Untangled: Fly Fishing For Everyone | Ventures Fly Co.

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

When the fish are eating everything EXCEPT your fly, what do you do? How do you save yourself from getting skunked? Well, there's a simple process you can use to troubleshoot your way out of a bad day on the water. On today's episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant will walk you through the five steps that will almost always help you put a fish in the net.  You'll also learn about:  Tips for setting the hook when fishing with dry flies Why a dry-dropper rig is so versatile Your main goal as a fly angler How to find active bugs so you can pick the right fly LINKS FROM THE SHOW Get the 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 - How to Pick the Right Fly - WATCH HERE PICTURE - Nate's #LiveReelLife Moment - CHECK IT OUT  

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  

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

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

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  

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  

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

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

Dry fly fishing is the toughest style of fly fishing to master. You need to get SO MUCH right if you want to catch the biggest, pickiest fish on dry flies. Your presentation has to be solid, your knowledge of hatches has to be great, and your casting needs to be on point.  So, how do you get to that level? How do you avoid those extremely frustrating moments when you're fishing a hatch, only for the fish to ignore your flies, or quit rising altogether? Is it really as simple as practice makes perfect?  On today's episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant will wak you through a roadmap to help you take your dry fly fishing skills to the next level.  You'll also learn about:  The simple knots you need for fly fishing Why so much of fly fishing media focuses on fishing for trout in rivers Tips for fighting 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 - Jim's #LiveReelLife Moment - CHECK IT OUT VIDEO - Beginner Knots - CHECK IT OUT

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

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  

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 

What flies do you ACTUALLY need in your box? And how do you know which ones to choose? Is there some sort of secret that we're just not telling the fly fishing masses? Not really. Knowing what flies to take with you to the water (so you don't end up hauling 1,000 flies every time) comes with experience. But on this episode of Untangled, we're going to short-circuit that experience and give you all the info you need RIGHT NOW to always pick the right fly.  You'll also learn about:  How to tell emergers apart from dry flies What to do when you get snagged How far up river you should cast when fly fishing Spencer's recommendations for fishing sunglasses Why your knots break  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 - Spencer's #LiveReelLife Moment -  CHECK IT OUT

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

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

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

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   

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

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