Troutbitten

What’s the best way to carry your gear? Should you use a vest, a chest pack, hip pack, sling pack or something else?How you choose to carry gear is a personal and situational choice. It has everything to do with what you need to carry, and how far you like to walk. Do you need to carry extra layers and a raincoat, and how many tactics do you want to be ready for? Streamers, nymphs, dry flies and wets . . . or just dries?We have more choices than ever before, but it pays to think about efficiency when selecting a carrying system. Because a big part of being versatile on the water is having easy access to whatever you need, right when you need it. We Cover the FollowingBest to have one system or many?Carrying a net, water, and other heavy itemsMinimalist setupsThe disaster of a sling packThe benefit of everything up frontStorage and convenienceLarge pockets or many pocketsWhat about getting wet?. . .  and much moreResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | Pack or Vest? Why I'm a Vest GuyREAD: Troutbitten | 100 Day Gear Review -- Simms G3 Guide VestLISTEN: Troutbitten | PODCAST -- The Efficiencies that Waste Your Fishing TimeLISTEN: Troutbitten | PODCAST -- The Versatile AnglerVisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten FacebookThank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:Precision Fly and Tackle Use code TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order at Precision.andOrvis

The leader might be the most important piece of gear that we have -- more consequential than the rod, the fly line, or even the fly itself. And of course, at the tail end of the leader is the tippet.All anglers must make decisions about tippet every day. What size and strength? What type of tippet? And how long should the tippet section be? Because, what might seem like a small decision, can have a big impact on the presentation of the fly, leading to failure or success.Some of these decisions are almost right and wrong. Meaning, there’s a way to do it that works and a way that just does not work. However, there’s a lot more room for personal preference, style and situations in these tippet decisions than there is right or wrong.In this episode, the Troutbitten crew talks through these tippet decisions around the scenarios of fishing streamers, fishing dry flies and fishing nymphs.We Cover the FollowingFluorocarbon vs nylonFly size and tippet selectionThe importance of flexibility in tippetThe importance of turnover in tippetDry fly leader tapers in the tippet sectionDurability and abrasion resistanceDo you really need 8X?Are trout leader shy?Tippet selection for improved sink rate. . . and moreResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | The George Harvey Leader DesignREAD: Troutbitten | Why You Might Not Need of the Crutch of 6X and Smaller TippetsREAD: Troutbitten | Fly Shop  Fluorocarbon to Expensive? Try InvizxREAD: Troutbitten | You Need Turnover VisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten FacebookThank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:Precision Fly and Tackle Use code TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order at Precision.andOrvis

This podcast is about small stream fishing — specifically, what we love about the places, the fish, the tactics and the experience of fishing smaller trout waters.These are trout streams that are no wider than the dirt road that you drove in on. And for every blue ribbon trout river, for every destination water that is raved about in the guidebooks and makes every angler’s bucket list, there are numerous tributaries to these main rivers that are mostly overlooked. We see this everywhere we go — small streams get no respect. They’re mostly an afterthought.We fish small streams for the adventure, for the exploration and the experience. We fish smalls streams in search of wild trout in wild places. And we fish small streams because the challenges of fly fishing these waters teaches us everything we ever need to know about fishing bigger rivers.We Cover the FollowingFinding solitudeReaching back into our own historyWild and native fishLeader tips for small watersRod lengths for small watersThe purity of experienceCooler temps, with more shadeWilling trout in smaller watersScenery. . . and moreResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | Right HereREAD: Troutbitten | Where it All StartedREAD: Troutbitten | HardbodyREAD: Troutbitten | VIDEO - The River Doesn't Owe You AnythingVisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten FacebookThank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:Precision Fly and Tackle Use code TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order at Precision.andOrvis

This episode is about wading a river. Good wading. Better wading. Confident wading. Because, for a river angler, nothing is more important. Good wading is not just walking from place to place, it's an almost constant, fluid motion, and fly fishing requires great footwork along the way.I meet a lot of anglers who approach a river all wrong. They wade into a spot, set up, and then cast to every piece of water they can reach (at all angles) before picking up and wading again to repeat the process. But this is rarely the best approach.Consider the variables: There’s a distance at which you are most accurate. There’s a light angle that is most advantageous. There’s a certain water type where trout are feeding more agreeably. So the best river anglers move, almost constantly, setting themselves up to best approach the next great piece of water.As wading anglers, we must wade efficiently. It’s that simple. And good wading skills change the game like nothing else. When you are comfortable and confident in the water — when you can easily move to the other side just because the light angles are better, the river opens up in a whole new way.The Troutbitten guys join me to walk through some of our best wading tips.We Cover the FollowingShould anglers move while casting?Why does good wading make such a difference?Wading, not walkingConstant motionReading the waterBody positioningPolarized lenses for good wadingThe best boots for wadingBoot studs and tractionThe right wading staff setup. . . and more.ResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | It's Wading, Not WalkingREAD: Troutbitten | We WadeREAD: Troutbitten | Tips for Better Wading and More TroutREAD: Troutbitten | VIDEO - The Only Way to Carry a Wading StaffVisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten FacebookThank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:Precision Fly and Tackle Use code TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order at Precision.andOrvis

What can we do when the rains come, when the snow melts, or when the floodgates open?Rivers rise in many different ways. From quick and heavy summer thunderstorms, to the steady light rain that remains for days at a time. There’s the gradual release of melting snowpack and then heavy rains on that same snow that pushes high volumes of cold water into the rivers. Then too, there’s the generation of hydroelectric dams where the river might triple in flow, on a schedule.In all of these ways, rivers rise. And the responses from trout can be different in each case. Yet, as anglers, there are some things about our approach to high water situations that always hold true.Muddy water is miserable. But to us, dirty water is an invitation into some of our favorite tactics on a fly rod.These conditions are an opportunity. Because a changing river system offers trout new opportunities. It breaks trout from their routines and can have them feeding fast. However, as anglers who are approaching high water conditions, we need to assess those changes and see the river anew.High water can be a wonderful time to be out there. At flood stage? Or in the near-zero visibility of muddy water? Probably not. But there’s a wide range of conditions that exist between what most anglers see as perfect and then . . . blown out. And for many of us, we’d rather fish on the high side of things than the low side.We Cover the FollowingWhat is muddy and what is dirty?Do trout feed more in high water?How does high water help the angler?How can we avoid high water?When is high water too high?How do we change tactics to approach high water?Is it better on the way up or the way down?. . . and moreResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | Dirty Water -- Tight TargetsREAD: Troutbitten | River and RainREAD: Troutbitten | A List of Fisherman's ExcusesREAD: Troutbitten | Fish It AnywayVisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten FacebookThank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:Precision Fly and Tackle Use code TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order at Precision.andOrvis

We have a fun conversation for this episode, about what’s more difficult — nymphs or dry flies. This is not a talk about which tactic is better. And this discussion isn’t even about which one we might like more.What is more difficult? Nymphs or dries? This is a valuable exercise and an important discussion . . .Just because nymphing might usually produce more trout, doesn’t mean it is easier. And how many trout we catch on each style is not the point. Try getting true, convincing dead drifts on a nymph. It is, quite simply, harder to achieve than a dry fly, because you can’t see success on the invisible flies underneath, and because the complexity of currents is far more intricate in three dimensions.But many people just don’t take it that far with nymphing. They think their drifts are good enough, because they caught a few fish (maybe more than they did on dries.) But excellent nymphing requires excellent effort. And a lot more trout can be caught by acknowledging that kind of difficulty. The ceiling is high. And realizing that is the value of this discussion.We Cover the FollowingThe confusing boundaries of this conversationWhy anglers are protective of what they like bestHow that holds an angler backTight line complexitiesDry fly complexitiesWhere bias comes fromA few streamer thoughts. . . and moreResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | The Nymph Angler is SustainableREAD: Troutbitten | The George Harvey Leader DesignREAD: Troutbitten | That's Not a Dead DriftPODCAST: Troutbitten | Find Your Rabbit HoleVisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten FacebookThank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:Precision Fly and Tackle Use code TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order at Precision.andOrvis

This is the second episode of our two part discussion on angler pressure. Last time, we talked about how fishing pressure affects the fish — how they respond to more fishermen placing more casts and drifts in the waters around them — how trout change, both short term and long term.And now, we’re building on those thoughts and offering some solutions. Because if trout are adapting their habits in response to us, then we must modify our own approach to stay one step ahead of the fish.I used that phrase in the last podcast a couple of times too. And it’s a good way to think about it. Our fishing is based on fooling a trout. What are they looking to eat? How can we attract them to a fly and then convince them to eat it, right? And while you might have the methods and flies necessary to fool your local trout right now, it might not work just a few years from now. Because trout and the rivers they live in are always changing. So our approach must keep changing too. It’s just another aspect of trout fishing that makes it all so wonderfully complicated.It’s also why we like to fish for wild trout . . .We Cover the FollowingWater selectionFinding fresh fishWild vs Stocked response to angler pressureHow long until a trout resets from angler pressureGenetically passing on the effects of angler pressurePresentations, convinced or curious?Patterns, natural or attractive?. . . and moreResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | Front Ended -- Can We Stop Doing This to Each Other?READ: Troutbitten | Natural vs Attractive Presentations READ: Troutbitten | Why Everyone Fishes the Same Water and What to Do About ItPODCAST: Troutbitten | Rude On the River -- Front Ended and the Golden RuleVisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten FacebookThank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:Precision Fly and Tackle Use code TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order at Precision.andOrvis

Season 7 of the Troutbitten Podcast begins with a two-part discussion on angler pressure. This is a big one. It’s a topic that everyone in the fishing world loves to talk about. People complain about angler pressure, and they have theories about how it changes things.In this episode, we discuss how angler pressure affects the fish. And for the next episode, the topic will be how angler pressure affects the fishing. One topic sets up a good conversation of the other.Angler pressure probably isn’t going to trend the other way. For most of us, more casts are made to the waters we fish, by more anglers than ever before. Because there are more fishermen, just as there are more runners, golfers and bikers. Every sport these days has better access to information about techniques, about where and when to go, and there’s specialized gear that is easily available and fun to buy.We Cover the FollowingTrout selectivityFeeding patternsMigrationGrowth ratesTrout conditioningGrouping up or spreading outMortality rates. . . and moreResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | Front Ended -- Can We Stop Doing This to Each Other?READ: Troutbitten | Natural vs Attractive Presentations READ: Troutbitten | Why Everyone Fishes the Same Water and What to Do About ItPODCAST: Troutbitten | Rude On the River -- Front Ended and the Golden RuleVisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten FacebookThank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:Precision Fly and Tackle Use code TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order at Precision.andOrvis

Here we are at the end of Season 6 -- the Troutbitten Winter Skills Series. This is episode 8 of the series, and I’m here with a full crew of friends to wrap things up, to hear some stories and dig into a few more tips for fly fishing in the winter months.This is a great conversation with my best fishing friends. And this discussion is a nice endcap on a full season dedicated to fly fishing in the winter months.We Cover the FollowingMore streamer tipsRiggingAccess issuesWinter preparationMore nymphing tipsDry fly expectationsThis winter vs other winters . . . and moreResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | Category | Fly Fishing in the WinterREAD: Troutbitten | Winter Fly Fishing -- Head, Shoulders, Knees and ToesREAD: Troutbitten | Fly Fishing in the Winter -- Ice In the GuidesREAD: Troutbitten | Fly Fishing in the Winter -- Something Is Always Gonna HurtVisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten FacebookThank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:Precision Fly and Tackle Use code TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order at Precision.andOrvis

My good friend, Austin Dando, joins me to address many of the troubles with winter fishing. In this Winter Skills Series, we’ve been through the tactics, with dry flies, streamers and nymphs. We've talked about how to stay warm out there, and we’ve saved this topic for last.There are a host of reasons that anglers stay home in the winter. Some are legitimate -- there's no good solution for the problem, and you learn to deal with it the best you can. We talk about some of those. But other perceived problems really aren’t much of any issue at all, if you have a plan and a solution. We address a few of those too.We Cover the FollowingIce in the guidesAccessVisibilityRegulating heatFalling inFreezing reelsFinding troutStaying versatile . . . and moreResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | Category | Fly Fishing in the WinterREAD: Troutbitten | Winter Fly Fishing -- Head, Shoulders, Knees and ToesREAD: Troutbitten | Fly Fishing in the Winter -- Ice In the GuidesREAD: Troutbitten | Fly Fishing in the Winter -- Something Is Always Gonna HurtVisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten FacebookThank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:Precision Fly and Tackle Use code TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order at Precision.andOrvis

With this Troutbitten skills series on winter fishing. We’ve covered locations and expectations, where to find trout, and their wintertime habits. We did two full podcasts on staying warm from head to toe. We talked about fishing nymphs in these waters, streamers in these waters, and now we’re ready to talk about dry flies.Specifically, this conversation is dedicated to what is different or unique about fishing dry flies in the winter, versus other times of the year.My friend, Austin Dando, joins me for a great conversation about the floaters. This is a fun one. We Cover the FollowingWhere to find rising troutRegional and geographical variationsExpected hatchesSpring waters, tailwaters, freestonersWater types for small fliesHatches and patterns to matchWhy local knowledge is supremeThe dead drift is everythingPresentation specificsLeader adjustmentsFishing two driesFishing dry dropper in the winter . . . and moreResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | Category | Fly Fishing in the WinterREAD: Troutbitten | The George Harvey Leader DesignREAD: Troutbitten | Category | Dry Fly FishingPODCAST: Troutbitten | Hatches and Strategies, S3 Ep3READ: Troutbitten | That's Not a Dead DriftVisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten FacebookThank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:Precision Fly and Tackle Use code TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order at Precision.andOrvis

A streamer is not only a great change-up in the winter, it can be the best fly in your box - if you fish it well. There are some changes to make for a wintertime streamer approach, versus the warmer seasons. And those nuances in presentation make all the difference.In this episode my friend, Austin Dando, and I share our best tips for fishing streamers in the winter. We Cover the FollowingWhy, when, where and howGear for winter streamersThe flies and the linesBenefits of fishing streamers in the winterPresentation specificsThe Super-PauseLow and slow?Water types to focus onHow far will a trout move?Stripping, jigging, drifting. . . and moreResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | Category | Fly Fishing in the WinterPODCAST: Troutbitten | S1 Ep 14 --  Winter Fly FishingREAD: Troutbitten | Category | StreamersREAD: Troutbitten | Streamer Presentations -- Quick or Smooth?READ: Troutbitten | Streamer Presentations -- Strips, Jigs and JerksVisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten FacebookThank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:Precision Fly and Tackle Use code TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order at Precision.andOrvis

In this episode, we dive deep into winter nymphing strategies. Specifically, we highlight what is different and what is unique about nymphing in the winter versus other seasons. With fewer hatches and with trout that are less willing to move for a fly, presenting a nymph to winter fish is often our best strategy. But having success requires a refined approach, and winter nymphing can seem like the toughest of the year. However, with a great presentation and a good understanding of where fish feed in colder water, trout can be caught. In fact, with these skills, winter nymphing may sometimes provide the fastest fishing of the year.We Cover the FollowingWhy nymphing is our favorite winter tacticTrout behaviors in cold waterMore predictable water types, methods and fly selectionLow and slow?Trout grouping and trout spreading outFavorite rigs, tight line and indyFavorite fliesFly pairings and placementLong drifts vs short driftsBobber holesResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | Category | Fly Fishing in the WinterPODCAST: Troutbitten | S1 Ep 14 --  Winter Fly FishingREAD: Troutbitten | Fly Fishing in the Winter -- The Go-To Nymphing RigREAD: Troutbitten | Fly Fishing in the Winter -- The Secondary Nymphing RigVisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten FacebookThank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:Precision Fly and Tackle Use code TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order at Precision.andOrvis

Here's a full podcast dedicated to staying warm, from head to toe. Because sometimes, staying warm and functional in the winter is far more important than the tactics. The cold becomes our biggest challenge.This episode is about keeping the cold out, the heat in and fishing hard — all day long, in even the roughest weather. More specifically, it's about regulating your body heat while on the river.In This Episode, We Cover the FollowingHow to regulate heat with layers and zippersStaying mobile with flexible layers that hold in heat and let it goBest materials for each zone, each layerHats, buffs, balaclavas, hoodsDark colors and UV raysBase layers, insulating layers, outer layersWinters waders, winter bootsSocksHeat packsBattery solutions. . . moreResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | Category | Fly Fishing in the WinterPODCAST: Troutbitten | S1 Ep 14 --  Winter Fly FishingREAD: Troutbitten | Fly Fishing in the Winter -- Head, Shoulder, Knees and ToesREAD: Troutbitten | Winter -- Something Is Always Going to HurtVisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten FacebookThank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:Precision Fly and Tackle Use code TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order at Precision.andOrvis

Cold. That is what defines winter fishing. We acknowledged in the last podcast that the cold — or really the inability to deal with it — is one of the main reasons anglers stay home.So that’s why I think any in-depth discussion about winter fishing really has to start with how to stay warm. If you’re so cold that you can’t function normally, you just won’t fish well.In next week’s podcast, we’re going to get deep into all of it — keeping your whole body warm, from head to toe. And not just warm, but ready for fishing, walking, wading and hiking a little. But in this episode, we’re starting with your hands — just your hands. Because there’s a lot to this. And maybe nothing is more important.  We need warm hands -- working hands -- to fish in the coldest weather we encounter and stay out there, catching fish and meeting the challenges that winter fishing can bring.In This Episode, We Cover the FollowingWhy fly anglers need two handsThe benefit of body heatSomething is still going to hurtKeep your hands dryDoes everyone need gloves?Types of glovesWool, fleece, nitrileHeat packs (Hot Hands)Using your pocketsWrist bandsResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | Category | Fly Fishing in the WinterPODCAST: Troutbitten | S1, Ep 14 --  Winter Fly FishingREAD: Troutbitten | Fly Fishing in the Winter -- Your HandsREAD: Troutbitten | Winter -- Something Is Always Going to HurtREAD: Troutbitten | Winter Pregarme VisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten FacebookThank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:Precision Fly and Tackle Use code TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order at Precision.andOrvis

Season Six of the Troutbitten podcast begins. This is an eight part Skill Series about fly fishing in the winter months, and episode one is an overview of the series, along with details about where to find trout and in what water type we should expect them to eat. This episode is about our approach, with advice on time of day, fly strategy, covering water to suite the river and reading what the trout want for the moment.I'm joined this season by my co-host, Austin Dando.This Skills Series format is designed with less conversation and more detail.Here Are the Winter Skills Series Episode Titles:The System / The PlanYour HandsHead, Shoulders, Knees and ToesNymphing in the WinterStreamer Fishing in the WinterDry Flies, Midges, Emergers and MoreWinter Problems, Winter SolutionsRoundtable ReviewIn This Episode, We Cover the FollowingWhat does winter meanAir temperatures and water temperaturesEnjoying the struggleCracking the winter codeWinter predictabilityWhere to expect troutRiver types and water typesFinding feeding fishMove and fishNymphing, streamers dry fliesWhy don't more anglers fish in the winter?The experienceResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | Category | Fly Fishing in the WinterPODCAST: Troutbitten | S1 Ep 14 --  Winter Fly FishingREAD: Troutbitten | Winter -- Something Is Always Going to HurtREAD: Troutbitten | Fly Fishing in the Winter -- The SystemREAD: Troutbitten | Winter Welcome HomeVisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten FacebookThank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:Precision Fly and Tackle Use code TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order at Precision.andOrvis

For the finale of Season Five of the Troutbitten Podcast and to wrap up 2022, we’re closing the curtain with an episode about fishing buddies — why we need them, how to find them and how to keep them for a lifetime.We talk about what makes a good, bad or great fishing companion and share some experiences about a few would-be friendships gone wrong.We Cover the FollowingWhat qualities are needed in a great river companion?How to meet new fishing friendsWhy do we need fishing friends?How many is too many?How the Troutbitten crew came togetherRiver friends who didn't work outNew Year's resolutions for 2023ResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | Fish With FriendsREAD: Troutbitten | How to Fish With FriendsREAD: Troutbitten | Respect the Spots, Man!READ: Troutbitten | Rivers and FriendsREAD: Troutbitten | Lost Fishing FriendsREAD: Troutbitten | I'll Meet You UpstreamVisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten FacebookThank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:Precision Fly and Tackle Use code TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order at Precision.andOrvis

One of the most captivating aspects of fly fishing is the seemingly endless variety of approaches, tactics and strategies that are available with a fly rod in our hands. There are so many things to learn that put trout in the net. And we quickly understand that there’s a lifetime of education for us if we want it.So we combine our time on the water with conversations that we have with friends. We read books and articles. We watch videos. Maybe we listen to podcasts. And yes, we might even learn something from social media.But with so many sources in easy reach, sorting through the flood of information can be overwhelming. How do you weigh the value or the validity of these sources? These days, conflicting information — conflicting opinions — seem to be right next to each other.So . . . what should you trust? How do you sift through the overflowing bank of information and find what works?That is what this episode is about. We Cover the FollowingAre there experts in fly fishing?What is an expert?Are the best anglers well known?Who have you learned from the most?How have you learned the most?How can you pick out bad information?Can we trust the trout?Learning to trust yourselfEnjoying the experienceResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | Find Your Rabbit HoleREAD: Troutbitten | Who Knows Better Than You?READ: Troutbitten | Explore - Learn -ReturnREAD: Troutbitten | What To TrustREAD: Troutbitten | Never Blame the FishVisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten FacebookThank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:Precision Fly and Tackle Use code TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order at Precision.andOrvis

Wind challenges our cast and changes our drifts more than any other element. It forces us to adapt our presentations, and it makes some of our favorite styles impossible. But there is always a way to beat it. There’s always a way to make things work. And no matter how rough the wind, there are strategies not just for fighting through it, but for fishing well and catching trout. That’s what this episode is about.Here are our best strategies for fly fishing in windy conditions. Wind does not need to keep you home. And it doesn’t need to force you off the water. There are ways to deal with the difficulty of wind, to learn something from the challenge and sometimes even catch more trout than you might in calm conditions.Most of the foul weather that bothers us just doesn't seem to affect the trout much. And if you learn to beat the wind and weather, or at least work with it and cut that edge, both success and solitude can be yours.Forget the forecast. Just fish.We Cover the FollowingDo trout care if it's windy?How does wind complicate fly fishing?Fish closerLow rod anglesHow weight (in many forms) is what beats windDry fly, streamer and nymphing tipsAdvantages gained from the windResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | Podcast | Dealing With Weather and Fighting the ElementsREAD: Troutbitten | Angler Types in Profile -- GoldilocksREAD: Troutbitten | Explore - Learn - ReturnREAD: Troutbitten | Fly Fishing Tips #50 -- Fish HardREAD: Troutbitten | Never Blame the FishREAD: Troutbitten | Don't Be a Hero -- Fish CloserVisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten FacebookThank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:Precision Fly and Tackle Use code TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order at Precision.andOrvis

The Troutbitten crew answers questions from podcast listeners. These questions range from gear talk to ethics, from fly selection to reading a trout river. And while most of our podcast episodes are narrowly focused on one theme, this one is spread out across topics.This is an entertaining conversation, with both stories and tactics. We Cover the FollowingHow far do trout move for a fly?Stories about bad days on the waterCarrying two fly rodsThe Mono Rig from a boatTippet protection as a fly rod featureThe Mono Rig for steelheadWhat we learn on tough daysDream destination tripsResourcesREAD: Troutbitten | Podcast | The Versatile AnglerREAD: Troutbitten | Design and Function of the Troutbitten Standard Mono RigREAD: Troutbitten | Lightning Fast Leader Changes (with VIDEO)READ: Troutbitten | The Best Fly Rods for Tight Line and Euro NymphingREAD: Troutbitten | Convinced or Curious -- What Moves a Trout to a FlyVisitTroutbitten WebsiteTroutbitten InstagramTroutbitten YouTubeTroutbitten FacebookThank You to Pre-Roll Ad Sponsors:Precision Fly and Tackle Use code TROUTBITTEN10 for 10% off your order at Precision.andOrvis