'll also be treated to a Lighting Round Q&A session, with tons of questions submitted from folks in the VFC Skool Group! 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Get the Free Right Fly eBook - CHECK IT OUT

Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE

#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENTS - SUBMIT HERE

VIDEO - Fly Selection Masterclass - WATCH HERE

Do you get nervous at the sight of BIG water? You know, a river so big that it probably qualifies for fat guy seating on airplanes? 

That's completely normal! But part of your education and growth as an angler is learning how to fish these bigger rivers, and on today's episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant will walk you through 7 expert tips to do just that. 

You'll also learn about: 

• Tips for hiking with waders and wading boots
• Fishing hatches on lakes
• Tips for adjusting the drag while you're fighting a big fish

Links From The Show

SUBMIT A PODCAST QUESTION HERE! 

VIDEO - How to Find Trout in a River

Submit a quetsion for the podcast here: https://rebrand.ly/UT-Questionnaire 

In this episode, we cover: 

• Fly rod action
• Fitting into your waders
• The secret to keeping dry flies afloat
• Tenkara! 

Link to the Fly Flinger Rod: https://venturesflyco.com/collections/rods/products/the-fly-flinger-rod?_atid=NDixM7mYrO10EVq6GgPYkOx0VokrgI0

In this episode, host Spencer Durrant talks about some can't-miss tactics that will improve your fly fishing success on any river, but especially on tailwaters. In addition, you'll hear about: 

• Why a drag-free drift isn't always the best presentation
• Bounce rigs and other fly fishing rigs
• What beginners should expect from fly fishing

Submit a question for the show here.

Our new Beginner Fly Fishing Masterclass is now live! Watch it here.  

Here's the link for the Provo Bounce Rig setup. 

Download our FREE eBook on picking the right fly here.