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Topwater to Bottom: Cracking the Code on Smallmouth Bass
Jake Villwock
Smallmouth bass aren’t just aggressive they’re strategic. Jake Villwock breaks down how to consistently catch more fish by targeting all three feeding zones: topwater, mid-column, and bottom. He reveals how modern fly design—from foam bugs to articulated baitfish and lifelike crayfish has transformed the game. Whether you’re chasing explosive surface eats or dialing in subsurface tactics, you’ll learn how to fish smarter, adapt faster, and unlock the full potential of smallmouth on the fly.Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What first drew you to smallmouth bass on the fly, and what keeps you obsessed with them today?
- What are good weights of fly lines and leaders for both topwater and wet fly fishing for smallmouth?
- What size leader do you use?
- What are the biggest mistakes anglers make when fishing surface flies for bass?
- For anglers new to bass on the fly, what are the top three surface flies they should always carry?
- Your book mentions how modern topwater flies have evolved from bulky deer hair bugs to more refined foam and articulated patterns. What drove that evolution?
- What about a dropper off a popper suspended 18”-24”. What depth of water would that be successful
- What conditions create the perfect topwater smallmouth bite?
- How important is observation when determining what bass are feeding on at the surface—mayflies, frogs, damsels, baitfish, cicadas, and so on?
- What are your favorite retrieves for poppers, sliders, and waking flies?
- Moving into the mid-column zone, can you explain what a “swim fly” really is and why this style has become so effective?
- When fishing mid-column flies, how do you decide between floating, sink-tip, and intermediate lines?
- Crayfish patterns are a major focus in your book. What makes crayfish such an essential forage for bass?
- Do you use a lot of crayfish patterns, and what about sculpin patterns?
- Looking ahead, where do you think smallmouth fly design and tactics are headed over the next decade?
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A Fly Fisher’s Road Trip Across California
Greg Vinci
Fly Fisher, Fly Tier, Author, Photographer
Listen in as Greg Vinci provides an unforgettable fly fishing road trip across California as we explore the waters featured in his book, The Complete Guide to California Fly Fishing. From the rugged Southern Cascades to coastal streams and the legendary rivers and lakes of the Sierra’s west and east slopes, Greg shares the destinations, tactics, hatches, and hidden gems every fly angler should know. Whether you’re planning your next adventure or simply love California trout water, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.Ask Greg Vinci your most important questions on fly fishing California...
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- Do Your Fly Rod, Flies and Techniques Travel Well?
Whether to a faraway famous location or a new stream in a nearby watershed, traveling is a common theme in fly fishing. During this podcast, Tim Cammisa of “Trout and Feather” shares some methods that have helped him be successful from his home state of Pennsylvania to recent destinations including Iceland, Wyoming, and more.
- Kamchatka - Trout Fishing's Next Frontier
Rene Limeres a professional guide takes you to Kamchatka where there are still more fish than people. It may be the next and last frontier for fly fishers seeking huge trout and salmon. Join Rene and discover what it takes to land the big ones in Russia.
- Nymph Fishing: New Angles, Tactics, and Techniques
George Daniel has guided clients and fished competitively throughout the world. His desire to learn as much as possible about his craft and adapt his techniques have given him a superb understanding of what it takes to get a nymph to a fish. There are many 'right' ways to deliver your nymphs whether it be contact nymphing or suspension nymphing. Listen to this podcast and learn George's latest strategies and techniques so you can up your game.
- Fly Fishing for Alaska's Arctic Grayling
Pudge Kleinkauf has been fly fishing for arctic grayling for thirty years. As a professional guide she understands these fish and knows what it takes to find and hook up with the trophies. Listen in to hear her secrets to catching these beautiful fish.
- The onWater App - New Technology for Fly Fishers
Scott Carver, Co-Founder and CEO of onWater, will be introducing us to their state-of-the-art software that locates river access points, boat ramps, camping, parking, and know the distance between them. Plus current river flows and weather, everything you need including stream access laws and public land overlays which help you plan where to fish and eliminate the worry that you may be on private property. There's even more so join us and learn how this application can help make your fishing more enjoyable and keep you out of trouble.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What is the onWater app?
- What is your mission?
- Does the onWater app work when there is no cell service?
- Can you download river maps?
- Can you find information on rivers, streams and lakes?
- How is the information kept up to date?
- Can you find put-ins, takeouts and campgrounds?
- Does it show private property boundaries?
- Is the river flow data real-time?
- Can you record your personal favorite places?
- How does it handle fishing reports?
- Can it be used on both desktop computers and phones?
- What are the goals for onWater in the coming years?
- Fly Fishing for Trophy Redfish
Captain Gary Dubiel, has been guiding the North Carolina waters for over 20 years. Gary is renowned for his expertise in light tackle and fly fishing, In his home waters, catching redfish up to 50 inches is not unusual. Join us to learn Gary’s secrets to locating and hooking up with these trophy redfish.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- Can you tell us about your background and how you got started with fly fishing for redfish?
- What makes redfish such a sought-after species for fly anglers?
- What types of water do you fish?
- Can you describe the ideal habitat for finding trophy redfish?
- What is the best time of year for trophy redfish in your area?
- How do the weather conditions affect your approach to fly fishing for redfish?
- How important is line selection, and what type of fly line do you prefer for redfish?
- What types of fly patterns do you find most effective for redfish, and why?
- What is the Pop-N-Fly rig?
- Do you normally sight fish to one fish or to a school?
- What techniques do you use to spot and stalk trophy redfish in shallow water?
- How do you present your fly?
- What type of retrieve do you use and is it different depending on what type of fly you are using?
- What does a typical full-day guided trip entail, and what type of boat do you operate?
- Can you share a memorable story from your guided trips with clients catching trophy redfish?
- Fly Fishing for Sea-Run Cutthroat Trout
Chester Allen has been fly fishing for sea-run cutthroat trout for over 15 years. Listen in to hear his secrets and strategies for chasing these beautiful and aggressive feeding cutts, including in-depth information on how to figure the tides, find the best beaches, and how to rig for success.
- A Lifetime of Fly Fishing for Steelhead
Trey 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?
- A Passion for Tarpon
Andy Mill has a passion for tarpon and has 11 tarpon tournament wins to show for it. If you want to learn how to hook up and land trophy tarpon you need to listen to this show.
- The Henry's Fork: A Half Century of Fly Fishing
Doug Gibson, a professional guide in Idaho, has been guiding for over 40 years on the Henry's Fork. After over 4,000 trips under his belt, he knows this river better than most. The fish in the Henry's Fork are some of the toughest trout on the planet to catch but Doug knows the strategies and tactics to get them hooked up. Join us on this podcast and hear Doug’s expert advice on fly fishing the Henry's Fork.
- Fly Fishing for Monster Browns on Streamers
Christy McReynolds knows how to hook up with monster brown trout on the fly. She’s a lifelong angler and has developed her skills on the South Holston and Watauga Rivers in East Tennessee, where she and her husband Jason run their guide service FlyingSoHo. Join us and learn her secrets to finding, hooking up, and landing these fish of a lifetime.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What is the best time of year for hunting monster browns on streamers?
- Are large brown trout more active at certain times of the day?
- Are browns tolerant of a wide range of water temperatures?
- What are the ideal conditions for brown trout to grow big?
- Are browns more selective than rainbows?
- Is fishing good before or after they spawn?
- What weight rod do you use for larger fish?
- Do you use floating or sinking lines?
- What is your leader and tippet setup?
- What types of streamers do you prefer?
- what color flies do you use for dirty and clear water?
- Where do find large fish holding most often?
- What retrieve methods do you use for streamers?
- What tips can you give on setting the hook and fighting large fish?
- Fly Fishing the Frying Pan River
Tim Heng has fished just about every inch of the Frying Pan River in Colorado and has been doing it for almost 30 years. Learn all about the Frying Pan and the secrets of hooking up with its big trout.
- Fly Fishing The Tailwaters Of The North Platte
The bays, estuaries, and beaches that rim the California coast offer some of the best fly fishing opportunities to be found anywhere in the world but not without their own unique set of challenges and demands. Join Ken Hanley on this podcast to learn the secrets of fly fishing this extraordinary coast.
- Essential Flies for Yellowstone
Paul Weamer is a professional fly tier and licensed fishing guide in Yellowstone National Park. He considers Yellowstone as his home waters and has spent many years fishing them. Join us to explore the essential flies you need and how to effectively fish them in Yellowstone’s streams, rivers and lakes.
Just a few of the questions asked and answered during the interview:
- What fish species are available in the park?
- What efforts ar being made to remove non-native species?
- How had the recent flooding affected the fisheries?
- Have you had any close encounters with grizzly bears?
- How does your experience from the Upper Delaware translate to waters you fish in Yellowstone?
- How do you arrange your fly boxes?
- What are your favorite fly tying materials?
- Is there still a place for traditional patterns like Humpies, H&L Variants and Wulffs?
- What are some of your favorite flies for spring?
- What are some tips for fishing Yellowstone Lake for cutthroats?
- What are your favorite flies for the summer?
- What flies work best for fall conditions?
- Do you use soft hackle flies?
- What is the best way to present your fly?
- Do you use beads to get your flies deeper?
- Tenkara Today
Tenkara was introduced to the United States in 2009 and has become a rapidly growing method of fly fishing for many fly fishers. How has it evolved and what role does it play in today's fly fishing world? Listen to this podcast to hear Morgan Lyle catch us up on what's happened and share his secrets on how to catch more fish using tenkara methods.
Learn more about fly fishing and listen to our podcasts by these top experts...