TROUTBITTEN

Fishing Wild Rivers
For Wild Trout
Refining Techniques That Build Experiences
This Is Troutbitten

THE LATEST

PODCAST: How Has Fly Fishing Changed? — S9, Ep1

PODCAST: How Has Fly Fishing Changed? — S9, Ep1

Everything changes. That’s the only constant. And in the fly fishing world, the tactics, the gear and how we share all of this information changes, even though what the trout eat and how they eat it pretty much stays the same.

That time frame, that snapshot, from where you entered the fly fishing world, shapes what you do on the water. And it’s amazing what just twenty calendar years does to that snapshot. Because a lot of your understanding about what is common, accepted or frowned upon is shaped right away, as you start researching and learning about this fishing thing that eventually becomes a big part of your life.

Where to Find Big Trout | Part Two: The Spillouts

Where to Find Big Trout | Part Two: The Spillouts

“You look at where you’re going and where you are and it never makes sense, but then you look back at where you’ve been and a pattern seems to emerge.” That’s from Robert M. Pirsig. And man, does it ever apply to finding big trout.

Just downstream of a run, right where it blends into what can fairly be called a flat or a pool . . . is the spillout.

I suppose you can point to a spillout every time a run dumps into the neighboring pool. The feature is always at the transition. But for our purposes — for seeking out big trout — only a small percentage of these spillouts are good targets. So let’s talk about that . . .

TROUTBITTEN  ARTICLES

Welcome to Troutbitten.

Since 2014, I’ve published over 1000 stories, commentaries, tips, tactics and reviews.

As the Troutbitten Project has grown branches, these articles continue to be the heart and soul of my work. Some of these writings are organized in series form, where a group of articles reads like chapters in a book.

Adding to this collection of articles and sorting them, so you can find what interests you most, is an ongoing work. Please visit the Troutbitten Articles Page to begin.

Thanks for being here, and thank you for your support. Fish hard, friends.

— Domenick Swentosky

TROUTBITTEN  ARTICLES

Welcome to Troutbitten.

Since 2014, I’ve published over 900 stories, commentaries, tips, tactics and reviews.

As the Troutbitten Project has grown branches, these articles continue to be the heart and soul of my work. Some of these writings are organized in series form, where a group of articles reads like chapters in a book.

Adding to this collection of articles and sorting them, so you can find what interests you most, is an ongoing work. Please visit the Troutbitten Articles Page to begin.

Thanks for being here, and thank you for your support. Fish hard, friends.

— Domenick Swentosky

PODCAST: How Has Fly Fishing Changed? — S9, Ep1

PODCAST: How Has Fly Fishing Changed? — S9, Ep1

Everything changes. That’s the only constant. And in the fly fishing world, the tactics, the gear and how we share all of this information changes, even though what the trout eat and how they eat it pretty much stays the same.

That time frame, that snapshot, from where you entered the fly fishing world, shapes what you do on the water. And it’s amazing what just twenty calendar years does to that snapshot. Because a lot of your understanding about what is common, accepted or frowned upon is shaped right away, as you start researching and learning about this fishing thing that eventually becomes a big part of your life.

Where to Find Big Trout | Part Two: The Spillouts

Where to Find Big Trout | Part Two: The Spillouts

“You look at where you’re going and where you are and it never makes sense, but then you look back at where you’ve been and a pattern seems to emerge.” That’s from Robert M. Pirsig. And man, does it ever apply to finding big trout.

Just downstream of a run, right where it blends into what can fairly be called a flat or a pool . . . is the spillout.

I suppose you can point to a spillout every time a run dumps into the neighboring pool. The feature is always at the transition. But for our purposes — for seeking out big trout — only a small percentage of these spillouts are good targets. So let’s talk about that . . .

PODCASTS

The Troutbitten Podcast launched in the fall of 2021, and it quickly became the most popular independent fishing podcast on the charts.

While in season, the podcast publishes once a week, and there are four seasons each year.

Troutbitten Podcasts seasons follow two formats.

In the first format, a full panel of my best fishing friends covers a topic in the wide world of fly fishing for trout. These free-form episodes with the Troutbitten crew are uniquely entertaining and deeply informative.

In the second format, my friend, Austin Dando, joins me to break down one specific topic in a multi-episode exploration of advanced tactics. These seasons are part of the Troutbitten Skills Series.

Visit the Troutbitten Podcast Page to find them all . . .

TROUTBITTEN  VIDEOS

The Troutbitten YouTube Channel began in 2017. But I took it to the next level in 2020, by partnering with my friend, Josh Darling of Wilds Media, to film a video that is still one of my favorites — The River Doesn’t Owe You Anything.

In 2022, Josh and I committed to publishing every other week, and I’m excited to bring his artistic and deeply professional video production to some of the ideas and stories that I’ve wanted to share for years.

Troutbitten videos currently feature the Tips Series, Fly Fishing the Mono Rig Series, and Gear Reviews. Who knows what’s coming next . . .

Visit the Troutbitten Videos Page to watch them all  . . .

(VIDEO) Three Great Ways to Create Tag Droppers

(VIDEO) Three Great Ways to Create Tag Droppers

With three good solutions for creating tag droppers, there’s a method for every moment. And by getting each of these under your fingers, by practicing them and being comfortable, you’ll find uses for all of these methods as you work up a river.

100 Day Gear Review: Smith Creek Rod Rack (with VIDEO)

100 Day Gear Review: Smith Creek Rod Rack (with VIDEO)

Transporting a fly rod is not as straightforward as it may seem. But it can be. For many of us, our preference to keep the fly rod rigged and ready to fish presents some challenges.

For years now, the Smith Creek Rod Rack has been my perfect solution. The Rock Rack stores up to seven rods inside the vehicle, keeping them secure and away from passengers — from kids, dogs or mishaps. Attachment is easy, the design is smart and the Smith Creek build is solid.

Leaders, stickers, hats, shirts canvases and more.

The Troutbitten Shop features logo-branded apparel and hand-tied leaders in all our favorite formulas.

Visit the Shop

GUIDED TRIPS

Guided fly fishing trips on central Pennsylvania’s best waters.

With an emphasis on education, Troutbitten trips are tailored toward your goals, your skill level and your interests. It’s your adventure.

These limestone spring-fed rivers are full of of wild brown trout that teach the right things.

No setups. Just wild trout in wild places.

Visit the Troutbitten Trips page for more.

SUPPORT

Troutbitten is an independent resource for all anglers.  To help support this project, please consider the following.

— Make purchases through ads, through affiliate links. and on the Recommended Gear page

— Visit the Troutbitten Shop

— Donate directly to the Troutbitten Project

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