Episoder
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Catching trout is often the focus of most fly fishing media. But not all of us live near great trout fishing! You might live next to a farm pond full of panfish, or on the coast near striped bass. So, all the trout-centric fly fishing content can get kinda old. Here's what most folks don't immediately understand, though -- the skills you need for trout fishing overlap with the skills you need for almost every other fish!
Bonefish, bass, tarpon, roosterfish, taimen, musky, pike -- these are all vastly different from trout, but they still require a good knowledge of fly presentation, fly selection, casting, and reading water. Those are foundational skills you need no matter what you're fishing for!
On this episode of Untangled, Spencer walks you through how trout fishing can overlap with all sorts of other species, and gives you concrete examples of what that looks like. You'll also learn about:
Building your own leaders The most versatile fly rod OTHER than a 9' 5-weight How to cast after making a LONG drift through a good runLINKS 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 - Fly Fishing Knots - WATCH HERE
VIDEO - Wildfly Smallmouth Film - WATCH HERE
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Have you ever wanted to go fly fishing in some incredible place, but you're unsure if you'll ever be able to afford it? I mean, with how expensive eggs are, traveling to fish is just out of the question - right?
Not necessarily. If you're willing to make a few compromises, you can have an AMAZING fly fishing trip for relatively cheap. In this episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant will walk you through the process he uses to plan fishing trips, including a half-dozen trips to Alaska while he was still either in college, or teaching high schoolo English.
You'll also learn about:
Tying on a dry fly to act as an "indicator" in a two-dry rig Some tips for mending more effectively Spencer's process for applying floatant to dry flies Whether your dry-dropper rig needs to be two flies of the same species (a caddis dry and nymph, for example) How to match your leader/tippet size to your fliesLINKS 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
VIDEO - Fly Fishing in Alaska! - WATCH HERE
GEAR - VFC Fly Collections - CHECK THEM OUT
VIDEO - How to Mend Fly Line - WATCH HERE
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Manglende episoder?
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We all dream of catching a fish that we'll never forget. You know the kind - a big one, or one that required a crazy cast, or maybe just one that surprised you. Often, these unforgettable fish are what keep us coming back to the river. But what exactly makes some fish stand out more than others?
In this episode of Untangled, you'll hear five stories about fish that Spencer hasn't forgotten. From those five fish, Spencer put together a step-by-step guide to help you make your own unforgettable fishing memories.
You'll also learn about:
Wader and boot recommendations How often you should change your flies The differences between 5 and 6wt rodsLINKS FROM THE SHOW
Get the Right Fly eBook For FREE! - CHECK IT OUT
Join the VFC Online Community - CHECK IT OUT
QUESTIONS FOR THE SHOW - SUBMIT HERE
#LIVEREELLIFE MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE
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Have you ever wondered WHY a fish rejects your fly? Well, we know that presentation matters, but is there something about the fly itself that makes a trout decide to eat - or reject it entirely?
Well, you can find some answers to those questions when you look at exactly how trout see your flies. Their vision is great, but not without its faults. Understanding how trout view the world will give you more tools with which you can better fool fish. In this episode of Untangled, Spencer Durrant walks you through the science behind how fish see your flies, what actually triggers them to eat, AND how this information can directly put more fish in your net.
You'll also learn about:
How cold is too cold for fly fishing Do trout flies work everywhere, or are some patterns specific to certain regions? What a nymph is, and what it imitatesLINKS 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
ARTICLE - How Trout See - CHECK IT OUT
ARTICLE - How Trout See Pt. 2 - CHECK IT OUT
ARTICLE - Does Fly Color Matter? - CHECK IT OUT
ARTICLE - Unmatching the Hatch - CHECK IT OUT
ARTICLE - About That Hook: What Do Trout See? - CHECK IT OUT
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We spend A TON of time talking about dry flies, nymphs, and streamers. But there's another type of fly out there that doesn't get enough love. This fly is supposedly the easiest to use, AND it's the favorite of some of the world's best anglers.
I'm talking about wet flies, or soft hackles (they're the same thing).
In this episode of Untangled, you'll learn what soft hackles are, what they imitate, why you'd want use them, and how to fish them. This is another trick you can add to your skillset to help you put more fish in the net!
You'll also learn about:
How to get good drifts across large, deep pools with multiple currents The differences between a 9' 4-weight and 9' 5-weight How to cast strike indicators The best strike indicators for mountain streamsLINKS 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 MOMENT - SUBMIT HERE
VIDEO - How to Swing Wet Flies - CHECK IT OUT
VIDEO - Soft Hackle Fly Fishing - CHECK IT OUT
VIDEO - How to Make a Reach Cast - CHECK IT OUT
PICTURE - Isaiah's Brown Trout - CHECK IT OUT
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Have you ever been told that you HAVE to get a perfect, drag-free drift if you want to catch fish on dry flies? What about the need to keep your rod tip sky-high when you're fighting a fish? Or that you'll catch big fish if you're using big flies?
These may sound like they're rules, but there are actually NO RULES in fly fishing. There are only guidelines, and just a few at that.
On this episode of Untangled, you'll learn about some of the "rules" in fly fishing, and WHY and WHEN you should break them.
You'll also learn about:
Fishing for fish other than trout on a fly rod How sunscreen impacts trout, and what sunscreen you should use Some insight about spring creeks and freestone streams What to do when fish swallow your fliesLINKS FROM THE SHOW
Get the 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
RESOURCE - Scientific Paper about Sunscreen and Fish - CHECK IT OUT
PICTURE - Brian's Creek - CHECK IT OUT
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What fly fishing skills will ACTUALLY move the needle and make you a better angler? Well, if you asked 5 different anglers, you'd probably get 20 different answers! And trying to master 20 new skills in a single year sounds like too much for it to be of any use.
On today's episode of Untangled, Spencer will share the 5 skills that have made the biggest difference in his own fishing. These are things he's still working on, and they're aspects of the sport that ALL of us can learn and improve on.
You'll also learn about:
How to interpret CFS data How much wind is too much for fly fishing, and what it feels like Setting your drag for different fish fighting situations How to properly position your strike indicatorLINKS FROM THE SHOW
Get the Pocket Rigs Guide - 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 - WATCH HERE
ARTICLE - A Gut Check on Accuracy - CHECK IT OUT
VIDEO - Positioning Your Strike Indicator - WATCH HERE
PICTURE - Jon's Apache Trout - CHECK IT OUT
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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 bugsLINKS 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
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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 flyLINKS 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
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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 fishingLINKS 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
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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 streamersLINKS 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
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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 columnLINKS 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
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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 bitingLINKS 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
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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 eatsLINKS 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
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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
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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 fishingLINKS 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
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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 fishLINKS 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
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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 waterLINKS 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
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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 fishLINKS 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
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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
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