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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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Over 443 Shows for you to listen to!
- Chasing Records
Robert Cunningham has been chasing world records for two decades and has many stories to tell. Listen in to find out about the rare successful record catches, but also on the far more frequent failed attempts and the angling lessons learned from each of them. Anyone who has ever dreamed of a world record catch as well as any angler seeking to improve his fish fighting skill and techniques will learn from these experiences and enjoy a good fish story or two in the process.
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Specialty Casts - Getting Your Fly to the FishMac Brown, a Master Casting Instructor certified through the Federation of Fly Fishers, provides expert advice on how to use specialty casts to get your fly to those hard to reach fish.
- Tenkara's Evolution
Daniel Galhardo brought Tenkara fly fishing to North America and has introduced a new an exciting way to fly fish. Learn about the history and fishing in Japan that inspired him to create a company based on Tenkara. Daniel will also share how he started and built his business into the success it is today.
- How Many Menhaden Do We Really Need, and Why Fly Anglers Should Care?
Beau Beasley an award-winning outdoor writer answers your questions on the importance of menhaden also known as bunker, pogie, and fatback to our coastal fisheries. These forage fish are eaten by almost every predator species in the sea and are threaten by over fishing. If you fish coastal river systems and saltwater coastlines from Texas to Maine, the fate of these crucial forage fish should matter to you.
- Housantonic River - Trout and Smallies
Torrey Collins has guided and fished the Housatonic River for over 20 years. It's one of a few places where you can enjoy fishing an Eastern river for both trout and smallmouth bass. There's no doubt that there are trophies are in the river and Torrey will share with us his secrets of catching them on a fly.
- Fly Fishing Central Wyoming
Blake Jackson, a professional guide from Casper, Wyoming, specializes in guiding his clients to Wyoming’s great fisheries, like the Miracle Mile, Grey Reef, Fremont Canyon, and local lakes. Whether it's trophy trout or spooky carp Blake knows where to go and how to get hooked up. Join us to learn about these incredible fisheries and how to fish them.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What are the four major sections of the North Platte River?
- Is the area around Saratoga worth fishing?
- How did the Miracle Mile get its name?
- What spawn occurs on the Miracle Mile that brings up the big fish?
- What flies work best on the Miracle Mile?
- What section is fished most often in Fremont Canyon?
- What epic dry fly hatch is Fremont Canyon known for?
- What sections of Grey Reef are the most productive?
- What flies work best on Grey Reef and why?
- What strategies do you use to fish Grey Reef?
- What is the most common mistake most fly fishers make when fishing Grey Reef?
- Why has carp fishing in Wyoming exploded?
- Where is the best place to fish for carp in Wyoming?
- Fly Fishing the Driftless Area of the Midwest
Steve Born has been fly fishing the pristine waters of the Driftless Area of the Midwest for years and it still lures him back again and again. Find out why this area is so special and learn Steve's secrets for being successful in these waters.
- Madison River: Upper, Lower and in the Park
Kelly Galloup lives and runs his shop and lodge just minutes from the Madison River. He's guided on the river for over 17 years and knows the river intimately. Whether you want to fish the upper, the lower or the section in Yellowstone Park he'll be able to guide you to success. Listen to this podcast and discover what it takes to be successful on this famous river.
- Skeena River - Steelhead Dreams
Gill Mckean has been guiding on the world-famous Skeena River for more than 25 years. He’s guided a client to massive steelhead estimated at 34 pounds and has personally landed many in the 30-pound range. Join us to learn from Gill about this incredible fishery and of course how to land that steelhead of a lifetime.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What is the best time of year to fish for steelhead?
- Are there other streams and rivers to fish in the area?
- What species are available besides steelhead?
- What style of flies do you prefer?
- Is the spey rod the most commonly used rod on the Skeena?
- What type of line do you use and what types of tips do you use?
- What's the difference between Skagit and Scandi heads?
- What is the most productive depth for getting strikes?
- What triggers the fish to strike?
- What is the secret to hooking up with a trophy steelhead?
- Reading Water Challenges in Mount Hood Country
Gary Lewis has fished in seven countries and across the US and the one challenge that he has always faces is how to read the water especially new water or water that has been affected by weather or other external factors. Listen in as we explore three fisheries in the Mount Hood Country of Oregon and how each presents a different challenge when reading the water.
- What Fly for What Bug?
Peter Stitcher is an aquatic biologist who knows what flies work best to imitate the stage of insects in their lifecycle. Are you ever confused about what file to use when? Join us to learn about the lifecycles of the most common insects we encounter on rivers and lakes and how to pick the perfect fly for the job.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What are the three categories you use to describe flies?
- What is more important size, color or shape?
- Why are flies like the Red Dart and Blowtorch so effective?
- How do you organize your fly boxes?
- What is a life cycle and why is it important to understand?
- What are the life cycles for mayflies, caddisflies, midges and stoneflies?
- What stages of the life cycles are the most productive for fishing?
- What flies work best to imitate the different stages?
- What places do you look to see what insects are active?
- How would you imitate daphnia?
- Is fly selection just as important as drift depth and presentation?
- Backpack Fly Fishing
Dan Steere has moved towards a simpler easier to manage method of fly fishing. Let's face it you can't take all your gear on a backpacking trip and still have room for your food and tent. If you want to catch a wide variety of fish with simple, minimalist equipment that can fit into a daypack or backpack you'll want to listen to Dan's ideas and methods. Join us to see how you can get back to a simpler approach to fly fishing and enjoy it.
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Sightfishing the Flats of the Indian River LagoonLearn from Capt. Bob Jaspers the secrets of sightfishing the flats of Indian River Lagoon, Mosquito Lagoon and the Banana River's No-Motor-Zone. This area is the premier angling destination for big redfish, spotted sea-trout, and black drum - there's nothing more exciting than sightfishing in shallow water!
- Fly Fishing The Texas Hill Country
The Texas Hill Country offers the fly angler more opportunities than can be exhausted in a lifetime! Chris Johnson grew up fly fishing the heart of Texas, and to this day it is still one of his favorite places on the planet. From Guadalupe Bass to Rio Grande Cichlids, the Texas Hill Country has it all! On this podcast, Chris will take you on a quick tour of some of Texas’ most breathtaking rivers. Chris will cover public access points, specific techniques for each river, fly selection, fish species, and will also talk about some of the other species that call the Texas Hill Country home.
- Fly Fishing Colorado's South Platte River
Pat Dorsey has guided on the South Platte for more than eleven years. He spends at least 200 days per year on the stream so he knows the water intimately. Join us on this podcast to learn everything you need to know about fly fishing one of the most challenging trout streams in the United States.
Learn more about fly fishing and listen to our podcasts by these top experts...
