News On The Fly

In this video, Tim explains how painter’s tape can help you keep materials on the hook shank separate during the tying process. This is especially useful when you are doing extensive trimming, such as with spun deer hair. You can trim away without . . .

The post Video: How to Use Painter’s Tape in Fly Tying appeared first on Orvis News.

This week, our featured region is central Idaho. Famous for its technical spring-creek fishing, Idaho is home to dozens of different mayfly species, and to picky trout that sometimes key on minute details. Jeremy Silvas of Sun Valley . . .

The post Mayflies Across America: Central Idaho appeared first on Orvis News.

Welcome to the only Friday the 13th edition of the Orvis News Friday Fly-Fishing Film Festival of 2022! Each week, we scour the Web for the best fly-fishing videos available and then serve them up for you to enjoy. This week, we . . .

The post Friday Fly-Fishing Film Festival 05.13.22: Friggatriskaidekaphobia Edition! appeared first on Orvis News.

You may wonder why I’ve done a podcast about beavers. You may be greatly surprised by the beneficial interactions between beavers and trout habitat—I know I was after talking to Ben Goldfarb, author of Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of . . .

The post Podcast: Beavers and Trout, with Ben Goldfarb appeared first on Orvis News.

You may wonder why I’ve done a podcast about beavers. You may be greatly surprised by the beneficial interactions between beavers and trout habitat—I know I was after talking to Ben Goldfarb author of the book Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter, [43:26]. Beavers have a much more positive effect on trout streams besides just making deep pools, and they don’t present any problems to migrating fish. And, yes, we do talk about how to fish a beaver pond, and how to find a good one. I think all fly fishers and nature enthusiasts will learn something new in this podcast.

In the Fly Box this week, we have some interesting comments, questions, and tips, including:

The state stocks big rainbows in my wild brook trout stream. What are your thoughts on this issue?

I saw large trout jumping out of the water during a caddis hatch and could not catch any. What do you think they were doing?

What are the advantages of a double-taper over a weight-forward fly line?

A great story about how an injury caused a fly fisher to re-think priorities What size leader butt should I put on my saltwater lines?

And should I use the permanent loop in my fly line for big fish like tarpon?

How have Vermont trout streams fared after hurricane Irene?

If I pinch the barbs on my flies with forceps, am I legal in places that specify “barbless hooks only”?

A comment from a listener on how a generic description like “fly fisher” is also inclusive of people who identify as non-binary

A comment from a listener who believes that encouraging women to fly fish will cause our rivers to become too crowded.

A story from a listener who cautions us to be careful about sinkholes along the banks of trout streams.

A great tip for practicing your cast before a big trip.

What can I do to keep my large dry flies from twisting my leader?

Fishing in new places can be a bit daunting, but expanding your repertoire is a great way to develop skill and to help ease overcrowding in popular areas. We asked a selection of Orvis-endorsed guides how they like to approach new water, hoping . . .

The post Ask the Experts: How Do You Approach a New Water? appeared first on Orvis News.

As a master outdoorsman and fly-fishing guide based in Maine, I’ve explored and survived some very remote places. I always feel more alive in the wilderness, perhaps because life is less guaranteed without all the trappings of modern infrastructure. Out . . .

The post 5 Basic Bushcraft Tips for Anglers appeared first on Orvis News.

While carp aren’t for everyone, anglers who have tried pursuing them with a fly rod know they’re a lot harder to fool than their lowly status might indicate. Keen hearing, an uncanny sense of smell, and a downright lackadaisical . . .

The post Pro Tips: Three Flies that Carp Will Eat appeared first on Orvis News.

Welcome to a classic edition of the Orvis News Friday Fly-Fishing Film Festival, in which we scour the Web for the best fly-fishing videos available. This week, we’ve got a dozen cool productions that will transport you from . . .

The post Friday Fly-Fishing Film Festival 05.06.22 appeared first on Orvis News.

I’ve been asked to touch more on the spirituality of fly fishing in my podcasts, and honestly I’m not very good at that. So I asked a thoughtful friend and author, Dylan Tomine, to touch on these aspects of the sport. I don’t think we got very spiritual, but we . . .

The post Podcast: The Other Pleasures of Fly Fishing, with Dylan Tomine appeared first on Orvis News.

I’ve been asked to touch more on the spirituality of fly fishing in my podcasts, and honestly I’m not very good at that. So I asked a thoughtful friend and author, Dylan Tomine [32:54], to touch on these aspects of fly fishing. I don’t think we got very spiritual, but we do ramble on about the other aspects of fly fishing we enjoy besides catching fish, casting, and tying flies. It’s mostly about the people.

In the Fly Box this week, I had some great questions, including:

I am going backpacking and want to travel light but fish some streamers in the middle of the day. What should I take for lines?

Will my 6-weight Helios rod be too heavy for fishing Slough Creek in Yellowstone Park?

How do you decide when to give up when fishing a small stream?

For fishing the banks of small ponds, will my 6-weight Pro line be OK or should I try a Bank Shot line for roll casting?

Can I use straight level fluorocarbon for a leader for lake trout and small mouth bass?

My polarized sunglasses don’t work well for spotting trout. Are all polarized sunglasses equal in terms of seeing fish?

What line should I use on my 9-foot, 8-weight Encounter rod when fishing 10 to 15 feet of water?

What do you do when switching from nymph fishing to fishing a hatch? What about furled leaders?

I keep losing large rainbow trout when they jump. I am indicator nymphing. Am I doing something wrong?

For the month of May, as part of our Great Giveback Days event, Orvis customers have a unique opportunity to support conservation of vital salmonid habitat in Alaska’s Bristol Bay. The best part? When you give $10 to the . . .

The post Help Conserve Vital Salmon Habitat During Orvis Great Give Back Days appeared first on Orvis News.

Artist Jake Keeler and and film maker Mike Thienes of Rubinski Visual continue their Water Sabbath series with the full film coming later this month.  Take a moment to enjoy the final chapter, Search.

 Visit the Jake Keeler Art website for more and follow along on Instagram.   

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In the spring, when rivers are often flowing high and fast, I rely on a technique known as the “bump-twitch,” a hybrid of nymphing and streamer fishing that uses a floating line and often incorporates aspects of each method during . . .

The post Pro Tips: How to Use the Bump-Twitch Streamer Retrieve appeared first on Orvis News.

Welcome to a classic edition of the Orvis News Friday Fly-Fishing Film Festival, in which we scour the Web for the best fly-fishing videos available. This week, we offer a baker’s dozen, featuring some exotic destinations and . . .

The post Friday Fly-Fishing Film Festival 04.29.22 appeared first on Orvis News.

This week, my guest is Thomas Larsen from the Orvis Outfitters team. Thomas is a stillwater expert and gives us some great tips on how to find trout, as well as how to target them when you don’t have the benefit of a . . .

The post Podcast: Fishing Still Waters from Shore, with Thomas Larsen appeared first on Orvis News.

In the Fly Box this week, lots of good comments and questions as I have been gone for a couple weeks so the mailbox is filling up.

Thanks from a listener to turning him onto the Griffith’s Gnat dry fly

Euro nymphing seems just too efficient for me.

Am I being irrational by fishing less effective indicator rig?

A customer relates a great trip he had with Orvis-endorsed Brown Trout Flyfishing

What are the five or six “must have” items (after getting a fly rod outfit) you suggest for someone new to fly fishing?

Please give me five or six recommended flies for starting out.

I had a snapping turtle eat a trout as I was landing it.

What effect do catch and release fishing efforts have on fish populations?

For fishing the beach and canals and creeks in Florida or the Carolinas, what is the best all-around fly line?

I want to tie my own leaders. What sizes of tippet do I need? And can I tie my entire leader with surgeon’s knots?

Is a wire shock leader too much for lake trout? And what flies should I use?

How long does it take trout to recover after a spell of warm water?

If I can only catch trout on Rapalas and crankbaits but not on flies, what other types of flies should I try?

Great advice from a beginner on how much he learned about fish behavior by fishing dry flies

If fish can always see tippet, why is there a difference in effectiveness between tippet sizes?

What should I do if my fly line is cracked?

What is the difference between a standard clinch knot and improved clinch knot?

Why, when I catch multiple fish out of the same run, is the third or fourth fish often bigger than the first ones?

A guide attached my leader to my fly line loop with a clinch knot and the coating on the loop cracked. Should I cut off the loop and put my leader on with a nail knot?

For the past 15 years or so, anglers have been focused on stopping Pebble Mine, but there are other threats to Bristol Bay’s salmon, trout, and char populations. The Conservation Fund is working to protect almost 45,000 acres . . .

The post Wednesday Wake-Up Call 04.27.22  appeared first on Orvis News.

When rivers are blown out during runoff, many anglers head for lakes and ponds in search of trout. In this video, Joe Rotter from Red’s Fly Shop explains why leech imitations are so effective, and then he demonstrates the keys to . . .

The post Video Pro Tips: How to Fish Leeches in Still Water appeared first on Orvis News.

In another installment in partnership with Purina ProPlan, Reid is again joined by Dr. RuthAnn Lobos in a discussion about canine dental care. Dr. RuthAnn discusses the way in which dental health impacts the overall health . . .

The post Podcast: Canine Dental Care, with Dr. RuthAnn Lobos appeared first on Orvis News.

By early spring, most fly anglers are champing at the bit to get on the water, and with good reason. The air and water are warming up, and visions of big fish–hungry after their winter slumber—fill our daydreams. But as exciting as . . .

The post Pro Tips: Understanding the Risks of Cold Water Can Save Your Life appeared first on Orvis News.

Each year, for thirty-six years, the Orvis Company has recognized excellence in sporting experiences through its Endorsed Lodges, Outfitters, and Guides Program (ELOG). Awards are allocated based on a number of criteria, . . .

The post Meet the Winners of the 2022 Orvis-Endorsed Awards! appeared first on Orvis News.