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Imposters - The Flies We Fish And The Fish They Catch
Skip Morris
Fly Fisher/Fly Tier/Author
Skip and Carol Ann Morris are well known in the fly fishing world and they have stories to tell... Their latest book Imposters takes us on a trip of colorful fly fishing experiences blending stories, insights, history and instruction all based on those imposters at the end of our lines. Join us on what will be a fun as well as enlightening episode as they share those experiences with us.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How did the idea come about for you book Imposters and how did you decide to work together on it?
- The title of the book is Imposters. At the most basic level, what are we really asking a fish to believe when we put an artificial fly in front of it?
- Could you provide some insight into how flies which appear to represent nothing in nature seem to catch fish like crazy?
- Fly tiers can become obsessed with making a fly look exactly like the insect they're imitating. How much does anatomical accuracy really matter to the fish?
- The two of you checked the dimensions of your fly drawings with a draftsman's divider so the tails, wings, hackles, thoraxes, and other components would have correct proportions. Why was that level of accuracy important to you, and how difficult is it to draw a fly accurately enough that a fly tier could actually learn from the illustration?
- Do you find that when drawing a fly it forces you to notice details about its proportions, materials, or construction that even the person tying it might overlook?
- In "The Promise, the Beaver, and the Branch," an apparently insignificant piece of water turns out to be much better than you expected. What can that experience teach us about learning to read water without prejudging it?
- Your chapter-opening illustrations don't simply show flies; they often combine the fly with fish, insects, anglers, wildlife, or scenes from the essay. For example, the opening illustration for "The Promise, the Beaver, and the Branch" brings together the trout, beaver, insect, branch, and fly. How do you decide which elements of Skip's story should become the visual story?
- Carol Anne because you're illustrating something Skip knows intimately as both a tier and fisherman, what is the collaboration like? Does Skip ever look over your shoulder and say, "That hackle is too long," or do you have artistic veto power?
- I am a new fly tyer, what pattern is a good start for me for an imposter pattern?
- The Guest Box includes everything from chironomid pupae to Booby Flies and your Predator. Is it more useful for an angler to organize a fly box around specific insects or around how and where the flies will be fished?
- Carol Ann you've spent a lot of time fishing with Skip as well as illustrating his books. Has being an artist changed the way you observe things when you're on the water—the insects, fish, light, vegetation, or other details that the rest of us might walk right past?
- How should an angler change the fly and presentation when trout appear to be taking insects trapped in or just below the surface film?
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Fly Fishing the Legendary North Umpqua for Steelhead
Joe Howell
Fly Fisher, Fly Tier, Guide, Author
The North Umpqua is legendary among steelhead fly fishers—but success on this demanding river takes more than simply showing up with a fly rod. Former guide and author Joe W. Howell shares what you need to know to fish the North Umpqua with confidence. Discover how to read its distinctive water, choose productive flies and techniques, approach steelhead effectively, and adapt to changing river conditions. Along the way, Joe draws on years of experience to help you better understand—and appreciate—one of America’s most storied steelhead rivers.Ask Joe Howell your most important questions on fly fishing the North Umpqua for steelhead...
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Fly Fishing the SurfLee Baermann has been fly fishing the surf for over 40 years. Lee guides us on California's southern coast finding beach structure, surf species, productive flies and fishing techniques. Join us and find out how get the best out of the surf.
Instinctive Fly FishingTaylor Streit has been guiding fly fishers for over 40 years. After watching thousands of clients catch trout over the years he knows what works and what doesn't work. Join us to learn Taylor's secrets to hooking up and landing more trout.
Conversations with a Bonefish GuideSteve Farrelly, started fishing in the Bahamas with world famous guide Stuart Cleare and caught the bonefish bug. Realizing that there was so much incredible knowledge that Stuart shared while fishing, he decided to try to capture it and share it with others, which he has done in his book, Bonefish Barehanded! Join us in the conversations that Steve and Stuart had and learn the secrets to fishing for bonefish in the Bahamas.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- How did you end up using Stuart Cleare as your guide?
- How did the concept for your book, Barehanded Bonefish! come about?
- When deciding where to fish, what were the factors Stuart considered?
- How could you tell where fish were feeding had recently been feeding?
- What did you learn about seeing fish in the water?
- Did you fish from the boat as well as wade the flats?
- What flies did Stuart prefer fishing with, crabs or shrimp?
- What weight rod and line do you use?
- What flies did Stuart use most often?
- What tip did you learn that helped you cast into the wind?
- Where did Stuart tell you to place your fly?
- What type of retrieve did you use?
- What movement did you give your fly?
- Did you primarily fish to schools of fish rather than solitary fish?
Silver Creek - The Crown Jewel Of Western Spring CreeksSilver Creek, Idaho is certainly known among fly anglers as one of the pinnacle and sacred waters in the sport. A technical dry fly fishery that forces the best out of anglers. John, lives and guides just a few steps away from this famous fishery. Listen in to find out how to conquer this incredible fishery.
Fly Line Design and ApplicationJim Teeny, originator of the integrated sinking fly line, is always on the cutting edge of fly line design. Learn the differences between the lines and how to use them best to catch more fish.
Fly Fishing for Trophy Striped BassDive into the exhilarating world of fly fishing for trophy striped bass in our next show with John Field! Join us as he shares the behaviors, preferred foods, and best fishing spots for these spectacular sportfish. Learn the flies and techniques that promise success. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned angler, don’t miss this thrilling discussion that could lead you to your next big catch!
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What do you consider a trophy striped bass?
- Can you explain the four major Atlantic stocks and their migrations?
- Are there similar migrations in California?
- What physical characteristics and sense of stripers do we, as fly fishers, need to know?
- What are the key factors that affect the movement of large fish?
- What are their primary food sources?
- Does the size of the fly help with hooking larger fish?
- Do you need to match your fly pattern the baitfish they are feeding on?
- What are a few of your go-to flies?
- What are your favorite top water patterns?
- What weight rods and types of lines do you recommend?
- What knots do you use in your setup?
- Are you more likely to catch a trophy striped bass from a boat or from shore?
- Where an how do you sight fish for striped bass?
- How do you present and retrieve your flies?
- What type of fight do the larger fish give and how do you fight them?
- What is the best way to handle a fish you've caught to ensure their survival?
Moving From Rookie to Novice to ProPudge Kleinkauf, as a professional guide in Alaska, has answered hundreds of questions throughout her career helping rookies move on up the ladder. Join us and get your questions answered that will help you move from rookie to novice to pro.
Women In Fly FishingThis show features a panel of three top women fly fishers from Alaska, Idaho and as far down as the Florida Keys. Cecilia 'Pudge' Kleinkauf, Lori-Ann Murphy and Diana Rudolph are our guests. All three know their fly fishing and know the business of fly fishing—they are all working professionals in the industry. Join us on this podcast to learn more about fly fishing and how women are raising the bar—Diana won the Hawley Invitational Tarpon Tournament, a male-dominated event and she holds two I.G.F.A. fly division records.
Cutthroat on the Upper Snake RiverPaul Bruun has fly fished and guided on the Upper Snake River for over 35 years. His understanding of his home waters and the native cutthroat trout are second to none. Listen in to learn about fly fishing this incredible water for an incredible fish.
Cruising for CarpPaul Rose was sight fishing for tailing carp before it was “hip”. He's tackled all the challenges associated with these freshwater bonefish and considers these explorations with his clients the basis for their saltwater training school. Listen in to learn about fly fishing for carp - something you can do almost anywhere in the world.
A Lifetime of Fly Fishing for SteelheadTrey Combs has been fly fishing, guiding and writing about steelhead for more than 50 years. He's an expert on this fish and has now written his fourth book on steelhead. Join us to learn about the history of steelhead fishing and all that he has learned about fishing for this extraordinary and challenging fish.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What inspired you to write your book Flies for Atlantic Salmon & Steelhead?
- What is your prediction for the health of steelhead runs?
- What is the cause of the devastation of steelhead runs on the Thompson River?
- What was the first steelhead fly?
- What do you consider to be the most versatile fly rod for steelhead?
- What is your recommended terminal tackle setup?
- What is your favorite steelhead fly to use in British Columbia?
- What is your favorite fly for low water?
- What caused you to start using more black flies?
- What is the most effective way to present your flies?
- How does your presentation change from spring to fall
- Why do you like to keep your fly broadside in the current?
- How do you use The Muddler for steelhead?
- What changes do you make to The Muddler so that it performs better?
Bowfin, Gar, Pike, Trout & More: Cracking the Code on Lake Champlain’s Fly Fishing GiantsLake Champlain may be one of the most diverse fly-fishing waters in North America, and it remains largely underexplored by fly anglers. Professional angler Drew Price breaks down how to target the lake’s incredible mix of species—from explosive bowfin and prehistoric longnose gar to northern pike, bass, carp, freshwater drum, and even salmonids. Drew shares practical strategies on seasonal movement, sight-fishing tactics, fly selection, and reading complex habitat across this massive fishery. If you’re ready to go beyond trout and discover a truly wild, multi-species fly-fishing experience, join us and open your eyes to what Lake Champlain really offers.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- Lake Champlain has a long and complex history—can you give us a brief overview of how the lake formed and how glacial forces shaped what we see today?
- What are the major geographic regions or “zones” of Lake Champlain, and how does fishing change as you move between them?
- Lake Champlain experiences strong seasonal changes—ice cover, spring runoff, summer stratification. How do these seasonal cycles impact fish distribution and angling strategy?
- What are the top species that fly fishers are interested in fishing for?
- What are the best seasons and water temperatures for fly fishing smallmouth bass on Lake Champlain?
- Which shallow habitats—bays, weed beds, marshes—produce the most consistent largemouth action?
- Where do pike stage during spring, summer, and fall, and how shallow do they really get?
- Is carp fishing on Champlain primarily a wading game, a boat game, or both?
- Where do bowfin typically hold in Lake Champlain, and what habitats should fly anglers focus on?
- When are gar most visible and accessible to fly anglers on Lake Champlain?
- Are drum a target species or more of an opportunistic catch while carp fishing?
- What fly patterns best match the forage base for landlocked salmon in the lake?
- Given all the species available to a fly fisher what are your recommendations on planning a trip to Lake Champlain?
- If an angler wants to target multiple species what would you suggest?
The Delaware River StoryLee Hartman, a professional guide and conservationist, will take us on a journey through the natural and unnatural history of the Delaware River. Many consider the Delaware the best wild trout fishery east of the Mississippi but it hasn’t been easy to keep it that way. Learn why it’s so important to protect this coldwater fishery and look forward to Lee sharing a few tips along the way about how to be successful fishing this great river.
- What species of fish are native to the Delaware River?
- What part of the Delaware River is the best for trout fishing?
- When is the best time to fish for shad?
- When did the Delaware River become a true trout river?
- Is it best to fish the river from a boat or wading?
- Where do you find the brown trout most often?
- What insect hatches can you expect on the river?
- What is a "Delaware River Fox"?
- What is being done to preserve the river as a world-class trout fishery?
Tenkara - The Traditional Japanese Method of Fly FishingDaniel Galhardo founded Tenkara USA in 2009 and has brought the traditional Japanese method of fly-fishing where only a rod, line and fly are used to the US. Tenkara is about fly-fishing simplicity and mountain-stream effectiveness. Eleven to fourteen foot long rods allow anglers to fish mountain streams in a way that is nearly impossible with western fly gear. Listen to learn about the history, philosophy and of course the strategies and techniques of using the Tenkara system.
California's Best Fly FishingChip O'Brien, a professional guide in California for 18 years, provides us with a overview of California's wild-trout waters from Northern California to the Eastern Sierra.
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