Untangled: Fly Fishing For Everyone | Ventures Fly Co.

Brookies are the favorite of tons of anglers. They're gorgeous, and the big ones can be extremely frustrating AND rewarding to catch. But they're also one of the biggest threats to the long-term survival of native fish like cutthroat trout. Brookies are more aggressive than cutties, so in places where the two fish live side-by-side, brookies outcompete cutthroat for food. Eventually, the cutthroat just can't persist on the landscape, and they disappear. So, to help cutthroat and other native fish like gila and apache trout, sometimes fisheries managers ASK for you to kill brook trout. Does killing a few brookies REALLY help cutthroat? And is this a sound practice, or do fish biologists in the West just have it out for brookies? Today on Untangled, we'll dive into all of this and explain what really goes into conserving and protecting our native fish.

You'll also learn about:

• What stomach pumps are, and why Spencer thinks they're unethical
• Camp traditions and recipes for fishing trips
• How to get the most out of backpacking trips to go fly fishing
• How to tell if you've spooked fish from a given fun

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Why are so many of the flies we tie, use, and sell, all brightly colored, when most of the real-life bugs trout eat are drab and dull? Why do our fly boxes look like they'd be more at home at a middle-school craft fair, or a tea party, than on the river? Well, it all boils down to how trout perceive color. Understanding this key detail of trout biology can help you better understand how and why trout react so well to certain fly patterns.

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ALEX STULCE RETURNS! And as he joins Spencer on today's episode, the two talk about the hopper fishing strategies that too often get ignored. Things like adding drag on purpose to make the hopper look like it's alive, to fishing them in shallow, nervous water. These are the little things that WILL make a difference in your fishing this summer, but that most folks don't ever discuss.

You'll also hear about:

• Everything going on behind-the-scenes at VFC, including updates on products, live events, and new releases
• Tips for fishing etiquette when you're brand-new
• How to guesstimate the depth of a river when setting up a nymph rig
• How to tell if you're getting a bite, or just ticking the bottom
• The great knot debate between the Clinch and Loop knots

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The days when you catch something unexpected — your new personal best, for instance — seem to come out of nowhere, like letters from the IRS. And not unlike mail from the tax man, I think every angler has at least SOME level of fear that they won't be prepared to meet those memorable fish when they decide to show up.

Of course, not every unforgettable fish has to be huge — it can be a particularly gorgeous brookie, or a wild rainbow trout that's shaped like a football, or a brown all colored up for pumpkin spice season.

But those big ones? That show up out of nowhere, when you're fishing the farm pond, that tiny creek near your house, or the stretch of river you've always skipped, because it just didn't look fishy?

Those are the fish that make your palms sweaty, get the butterflies swarming in your stomach, and put you right back in that dark, loud gym on the night of your first school dance. That feeling never goes away, no matter how long you've been fishing; or at least, it hasn't for me.

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Fly fishing apps are for those lazy anglers who just want someone to tell them where to go, what flies to use, and how to fish. They're for people who prefer automatic transmissions, boneless chicken wings, and Downton Abbey.

Right?

Well, not exactly. That was my attitude for a LONG time, until this year. I started using one app, and it honestly made me change my tune. These apps can be really helpful, for anglers of all skill levels.

Today on Untangled, you'll learn why I changed my mind about fly fishing apps, the ones we recommend here at VFC, and how to get the most out of these tools.

You'll also learn about:

• Tips for correcting a cast that always seem to land to the left or the right
• The gear Spencer recommends for backcountry fly fishing trips
• Etiquette for fishing with a larger group of anglers

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There are two main types of fly lines - weight-forward and doube-taper. But what do those words mean? And when would you want to use one versus the other? Today on Untangled, we'll tackle everything to know about the differences between these lines, as well as getting into when and why you might want to use them. We'll also talk about the importance of matching your fly line to your rod, and what makes a fly line "good" or "bad."

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This is the first episode of our new Everday Angler series, where we sit down with anglers who are at every stage of the learning curve. Yes, guides, outfitters, and industry experts have a lot to add to the conversation, but how often is their advice actualyl tailored to the situation you're in right now?

And since one of the best ways to learn is by chatting with other anglers in your exact situation, that's what we decided to do. Our first guest is Riley Bayles, an angler from Utah who's been fly fishing for abot 2 years. Alex and I had the chance to fish with Riley this summer, and we were impressed by his approach to the sport and his willingness to learn. Riley has some fantastic insight as someone who's in the thick of figuring it out, and his advice will absolutley help you become a better angler.

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August can feel like one of the tougher months for fly fishing, and in many ways, it is. BUT - with the right approach, you can still have a great time on the water this month. Depending on where you live, your best option might be fishing early in the morning, or chasing non-trout species. If you have easy access to the high country nearby, this is a great time to go out and explore all the less-visited places where the fishing is still fast and furious.

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When the air temps warm up, we're not the only ones having a hard time of it. Trout don't react well when the water gets too warm, and knowing both HOW and WHY they act differently in warm water, can be an easy way to ensure you're taking care of the fish we love so much. On today's episode on Untangled, you'll learn why it's important to monitor water temps, when you should stop fishing, and other quick tips you can use to ensure the fish stay happy and healthy for years to come.

You'll also learn about:

• The best method for changing out tippet to match your flies as they change sizes throughout the day
• Tips for spotting your dry flies on the water
• Spencer's thoughts on tippet rings, micro swivels, and yarn strike indicators

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Golden trout are among the prettiest, rarest, and most sought-after trout in the West. They live in hard-to-reach places, and the ones that grow to enormous sizes seem like they're harder to find than clear pictures of Bigfoot. But putting in the work and effort to look for these fish - even if you strike out - usually results in memories you'll never forget.

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Caddisflies are one of the most abundant aquatic insects on the PLANET! But they're largely misunderstood by anglers - inclulding myself. In fact, I just had an experience on the water that made me realize I've been fishing these flies completely wrong for 20 years!

Don't make the same mistakes I did. Listen to this week's episode and learn all about how caddisflies should be fished, and how this can help you put more trout in the net.

You'll also learn about:

• The differences between headwaters and tailwaters
• Tips for fishing with kids, and getting them interested in fly fishing
• Why trout really eat streamers

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Waders are great and all -- but by the time summer rolls around, they get HOT! They're not all that comfortable to wear, either. So, if you wanna ditch the waders, what's the best way to go?

We prefer using a fully dedicated wet wading setup. You get all the benefits of the stability of wading boots, without the bulk and added heat of waders. Today on Untangled, we'll dish on all the things we love about wet wading, the gear we recommend, and WHY we've made these choices.

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Starting out in fly fishing is overwhelming. You're told you've got to master all sorts of techniques and tactics, and the second you open Instagram, or read any online content, you're bombarded with new things to try! It feels like, if you're not at least dipping your toe in everything, you're quickly falling behind as an angler.

Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, that mindset is damaging for new anglers. So in today's episode of Untangled, you're going to learn why this isn't the best way to approach things, and some tips for actually leveling up that don't require new gear, or trips to exotic locations.

You'll also learn about:

• Tips for fishing for grass carp, and carp behavior in general
• Fly selection for carp
• Tips on casting with indicators, split shot, or other heavy rigs
• Tips on tying flies and fishing for stocked trout vs wild trout

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The largest cutthroat trout ever officially caught was a 41-pounder back in 1925. Rumors persisted of fish in excess of 60 pounds, but like any good fish, those ones got away before they could be weighed...

These giant cutthroat were once thought to be lost forever. By the 1940s, they were gone from the landscape, and our chance to fish for giant, prehistoric fish was basically gone.

But that's where this story really starts, and gets all sorts of interesting. In this episode of Untangled's Fly Fishing Stories, you'll learn all about the world's largest cutthroat trout -- how they evolved, how they vanished, and how they made one of the world's most shocking comebacks.

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Summer is the time for throwing big foam bugs and large droppers, right?

Well, yes - but there are a couple of dry flies that get chronically overlooked by anglers - myself included. So today on Untangled, you're going to learn what these flies are, why you should add them to your box, and tips for getting the most out of them when you tie one on.

You'll also learn about:

• How to adjust your rigs for fishing in lower water
• Tips for getting back into the game with fishing dry flies
• Why some rods roll cast better with heavier lines

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Lake fishing can be intimidating. Where do you cast? What are you looking for that tells you fish will be in one spot versus another? And do you use the same flies you use on rivers and streams?

Well, fishing lakes is A LOT simpler than it appears, and this is actually the best time of year to give it a shot. So today on Untangled, you'll learn four quick tips for getting the most out of your time on stillwater this summer!

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It's hard to not fall in love with small streams. They're gorgeous, the fish are generally fairly willing to eat, and they're a GREAT place to escape the crowds for a bit. As summer drags on, though, small streams don't always continue to be this fairytale place to fish. The water levels drop, fish get spooky, and you feel like you're back at square one, looking for a solution to this problem. It boils down to understanding where fish move during the summer, what they're looking to eat, and the best times to be out on the water. Today on Untangled, we'll dive into all of that and more, so you can have success on small streams this summer.

You'll also learn about:

• The differences in fly rod weights and what they mean for the flies you can throw
• How a heavier fly rod can be more effective in fighting fish
• Some tips for properly fighting trout to the net
• The things to watch out for that you might be doing to inadvertantly spook fish
• Why you should try different styles of fishing - ONLY if you want to

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It's hot, windy, dry, and there's a few people out on the water. The biggest hatches of the year are winding down. Mosquitoes have made their unfortunate return. Despite all this, fishing in July can be just as rewarding as a nice hot plate of fresh wings. You just need to be prepared with the knowledge of what bugs are out, and what the fish are doing, so you can take advantage of the fact that trout still gotta eat! Today on Untangled, we'll look at what to expect in July, and give you the tools you need to go out and have an epic day on the water!

Recommended Flies:

• Elk Hair Caddis, size 14-18
• Half-Baked Caddis, size 16
• Foam Caddis, size 14-18
• CDA Caddis, size 16-18
• Parachute PMD, size 14
• Parachute Adams, sizes 14-20
• Hare's Ear, sizes 14-18
• Frenchie, sizes 14-16
• Pheasant Tail, sizes 14-16
• Sparkle Dun, size 16-18
• RS2, sizes 16-20
• Griffiths Gnat, sizes 18-22
• Zebra Midge, sizes 14-18
• Scud Muffin, sizes 16-18
• Demon Midge, sizes 16-18

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What makes a day on the water great? Is it really all about how many fish you caught? I mean, I know we're going fishing to catch fish, but is that ALL a day on the water is about? I think a lot of anglers would say no, they appreciate the solitude, the quiet, the beauty, the challenge. But at the end of the day, if you walk back to your truck and you got skunked, you feel like you failed, right? Or at the very least, that you got beat.

I'm not here to say that catching fish doesn't matter, and I'm certainly not telling you what to do. I just want to ask one question:

Is the number of fish you catch the best way to measure your success on the water? Or is there more to it?

That's what we'll discuss on today's episode of Untangled.

You'll also learn about:

• How to dial in the right depth for your nymph rig
• How to estimate the depth of a river while setting up a nymph rig
• Where to put split shot on your rig
• Why you're consistently hooking bottom and how to avoid it
• The merits of barbless hooks

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Nymphs are supposed to be heavy and sink straight to the bottom, where the fish spend most of their time - right? Yes, that's what MOST nymphs are designed to do. But some are tied without any weight at all, and they're great for using when the fish are a bit picky, feeding during a heavy hatch, or you just want to switch up how you're approaching the water.

Today on Untangled, you'll learn all about the merits of weightless nymphs, and why they're a style of fly you should consider having in your box.

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Finding good wading gear that works for your stlye of fishing, AND that's within your budget, feels almost impossible sometimes. It's tough to know what exactly you need from your waders and boots.

Well, Spencer has spent the past decade reviewing gear for fly fishing magazines, and he's been fly fishing for over 20 years. Today on Untangled, he's going to share the particular features he looks for in waders and boots, and how you can use that knowledge to find the PERFECT set of wading gear for you.

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Skwala Gear We Recommend - BOOTS & WADERS

You never expect a trip to nosedive, especially when you've planned it for the better part of a year, you're traveling across a few states to get there, and you're going with two of your best friends. As the old saying goes, though, no plan survives first contact with the enemy. In our case, we just didn't understand that we even had an enemy, or how far south things could actually go.

This is the story of the trip we all have at some point, but few of us ever remember fondly.

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Do you have a fly box that's full of go-to patterns for your local creek? And maybe another one that's stuffed with all the right flies for the tailwater you visit a few times a year?

And let's be honest for a sec — when's the last time you used EVERY fly in those boxes? How many of those patterns are there mostly for emotional support? Or do they just weigh down your pack and make it hard to find the pattern you're looking for?

I think the secret to a good fly box isn't variety of patterns. Instead, it's about hitting every life cycle stage of the major insects — midges, mayflies, caddis, and stoneflies. A few imitations of each are all I often reach for in about 90% of trout fishing situations.

So today on Untangled, I'll share more about this approach to picking flies and stocking your box, so you can hit the water without hauling an entire fly shop along with you.

You'll also learn about:

• The wet wading gear we recommend
• Why some flies work better in some places than other flies do
• The importance of caddisflies for trout around the globe
• Some tips on improving your dry fly presentation

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Have you ever heard someone say something like "Oh, the flows on the river are good today, that means the fishing will be great!" And you're a bit too embarrassed to ask why flows matter? Maybe you've even heard the phrase "CFS" thrown around too?

Well, high and low water flows have different impacts on how the fishing is. Too high, and it's tough, or impossible, to fish. Too low, and the water's too warm for trout. Learning how to read flow charts, though, gives you the power to hit the water at just the right time.

So today on Untangled, I'll explain exactly what river flows and CFS means, how it impacts fishing, and how you can use it to pick the best place to spend your day on the water.

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The biggest lie in fly fishing is that there's an exactly-perfect, foolproof, never-fail method to fish every piece of water, and that if you study or learn enough, you'll never get skunked.

Here's the truth -- great anglers still get skunked, or at the very least, have TOUGH days on the water. But one skill they've mastered? The ability to sift through the advice that's out there, and learn how to apply it to their unique situations.

On today's episode of Untangled, that's exactly what you'll learn. You'll get advice on how to implement fly fishing advice so you actually see results on the water.

You'll also learn about:

• Whether mink eat trout, and how much impact mink predation can have on trout populations
• The knot we prefer to use for 99% of fishing here at VFC
• Why the knot you use DOESN'T really matter
• How to pick flies to use based on where you're going fishing

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June usually means high water, big bugs, happy fish, and the first days that are warm enough to think about wet wading. June's also the first month when some of the high country starts opening up, which means your favorite small streams and ponds are just a hike away.

The most challenging thing about June fishing, though, is navigating the high water and finding the fish. Once you know what to look for, though, you can have some fantastic days out there.

So, today on Untangled, we'll take a look at all the key info you need to know to have great days on the water this June.

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FLIES TO USE IN JUNE

• Parachute Adams, sizes 10-18
• Parachute PMD, size 14
• Green Drakes, size 10
• Trusty Rusty, size 12
• Last Chance Cripple, sizes 12-16
• Sparkle Dun, sizes 16-20
• Frenchie, sizes 14-18
• Crackback, sizes 14-18
• Elk Hair Caddis, sizes 14-18
• Puff Caddis, size 14
• Half-baked caddis, sizes 14-18
• Hare's Ear, sizes 14-18
• CDA Caddis, size 14
• Stimulator, sizes 12-14
• Yellow Sally, size 14
• Prince Nymph, sizes 12-16
• CDC Pheasant Tail, sizes 12-16
• Pat's Rubberlegs, sizes 10-12
• Royal Flush, size 12
• Golden Stone nymph, sizes 12-14
• Sow Bugs, sizes 14-18
• Zebra Midges, sizes 14-18
• Demon Midge, sizes 16-18
• Perdigons, size 14-16

How many flies do you have in your box right now? A few dozen? A few hundred? More than a thousand? Yeah, it's great to have a lot of flies on hand - but that many choices makes it easy to overthink your fly selection. That can lead to you switching flies too often, when the real reason you're not catching fish has to do with your presentation. So, today on Untangled, you'll learn a bit more about why it's a good idea to pare down your fly selection, and the 10 fly patterns you could catch 90% of trout with.

You'll also learn about:

• How long flies should last before they fall apart
• Whether you should focus on fishing other types of flies (nymphs and streamers) during a hatch
• How to fish deep on a lake without sinking fly line

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What's keeping you from having consistent, repeatable success on the water? From fishing with the same sort of confidence you see guides approach it with, or anglers who've been fishing for decades. Is it really just time and honing a bunch of technical skills, like casting, or fly selection?

That stuff helps. But the best anglers I know — the ones I say I wanna be like when I grow up — aren't necessarily the best casters, and NONE of them can tell you the latin name of every bug on the water.

What they all have in common is simple — they're incredible at watching the water, and using what they see to inform how they tackle any given situation. More than anything, this is the skill that separates good from great anglers.

Today on Untangled, I'll walk you through why this is so important, and how mastering the art of watching and waiting will make you a noticeably more successful angler.

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Trout aren't the only fish to catch on a fly rod. From bass and pike to panfish and tarpon, there's almost no end to the critters you can catch with this style of fly fishing. Doing something so different from what you're used to, though, will definitely throw you for a loop - just like it did to Alex and Spencer. They just went on a trip to Florida for some bass fishing, and got some time in on the salt as well. What they learned made them realize just how much there is about fly fishing they don't know. And perhaps most surprising were all the lessons they observed that can help you be a better angler, no matter what you fish for.

You'll also learn about:

• Tips for targeting bass on the fly
• How to cast streamers with sink-tip lines
• How to fish high, dirty water that you often get in runoff season
• Whether you should add floatant to cripples
• How flow rates and water temperatures impact fish behavior
• The aspect to change first when trying to match the hatch: size, shape, or color
• Whether fish see the blue light spectrum, and the impact that has on fly choice

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You hear stories about some fisheries that are supposed to be excellent. Since you don't want to miss out on great fishing, and you figure that many people who talk up a spot can't be wrong about it, you plan a day to go see it.

Then you make the trip there — whether it's a long drive, a hike, or both — and you can't quite figure out what all the fuss was for. Either you get skunked, you don't see many fish, or the fish you DO see feel impossible to catch.

Well, maybe that was just a bad day. Every fishery has 'em. So the next time you go, you go with a friend who's fished it before, and he pulls out a pair of 24-inch fish, while you're left picking your flies out of trees and wondering why you gave up a Saturday of good college football for this.

Spots like this tend to stick under your skin, to stay with you until you either figure them out, or the memory fades enough that you can quietly shuffle it into the bin of character-building experiences you don't want to go through again.

There's one lake like this that I've fished for the better part of two decades, and against all my better judgement, I'm itching to go back this summer. It feels like unfinished business, but if I'm being honest, it's probably more about wounded pride.

Still — there's a lot to learn from places like this. I bet you'll pick up a few of the lessons far quicker than I did.

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What information do you ACTUALLY need to know if you're getting started in fly fishing? What's going to help you improve, and what's just going to add to the noise?

Well, there are a lot of opinions on this topic. This week on Untangled, Spencer Durrant shares the 5 things he wishes he knew when he started fly fishing, A LONG time ago.

You'll also learn about:

• Why and when you need to fish really small flies
• Why you should focus more on presentation than fly selection
• What wet flies are and how they're used
• Some tips on fishing streamers in runoff
• Why you shouldn't overthink technique

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When the wind picks up and you suddenly can't land your flies right where you want them anymore, what do you do? If you're anything like me, you probably make a few classic mistakes that are actively harming your ability to fly cast in the wind. Today on Untangled, you'll learn about the 3 big mistakes to avoid, and the things you should do instead, to battle the wind when it inevitably shows up.

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I used to HATE fishing with nymphs. What bugged me the most was dealing with split shot - taking it off, or putting it on my rig. You've gotta get those tiny slits in the shot lined up with your tippet, then crimp it down, and NOT drop it all in the river. It's not fun to cast with, either.

The biggest problem is how much split shot actually effects your ability to feel what your flies are doing, and how they're drifting. By ditching split shot, you gain a TON of feedback and control over your rig. That means more fish in the net. Today on Untangled, you'll learn how to get your flies down deep without split shot, and why it's actively harming your nymphing game.

You'll also learn about:

• Why you should put your own spin on fly patterns, if you tie your own flies
• Why a 6-weight rod is ideal for sink-tip lines and streamers
• How to spot the bugs when fish are rising, so you can accurately match the hatch

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Get your dry fly rod ready, because May means some of the best hatches you'll see all year! In this month's fly fishing report, you'll leran all about the bugs that will hatch in May, the flies we recommend for imitating them, and a couple of pro tips for making the most of fishing before runoff hits.

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Recommended Fly Patterns

• Parachute Adams
• Parachute Purple Haze
• Blue Dun, Green Drake
• Parachute Trusty Rusty
• Parachute PMD
• Parachute BWO
• Sparkle Dun
• Klinkhammer
• Last Chance Cripple
• Hare's Ear
• Frenchies
• Gunslinger
• Crackback
• Puff caddis
• Elk hair caddis
• Missing link
• Foam caddis
• Pheasant tail
• CDA caddis
• Peeping caddis
• Griffiths Gnat
• Matt's Midge
• Zebra Midge
• WD40
• Demon Midges
• Royal Flush
• Golden Stone
• 20-incher stone
• Pat's Rubberlegs

The caddis hatch sometimes get overlooked in all our excitement over mayflies and stoneflies, especially early in the season.

But caddis hatches stay consistent throughout the summer, and they only become more important for trout as the season stretches on. Plus, the first big caddis hatch of the year can be an absolute blast if you hit it right.

This week on Untangled, we'll take a detailed look at the caddis hatch: when these bugs start getting active, their lifecycle and behavior, and the flies we recommend for a successful day out on the water.

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If you really want to grow as an angler, sometimes that means you'll need to make some hard choices. You'll need to push yourself to try stuff you may not want to, or you'll have to find a way to power through the days on the water that, frankly, make you want to give up. On the other side of those hard times is the great fishing we always hear stories about. And in today's episode of Fly Fishing Stories, Spencer Durrant shares the tale of the day when he did just that - pushed through the bad weather and questionable conditions, and came out on the other side with an unforgettable day.

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Ice-off is a magical time: it's when some of the biggest trout in any body of water come within easy casting distance of shore. That means it's one of the best times of year for you to tie into what could be your new personal best trout on a fly rod! So, to take advantage of this great fishing, this week's episode of Untangled is a deep-dive into all things ice-off fly fishing: why it's so productive, tactics to find and hook fish, as well as advice on gear and flies.

You'll also learn about:

• How to find new places to fly fish
• The value of fishing water that gets a lot of pressure
• How and why the tips we talk about on Untangled apply to other regions of the country, not just the Rockies
• The best use cases for a 7wt rod
• How to effectively fish nymphs in lakes and rivers

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Alright, let's be honest for a sec — how often do you feel like you're catching fish more out of luck than skill?

I remember feeling that way all the time when I started fly fishing. Honestly, that feeling didn't stop until I learned this one valuable lesson: if you pay attention to WHERE you catch fish, and not just what fly they ate, finding and catching fish really starts to click. It feels like something you're doing more on purpose, and less by good luck.

Today on Untangled, I'll explain why paying attention to WHERE you catch fish is so important, and how it can help you have more predictable, repeatable success on the water.

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How much does the pattern you pick matter for your success on the water? Is there an EXACT PERFECT FLY that'll work amazing in one situation, and if you don't pick it, you won't have as much success as you could've?

Probably. But here's the thing - fly selection doesn't really matter that much. HOW you present that fly is what makes the most difference. To put this theory to the test, we spent an entire day fishing for four different trout species (browns, rainbows, cutthroat, and brookies) but we could only use 2 flies the whole day. No changing sizes, colors, or anything like that. We were locked in to the patterns we picked that morning.

What we learned was just how much presentation matters to your success on the water. Today, Alex Stulce and Spencer Durrantn share the lessons they learned from this challenge, and how it can help you succeed on the water as well.

You'll also learn about:

• Oversizing and undersizing the line on your fly reel
• How many state annual licenses Spencer and Alex have
• The one fly in Spencer and Alex's boxes that they consistently underutilize
• Some tips for teaching new anglers so they can find success on the water
• How to spot rising trout without spooking them
• How long Spencer and Alex like to fish certain stretches of river before moving on
• The merits of various knots

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Have you ever fished in a hatch that feels like the stories we hear, usually from the old-timers, about the days when fish ate from a never-ending buffet of bugs? Where, if you're in the right place at the right time, you can catch fish until your arms fall off?

I've had that opportunity once - and this is the story of the greatest mayfly hatch I've ever seen.

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There's about a million different ways to rig up a nymph rig. From indicators and drop-shot styles, to tight-lining it, or throwing a dry-dropper, how do you know which method is the best?

Well, that depends on your situation, BUT - indicator nymphing is BY FAR the most versatile way to put flies in front of fish, and make them look real. So, today on Untangled, we're looking at the pros and cons of this style of fishing, and how you can better utilize it to help you put more fish in the net.

You'll also learn about:

• Recommended rod & reel combos for fly fishing on lakes and ponds
• How to pack and travel with your fly fishing gear on an airplane
• Different setup options for fishing streamers

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Say you're shopping for a new fly rod. You've probably heard them all described in different ways, but one common phrase you've seen is "this rod's action is fast" or "this has a sweet, soft action."

What the heck does action mean? And how does it impact the way a rod performs on the water?

Well, it's pretty simple! So in this Tip of the Week, we're breaking down what fly rod action is, how it impacts a rod's performance on the water, and how you can use this information to pick the right rod for any fly fishing job you might run into.

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What's the real reason fish aren't eating your fly? Is it beause you didn't pick the PERFECT fly? There's a better one in your box, so you oughta spend 10-15 minutes looking for it, right?

No. Not very often will that be the case. Instead, you're most likely not catching fish becasue your fly doesn't look real. Remember, your job is to put flies in front of fish, and make them look real! So today on Untangled, we're taking a deep dive into why presentation matters so much, and some simple tips to improve just how much your fake fly looks like the real thing.

You'll also learn about:

• Why we don't often talk about fishing wet flies and soft hackles here at VFC
• How to match the right leader size to the right fly size
• Why it's important to play fish quickly and minimize your handling time
• Tips for catching brood-stock trout that have been dumped into community ponds

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The best blue-winged olive hatches of the year are right around the corner! And by the end of the month, you might see some Mother's Day caddis out and about as well!

What this means is that you need to be prepared for the great spring fly fishing that April offers. With Untangled's April Fly Fishing Report, you'll be ready with all the knowledge about the hatches to expect, fly patterns we recommend, and tips and tricks for tackling the tricky weather and conditions this time of year.

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RECOMMENDED FLIES FOR APRIL

• Parachute Adams 16-20
• BWO 16-20
• Matt's Midge 18-24
• Griffiths Gnat 18-24
• Sparkle Dun 16-18
• RS2 16-18
• WD40 16-18
• Last Chance Cripple 16-18
• Zebra Midge 16-20
• Pheasant Tail 16-20
• Hare's Ear 16-20
• Fenchie 16-20
• Gunslinger 16-20
• Crackback 16-20
• Micro May 16-20
• Demon Midge 16-20
• Elk Hair Caddis 12-16
• CDA Caddis 16-18

In this special episode of Untangled, Spencer and Alex are joined by Ryan Kelly, longtime guide on Utah's Green River, and one of the best fly fishing photographers currently working. You might know Ryan from Instagram (@GreenRiverFlyFisher) and you've probably seen his shots of fish rising to eat dry flies. Today, Ryan shares all that he's learned from a decade of watching fish eat through a camera's lens (as well as his two decades of guiding experience) to help you understand what trout are ACTUALLY doing during a hatch.

Why do they ignore flies? Why do they get leader shy? Why do so many anglers have trouble catching picky fish eating dry flies? Those, and many more questions, are answered in this show.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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