Untangled: Fly Fishing For Everyone | Ventures Fly Co.

When do you ACTUALLY need tippet smaller than 4x? And if you need to size your tippet down, what's the best way to do it? In this Tip of the Week, you'll learn all about why we use certain sizes of tippet, why it's important to play fish quickly, AND you'll learn all about the different situations and tactics for sizing down your leader to get picky fish to FINALLY eat your fly.  LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

There's more to small dry flies than just the bugs ON the surface. There are also other types of insects fish eat that sit just in the surface film, or even slightly below it. These bugs are called emergers, and they're still fished just like you would with a dry fly. But there's a few things to know about how, when, and where to use these flies that'll help you really get the most out of them. So, today on Untangled, you're getting a crash course in everything you need to know about emergers!  You'll also learn about:  How to size new waders and boots when buying them Some tips on how to find waders and boots that are worth spending your money on How to pick a new fly rod in a weight other than 5-weight The lines and reels Spencer uses for streamer fishing Spencer's recommendations for fly flines for those looking to start fishing streamers LINKS FROM THE SHOW Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT Browse the VFC 3-Packs and stock up on Emergers! - CHECK THEM OUT Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

When a trip goes pear-shaped right from the start, what do you do? Do you pack up early, head home, and get back to work? Or is it worth pushing through high water, iced-over lakes, muddy roads, and enormous distances just for the hope of finding water that might be fishable? In this latest Fly Fishing Story, Spencer Durrant takes you on a journey across the Pacific Northwest as he and his friend Ryan McCullough try to find fishable water during spring runoff. What they ended up finding just might surprise you.  LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

It sure would be awesome if fish always ate a big ol' grasshopper! But they spend A TON of time eating small flies. In particular, they'll eat tiny dry flies a lot during spring and fall. So, how do you take advantage of the big fish that you see rising to eat what looks like tiny specks out there on the water?  Well, a lot of anglers mistakenly write off using tiny flies, because they seem like they're too much work. You need angel-hair thin tippet to tie them on, you need a magnifying glass to find them in your box, and you have next to no hope of seeing them while they float, right? They've gotta be more trouble than they're worth? Well, not really. Once you understand how to fish small dry flies, you open up a new world of fish you can catch — including some giants.  So, in this first part of a two-part episode, we're taking a deep dive into fishing small dry flies. You'll learn how to rig them up, how to pick the right one, and other tricks of the trade to make these microscopic hooks work in your favor.  You'll also learn about:  Why you should upgrade your fly rod when you can, and what features to look for How to tell if you have a good, drag-free drift on nymphs when fishing directly upstream Why fish refuse dry flies that are too large for what's currently hatching LINKS FROM THE SHOW Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT Browse the VFC 3-Packs and stock up on Cripples! - CHECK THEM OUT Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

Have you ever been in an amazing hatch, with bugs going off EVERYWHERE and fish eating with reckless abandon, only to leave the river empty-handed? The fish didn't just not eat your flies, they flat-out IGNORED you. What's up with that? Aren't these hatches supposed to be the stuff of legend that fly fishing is all about?  Well, yes, they are. But if the hatch is TOO good (too many flies on the water at once) it's tough for your fake one to stand out. If the fish can't see it, how are they supposed to eat it?  That's where this little cheat code comes in: it's called unmatching the hatch, and it can be the difference between putting fish in the net, and going home skunked.  Today on Untangled, you'll learn all about unmatching the hatch, including when and how to use this tactic as dry fly season gets underway.  LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT  

Picking the right fly is one of those things in fly fishing that's made out to be A LOT harder than it actually is. You don't need a degree in entomology, you don't need to have every aquatic insect memorized, and you certainly don't need to be some sort of expert to pick the best fly for a given fishing situation. Instead, you just need to rely on two simple tips that'll help you move forward in your fly selection process, even while you continue to learn more about what fish eat.  In this week's show, you'll also learn about:  How to join in on VFC's live events, including our Tying Nights How to fish rivers that see a ton of pressure Where to find fish during winter, and why they're often in that type of water The biggest stumbling block Spencer sees most anglers struggling with  LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Get the FREE Right Fly Ebook Here - CHECK IT OUT VIDEO - The FREE Fly Selection Master Class - CHECK IT OUT  

What bugs are hatching this month? What flies should you have in your box? And what can you expect from the weather? You'll get the complete rundown of what to expect from March fly fishing in this monthly fly fishing report from Untangled. With detailed descriptions of upcoming hatches, fly patterns you should tie or buy, and a few pro tips on ways to catch more fish this month, this is a can't-miss episode of Untangled.  LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT GEAR - Shop the VFC Fly Collections - CHECK THEM OUT

Winter is almost over (if it ever started where you live) which means that spring dry fly fishing is right around the corner! Some of the best fishing you'll have all year long ain't that far off. That means RIGHT NOW is a great time to prep for these hatches, which is the goal of today's episode. You're going to learn all about the timing of spring hatches (including Hendricksons, Quill Gordons, Blue-Winged Olives, and Skwalas), as well as the principles behind rigging your flies, so you can successfully fish any hatch you run into this spring.  You'll also learn about:  Why small flies seems to be recommended so much in the fly fishing world these days The best way to approach other anglers on the river when you want to chat with them Tips on how to make your flies more visible in the water 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 GEAR - VFC Fly Collections - CHECK THEM OUT

Is there a right and wrong way to organize your fly boxes? If you put your flies in a specific order, will it give you a tactical advantage on the water? Not really. BUT - it can help you find the right fly you need, when you need it. The trick is to not overthink your fly box organization, and to keep it simple. In this episode of Untangled, you'll learn how Spencer organizes his boxes, along with the princples he uses, so you can apply them to your own situation.  LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT GEAR - Browse the VFC Fly Collections - CHECK THEM OUT  

We spend A TON of time talking about the right flies to use during winter, and for good reason. Flies matter a lot. But you know what makes an even bigger difference? HOW you present that fly! Presentation matters almost more than fly selection sometimes!  So, today on Untangled, we're going to tell you about a recent trip we took, the rigs we used, and HOW those rigs made a difference for us on the water.  You'll also learn about:  How to rig up and fish streamers  Whether a 9' 6-weight is better for nymphing than a 9' 5-weight How to tie knots that don't break Whether you can, or should, jump tippet sizes when building new rigs How to get better at nymphing LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

How much of an influence has your home water had on your life as an angler? Has it shaped how you approach the water? The kind of fly fishing you love the most? What else has it taught you that you still remember, all these years later? In the second episode of the Fly Fishing Stories series here at Untangled, Spencer Durrant weaves multiple stories of growing up on his home river, and how it shaped the angler he is today. 

How often do you set up your nymph rig, ready to hit the water, only to realize that your flies are moving WAY faster than you wanted. You didn't think the water would be that fast, or that deep!  The fix is simple, right? Just put on some split shot, increase the distance between your bobber and your flies, and you'll be in business.  Well, that all depends on how much split shot you use, how fast the water's moving, and how heavy your flies are. Too much split shot, and you'll be losing your flies - and all your patience - in every snag.  So, today on Untangled, you'll learn the foundational principles, and our favorite rig, for nymphign faster water WITHOUT losing flies!  You'll also learn about:  How to know what flies to use throughout an entire day on the water The rigs Spencer uses and recommends for fly fishing in lakes How to effectively fish a streamer on a 5-weight instead of a 6-weight How to set the right depth to keep your nymphs in the strike zone LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE Bounce Rig Diagram - CHECK IT OUT Get the FREE Pocket Nymphing Guide - CHECK IT OUT Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT

How much time do you spend worrying about your fly choice when you're setting up your nymph rig? If you're like most anglers, it's probably A LOT! But how much time and energy do you put into making sure your flies are drifitng at the right depth, before making a fly change? Probably not as much as you should.  Today on Untangled, you'll learn about why depth matters more than fly choice when throwing nymphs, and how this tiny change can elevate your fly fishing game to new heights.  LINKS FROM THE SHOW Get the FREE Pocket Nymphing Guide - CHECK IT OUT Get the FREE Rigs & Knots Guide - CHECK IT OUT Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

Fly rods are really important -- they're what we use to put flies in front of fish, and they help us make those flies look real, after all. But how much do you REALLY know about fly rods? Can you explain what the core features are that separate good ones from not-so-great ones? Today on Untangled, Spencer Durrant walks you through the key features he's found most anglers either don't know about, or misunderstand, and why they influence how your fly rod performs.  You'll also learn about:  How to learn about the different aquatic insects that trout eat How to build confidence in your skills out on the water Tips for casting more effectively when throwing an indicator and nymphs or streamers on your fly rod LINKS FROM THE SHOW Watch the Fly Selection Master Class - CHECK IT OUT How to Roll Cast and Water Load - CHECK IT OUT Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

It's February! That means things are changing a bit on the fly fishing front, and we've got you covered. With this month's Untangled Fly Fishing Report, you'll learn about what bugs are most active in February, the best flies to match those hatches, and some tips and tricks for the different conditions you'll run into this time of year.  LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT Get the FREE Year-Round Hatch Chart - CHECK IT OUT Browse VFC's February Flies - CHECK THEM OUT

Have you ever wondered just how effective fly fishing from a drift boat is? Are float trips worth the money? Do you ACTUALLY catch more fish from a boat, or do you only catch them in front of wading anglers who rarely, if ever, get to float the river?  All those questions - and more - will be answered on this episode of Untangled. Alex Stulce joins Spencer Durrant to talk about the pros and cons of wade fishing vs fishing from a boat, and a bunch of stories are shared just for good measure. You'll end the show with a firm idea of what style of fishing best matches your goals out on the water.  You'll also learn about:  How light and temperature impact fish How Spencer and Alex would rig up for and fish a small pond with off-color water How to fly fish rivers with restrictions on your tackle  LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE VIDEO - How We Fish: Nymphing - CHECK IT OUT

Do you need to tie picture-perfect flies in order to catch fish? Or should you focus on tying them to be a bit "buggy" (which is fly-fisher for "messy)?  Today on Untangled, Spencer Durrant walks you through why most fly tiers are too hard on themselves - especially beginners - and the few things fish actually care about when deciding to eat your fly.  LINKS FROM THE SHOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT

Is fly tying worth the cost and the hassle? Sure, you can tie up specific, custom flies, but wouldn't it just be cheaper to buy flies instead? Well, maybe, but we shouldn't really worry about economics here, because if fly fishing were based on good financial decisions, none of us would be doing it.  Instead, you shoudl think about the on-the-water benefits you'll get from tying your own flies. You WILL become a better angler by tying. The question utlimately comes down to how much you want to improve. This week on Untangled, you'll learn how and why fly tying can improve your skills.  You'll also learn about:  How to tell if a new fly rod is the right one for you The different characertistics to look for when buying fly rods The value of swinging flies at the end of your drift, and the role soft hackles have in fly fishing Why Spencer never uses split shot on dry-dropper rigs, and avoids it as much as possible anywhere else LINKS FROM THE SHOW Browse the VFC Tying Packs - CHECK THEM OUT VIDEO - Beginner Fly Tying Masterclass - WATCH IT NOW Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE

There's one thing that brings anglers of every stripe together - a good fish story. This is the first in a new series of podcasts from Untangled that'll tell stories every angler, from the saltwater fanatic to the panfish lover, will relate with and appreciate.  This week's story is about a little cutthroat creek, tucked high in the mountains, that suddenly vanished. Along the way, you'll learn about the area's storied history with fish stocking, hear about a cutthroat eating a mouse fly, and why it's worth it to explore and look for new-to-you fisheries. 

Midges are a go-to fly in the winter, but how do you know which of the 8 billion midge patterns to pick? There's so many to choose from, and it feels like they're always dropping new ones, too!  Well, I took the time to simplify my own midge selection down to just a handful of patterns. Doing that helped me fish what I rig up with more confidently, but it also made choosing a fly A LOT eaiser. I spend less time worrying about my fly choice, and more time fishing. So, this week on Untangled, you'll learn what those 7 midges patterns are, and why they're the ones I so highly recommend.  You'll also learn about:  How to control your hookset so you don't end up tangled in trees and bushes How to set the hook properly so you lose fewer fish The basic skills a fly angler needs to learn in order to progress quickly The one skill every fly angler needs to posses How to tell if small rivers and streams have fish in them LINKS FROM THE SHOW Browse Our Fly Collections - CHECK THEM OUT Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE #LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE VIDEO - How to Cast A Fly Rod - WATCH IT NOW VIDEO - How to Make A Roll Cast - WATCH IT NOW